Thursday, Beth and David celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. Wow, I can't believe it's been that long! Anyway, we offered to have Will and Abby for the night so they could go to out dinner to celebrate. We had all kinds of suggestions as to what we could do for fun, but they decided they wanted to put bubbles in our fountain and play with them. They got soaked, but had a ball. After getting dried off, we took them to Five Guys for burgers and fries and then to PDK to watch the airplanes and play on the playground. Friday, we were off to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for some "cousin time" with Evan and Pressley. They have made some great improvements there--this fountain being one of them! This is what greets you as you enter from the new parking garage. So many of the people who live near Piedmont Park fought long and hard against that parking garage, but it is very well hidden behind the buildings, and has to be such a welcomed change for them over all the cars that used to be parked in front of their houses!
This fountain is also a great addition. You can't really tell too much from this picture, but it is a big round pond with a fountain on one area of the circle. It sits in a beautiful wooded section of the park. The kids were in awe!
The girls always like to have their picture taken with "Mr. Froggy". The weather Friday was just great, too. After all the heat we have been having, temperatures in the 70's and lower 80's have been so pleasant!
Abby, Evan, Pressley and Will all enjoy being together so much. As you can see in this picture, Pressley really looks up to her cousin, Will.
If you haven't been to the Atlanta Botanical Garden in a while, it is really worthwhile. They are having an art exhibit now showing pieces by a famous sculptor named Moore. They are throughout the garden, and this is one of them with the Conservatory in the background.
The kids liked this circular area for another picture. ( they used to complain about having pictures made, but now they just take it in stride-Abby actually seems to enjoy posing!)
The flowers in the Conservatory are gorgeous! I couldn't resist taking this picture of Pressley amongst the flowers!
Here is Poppy with our youngest "little cutey". She, like all the others, LOVES her Poppy.
Here, GranNan is getting some snuggle time with Evan and Abby.
Here's another pretty fountain at the botanical garden. The Chihuly piece just makes it so beautiful!
And now, here is the fountain the kids enjoyed the very most! The kid's fountain--in the children's garden!!! It is so much fun for them. We took their bathing suits and towels, and they had a great time. They have always liked fountains, but experiencing so much fountain fun in a couple of days was fabulous. As Ken Cook with FOX-5 says, "You know, Atlanta is the city of fountains!"
Almost two years ago, our Pastor at Briarlake began encouraging members to create "Connection Groups". The purpose was to connect with other Christians and study the Bible together. It was especially designed to meet the needs of people who either weren't in a Sunday School class, or those who had duties elsewhere during SS and were missing that fellowship. Most of us in our group are in the latter catagory. Ralph and I have enjoyed our group so much, and feel that we have the "most awesome group"! The group consists of Pat & Richard Tooke, Susie & Rodney Webb, Catherine and Larry Stine, Cora and Dave Carter, Eddie Card, and Ralph & me. Above are Larry, Rodney and Pat. 
These pictures were taken the other night at our house. Here are Rodney, Pat, Catherine and Cora.
In this picture, are Richard, me and Susie. Since we began, we have studied several books together. Among them are: Heaven, by Randy Alcorn; Secrets of the Vine, by Bruce Wilkinson; and What in the World Is Going On, by Dr. David Jeremiah. We also have some great desserts. The one below is what Cora brought to our last meeting. Isn't it pretty?!!!
