My Baby Boy is Growing Up!

Hayden at 10 mos. "My Little Handsome Man"

Mowing the Lawn!
Workin w/ Dad-



As Tall As Grandma Now!


Where has the time gone?
Hayden has really grown up this year. He finished 6th grade and changed into a young man. He has been working with Paul on Tuesday's and Wednesday's and doing an awesome job. We thought he was just looking to escape "summer" boredom when he asked to work with Dad, but he has proved us wrong. He is a hard worker! Gets right in there wanting to learn and do everything. He's babysat for the neighbors (2) kids, and the parents couldn't thank us enough for there new ,fun and reliable babysitter.
Hayden left for his Middle School Mission Trip yesterday- they are in Orlando; painting a house, sorting out bedding for the homeless, and making peanut butter and jelly's for a soup kitchen.
Hayden has so many gifts from God! He is a very loving person, hard working, humorous, intelligent, outgoing, strong & musical- (he now plays piano, saxophone, flute, drums, basoon, and trombone) Piano is his favorite.
He's been going to the gym and working out with us- he wants a "six pack" - he and I laugh so much at the gym- at our faces as we lift the weights. I finally beat him in a swimming race. (25 freestyle!)
He is taking Acting Classes this summer too- so we'll see where that takes him! He loves being infront of the camera...
If you would have asked me what my son would be like 13 years ago I would not have described anyone like Hayden- he is like no one else and we have been truly blessed with someone with talents and skills that neither Paul or I have!
He is an Original!


I Love My Hayden-

IRONMAN JAPAN! Someone in my family?

Bree Biking Japan Ironman!

Bree at St. Anthony's
Bree arriving at Tampa airport!
The cake I made her for her St. Croix race


I cannot begin to express the way I feel! I am so proud of my niece Bree. She is an awesome athlete! Where did it come from??? Our family? Seriously though- she has been given an unbelievable gift from God- and she's taken that gift and perfected it! Our family is so proud of ALL the person she is and Wee are cheering her on today as she does Ironman Japan! She is going to win...I can feel it! Go Bree Go- We love you and are cheering you on! As of 8:20 p.m. (eastern time) saturday time she is currently in 1st! We will continue to watch the computer for updates and keep her in our prayers! If you are reading this please say a prayer for her! Wish her the best- Send your love all the way to Japan- she may just need it at this very moment!

Biggest Pancake Ever!

So I'm really not a pancake person! I'll make them for the family now and again because they're easy to make, but really I can do with out....UNTIL....THE COUNTRY PANCAKE HOUSE arrived. They are awesome, over 90 different variety's. They are heavenly . Homemade batter that tastes so good you don't even need syrup! My favorite so far are the Oatmeal w/ Banana, Chocolate & Strawberry. I had to post this picture of Hayden with his order because the size is unbelievable. Wish you all could have a taste-

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need, Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it ... Dad

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Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there!

I would like to thank my husband Paul for being a truly awesome Dad! It's funny because he didn't have the greatest role model and yet he's done all he could to be a great father! You have succeeded honey. You love like all children should be loved, You encourage like all children should be encouraged, You give of yourself as all children deserve, You are what God had in mind when he created Fathers!

Thankyou! We are Blessed...

New Addition: "Ridge Christian Weidner"

Here is our new addition to the family. My niece Bron had her son Ridge at 8:05 a.m today 6-10-08. He weighed 8lbs 5oz./ 21 inches long! He is adorable!

CONGRATULATIONS Bron & Cory!

Welcome to the world Ridge! We love you!

Snorkeling...

Point of Rocks- on Siesta Key











This is where the road ends at Caspersen Beach, the most natural and remote beach in this part of the state. The shoreline is dominated by native foliage. A very quiet beach. This is a very beautiful place and since there are no lights along the shore at night it is a place where many sea turtles nest successfully.

So the Richau's are back at it again. Paul and I have always loved to snorkle, Paul would rather scuba dive but I am not yet certified. Not for long though. The kids and I are going to get certified so we can accompany Daddy under the Sea!

When Paul and I were highschool we went snorkeling every weekend. It has always been special to us as it was pretty much are first dates. When the Aubrey was old enough to swim (4) we would all go and Hayden would float along in his Baby Float or boat. Aubrey goes all the time now with friends and Hayden just spent $200.00 of his own earned money on new equipment. He is a natural! It's great to see my kids inspiring their friends to go and introducing them to something they have never done

This past weekend that is all we did! We went twice on saturday out to Point of Rocks on Siesta Key. This spot used to be our favorite, but it is being ruined by construction. Typical Sarasota person feels the need to build a 20,000 sq ft. house that he will maybe sleep 30 nights a year in. ( I won't even get started) AnyWHOOOOOOOOO we went for a few hours saturday morning and then again at sunset and dark. The snorkeling in the dark was pretty neat- a lot of bait fish! Millions...we were in the middle of a wall of fish- one even jumped in my ear! Sunday afternoon we headed down to Caspersan Beach in Venice. This is a great location. Very natural and un-touched. Tons of fish, sea urchins and crabs.

This weekend was perfect. So relaxing and peaceful. There's nothing like pretending to be a fish for a day! It will make all your worries GO AWAY!

Beach Baptism " The Whole Family"

One of the best statements about Christianity I've ever heard was made by a female evangelist I greatly respect: " Christianity is not a religion like most people think. Christianity is a life of imitating Jesus." Thelma Wells





Sunday June 1st, 2008 was an awesome day! The Richau family of four was baptised at Lido Beach by Pastor Bill Hild and Pastor Mark Gibbens. The day was awesome from the start- Pastor delivered an awesome message at church Sunday morning which only confirmed more my wanting to be baptised.

Normally in Sarasota we don't get big waves unless the weather is stormy. Not today though- big, fun waves were there at our baptism. ( Felt like the east coast or Hawaii) God wanted to make sure it was done right so we were "dunked" over and over again! A joyous, loving occasion- with a lot of laughs! (The way we like it)

I have lived most of my adult life as a Christian and had yet to be baptised- for silly reasons. I put it off mostly for fear. Fear of being "in front of Godly people and them thinking I was not good enough" Fear of ... I really don't know? All those fears were so silly- I know the devil had planted them in my mind so as to keep me from moving forward. Now that it is done it feels so complete. All the reasons I had for putting it off have left my mind. (Washed away I suppose)

I am so glad I was able to be baptised with my husband, daughter and son- the greatest gift!

After the baptism we stayed and played in the waves, it was so much fun. We watched the sun set and I have to say it was the prettiest I'd ever seen. (Just upset I had locked the camera in the car so I couldn't capture it.)

Thank You Jesus for a Beautiful Day!