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Make sure to scroll down because I have done ALOT of catching up on here the past couple of days! Thanks for checking in.

Smith Visit

When Sarah came down so we could go to Melisa's, they made a family trip out of it and Gabe and the boys stayed here with Paul and the girls. Those are two good men to allow us mommies to go away for a night without a gripe! Thanks, men. They had fun here playing Rock Band and on the waterslide. On Sunday night we had Mark and his family over, too, to celebrate Lauren's birthday. We ate pizza and she got to open presents from Grandma and the Smiths. Sarah crocheted her a blanket that she looovesss and the Boergers sent some adorable outfits and jammies! It was fun having everyone here.

Girls Night

My sil, Sarah, and I took a road trip so we could celebrate our future sil Melisa. The drive was fun and laughed alot! We discovered one of the best stops - Woody's Smokehouse. We just pulled over for gas and the place was packed and now I know why. That place was awesome - so awesome that we stopped again on our way home. They have all kinds of gourmet jellies, candies, jerky, etc. They make it all there and their inventory was huge. We got lots of good laughs from "Woody's Smokehooouuuuussse" :)Granny Sarah knitting Lou's blanket along the way

Our final destination was Melisa house and it was great. We spent all day getting to know her dearest friends, sister, and daughter. We floated in the pool, drank monkey nipples, and ate junk. It was wonderful!

My Favorite Floridians

I had the treat of seeing one of my oldest and best friends last week. Jana and her kids were in Texas to visit family, so they stayed here one night. We got to meet their newest addition - Baby Avary! She was adorable. For real - adorable. Her elder two, Nathan & Rylee, had a blast with our girls and they all played nonstop. It was great to catch up with Jana face to face and get a classic "Jana Hug" - she gives the BEST hugs!Hey, look - matching double chins! If only it was cute @ 30 like it is as a baby.

Time to open goodies!

Look at the onesie Nicole made!

It was a fun visit but, as always, it was too short.

4th of July Weekend

We started out the weekend with a cookout at a friend's. The kids had a blast...and so did the adults! We ate and laughed - always good times.We had some uninvited dinner guests. GROSS!Then, time for tradition - Dinosaur Valley State Park to play in the river. This year, several families joined us. It was a blast.Then, off to tailgate, eat our Chili's picnic, and watch the fireworks in Granbury.Thanks to all of our friends who joined us to celebrate the 4th AND took pictures!

Vaca Part III - Ruidoso, NM

The day after we got home from our family vacation, the girls and I headed to Nana's house. We spent a few nights there, but went to Ruidoso, NM for most of the week! Judy and Alex came, too, and we had a really good time. Some of my favorite women in one of my favorite places!

Lou helped Nana water her flowers (and herself) before we left.Hanging out around the cabinLauren wasn't up for riding a pony, but she sure used up all of Nana's quarters

Check out this video of Lou. I get whiplash just watching it!

Bethany got to ride on 'her' horse, Red, again this year.

Lauren is in 'time out' in front of a liqueur store. Classy.Now, THAT is my girl - shopping bag in hand!

It was great to all be together and escape reality

Vacation Videos

Make sure you watch the 3rd one - Bethy was just starting to get brave on the tube!

Father's Day

This year, the girls and I got to have dinner with my dad (aka King) on Father's Day!

Vaca Part II - Lake Webster

North Webster, Indiana: The climax of our cross-country roadtrip

Paul's maternal grandmother and Vonda's sisters and brother all live near Fort Wayne. So each summer for the past 21 years, the whole family gathers at "the lake". They rent a large cabin that can house them all (this year we had 34 at one point!) and get a boat for the week. It is a week full of laughing, skiing, swimming, laughing, eating, playing games, laughing, and simply enjoying being together. "The Lake" is a priority to this family - the sibs and cousins schedule their summers around it. This is a special family with an amazing bond. Everyone enjoys being together and the camaraderie is precious.
This was the second time we've been since being married (we went in 2000) and it was fun to see how everyone has changed. We will make a point to go more often now. We had a blast and the girls loooooved it! They had so much fun playing with the cousins and entertaining the adults. Lou loved the boat and Bethy loved the water. Bethany got up on skis on her second attempt and went about 250 yards! She was an acrobat on the tube and seemed like a pro. Such a wonderful trip!

Vonda's crew:


All of the grandkids, their spouses and kids:

Add one grandma:

Clay's crew:

Cynthia's family:

Janean's crew:

April's family:

Ours has the tan/orange steps

Grandma, Grandpa, & Bethy

Jeremy & Lauren

Sarah and AJ

Paul took Bethany & Jared on their first tube ride

Gabe & his boys My favorite picture of Lauren

Bethy 'helping' Chase

Chef GiGi

I took the girls out for a treat and they thought this cow was funny

Sporting Grandma's shades

Lauren loved Madi

Bethy driving the boat

Grandma and Lou on a walk

Katie and Lauren playing

Landon playing football with Lauren

My SIL, Sarah, got some amazing shots on the water (including Beth on the tube and Paul on the wake board), so hop over here to her blog and check it out!

It was an amazing trip and we made some great memories!

Lou Wuvs Rut

Just thought you'd like to like to 'hear' my conversation w/ Lauren on the way home from church tonight-
Me: How was your class?
L: I go bonk-bonk outside! [She got to jump - aka 'bonk bonk' - on the waterslide]
M: Who was your teacher?
L: "RUT"
M: Do you mean "Ruth"?
L: Yes
M: She's sweet to be in there with you.
L: I wuv her! (as she squeezed her blankie tighter)
M: That makes my heart smile, Lou.
L: yep

Ruth is also her teacher on Sundays. She is gifted with these kids and loves them dearly.
Thank you, sweet friend, for being the personification of God's love to my little girl.

Vaca Part I - Arkansas

We hit the road early on Saturday instead of leaving Friday night as planned in order to miss the storms. Oh the irony as you'll soon see. Our final destination was Lake Webster, Indiana to spend time with Paul's mom's side of the family. They've been gathering at the lake for 21 years, but more of that to come. Soooo, we decided to take our time and enjoy some spots along the way. Gerald & Vonda were kind enough to let us borrow their pop-up camper and my dad let us use his truck. The pair made for great traveling!

First stop: Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas

This is a GREAT place and we could've stayed several more days. They had tons of trails, a river, a great pool with water slides and a separate kids area, a cool playground, and a beautiful waterfall over their dam. A big shout out to the corps of engineers who developed that place!
Lucky for us, Saturday was a beautiful and sunny day. We took advantage of that and enjoyed the pool and our campsite. Little did we know that it was our last full day of no clouds - not to mention the rain. On Sunday, we took a hike through the rain, but it was really beautiful and kept us cool (and wet). Paul and Bethany went down into a cave to explore and we walked under a waterfall. Another cave was called "The Icebox" because of the temperature change inside. It really was pretty remarkable how much cooler it was (it is the foggy picture). All in all, we had a great stay at DD, but the rain wasn't going to let up, so we passed on our second night there and headed north.

Lou helping Paul set up the camper. She's still in her pj's from the early morning departure.

Checking out the campsite. It overlooked the river. Walking down to the dam.

Bethy sliding down to Paul

The start of our rainy hike to the caves and falls

The "Ice Box"

Family Dinner & Holding Hands

Since my last post was negative, here's some positive:
I simply LOVE that dinner as a family at the table is a priority. Always has been, always will be. I also think it is wonderful that my hubby holds my hand every single time we pray (as long as I am within reach). It can be at dinner, at church, or anywhere...he always makes sure we connect as we approach the Throne.
*Disclaimer: This positivity in no way cancels out my feelings in the past post ;)

Flakes & Smackers

Two things I hate: flaky people and bad table manners. Well, I have become one and raised one. I keep canceling on my friends - flake. My daughter can't seem to eat with her mouth closed - smacker. Urgh. Lord help us.

Slip-N-Slide

On Saturday afternoon, we took the slip-n-slide next door to Dorris' house. She has a little hill in her yard, so that - and the dish soap Paul added - got the girls really moving!

King's Visit

My Dad came to visit this weekend and the girls were quite entertaining (as always!). He is letting us take his truck on vacation since our van doesn't have a tow package (we're taking the B's pop-up). I think it will be hard for Paul to give it back! Thanks to both of our families who are allowing this to be an even better vacation (we leave Friday!).
The weather was beautiful, so we spent most of the time outside. The only time we were indoors was to sleep and when the guys went antiquing. Nana sent the girls a new slip-n-slide (thanks, Nana), so Paul and King set it up and it provided lots of laughter! We laughed so hard and the girls just love it. We enjoyed Cousin's on the back porch Friday night and grilled burgers on Saturday. I tell ya, we are loving the back porch and yard so much.
Dad also brought a little piece of history - and a big piece of decor - along with him. I now am the proud owner of my family's old newspaper store-front sign. This is a big deal to me and deserves its own post; so, I hope to get all of my history facts straight then share it in a later post.
Here are some of the shots from our time with King. Thanks, Dad, for coming here (and bringing the truck and trailer!), it was good to have you in our home.

The girls testing out the camper while Dad gave Paul pointers on the truck.

My new favorite possession hung proudly on the back porch!

King enjoying his littlest girls

King set up an obstacle course for Bethy to drive her jeep around

I just love Lou's muddy feet here

We love you, King!