Make sure to scroll down because I have done ALOT of catching up on here the past couple of days! Thanks for checking in.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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
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!

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!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
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!
Bethy 'helping' ChaseIt was an amazing trip and we made some great memories!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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!
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.
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.
Monday, June 8, 2009
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 ;)
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
Saturday, June 6, 2009
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.
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