PINK and More PINK!!

My brother, Jeremy and his wife, Lisa, welcomed their precious daughter this evening. Brooke Ann weighed in at 7 lbs. 5 1/2 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. As her auntie, I think she is adorable and perfect! Congrats to the All American family! So happy for you three, can't wait to see pictures of big brother, Grant meeting "sisser"!!

Brooke Ann

Proud momma and daddy!

Long weekend~

This past Thursday we drove the motorhome to Lake Claiborne. The boys and I went for the day on Wednesday and had such a nice time at the playground and beach, we decided to make a long weekend of it!! Jay went to work on Friday and we headed to the water. It was just the right temp. and the boys loved the beach at the lake much better than the ocean! I have to agree with them myself. They made friends with other kids and played for 6 hours on Friday. I chatted with the mothers and a few others.....and come to find out some of their husbands knew Jay through the oilfield store and others were teachers. We had a great time!! Saturday we spent some time on the boat and at the beach. I love being able to quickly pick up and go camping....it is infectious!! The more you do it, the more you want to keep doing it!

The beach

View from our motorhome...so relaxing!!

Not prepared to swim on Wedneday, the boys went in up to their shorts looking for mussels..before I knew it they were in wayyyy past their shorts!! Oh well, they had a fun time!

Searching for mussels...




Playing at the playground

Wild one a.k.a, Bryce!!

Lane hanging upside down....love this shot!

Chicago: Warning- Lots of pictures!!

My good friend and maid of honor for my wedding, Laura S. got married on July 10 in Chicago. My mother and her mother, Gretchen have been good friends too over the years since their childhood. So the boys and I took a road trip with Grandpa and Grandma driving all the way to Chicago. I warned G and G that they were traveling with two small children and this could be interesting....and the still agreed. We had a wonderful time and even squeezed in some time with my brother, Jeremy and family, who drove over from Michigan for the weekend and my aunt and uncle from Wisconsin visiting also. A small family reunion minus Jay....after all someone had to stay home and make the money!!;-) The wedding was beautiful in the River East Arts Center, overlooking the river. Laura didn't forget any details, which I knew she wouldn't. Origami cranes were a theme for the wedding....because Jon folded them for Laura when they started dating. Laura's fifth grade class helped fold over 1,000 cranes. They were breathtaking as her backdrop, pictures do not do them justice.

I am so glad we were able to be there and enjoy not only seeing her and her family, but many old friends from my younger years. Now OUR kids are playing together......are we getting old?????

The ceremony......

Laura walking down the aisle with her parents.


During the ceremony

Happy Mom and Dad(Gretchen and Curt)



The boys finding our cranes which had our names and table number for the dinner! Such an awesome presentation on the bed of grass! We sat with an old friend and her husband and two girls. The boys very quickly warmed up to Shannon and Shelby and soon were playing. (picture follows below)

Outside on the balcony, waiting for the reception.





View from upstairs looking down on the tables.

Gorgeous table settings!

Wedding Cake!

Our entree..so good!

Shannon, Shelby, Lane, and Bryce behind the cranes.

Laura and I

The boys and Laura

Playing with the girls

Love this one of the pillow fight between Grandpa and his grandsons!!





Saturday....at the Fiesta for the newly married couple!

Swinging in the hammock , Grant and Lane

Tables set for the fiesta!

Grandpa pushing the cousins

The bride and groom playing botche'(sp?) ball.




Sunday after mtg. eating at White Fence Farm with the wedding party and family.

The boys playing old games with the groom, Jon, at White Fence Farm.

Best friends, Gretchen and Mom

Grant eating his first chicken leg!

Being silly with Grandma

The three boys in front of the chicken at White Fence Farm.

St. Louis Arch as we passed by.

Procrastinating!!

This is what I have been doing instead of loading pictures.....like I promised! As you remember we remodeled our guest bathroom this past winter and I was in need of an arrangement between two pictures. This is what I came up with. I purchased the wall pocket from BeeHive and picked out the flowers/greenery at Hobby Lobby. I think I didn't do too bad...considering I haven't done this by myself. Usually mom helps me... and she has such a great nack for this kind of stuff! I think it needs a little more filler on the left lower side, but I can always do that later. Tell me what you think! Please!

Long Hiatus!

With summer's end quickly approaching and life so busy recently(trips out of town, doctor's appts., weddings)....I have just been in a blog funk! I have so much to catch up on, but just don't feel like loading pictures and writing. I know that sounds really bad, but I have just enjoyed time away from my blog with my family. I promise this week that I will get up to speed and post some of what our life has been recently.

"Snaggle Tooth"

Lane missing top front tooth!

We had another visit from the tooth fairy at our house last night! It seems so strange to have a child with a front tooth missing....surely our baby isn' that old?! He has lost 3 teeth in less than a year! Time is flying.....It is cute to hear him talk funny!;-)

Fourth Fun!

After our crazy, eventful week we didn't have any special plans for the holiday. While they played, Jay washed his truck and I finished cleaning the house. We may not have had big plans, but we had great food! What is the 4th of July without great food?? I made a frozen Lemonade pie on Friday. Then yesterday we grilled BBQ pork chops with loaded mashed potatoes, and deviled eggs. A great way to end the day! Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

Destin: Getting there and back!!

We took the motorhome this trip since we were going so far. It work so smoothly, the kids had more freedom and we could eat/snack whenever we pleased. But, best of all we didn't have to stop for the bathroom! I am glad I didn't have to drive....it is a monster...32 feet long, PLUS a dolley carrying my car behind!! Glad we could trust our Head Captian(Daddy) for all of that!! It is quite a job to drive and takes all of your faculties all the time!!

Captian

Co-captian #1

Co-Caption #2

Resting, something they loved to do along the way!

Building a tent on the way back, they then napped in it that afternoon. FUN!!

Destin: Day 1 and 2

The first day we arrived, we went hunting for crabs that evening. We had been told by friends to bring flash lights and take the boys down to the water at night. We found a few, but not as many as you can get sometimes. Jay even caught a few small fish in the net. The next day we just spent by the ocean and the pool. I forgot to bring my watch and Jay's either, so we spent our days without the worry of time, ate when we wanted and played in between. It felt weird to live like that, but after all isn't that the way a vacation should be!! It made for a restful time. We will definitely go back again.

Examining their finds.

A hunting we will go....

Jay searching for little crabs

The boys spent most of their time, by choice, at the pool. It had a water slide, all the more tempting for them....especially since their is not salt in your eyes, and grit in your teeth, etc.

Lane full throttle ahead!

Bryce sliding down.

Sorry you get to look at this picture twice, it is quite pretty! Loved watching the waves come crashing in and the beautiful shades of blue and green in the water.

Take two!

Lane in the splash of the waves!

Chasing the waves!