Another Year in the Books

 I have just completed my 28th year of teaching.  I never dreamed I would still be teaching!  I always said I was going home as soon as I completed my 25th year!  However, I still truly enjoy both the students and the wonderful people I work with. At the conclusion of this year,  Mr. Smart, our principal, treated us to a cook-out at the river.  I am sorry to say that I didn't get pictures of everyone.  Lauri and Sherron weren't able to be there, and I also didn't have a picture of Lisa and a couple of others.  I am so sorry about that!  I was not familiar with this park in Pickensville, but I must say that I loved it and hope to go back soon.

Mr. and Mrs. Smart

I am not going to try and name everyone in the pictures.  Just know that each one is special in their own unique way.  These are the people that make going to work such a joy for me!!

Thanks Mr. Smart!  Be careful, we could get spoiled!

A Day at the Lake

Lindsey appears to be ready to have our new baby any second now, and Josh was busy working, so Nana and Pop journeyed over to help with Maddie for a couple of days.  We wanted to give Lindsey the opportunity to prop her feet up and rest a little, so we took Maddie to the lake for the day.  Reed and I really like Lake Martin.  The water is so clear and peaceful!  The area where we were is a little secluded inlet.  Maddie had a ball and so did we!

Lake Martin

 She is such a water bug!  I hope she is swimming by the end of the supper!

 After our picnic lunch, she told us she was tired.  We set up this little tent for her to rest.

 After her nap, she was ready to go again!

Below is a sample of Lindsey's feet.  She was off of them for most of this day, and they still were very swollen!  She only has one pair of shoes she can wear now! 

Can't wait for our next lake adventure!!

Wedding Bells

In spite of a few problems with rain, Lee and Christie had a simply beautiful wedding.  Family, friends, gorgeous decorations, stunning dress, delicious food, a string quartet, fantastic band, and the perfect spot overlooking the river made for a very special occasion. 

Di pinning both grandmothers

Both cakes were delicious!  The ruffles on Christie's cake were like the ruffles on her dress (just in pink).

Great time for family to chat!

Charley before the ceremony.  I didn't get a picture of Josey before the wedding.

In case you don't recognize it, this is the please don't take my picture look!

Lee gets a special hug from Papa.

 

Di and Lee

The Happy Family

Charley and Josey

Dancing away!

 

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Drain

 

In addition to this special wedding, Rose Lynn and Tyler were also married.  Also, the ceremony for Josh's pinning from Nursing School was held.  What a great day for all!

Friends

Our Friendship Circle recently held our annual cookout at Phyllis and Jeff's beautiful home in Panola.  We always have such a wonderful time together.  We talk nonstop, yet really don't talk about anything.  If you miss out on these outings, please try to join us.  I promise you will have a great time!

Lauri

Sarah

Virginia and Lori

Our cooks hard at work

What about me?

Hanging out while waiting to eat

Even the dogs get in on the good food!

Wonderful friends, beautiful setting, delicious food = a perfect afternoon!

Sand Castles

Maddie loves to go play in Pop's sand piles, or sand castles as she calls them.  She has been doing this for quite sometime now.  Each time she gets a little more adventurous! 

When we first got there, she told Pop the sand castles weren't high enough, so of course she and Pop hop on the loader and push them up higher!

Ready to play!

Where did she learn to be so adventurous on the sand piles?

I have no idea!

How cute is this?

We end this adventure by burying ourself in the sand!

Pop's sand castles are the best!

Why Garden?

There are lots of reasons that Reed could use for gardening - for beauty,to save money, for health, to have fun, to feed others, etc.  And while all of those sound good and may be partially true, the REAL reason he loves to garden can be found below!

Maddie loves helping in the garden!  She was able to be here to help pick his first cucumbers, peppers and squash!

Searching for the ripe ones!

Look what I found!

She likes to carry things all by herself!

We washed our goodies..........

And then we celebrated with a popsicle and cartoons!

We can't wait until her next visit.  I'm not sure we can pick the tomatoes unless she's here!!