Summer Days

Summer fun has been in full force around here!  We are winding down, as we get ready for the 3 big kids to head off to school.  Maddie, Lillian and Reed went home yesterday-but the two little ones are actually coming back tomorrow. As usual, we tried to cram as many adventures as possible into our days with them.

The park, hanging out with John Sawyer and riding down to see the horses are some of our favorite things to do!

 Smores, swimming, ice cream and our first adventure to bowling were also on the list.  We enjoyed several night swims, which are my favorite.  We also squeezed in a few Christmas movies.......

 We also planned to spend an entire day at the river.  We loaded up the grill and headed out.  This was also Beau's first trip, and I am happy to say he did great!

Some of my sweet family members say Beau is a little hyper and such!  I, on the other hand, think he is just perfect.  

We were having an enjoyable, relaxing day, and then........this happened!  The boat wouldn't start!  I have been going to the river all of my life, and this is the only the third time this has happened to me.  Luckily, we had friends on the river who were willing to help. We had called Brian to help first. He left his fishing spot and headed our way, but luckily Bo and his family had already rescued us!  Not only did they tow us to the landing, they loaded us up and the kids had a ball skiing and riding the knee board.  If you have to break down, I highly recommend being rescued by sweet friends with a Mastercraft!

This was the first time for Lillian and Reed to ride the knee board, and both loved it.  Notice that Alex and Jeana held on to the back of the knee board with Reed. How awesome is that?

 Jeana gave Maddie some great advice and then she was off! Lillian loved the kneeboard!  She always loves new adventures once she tries.

She smiled and waved the whole time!

I have loved getting pictures of this cutie while they are at the beach, but I think it's time for them to come home!

 Before they left, John Sawyer helped Pop fix our door.  It was not shutting securely, and we have a little escape artist on our hands.  It's all secure now!

July has flown by!  We will all be getting back into our regular routines soon, and I'm sure going to miss this days.

Softball and San Francisco

What a summer! The first part was filled with softball games and tournaments.  Lillian's regular season team finished the year undefeated, and we enjoyed every second of watching her play!  All Stars was quite a journey.  We traveled to Holtville, Eclectic, and Millbrook.  Whew!  Her team did very well, advancing to the state tournament.  Following that, we had just a few days at home, before they headed to the beach, and I headed to San Francisco.  I am amazed and just a little sad that this summer is almost over.  Even though I work year round with my job now, it's much more relaxed in the summer. I think we may all have a hard time getting back into our routines!

This little cutie is so much fun to watch play.  She is an excellent hitter, and also made many awesome plays at second.  I hope she will continue enjoying to play. I'm trying to refrain from saying that she reminds me so much of her mom playing at this age-but she does! :)

Being at the ball field hours on end can take a toll on everyone.  However, it becomes somewhat like an extended family get together!  Picnics, games and more! Pop and I have enjoyed getting to know quite a few of the parents and grandparents. There's no time quite like time under the pop up!

 Now on to San Francisco......This was my second trip, and I feel like I've seen it all.  It's a beautiful city with lots of sites to see.  This was a working trip, but I went early and enjoyed touring again. I love Fishereman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Ferry Building and more.  Mostly, I love coming home!  It's a great place to visit, but I don't think I could ever live there.  I'll take my small town life any day!

 I think my favorite thing this trip was a brunch cruise with several of my work friends (that I have grown to truly love). It's a wonderful way to see the city. Reed and I did two or three cruises last time, too.

 This visit I went under the Golden Gate Bridge on the cruise and over it on a bus tour.  Both times it was so foggy that you just couldn't see it very well.  And did I mention that it was really, really cold the entire time I was there?  When I left Alabama, it was 94 degrees.  When I arrived in San Francisco, it was a cool 57.  The temperature never got out of the 60's the entire time.

 More of my favorites-  This cute little sea lion was not at the famous Pier 39.  This little fellow was all by himself on a pier outside of a restaurant we enjoyed.  And check out those hills!  They are not for the faint of heart.

While I was in San Francisco, these cuties were enjoying a trip to the beach.  Even with Hurricane Barry, they had a great time! This is the second year they have gone to Dauphin Island, and they love it!

 And this cutie seemed to grow like a weed while I was gone.  He is talking so much now!  I found his dad's barn, and he has loved playing with it!  Those are his dad's animals, too.

I will be keeping John Sawyer a couple of days this week and working a couple of days.  The end of the week the big kids are coming back, and Pop and I can't wait! We have several adventures planned as we wrap up this summer.

Holiday Fun!

Many, many, many years ago this crew below began trips to the river on a very regular basis.  Our children who are all grown now were literally in diapers. I think all of them will tell you that these river trips provided several lasting memories for each.  Over the years, life has moved us into different directions, and we stopped these trips.  Baseball, softball, work, and other "stuff" took precedence (and rightly so).  I am very happy to say that we reunited over this 4th of July holiday.  We had a simply wonderful time, and have already made plans for Labor Day. I know river life is not for everyone, but we love every second of it.  We also got to share the day with part of Taylor's family, which made the day even more special. Hamburgers, hotdogs, steak and chicken kabobs were cooked on the sandbar, and never tasted better.  Good friends and family made for an awesome day! Sadly, I didn't get pictures of everyone. The next day we enjoyed a pool day and some of Reed's great ribs and all the trimmings.  We wrapped up the holiday weekend with a special party for Caleb's big day.

What a crew!!  Some of my favorite people in the whole world!

Skiing, playing, talking and relaxing..........

 Playing on the sandbar, cooking and watching Lindsey.  She's still got it!

Cheese! Even Gunner got in on the pose!

Love my crew! 

Now on to the birthday celebration.  Taylor's sweet family joined us for a special supper to celebrate the birthday boy.  We are so thankful for each of them!

We are very blessed.

Lots of fun!

And this new fellow also got to join in on all the fun!  He is Maddie, Lillian and Reed's new bunny, but he doesn't have a name yet. 

I am headed to California later this week, but plan to finally wrap up Lillian's softball season.

Thirty

We literally blinked and this guy is now THIRTY!  How is that possible?  There is no way to ever tell all the laughs and stories Caleb has provided us all.  Life has been a wonderful adventure with him, and he has certainly kept us on our toes!  His independent nature, loyalty, kindness, and sweet smile make loving him quite easy, even on those days when I want to pinch him!!  I am constantly amazed by his desire to help others.  Celebrating him is easy!  Happy, happy birthday!

There is something quite special about your baby with his baby!  He could not be a better father.

Precious family!

It just wouldn't be a birthday if I didn't share a few pictures from over the years!

Best uncle ever!  I might add that it's also hard to believe that sweet Maddie is now 10!

Love them both so much!

Touchdown!! What a memory!

And now throwing it way back!  Wasn't he a doll?



A little accident at church and his first day of kindergarten!

  


I hope the next thirty years and more are just as awesome as these were!  Happy Birthday!