Lazy Days of Summer

We have had almost a week at home since our vacation to North Carolina and we are trying to soak in as much lazy time as we can. 

Friend time is a must.  Glad Gabi snuck in some time with her bff Emma the other day also.  Big weekend ahead with the family and it's off to orientation at IU Bloomington. 

Ready to Go

 

Look how quickly these little hamsters have grown!  They are such cuties!  I originally thought 3 weeks old was the time they could go to their new owners, but after doing more research and watching them, I found out that 4 weeks old is the time.  They will be four weeks old this coming Sunday.  I know Gabi will be sad to see them go, but it has certainly been a fun, learning experience for her. We will be happy that they will go to good homes :)

North Carolina Visit

We don't have a vacation planned this summer so we just decided to take a short trip to North Carolina for a visit with family.  We try to do this about every year or two.  We wanted to include Trenton on this trip so we had to run to Naperville on Tuesday night to get him and decided to head on from there.  We stopped after about 8 hours (11pm) for the night in a hotel to be safe.  We were back up around 9am on Wednesday and on the road again - ready to be at grandma Honeycutts by lunch time!

Gabi has been watching a show called Finding Bigfoot for the past couple of weeks and a prior show featured an investigation in North Carolina.  Since she saw that she has been gearing up to find Bigfoot behind grandma's house in the woods.  Ben helped her get the materials to do this...his trail cam that takes photos when anything moves in front of it, night vision goggles, walkie talkies and she even recorded the guys on the show making "bigfoot calls."  The boys did a great job helping her out with this - it took lots of imagination.  They hiked up behind grandma's neighbor (Robbie's - mind you she is in her 90's and still mows her yard!) and set up there - less tall grass and areas where snakes could hide.  Copperheads are something to worry about this time of year.  Tyler took a gun and Trenton took a saw.  One for protection and one to set up shop.  They looked so adorable all treking up the mountain side!  The kids set up the camera on Thursday and took it down on Saturday.  It snapped a few photos but didn't have any pictures of anything.  I know the boys were hoping to catch sight of a bear, considering they tried to set up in an area where one would like.  It was fun for them though.

We didn't do much since it was rainy on and off the first few days we were there.  We just enjoyed family time and my favorite...sitting on the porch swing.  The boys did get to help grandma mow her yard on Thursday when the rain stopped.  We got to visit with grandpa Honeycutt, aunt Boots, uncle Bob, Chris, Kary and aunt Alma.  We took a short trip over to aunt Betty's where we got to see lots of cows, plenty of hummingbirds and very small kittens just born weeks ago.  SOOO adorable. 

Also went to grandpa Honeycutts to see "Cocoa" the horse.  This horse would not even come to anyone but Gabi the last time we were there (about a year and half).  I caught a video of her the first time she saw Cocoa again and he came right to her!  They certainly have a bond.  And grandpa's dog, Curly.  What a cutie he is! 

Family time is what North Carolina is all about.  Listening to stories, laughing, talking, and another favorite...eating.  Our family loves grandma's house.  Fresh jams, biscuits, banana pudding, chocolate and coconut cream pie.  All faves.  Our kids are just at home there, exploring. They are just in awe when it comes to the space and open area they have. 

Grandpa Honeycutt sang some songs that he used to sing to his kids and I caught it on tape.  I actually googled it and found the actual song here!  Grandma was thrilled that I was able to do that.  She loves to pass as much as she can onto the next generation.  She even gave Gabi a VERY cool water basin and pitcher that her mom had (we think that "big daddy" - grandma's daddy made it).  She also sent home lots of canned goods for Trenton which he soooo appreciated! 

Another good time we won't forget it visiting with grandpa at his home...he told the boys that there was a new pizza place in Mars Hill.  Had great pizza he said.  The boys asked what the name was, expecting like a Lou Malnatis or something and grandpa's response "Papa Johns and they have goood pizza."  They laughed and laughed at that.  Can I just say, it isn't Papa Johns, it is Papa Nick's.  Grandma says he watches too much tv.  Trenton fell in love with a picture of grandpa back in the day.  He says he looks like a true cowboy!

A great visit, as always.  Glad to have spent a day with dad R, Jenny, Travis and Mackenzy who got there Friday night.  It was good to all be together for a bit.  I know I was extremely happy to have all my family together!

Purdue Tourney

We sent Gabi with her friend, Lizzy, and her family for the Purdue tournament.  They had booked a hotel on Friday night for the weekend because of the drive.  Ben and I stayed home to watch the Sportsfest football game on Saturday night and planned to get up on Sunday and drive to Purdue for Gabi's last two games.  Gabi was keeping us posted on results through the day on Saturday.  They played the gymrats (the first team they lost to at the Plymouth tournament by 20 points) only by 8 points, so the girls have gotten better.  This was a plus for them.  Unfortunately, they lost to the next two teams that day (only by 4 points in one game).  Gabi said she had gotten 8 points total for Saturday. 
Our first game was at 2 pm against Plymouth, who we lost to at the Plymouth tournament.  We could definitely see that our girls had been practicing and improving by how close they kept the score the entire game.  Unfortunately, we were lagging behind though.  By the end of the second half we tied up the score, mostly by getting free throws, and eventually ahead by 1 point.  There was like 10 seconds left and Gabi fouled one of their players, sending her to the line.  Their team ended up sending the wrong girl to the line, disqualifying the free throw (and many of their parents were steaming mad)...but we played ball and held em, winning by 1 point!  Our girls were thrilled.  Loved the reaction at the end!

Our next game was against Indiana Blizzard.  This was a fourth grade all star team and VERY good.  Fast and aggressive.  Right up Gabi's alley.  We hung with them though.  At one point, Gabi accidently ran into one of their players hard...she fell down and had to go out of the game because of back pain.  Tyler was sitting next to me and just grinned and said, "yeah!  That was linebacker material right there!"  We ended up losing that one though by about 10 points or so.  Gabi did get a basket in that game.  She had a total of 10 points over the weekend.  She is really having fun. 

Father's Day Breakfast

Because we had to be at Purdue by 2 pm on Father's Day, Ben thought it would be nice to take our dads to breakfast at IHOP before leaving.  It was a nice time and I am so glad we were able to spend time with them.
Can I just say how THANKFUL I am that I have such AWESOME fathers in my life.  My dad is my ultimate role model.  He is so giving in all he does.  He hardly ever thinks of himself.  And he gives with all his has.  He is forgiving.  He loves with his whole being.  He loves God and he loves his family.  I am so thankful he is my dad.

And to think that I was lucky enough to get the same kind of father in law.  He has shaped my husband into very much the same kind of father and I could not be more proud.  I see it handed down to our boys and I just think how lucky their future wives will be.  They have come from a family where dad cares, where dad gives all he has and where dad LOVES.  Happy Father's Day dad, dad R, Ben, Chad, and Jeff!  Love you all! 

Sportsfest Game

Tyler was able to play in the Sportsfest football game this year for the Metro team against Indiana East.  He has been practicing all week from 7-8:30 am at St. Joe High School.  He was ready.  Only a handful of all stars from Mishawaka were invited to play.  Most played defense which made the Metro defense awesome.  Unfortunately, the offense needed players badly so St. Joe coaches (who were the Metro coaches) kind of recruited some of their own.  Hence, not the BEST offense we could have had.  Our offense gave up a turnover and East was able to get a field goal out of it in the 2nd quarter with us losing it all at the end 0-3.  Tyler was in on a bunch of tackles and it was awesome to hear his name out of the loudspeakers on the press box again.  We miss that.  Terribly.  And it was awesome to have a crowd for him again...grandpa R., Jenny, Travis, Mackenzy, Duane, Uncle Dave, maw maw and paw paw, Uncle Kenny and Aunt Sharon, Abby, Max and Gerry were all there!  Makes me so proud that Tyler is so loved.  The weather was uncooperative and downpoured most of the game.  Tyler played inside linebacker and was punt return (even though they couldn't run it back for fear of injuries).  It was fun to see him in a jersey, pads and helmet again.  Definitely ready for the North South Game!

On a sidenote...Gabi is with her friend, Lizzy and family at Purdue for her AYBT tournament.  She called and said she has 8 points so far but her team is 0-3 at this point.  They played the Gymrats (first team they played at Plymouth who were gigantuans and lost by like 20 points) first round and only lost by 8 so that was good, that they had improved.  She is looking forward to seeing us tomorrow for her next two games.  We are anxious to see her as well!

Eyes Opening

Love the picture above...Gabi just loves to look at the babies and hold them.  Such a beautiful smile. We have been really handling the baby hamsters alot since Trenton's friend from the Petstore told us we could.  So far, so good.  They have changed quite a bit just this first week.  They are getting hair and today we noticed their eyes are opening!  They are officially 12 days old now. Below are photos of each of them.

They are really starting to scurry about the cage quite a bit.  Momma doesn't particularly care for this because she scoops them up with her mouth and takes them back to the nest.  They are also sooo adorable when they sit in our hand to clean their faces with their two front paws.  I have caught them starting to nibble on dry food also.  Growing fast. 

Holding the babies

Trenton talked to his friend who actually sold us the hamsters and asked when we could hold the babies.  Her reply was "now!"  She suggested holding them now at short intervals to get them used to the hand so we were able to actually clean the cage.  What cuties!  Two looking like momma and two like their daddy.  Officially 9 days old today.

Prepping

Abby came up with a good idea of making our own shirts to support Tyler in his Metro football game this Saturday.  We started last night with a few cookies and some milk :)

Great idea, Abby!!!

Growing

We haven't gotten to see the baby hamsters very much as mamma hamster, Daisy, keeps them huddled up and covered in her little log.  We can sometimes coax her out for a few minutes to come eat with some fresh veggies in her bowl.  Tried taking some photos.  As of today, we think we have 4 hamsters left and they are growing and seem to be doing well.  They are just now starting to get a little bit of hair and it looks like they are going to be really cute with their different markings.  Later this week we will be allowed to hold them and at 3 weeks we can start giving them away to new homes.  Aren't they cute!!?? 

Sportsfest

So excited that Trenton was able to stay an extra night with us to watch the opening ceremonies of Sportsfest at Bethel College last night.  Tyler got a nice plaque and we heard from speaker, Joe Kernan about team values.  Each team was introduced along with their records, etc.  A nice insert was in the Sunday's paper about Sportsfest as well, including team photos.  Our Metro football team will be facing Indiana East on Saturday at 7pm at Jackson Field.  Tyler will be #24 and we are certainly looking forward to it!  Go Metro!

PARTY

Today was the day we have been preparing for, for many, many days it seems.  I feel a HUGE weight lifted.  Everything went well, without any hitches.  Tyler's graduation party. 
Place - maw maw and paw paw's house of course (Tyler's choosing)
Time - 1 to 4 pm
Date - today (June 11, 2011)
Weather - in the 70's, peeks of sunshine - perfect :)
Menu - Many of Tyler's favorites...Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings (honey bbq and mild), meatballs (swedish and bbq), pulled bbq pork sandwiches, chips, doritos, spaghetti salad, baked beans, veggie tray (Amber), Caulifower salad (Amber - YUMMO), mixed fruit, cheeseball and crackers (aunt Pam), baby cheesecakes (Aunt Annie), Rice krispie treats (Aunt Annie), chocolate cake (Abby's mom, Beth), and white cake from West End Bakery
Decorations - Picture cubes that held Tyler's favorites - Reeses Peanut Butter cups, big screen setup in shed (courtesy of paw paw) to view ALL the Penn vs. Mishawaka football games!

Excited to see lots of family - extra happy that Aunt Jenny, Travis and Mackenzy were in town this year to celebrate with us!  And so glad Trenton made it home this weekend.

I carried around my camera most the time trying to get Tyler with his friends.  So glad that many of them showed up to help him celebrate his special accomplishments!

So very proud of my boy today.  He was a trooper visiting with all his friends and family.  A big relief that the planning is over...but very anxious about all the planning for his moving in August.  Not looking forward to it at all.

Volleyball Camp

This week Gabi went to Volleyball Camp from 12:30 to 2 pm everyday.  She had an absolute BLAST!  She was even "Player of the Day" on Tuesday!  Today the groups were able to play each other and they gave out awards...Gabi got "Most Spirit" award.  Can't blame 'em for that one...she always has a smile! :)

Summa time!

We are soooo excited about summer being here!  Not even a week down and the temps are up (near 100 degrees) and the fun is in full swing!  Volleyball camp this week for Gabi and Tyler started his new job at Eberhart Golf Course.  Lots of partying to do this weekend, including a big one for our graduate!  Looking forward to having Trenton home for the festivities.  HAPPY SUMMER!
Below:  Gabi and her friends, Kara and Lizzy cooling off after volleyball camp