Better Weather

Today brought much better weather to play for the Fourth of July and what better way to play then to mix some fun with WATER!!! We decided to do a little tubing today. While Trenton was away with his girlfriends family at her lake cottage, we decided to bring Tyler's girlfriend and her little brother Max along for some fun. And fun is what we had!!!

Vacation 2009

Started out our vacation on Friday morning...June 26th and made it to Grandma Honeycutt's house in Mars Hill, NC. Had LOTS of fun just relaxing and visiting with family. Did some horseback riding at Wolf Laurel Stables and was so excited when grandma H. decided to come along for the fun!

We stayed till Tuesday afternoon and off to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to a rental cabin (Sterling Springs Resort). We stayed in Wild Thang. Of course, this is where all our activities would take place. Tuesday evening we did some shopping at Gatlinburg. Wednesday we did our white water rafting at Big Creek Expeditions and what a BLAST that was!!!!!! Our guide had some fun with us and we all got wet!!! That evening we shopped at the outlets in Pigeon Forge and found some awesome deals. Thursday morning we did our Ziplining right at Sterling Springs (Wahoo Ziplines). I was VERY mad that I didn't take a camera after I saw some of the people in our party did and got some good shots. It was a little nerve racking for me but after the first time, I got the hang of it and it was AWESOME!!! I was so proud of Gabi. She did a great job and was first in line to go at each zipline. She loved it!!! That afternoon we headed out to Cade's Cove to see if we could catch a bear in the wild. Unfortunately, we caught up to a crowd that said we had just missed a bear with her cub. We caught some good photos of lots of deer though and saw some turkey as well. After our LOOOONGG drive through Cade's Cove we headed over to Splash Country for our after 3pm entry. We checked things out for a couple of hours and headed back to the cabin for some R & R and some games of pool. Friday we headed back to Splash Country for the morning/early afternoon to catch some sun and hit more waterslides. A favorite of all of us...Swift Water Run, the Wild River Falls and The Lazy River of course. We left the waterpark about 2 pm to go back to the cabin and get ready for the Dixie Stampede. What a great activity to end our vacation with. Great show, good food and lots of laughs. No silverware with a whole chicken, pork loin, corn on the cob, baked potato, cream of veggie soup, biscuit and an apple pie. YUMMO!!!! Very sad to have to come home on Saturday but we made it and we ALL agreed it was another GREAT VACATION!!! Just enough rest and relaxation mixed in with some great activity. You can see all our pictures here.

Independence Day

Just got back from a very busy and fun vacation in the South...Mars Hill, NC and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Will have lots of pics and info from our vacation to come. Wanted to wish our niece and nephew a belated birthday since we missed it via blogger while we were gone. Happy Birthday Travis and Mackenzy!!! I'm glad we got to talk to you on the phone on your special days and looking forward to spending some time with you this coming week. Also wanted to remember Mom R. today. It's been 10 years since she passed and it feels like just yesterday. Lately a special song that we hear on the radio sparks memories of her for us...by Alan Jackson (Sissy's Song)...the words printed below...and to Mom R...we know you watch over us always - you live in our hearts forever. We love and miss you.
Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to meI just have to believe
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost insideAnger shot straight at God
Then asking for His love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout meIt's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
Will always be of times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause
She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don`t worry 'bout me

Finally! Some Warm Sunny Weather!!!

And you know what we like to do on warm sunny days....

St. Ignace - Northern Exposure Duals

Went to Little Bear Arena in St. Ignace this weekend for a Duals Tournament. Eight teams were there and Mishawaka took first place!!!! The team planned to attend the tournament on Sunday and go to Michigan's Adventure on Monday before heading home. Since we knew it would be a long day and Tyler would be with the team and Ben was driving one of the team vans, we had an extra space for Gabi to take a friend. She decided to bring Maddie. They had a great time!!! Saturday was our driving day. Left around 10 am and made it to Little Bear Arena by 3:30 pm for the team to practice and weigh in. The girls and I headed to the hotel just a couple of miles down the road so we could check in and be ready for some sight seeing when the team got back. The girls did some swimming while we waited and then we headed out for some dinner on the Huron Boardwalk in St. Ignace. Ate at a small family restaurant with fresh fish and asked around about some things to check out in town. Of course, there was the little shops and oh, the fudge!!! We decided to check out Castle Rock which wasn't such a great idea after alot of food in our bellies. Lots of stairs!!! Beautiful sight at the top though. You could see the Mackinac Island and all of St. Ignace. The girls enjoyed it, but I must say they really enjoyed the fudge from Murdick's the most!!! We sat at watched Ben try to fish along the Boardwalk while enjoying our chocolate fudge!!! It was absolutely gorgeous weather wise. After we checked out the small lighthouse we went back to the hotel and we were pleasantly surprised to watch a fireworks show over the Mackinac Bridge right from the balcony of our room!!! So nice!
Sunday was wrestling day and the team did awesome!!! Tyler went 5-0. His best match against the Michigan Elite wrestler (10-6). Tyler showed some speed and aggressiveness we haven't seen in a while. Very proud!!! Mishawaka took first place out of 8 teams. Info on tournament here.

It was a long day but the girls went with Ben on a couple of walks downtown between matches. Gabi sure enjoyed the time with her daddy for Father's Day!

The tournament ended about 7ish and it was back on the road to Muskegon. Ended up there around 11 pm and we crashed out hard. The next morning headed over to Michigan's Adventure Park for some fun in the sun and water!! Roller coasters and waterslides were the main attractions Gabi and Maddie wanted to do. This was Maddie's first time on a roller coaster and she really liked it. Unfortunately, Gabi wasn't tall enough for Thunderhawk so she was bummed. She rode everything else though! Tyler even did the Ripcord with Wisler and Childress!!! Had a good time on the water slides - it was very hot!!! We started at 10:30am and we were ready to go by 6pm...on the road back home. We were all exhausted but had a blast!!!! Good times, good wrestling and good friends. Can't ask for much more!!! All my photos can be seen here. Definitely looking forward to another visit to Mackinac Island sometime soon!!! It was beautiful!

Early Father's Day Wishes

Wanted to wish Ben a VERY HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! I'll have you know I have the BEST husband and father to my children. He isn't afraid to tell the kids like it is, he supports them with EVERYTHING he has in whatever they do, he LOVES them to his uttermost being, he has never been afraid to get dirty playing with any of the kids and he isn't afraid to show emotion in front of them. He is the best father I could have wished for my kids. I love him with all my heart!! The kids were able to give him their gifts...Gabi made a #1 Dad pin for him, we got him a "North Central College Wrestling" t-shirt, a North Central hat and an electric filet knife he has been eyeing. Thank you, honey and I wish you an awesome Father's Day!

And I'll have you know I have the best fathers in the world...my own father - who has taught me more than words can describe, but mostly, he has taught me to love unconditionally. This is a gift I will always treasure.

I have the best father in law the world could have given me...Dad R. supports our family always and loves us with his whole being. There is nothing he wouldn't give if we asked.

Release Date

I got to watch Gabi release her butterflies today after Soccer Camp...It was cool to see them...welcome to the world, butterflies!!! It seems weird that I will be releasing someone very special into the real world here in a couple months as well...

Soccer Camp

Gabi is enjoying soccer camp this week with a few of her girlfriends from school. She definitely is NOT afraid to get in there and fight for the ball. I have been able to come early to watch the last 15 - 20 minutes or so when they scrimmage and use the techniques, etc. they learned prior that day.

Three More

Happy to report we woke up and found three more butterflies this morning. Only one left and we are somewhat worried about him. This chrysalis fell from the top so it is sitting at the bottom. I hope he makes it...time will tell. Gabi is loving this experience. We have been feeding the butterflies 3Tbsp sugar mixed with 1 c. water sprinkled on some tissue at the bottom. We will have to release them in a day or so....fun to watch! Lovin the photo of the pretty green eyes checking out the butterfly in the background :)

First To Emerge

Yep, woke up to see this...Gabi is sooo excited. Welcome to the world, butterfly! Shouldn't be long and all five coccoons should be beautiful butterflies...

Off to Soccer Camp today. Happy Monday!

Dinner and a Movie

Trenton is in Indy watching his girlfriend's sister compete in the High School State finals of tennis last night and today while Tyler is away to Indiana Option Camp till Monday. So last night was a special night with Gabi :)

First up was haircuts. Gabi has been wanting to get her hair cut shorter as her bangs catch up with the rest and boy does it look cute!!! I ended up getting some bangs cut...I gave up.

Ben and I then took her to Logan's for dinner for their super special (2 dinners for $13.99 and $2.99 kids' meals) and headed over to the theatre for Up! Ever since this movie started airing previews, Ben has promised to take Gabi when it came out. He made good on his promise last night. Very good movie. We all enjoyed it. Great animation, some good laughs and even some hidden meaning for the adults. Anyways, a great evening with lots of smiles - can't beat that!!!

Will post pics of her new haircut soon...until then, you will have to settle for one I love from last month...

Volleyball Camp

Last week was Basketball Camp...this week Volleyball Camp. Gabi is loving every minute of learning the game of volleyball...and she is having fun too! Doesn't she look so little amongst her teammates!!

Coccoons

Gabi got her caterpillars in the mail on Wednesday last week and they have all spun their coccoons. Gabi and I put them in her little butterfly habitat (that she got for Christmas) yesterday and are awaiting the new Painted Lady butterflies!!!

SYTYCD

Another season...the top 10 couples performed last night and I was finally able to watch the full episode this year. Love this show! My favorites from last night...
Phillip and Jeanine (loved Phillip from last year! He is sooo talented!) and I think Jonathan and Karla. Also loved Kayla and Max. Great start to an awesome show this summer. Just click on the couples to watch how they did last night. Wish I could dance like that! Which are your favorites???

A Welcome Visitor

Love to see Hummingbirds. Next to Bluebirds, they are my favorite. Good to see this little fella this summer :) RT last year...

Loving this perfect weather also...here are some photos of the flowers I planted this year...

Cindy Rella Ball

This weekend was our first camping trip this year with my brother and his family. It was Fairytale Fantasy weekend so we were sure to bring Gabi's princess outfit for the ball. Fun included...

* Decorating tiaras at Craft Hour

* Visiting the Bears

* Fishing

* Splash Pad

* Cindy Rella Ball

* Yummy camp food including s'mores, pudgy pies, Boscos, cheesy potatoes in foil, chicken, hotdogs and brats

* Walks

* Campfire talks

* Bike riding

* Cornhole

* Splash wars

Lots of fun all weekend...perfect weather to bring back that loving feeling of camping. LOVE IT!

Basketball Camp

Gabi has been going to Basketball Camp this week and she is really enjoying it. Tyler and I were able to go watch her for a bit today and I was certainly impressed!! Alot of the girls had red faces and sweaty hair - they were all workin hard. Enjoy the video below and check out Gabi's basket at the end of it...

I think she gets it from her Uncle Chad :)

Sprain

So we got very good news from Dr. Graham today. Trenton has a severe sprain of his ankle. That means no surgery or MRIs which is good. Unfortunately, Trenton will have to elevate and ice it till Monday but then he should be able to start moving it and using some physical therapy on it to get it back to normal. Dr. Graham also told us that he should be good to go for Oklahoma City at the end of the month (Junior Duals) but will check in two weeks to be sure. Thank you to those who prayed for us during this couple of days. We were so afraid it would be worse. Please continue to pray for Trenton as he is still in alot of pain. Thankfully, we have some meds to take care of it for now.