Christmas In July 2009

We stuck to our annual tradition of camping at Jellystone in Fremont for Christmas in July with Chad/Amber & family and my parents. With the temps lately, it almost felt like it could be Christmas so we were a little nervous about the weather. It ended up being nice though. It rained heavily around 4 am on Saturday and was done by 5:30 am ish. Other than being a little cloudy, it was a nice weekend to camp. My parents had originally opted out of a cabin (booked anyways) but when they arrived on Friday and with the unknown weather ahead they really didn't want to camp in a tent. They checked in and found out someone had cancelled just a bit prior to them coming in. My parents jumped on the opportunity and would you believe it ended up being the cabin straight down the road from where we were set up! It couldn't have worked out better! Since we knew rain was forecasted and my parents had the room they allowed the boys to stay in the extra bedroom in the cabin so we didn't have to worry about a wet tent. Saturday morning we had breakfast planned together and it was a smorgasboard!! Eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, potatoes, coffee, juice, danishes. Lots to do on Saturday morning...get our snowman ready for judging (thank you mom!) - we ended up getting the "Mr. Cool" award!

We decorated ornaments at craft time, rides on the golf cart, visited with Yogi and Santa, played cornhole, splash pad time, and walks. Alayna (Trenton's gf) came up right after breakfast for the day and Abby (Tyler's gf) came later in the afternoon and got to stay overnight with us.

That evening we fixed our annual dinner together with our Christmas gift exchange. We had my dad's famous ribs and chicken, potatoes, pasta salad, watermelon, corn and brownies from Alayna. Got some great gifts during our gift exchange. I got a pretty shirt from Addy, Ben got a shirt and money from dad, Trenton got a shirt and money from maw maw, Tyler got a shirt from Aunt Amber and Gabi got a pretty shirt and calculator from Uncle Chad. I have to say Chad got the best gift...from Trenton...an emergency Germ Kit filled with plastic gloves, a sample sized lysol, antibacterial lotion and wipes, and a facemask (LOL)
After dinner we snuck in a game of volleyball (complete with a pretty rainbow overhead) and ate lots of smores and pudgey pies!!!! YUMMO! Favorite part of the night!Sunday was beautiful with sunny skies and a bit warmer. We got picture time with Yogi, took some more golf cart rides, played at the park and splash pad and got around to leave. A nice weekend and a reminder of how much family means to me and how much I love camping! With the boys getting older it just gets harder for us but we cherish everytime we are able to go. We wouldn't trade our memories of camping for the world!

Vapor Jets

Can I just say that Tyler is excited about getting these new shoes via the mail from Eastbay. Personalized Vapor Jets 4.2

Ordered today...should come within a week.

Preseason Prep

For hunting that is. Yes, this fall like weather...cooler temperatures, cloudy skies made Ben very anxious for hunting season. We decided to take a ride out to a couple of his hunting spots to make sure the stands were there and take note of soybeans or corn. Gabi, Maizy and I hopped in for the ride and off we went...and of course, you know me...I grabbed my camera for any photo opp that arose. And I found some...Maizy following her daddy like "a lost puppy dog" - literally. That dog whined every time he would climb up in a tree stand. She never left Ben's side for a second.

Then there was the railroad tracks that ran through the middle of the woods...photo opp big time. Loved it!

College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement

The football team got to walk in the College Football Hall of Fame's Enshrinement Parade this morning in downtown South Bend! Got to see Tyler on television while the festivities were happening. Tyler also informed us that he got to shake inductee Mr. Lou Holtz's hand before the parade started.
FYI: Tyler - #22!

Another (Michigan) Adventure

This one just got back from another trip to Michigan's Adventure Park. This time she was able to go with BFF Emma and her family for Emma's birthday. Gabi left on Monday evening to go up to Emma's family's campground about an hour from the park and the big day was on Tuesday. Michigan Adventure all day. She had so much fun and came back with these hair wraps...so cute!! And so glad to have her back home :)

Switching Gears

Tyler has been up and practicing for a new season of football even before school let out for last year. He has been working hard in both wrestling and football but I think we are all ready to switch gears for football. Soon the fall weather will come and the itch for football will really come alive. Tyler went to Option Camp a few weeks ago and found some photos online. You can also catch up on Mishawaka Football through this site which is awesome. They will be posting some spirit wear you can order right online as well. Looking forward to that!!! They really have some cool things this year. Tyler's finger is a bit sore from the dislocation but he is sticking it out at his wrestling camp. I think he is also looking forward to switching gears to football for a bit :)

Painful

Got a call from a trainer tonight about Tyler dislocating his finger at Central Michigan Camp. The trainer explained that he dislocated it pretty bad and he was on the way to the ER. The thoughts that go through your mind at that point. Even though he is 16 years old I wished I could have been there...just been there with him. I immediately called the hospital where he was taken and they assured me that the doctor would call me after he had a chance to look Tyler over, and he did...about an hour later. The doctor called and said he did have a pretty bad disclocation but he numbed it and put it back into place. Tyler was lucky to have no breaks for tears but would have to have it splinted for about 2 weeks for the ligaments to heal. No more wrestling for the time being and football would be a maybe. We would have to follow up with our physician when he got home to figure that out. Tyler called me soon after and he sounded in well spirits. Said it was painful but it was taken care of. Made me feel lots better to talk to him. Then he sent me this picture via text message!! And my fingers started hurting for him!

Pampering

I have been telling Gabi I would take her to get a pedicure with me this summer and today was a good day to do so!! Took her to Vogue Beauty College to have it done. Great prices for a pedicure!!! I got a French Pedicure and Gabi got her colored blue with a little artistic work on the big toes. Gabi was most impressed with the massaging of the feet and legs. I think the pedicurist had fun with her!!!!! Fun day with my baby!

Strikes and Spares

Went bowling this evening (minus the boys because of wrestling practice) with Ben's side of the family since everyone is here in Indiana. The pregnant woman whooped up on everyone and Travis came in second place! Good to hang out with everyone.

Slip N Slide

Got a Slip N Slide for Gabi yesterday and she has been dying to get it together. Finally did it today...Priceless fun and memories!

St. Joe County 4H Fair

Decided to go to the Fair last night and take along Mackenzy (Gabi's Texan cousin). Gabi showed absolutely NO FEAR again. She confirmed this on our vacation while ziplining and white water rafting, but showed this again at the Fair. The drizzle didn't stop us from having a good time. Gabi and Mackenzy were right in there with all the bigger kids. We even met up with Tyler and Abby and the girls went on a couple of rides with them. Ben and I always like Gabi to take someone with us so we don't have to get on those rides LOL We are starting to feel our age catch up with us. He and I just go for the fair food (fried veggies, philly steak and cheese, elephant ears) and we LOVE to look at all the animals.

Texan Cousins

So happy to have Jenny and her kids, Travis and Mackenzy, here from Texas to visit this week. It works out great since Mackenzy is about the same age as Gabi (8 months older than Gabi). We stole her away to stay the night on Monday night so she could play with Gabi (while I got my audit done for work on Tuesday). Since the auditor finished up early we were able to head to my parents' house to swim. The girls had a great time! Looking forward to spending some more time with them all before they leave.

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