Camping

Camping again! Austin loves his little brother so much! Anytime I tell them to stand next to each other to take a picture, he's always giving Preston hugs! SO cute! They had a great time at the campsite as always. Despite the bugs and the heat!

Another family weekend at the lake

We went to Lake Wappapello this weekend for something different. It was an adventure from the minute we pulled out of the driveway! The tire on the trailer was about to blow so we had to stop and get a new tire which took almost two hours. We waited and watched the rain pour on the boat and all of our stuff we had in the back of the truck for camping. So, one might think that this would be a sign that we weren't meant to go to the lake and camp. Not us, we had two little boys who had their heart set on camping for the past two weeks, we were going! We headed on our way finally around 4:00! Jeff decided we would camp somewhere new, we used to camp at Wappapello all the time when we had our other boat. We finally get to the state camp ground which was clear on the other side of the lake which means it took an additional 15-20 minute to get there. We set up camp and get on the lake for about an hour. The boys had their usual fun at the camp, collecting sticks and what not to throw in the fire. The bugs were terrible and it was quite stuffy, I'm thinking we may need to invest in a camper if we are going to be camping all the time. So, we were just enjoying the night when we were visited by some raccoons. That was lots of fun for the rest of the night. They wouldn't leave us alone. Jeff was ready to pack up and leave I think. Not just because the raccoons but because of the conditions all together. Luckily we never got rained on. Jeff packed everything in the truck and finally went to bed around 1:00. The boys weren't bothered a bit, they just got in the tent and went to bed. They weren't about to leave, they love camping. The day at the lake was lots of fun, of course! Being out on the lake is so relaxing and so much fun! The boys just love it. Preston took his usual nap while we anchored down and floated around for quite awhile. FUN! FUN! FUN! Even if we did get off to a rough start it was all worth it in the end!

Thursday @ Homecomers

Homercomers, lots of rides, games, and good food! We met with the the Fisher's and the kids
rode the rides together! This was Preston's favorite and Hailey's, too- I think! I'm pretty sure Heather and I took Preston and Hailey down this slide four or five times! We ate lots of greasy carnival food and let the boys play just a few games before it was time to go!

last weekend at the lake

That's Austin, look closely,
he's jumping off the cliff!
He has so much fun while
making me a nervous
wreck as I watch! Maybe next time, I can get a little closer for a picture without that boat in the way

We stopped for a BBQ picnic on the
island at Lake Kinkaid.
The boys look so sweet
and innocent here don't they!
The boys were so disappointed that we didn't get to camp this weekend. So, I guess we will try next weekend. It's just exhausting; yet on the other hand it is so much fun that it is worth it!

What a fantastic day today. It truly doesn't get any better than today for a July day in Missouri, that is. It was 75-80 degrees, no humidity, just beautiful! We spent the entire day outside. We went to Capaha park, just down the road from our old house and it was like a walk down memory lane for me. It sparked so many memories from trips to the park with the boys when they were little. Everything from the first time I took Austin to the park for a walk in the stroller, to a particular time I took both the boys to take pictures when Preston was about ten months. It was really neat to share the memories. I'm so thankful we are blessed with such good memories. We made new memories today, feeding the ducks, playing, picnicking, and taking a bike ride in the Jackson park. We started the day at the Jackson park until Austin wiped out on his bike going through the creek. Needless to say we had to take him home to change. Yesterday was a good day, also. The boys and I went out to lunch with the girls from work and their kids at the Pasta House. The boys were so good at the restaurant while I chatted and got caught up with the girls I had to take them for a cookie and to play games in the mall. We took a swim at my moms after Jeff got off work and came home to BBQ a late dinner.

Taking it easy

Well, the boys and I have been doing just that, taking it easy for the last few days. Monday was a catch up day from all the weekend activities at the lake. Tuesday we went swimming at my moms with Danielle and then went out for a snow cone. Also, I went to another great bible study Tuesday. The girls are so great, I feel blessed that I've had the chance to meet each of them. Today Kali spent the day with us and we went swimming again for a little while. Then I prepared a lasagna (my favorite) for dinner. We were joined by Kali, Jessica and Matt for dinner. Austin is counting down the days until we go to the lake again, which will be this Sat. probably- no camping this time- too exhausting for two weekends in a row.

My New Journal

I don't know who actually even looks at this, if you do- great! However, I've decided even if no one does read this-it is a great way to journal our family time spent together. So, if the posts have errors just LOL and ignore them and they may be long at times, like the last one. Read and view at your interest if you like.

First weekend at the lake with our new boat!

Monday morning... boy I'm glad I don't have to work today (sorry honey- wish you didn't have to, too)! I am so sore from head to toe from skiing and tubing (and falling off the skis) I guess. Let's back up here....The weekend started by getting everything ready to pack up Friday night, we would leave early Sat. for the lake. However, when Jeff backed the boat in the garage, I heard a popping noise. Turned out the bearings needed to be changed on the trailer tires. He stayed up until 11:30 going to the store to find the right parts with Steve. Only to discover it wasn't the right fit. So he wakes up early Sat. to finish the project. Luckily, several hours later we were able to leave. The kids were about to go crazy filled with so much excitement and joy they could hardly stand it. The boat ran great. We spent the next hours on the lake driving to different coves where would stop and swim. Austin loved jumping off the boat. He was nervous at first and worked up the courage after awhile. We got a snack at the marina and continued back on the boat until about 7:00 when we realized we better head to camp and get the tent set up (we were just having so much fun). Yes, we were roughing it in the tent but we like it and so do the boys. Actually, the boys love it: roosting their own hot dogs, making smores, and looking for anything they can throw in the fire. They finally wore down around midnight and slept until 7:45 which I thought was pretty good for sleeping on the blow up mattress in the tent. The boys had fun wrestling with Jeff when the woke up. Preston kept jumping on him and piling all the pillow up, throwing them on Jeff and then jumping on top of them. It was so funny. He'd say, "I'm gonna get you daddy!" We packed up, stopped at the shower house, headed to town for breakfast at McD's, and were back on the lake by 11:00! The Fisher's came out later and we continued to ski, tube, float and swim all afternoon. We are lucky to have such good friends. Austin and Parker were so brave to jump off the cliffs. It makes me so nervous to watch them climb 3 feet, 5 feet, up to at least 10 feet ( I don't know if Austin jumped this high but parker did) up the rocks and then jump in the water. But they loved it! Preston even got a nap on the boat today for at least an hour or so, he was pretty exhausted from all of the fun. So all-in-all despite being a little sore and extremely tired- we will do it again and again because it is just great family fun for us. Austin also got to see his paw paw Tim who was on the lake with his brother Terry. We visited with Amos and John who were fishing on the lake, too.

Wow, what a great bible study again tonight. Every Tuesday I've been getting together with other women my age for a wonderful lesson on what it means to be a true Christian! It's great, so far I am learning how to really put all my trust in God, He's in control, not me. And so much more!

Well, instead of a picnic we spent sometime at the Cape County park. I figured we would play until it came up a rain because it sure looked like rain (it never did, imagine that). The kids had lots of fun playing with their cousin, Kali. Afterwards, we went to McDonald's to eat and play some more. I'll be posting some new pics from the afternoon of fun. The boys are so cute...every time they would do something at the park, they would say, "take a picture of me doing this mom." Even though Preston never smiles for the camera, well sometimes, I just have to be fast.

Well, Jeff will get to pick up the boat this afternoon. He is so excited. He reminds me of a little boy at Christmas waiting for Christmas morning. I'm excited, too! We will make many family memories on the lake I'm sure. Not a lot going on today. Austin and Preston are playing with Kali right now and I think we are going to go out for picnic lunch if the rain holds out.

New pics from when we went boating with the Fisher's, some from the river in Paducah after we took the boys to see Thomas Live, and some firework pictures. The boys loved doing fireworks every night. The first night was the best though because they were so excited to see them light up the sky. Both of the boys were jumping up and down and yelling for the fireworks. It was so cute.

New Ski Boat

We spent the day in St.Louis looking for a boat yesterday and I think we finally found the right one. It was a tough decision though. The boys had to come with us and they were so good, we took them bowling when we got home at their request. They are very excited to get out on the new boat. We've went to the lake twice this year on boats and they just loved it which is why we were inspired to get a boat again. So, I'm sure I will have plenty of pictures to post next weekend.

July 6, 2007

Well, I'm giving this a try. Thanks to my friend Heather who informed me of just how easy this is. After visiting her blog, I thought I just have to make one, too. Austin and Preston are playing with their cousin, Tyler so here goes.