Tennessee Trip

Theron and I took the kids and headed to Tennessee to see his parents in June. We had such a great time. I wish we could have stayed longer! It was absolutely beautiful. We rented a house on the river about 30 minutes from "the little house". Awesome!! The family making our first trek around the property
Found the river!
Theron and me by the river.

Chrissy near the old barn on the property

My Second Birthday Celebration

We always make birthdays as special as they can be and also make them last as long as possible in our house...not just ours, but anyone who is in our home during their birthday week!! This year was a new record for celebrating! I had my first surprise on Wed, July 23rd...see previous post. Then on Friday, Lisa had asked if she could surprise Bruce with a cake at my house for his 40th birthday which would be on the 27th. Well, she put my name on the cake, too, so Bruce and I shared the privilege of blowing out the candles while they sang for us. We even had some cards and presents to open!! Here we are blowing them out, while Lisa and Bethany watch in the background. Don't we loook like twins? haha
Jo and Cindy on the porch before Cindy leaves on Saturday morning.
Cindy and Richard as they leave to go to Mennonite country in PA. Cindy had always wanted to go there, so Richard took her on their way home...they left on Saturday to have time to site see up there. Cindy's mom was my dad's sister and my mom was her dad's sister! So we are double-first cousins with her and her brother, John. Isn't that neat?

More Pictures of DC at Night

We went to the Lincoln Memorial after going to the Vietnam Memorial. We then went to the WW II Memorial. Theron is a GREAT tour guide for DC at night. We are able to hit most of the main memorials and they are at their best at night, I think. He had just gotten home from a TDY that afternoon, then we took off for DC in the late evening after dinner at Grioli's. Thanks, Theron, you are the best!!

Honest Abe..I sure wish they'd let me crawl up there and sit on his lap like he was Santa for a picture. I am sure I'd be arrested, though, so just took this one.
Here's Jo and me on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We were about to laugh at something, but I can't remember what. When we are together, it doesn't take much. Just ask Theron and Dave. They were pretty patient most of the time!! haha
Jo and Dave being proud Floridians at the WWII Memorial
Me having fun with my camera
One of the fountains at the WWII Memorial

Another view of the WWII Memorial

Washington DC at Night

Dave & Jo and Theron and I went into DC one night. Richard and Cindy had been there all day, so after going out with his nephew they headed to our house. The kids all had plans that evening, so it was just the four of us. It was a beautiful night to be outside, and we had a great time.Me & Theron at the FDR Memorial..it is absolutely beautiful at night!!A surprise picture of JoJo pretending to dance to the radioMe dancing to the music in my head hahaJo & Dave
Dave being serious
Me and Jo in line...my guy's coat was sticking out too much for me to get in line all the way. Really, it wasn't that my hips were too big!!
The Lincoln Memorial
This guy was standing on his head for no apparent reason. I thought it looked so funny, I had to take his picture.
The Jefferson Memorial across the way
The Washington Memorial with the Capitol in the background

One of My Birthday Celebrations

One day after coming home from shopping with my sisters and cousin, I was surprised to find some decorations and a homemade cookie for my birthday. Richard took Sam and Bethany to the store and they bought stuff to do this cookie to surprise me.
Sam showing off her work
Me holding my cookie before eating it up!!

Wii Time

I bought a Wii for our family last year and we all still love it. The Bryan boys came over one evening and played Wii with TJ and Mary. Joey taking his turn
Joey realizing I just took his picture, and probably threatening me. haha
The Three Muskateers pretending not to notice me

Johnny's Birthday

Johnny turned 17 on August 4th. We had gone to their house to celebrate his special day with the Bryans on Saturday when his sisters could be there. We had a great time that day, too. On Monday, we invited Johnny and Darlene over for dinner for another celebration. We also had a cookie done from the Great American Cookie Company. TJ being a boogerhead and making everyone laugh. That's Darlene in the background, Johnny in the chair, Chrissy on the couch, TJ being goofy and Sam at the table. I t hink that is Joey on the couch on the right. He came over for a bit after soccer practice and had leftovers. We waited for him to get there to do the cookie.
Johnny putting out his candles after we sang for him, as Darlene looks on.