Summer's Gone

Summer's come and gone, although out here I only felt like we got one week of summer weather. It was too cool to even bother with going swimming (for me it has to be hot before I like to go to an outdoor pool).

End of August we went out to Utah for a family reunion and...well...had a blast. It was nice to be together (semi-together) with family. We laughed and talked and had a good old fashioned time. The thing I loved the most was conversation....not via telephone, or email, or Facebook. Now if you know my family you'd know we all talk at the same time so there usually isn't a lot of listening LOL.

Michael had a rough spot and seems to be okay. I talk to him from time to time and will continue to pray - he has so much to overcome but it can be done. Jake has started school for his Auto Tech program at NWTC and has gone to part time status at his work. He is finding how crazy busy a full schedule is and how to manage his time well. Savannah is also now in school. I cannot believe she is in fourth grade! However when she shooed me off the first day of school I knew my baby was not so much my baby any more (at least in front of her friends).

Charlie's job has made some good changes and his duties have become less stressful. My job will be expanding into the new portion of the building which is pretty exciting considering we are using 70's style desks and wall paneling!

Well tomorrow is the first day of Autumn, I am slowly but surely growing into the idea. Goodbye summer...I'll miss you.

10 Years already?

Ten years ago Charlie and I got married in a little city courthouse by a cute little old man who was the city judge. Although we didn't plan for much it turned out very special and very personal and I still remember the sparkles in our eyes when we said our vows. My mom and dad were there, Michael and Jake and a few of my coworkers. We didn't have a lot of money at the time and wasn't going to go into debt to begin our new lives. I picked my ring from Walmart and still love it today and we wouldn't change anything in the world.

We have been through a lot together and today are celebrating with a trip away 4 hours from home in Galena, Illinois. We have enjoyed getting to know each other all over again this week finding new favorite things we both enjoy such as eating Sushi and fire fly catching.

10 years have gone by and we are planning on many more!

4th of July photos

 Getting splashed at Algoma beach on Lake Michigan

Jake smiling 

Charlie and "Ma" conversing on the beach

PU pink smoke bomb!

Savannah daydreaming on the beach

Carousel Ride!

Sisters

Smile

Savannah won Aunt Monica at checkers

Cutie pie as Dad would say

Mwah ha ha (Savannah pretended she was making a magical potion with this smoke bomb)

Playing in the waves

Bear hug

Enjoying ourselves on the deck

Jumping the waves

Holding hands

Lemonade stand

Loving the beach

Squinty eyes

Summer time visit

Mom, Monica, and Lacey drove out for a week visit and we had a wonderful time together. We spent time together making memories at Bay Beach, Door County, and Lake Michigan. We had a barbeque for the 4th, key lime pie, and fireworks and the weather was just perfect the whole week they were here. I think my favorite memory is sitting by the beach at the lake and then having a picnic. I feel bad I didn't get pictures of my own so I will have to have Monica send me hers when she gets home and share them later.

Daddy's Day!

Just some pictures I wanted to share from this Father's Day. Savannah loves her daddy! She decorated a cake at our local grocery store and on Sunday set up a banner for him to see when we got home from church. She was so set on making sure his day was special. It warms and fills my heart on days like these.

My Dad - Father's Day 2013

WROTE BY SAVANNAH B.

MY DAD

He works really hard to pay the bills for the

house. The thing I like most about him is

that he plays with me and snuggles.

Whenever are family needs him he is always

there for Lts. He tells us of what we need to

be prepared for in the 27 years maybe?

Sometimes when I am stuck on a Homework

problem he helpr me solve it. I love it when

he goes to the Father Daughter Dance with

me. It is fun when I and he go out to eat

with each other. Some days after school he

picks me up.

My Guy Dance 2013

Savannah was so excited for the corsage...it turned out to match her dress perfectly.

 

Yep, that's my Guy!

Lotsa Firsts!!

First time trying Zumba!

Girl scout Troop 4109 had a blast at the sleep over at the YWCA this year. We started the night off with some Zumba- can I just say how UNCOORDINATED I am??? - However with a little time I would get better and it was a lot of fun! Then swimming, pizza, and crafts making necklaces and scrapbook pages. I have to be honest and admit I didn't want to go and sleep on a gym floor but the air mattress made it so much better and the experience was so worth it!

First time meeting my husbands parents!

My husband's parents flew in from Texas and visited us for 5 days, it was so great getting to know them. We had a blast checking out Jake's new 3-D TV, went to a Gamblers hockey game, touring Lambeau field, and Chuck E. Cheese of course. They are very charming people and we look to many more visits with them. I only wish we would have met up sooner!

Number Nine

My little girl turned 9 on Janaury 29th - can you believe it? 9, that is the last number until 10. Wow. She's not so little anymore - I told her back in November if she kept her room up and was responsible until Christmas she could get a hamster. And she did! She picked out a Teddy Bear hamster and named her Buttercup, and is still acclimating to us humans. I hope she will realize soon that we are not out to hurt her.

 

We had a slumber party last weekend of 9 girls including Savannah, 8 stayed the night and of course they did not sleep much. I guess I was so preoccupied that I failed to get as many pictures as I wanted. The girls played hide and seek, pin the tail on the donkey, Bingo, and Start the Party. It was a lot of fun! 

 

 

Buttercup sleeping on her first night at home.

 

Savannah formed a #9 in candles on her birthday cake. As I was lighting them the girls made sure to tell me there were more than 9 candles, and then I explained to them why.

We blew up 20 balloons and filled the front room with them. They were popping on and off throughout the night and scaring us and the dog. Not sure if there was just a lot of static electricity or what but the girls also got them to stick to the ceiling.

Pulling funny faces while eating pizza.