4th of July

We started out our July 4th weekend with fun at Jenny's house for swimming, eating, and more swimming and eating! It was a fun day spent with friends we miss since moving over here. The kids enjoyed a water turtle that had somehow ended up in the pool...poor critter probably didn't enjoy the attention all that much! Macie decided she is scared of big dogs, when Bucky started following her around. The day didn't end quite so well, since Jack started throwing up (first episode in the pool...disgusting...), and running fever, so we left and hoped we didn't spread any "friends". Found out later, we did...sorry Shoup's! A few hours after Jack, Callie joined in, and you can just imagine what the rest of our weekend was like!

Pretty

Just loved these pics of the kiddos after church, standing in the gazebo in the back yard.

Lessons from Big Brother

Macie LOVES to watch Jack, and thinks he is HILARIOUS! He does torture her quite a bit, but, at least most of the time, she thinks he is pretty goofy. Here he thought it would be funny to teach her to get on her head and look through her legs at him...this set both of them off in giggles for quite a while! He also taught her the word "poopy"...leave it to big brother to bring in the potty talk words!

Susan

I've avoided this post for a while, but it's time it was made. We lost our dear friend, Susan Irwin, in May. RC and Susan took Bryan in when he first moved to New Braunfels, before we were even married. Their two sons, then pre-teens/early teens, really took to Bryan, and he to them. RC and Susan took care of Bryan, and then welcomed me in after we were married. They were so excited when Callie was born, it was like they were a third set of grandparents! And from then on, that's what we have called them, "honorary grandparents". We love them dearly. Susan was diagnosed with a liver tumor in 2006 (or 2007? it all runs together), and was treated, and successfully. It came back in 2009, and although she attemped further treatment, it became aggressive. She passed away in early May, surrounded by her loving family. I was able to see her the week before she died, and I'm so thankful for that visit. It's so strange with her gone, though. I hear her voice in my head and still think, "I should call Susan and tell her about that", and, I can't. I HATE CANCER! Such a horrible disease. I grieve for RC, for Russell, and for Trenton. I know God has a plan, and I know to trust Him, but, it's still awful to lose someone that you think should have been able to see and play with her real grandchildren. We love you, Susan, and we miss you!

Bobby and Sara's Wedding Day

Our dear friend Bobby (aka David Anderson), got married on June 19 to sweet Sara Gregersen. For those of you who don't know David, he is a friend of ours from college days who lived near us and actually with us when we lived in New Braunfels. During that time Callie was born and as a toddler, refused to learn "David" and instead called him "Bobby"--we don't know why, but it stuck. So, he's Bobby to us! Callie and Jack, along with Elisabeth, Hogan, Gates, and Beck Leftwich were honored to be the kiddos in the wedding. It did take a little convincing for Callie at first, because that day was her birthday, and she wasn't sure her having to be in a wedding was the right birthday present! But, we told her she was getting an "aunt Sara" for her birthday, so that was good enough for her! The wedding was beautiful and so much fun! The little boys in their tuxes, dubbed "The Little Dudes", were so handsome and the girls were pretty princesses. Sheridan and I were a little nervous, but they all behaved wonderfully and did a great job. Bryan was a groomsman, with Stephen Grove, Chris Kneip, Max Slicker, Jonathan Anderson, Michael Anderson, Josh Leftwich, and Sara's brother. We are so happy for them...we've wished that special someone for Bobby for a long time, and God was just waiting to bring the perfect girl...and He did! We are so excited to get to know Aunt Sara more and more. Thank you Bobby and Sara for letting us be a part of your special day!

Flower Fun

My Callie is 7

It's hard to believe, but Callie Grace turned 7 on June 19...good grief where has the time gone?!We were in Austin staying at Scott and Alli's house due to Jack and Cal being in our dear friends David and Sara's wedding. We started the day with the traditional breakfast donuts, then birthday spankin' by Daddy, then on to swimming, cake (made by Aunt Alli!), and presents. Callie got the beloved DSi she has been asking for---thanks Grammy and Papa! She also got an awesome pair of boots and riding helmet from Scott and Alli, new crocs, and horseback riding lessons..she is in to horses if you couldn't tell! I can't believe she'll be in 2nd grade in the fall. I remember the day she was born, rather unexpectedly, at a mere 5 lbs, 6 oz---tiny thing! I can remember my father-in-law holding her in one hand, she was so small. Now she can read, work double digit/borrowing addition problems, ride a horse, swim like a fish, fix her own hair, and legitimately help with Macie!

Things I Love About Callie:

--she loves socks--crazy, don't match anything, obnoxious socks!

--she LOVES stuffed animals (so do I)

--She has a huge lisp due to her two front teeth missing

--She loves arts and crafts, and is very creative

--She still prefers play baths to showers

--She almost always laughs when she is running

--She thinks earthworms are "cute"

--She would eat a whole watermelon if I let her

--She has a spunky, defiant attitude that, Lord willing, we can train into a determined perserverance in everything she does!

--She has the patience of a gnat with Jack, but loves to teach him things

--She is very independant, but not afraid to ask to snuggle

Happy Birthday, sweet Callie!!

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Zeke is 6 1/2

I forgot to put these pics on of Zeke's 6 1/2 Birthday Party. It was time for another swim party and fun! The kids had a great time, as usual. In reviewing my pictures, I realized I got some very random shots this time and didn't even capture everyone who was there. Oh, well. Thank you, Zeke, for including us in your special day!