Family Reunion!

Sisters!!
Grandpa and Brookie
Roasting (burning) marshmallows!
Tommy and Liz
Grandpa, Anna and Grandma




Anna was home along with Brad last weekend, and we enjoyed our time with them to the max!! We (Liz, Anna, me and the kids) went to the club to the pool on Friday, and had a picnic at our house with Nana and Papa (my Mom and Dad), and the rest of the clan that evening. We roasted marshmallows over the firepot, with poor Liz having several cardiac events due to Connor running too close to the fire on more than one occasion, even with Mimi standing (sitting) guard!

Brad came in Friday evening, and he and Anna and Bob and I sat around the fire late into the evening shooting the breeze, listening to the tree frogs, and watching the night sky. Heavenly!

On Saturday we all headed to the Farmer's market and never made it past the main street. We ran into so many people that we all knew, and could only move a few feet at a time!


Later in the day, we got our food and drinks ready and headed to the village picnic It was so much fun! There were over 2,000 people there with tables lined up and down our main street as far as the eye could see, and then some! It was just great to have all of our kids there, along with lots of our closest friends, at 3 tables which we had reserved.


On Sunday, Bob and Brad and a friend golfed while we girls went to the pool once again, before heading home to take the kids to the airport. :( We hated to see them leave, and are really looking forward to this coming Labor Day weekend when we will be together with them at Brad's family's home!

Vacation at the Cabin!!

Vacation!!! We had a wonderful time with the kids, with friends Lynne and Teah, and then with Tommy and Bob at our cabin up north. The weather was absolutely perfect, sunny and 80's almost every day. We spent lots of time on the deck overlooking the water watching Connor play in his new sandbox, having our meals at the little table, swinging Brookie, looking on as poor little perches and sunfish got caught and then thrown into a bucket by Bob, after which Connor would "fish" them out and throw them back in the water. :) The huge pike was the highlight of the week for the guys. It unfortunately didn't cooperate with them as far as being a good fish and taking the hook, instead biting through the line and speeding off without so much as a thank you.

Lynne getting out of the pedal boat, (but not really as she couldn't get herself situated well enough to get back on the dock,) then being "rescued" by Teah, with both of them ending up in the swampy water was the most entertainment I've had in a long time! So funny!!

It's hard to come home, and I may not get past my hermit mentality for awhile. I miss the slow pace, few phone calls, and much quieter atmosphere of our little cottage.

My Favorite Hobby-Grandkids and my doggies!

If I never did anything but play with Connor and Brooke (I will even change a poopy diaper or two and not complain!) I would be a happy woman! On top of that, I have two really cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that fill in the empty nest when the little ones aren't around. God knew what He was doing when he let us live long enough to see our children, our children's children, and sometimes even another generation or two! Words can't describe the joy that comes from watching your children bring little ones into the world, care for them with great love and wisdom (where did that come from?:), and teach them about Jesus, their lifelong best friend. It doesn't get any better than that.

Anna and Brad belong in this, too, as Anna has been one of my hobbies for 24 years!

Fun Things we did this summer!

This summer has gone way too fast! We have been to the Outer Banks for our anniversary as well as to the great lakes for my friend Suellen's daughter's wedding, to outdoor concerts to watch our own superstar Connor perform along with the hired performers, re-did our entire living room, played at Jeff and Amy's with Kate, Jill, and other various and sundry family members. Can't wait to go to the cottage this weekend for a two week visit with friends and family!

Corky's 59th Birthday

Our birthday group, comprised of Lynne, Kathy, Corky, and me celebrated Corky's birthday this past week. It was a lovely evening to spend outside on the deck having dinner, followed by a surprise visit from our daughters and even my granddaughter! Here are some pictures from our very fun evening! And seriously, does Corky look anywhere near 60, let alone 50? Sheesh!

The Birthday Group plus our girls!

(Behind the moms: Liz, Stephanie, Teah and Erin)
Kathy and Brooke
From front left counter clockwise: Kathy, Mary, Corky, Lynne
I always wanted long, blonde hair!!
A sad and tired Brookie Cookie