So many things...So little time!

Keeping up with the blog this summer has been a little bit of a challenge. We have had a lot of fun over the summer and it's hard to believe that there is only a week before the kids go back to school. Where did it go? Well heres what we've been up to...

M & T both had dance competition in Branson, so we made a week of it. This is of T's ENTERTAINERS - they recieve a 2nd place ribbon.

M's duo with Tarzan and Jane received a Diamond which is 1st place. They both did an awsome job. We went to White Water, Celebration City, Dinosaur Mini Golf, go carts, bumper boats, and we even had time for The Presley's.
Then we were able to spend a weekend of fun at Tan-Tar-A with the Teel's, Whitt's, and the Henry's. THAT WAS FUN! Here is M and her new boyfriend. (Tall, dark, & handsome)
Here are the boys, having fun playing around.

K & I - thanks to D's photo capabilities.

Bandana's was happy that we came, but even happier that we left.

And the kids were as good as gold...
Even the babies...

The last couple of weeks have been spent celebrating Birthdays and Anniversary's.
This is our lovely family. P & I celebrated 12 years of wedded bliss! Hard to believe I know, but we couldn't be happier. Mom and Dad also celebrated their anniversay along with Dad's birthday!
Aunt Abs also got in on the fun this summer as she took the kids to Powell Gardens for the annual Butterfly Festival. Brave lady she is. Here are some of T's glorious photography work...I think she takes after her aunt.




The rest of the summer has been nothing but fun in the sun and sitting poolside!

One thing I have learned is to try your best to keep up with your blog, because trying to fit an entire summer into one post is very time consuming!

LOTS OF FUN AT VBS!

We are having lots of fun this week with Vacation Bible School. Here are a few photo Nana took today!

And here is one of our beautiful music leaders!

These two are well...actually they have been wonderful help this week and I really appreciate them helping out! The younger kids really look up to them!

These ladies are my mentors! I love having these ladies for ANYTHING - they are awesome teachers, leader, and even BUNCO queens!


Here is a picture of M's class!

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY

Rain, Rain, Go Away
Come again another day.
My son wants to play just one game of ball
But yet he hasn't gotten to play one at all!

Another heartbreaking day for G as it rains yet again! For those of you who may be keeping track - it has rained every Monday and Thursday for the last 2 weeks! G has only played 1 game out of 5 scheduled. I feel so sorry for him cause he hasn't been able to do much so far this summer! I am thankful for the rain though - our gardens and fields will need them to produce those yummy fresh fruits and vegetables, my son however feels like Noah.

Father's Day

A time to remember the Dad's in our lives!

(THE ONE ON THE LEFT IS MY DAD - HAVE NO CLUE WHO THE GUY ON THE RIGHT IS, BUT I HEAR HE'S A GOOD DAD TOO)
My dad, I have to say, by far is the greatest ever! Those of you who know him would only HAVE to agree! If you've ever seen my dad without a smile on his face I'm surprised. My dad is always joking and having fun, actually I think he's more of a kid at 51 than I EVER was. I love and admire my dad so much! He is a complete picture of happiness and joy. I just tear up thinking that I don't get to spend as much time with him as I would like. Thank you DAD for being a pillar in my life that I can trust and admire, and follow in your footsteps! (I'd give my right arm to be just like YOU! ;>) ) (Inside joke)

AWARDS

Well Nicole, unlike you I have NO pictures of the ceremony - not even blurry ones! But I was able to capture a few at home afterwards. AWANA is a very big dedication for a little youngster. If amazes me how each of my kids were able to finish a book in the 8 months. There are like 50 sections, and each section could have 1 to 2 verses to memorize! WOW! How great it is to know that God's word is in their hearts and minds all the time!

First Ever!

G out did himself again! He went Turkey hunting this weekend with P and was able to bring home this bird! I am beginning to think that all I blog about are G's "great white hunter experiences" - I need to apologize for those of you who have weak stomaches. Anyways - took them an hour to call this bird in, and G was so anxious that he shot at 30 yards and got him - one shot. The bird was 21 pounds! We fried some strips us last night and they were ok - I think it's mind over matter with me. I hate to think of what I am actually eating.
Thanks to Gramps this time we have photos.

I think I can see an end!

Haven't blogged in awhile just because lots of changes have taken place over the last few weeks. As most of you know I am now working for Greg, and things are WAY different than they used to be. I'm still doing everything I used to do, but now it's just 10 time more! That's good, but it has been pushing buttons on my availability time. In my quiet time I have been studying about priorities for the last couple of days, and it has really hit home. I have a family and I truly want and need to spend time with them, I have a job that helps pay the bills, so I need it, and I have a church that I love to be involved with and help where ever I can. Gosh, I kept praying to God asking Him that he surely approved of me doing all these things, but why wasn't it working anymore? I love my quite time with God, because that's how I got this time to blog. He fixes everything! Seek Him first! He tell us that over and over in His word, we just have to be obedient. Everyday God shows me and helps me prepare my day, because I seek Him first! Sometimes you just have those A HAH moments and you have to share.

The kids have been enjoying the nice weather on the very FEW days we get it, G and P have been fishing, thanks to Grams I have pictures of those -

The girls have dance all weekend, so I'll try to get some pictures and post them next week!