Gotta Love the Little Gals!

Since I am totally done having kids (yes, I'm done, and I say it with confidence!) my blog is getting a little stale. Although every day is an adventure in one way or another, I do not have the ability to turn every occasion into a hilariously entertaining, bloggable event! I need to take lessons from Angie D., I know. :) Anyway, last Saturday found us taking advantage of the beautiful weather in Holmes County. Most people probably think we're insane...two Saturdays out of the last 3, driving 140 miles each way for a few hours of fun. To put it in perspective, it is easier for us to drive over 2 different days than to pack every conceivable necessity for 6 people, pay through the nose for a hotel in that high demand area, and arrive around 6 p.m on Friday night after the sidewalks have already rolled up and the charming Amish towns and countryside are all quiet. Last Saturday was enjoyable, and I didn't take any pics because the moments weren't exactly Kodak-worthy. :) At the end of the day we went to the Amish Door Restaurant for an enjoyable family-style dinner. Our waitress was Amish, and Kaitlynn was starry-eyed as she watched an Amish family in the corner of the dining area. They had a little girl about Kaitlynn's age, and she was all decked out in her traditional dress. Toward the end of our meal, our waitress came to ask if there was anything else she could do for us. Kaitlynn looked at her very adoringly and said, "I wish we were Amish." Greg and I just sat there in awkward silence, and the waitress replied, "Well, thank you, honey!" I guess she took it as a compliment. I explained that Kaitlynn was really facinated with the family across the room, and the waitress thought it was cute. I have since tried to picture Kaitlynn being Amish, and although we are conservative, I just don't think she would quite fit! I can only picture her sparkly hot pink shoes peeking out from underneath her long black dress! Here are a few pics of her "outlet shopping" with me last month...

Another weekend in the can...

Last weekend was full, but in a fun, relaxing way. Greg and I both like structure, but not the kind that is so predictable that it becomes boring! Some people do the same things at the same time every day, eat the same foods on the same nights each week, shop on the same days every month, etc. I applaud the discipline that it can bring to one's life, but we aren't there, and probably never will be! Anyway, Friday night we went into Lima to do all the necessary things (eat, shop, etc.). We took one of Ryan and Evan's friends, so that made it a little more fun for them. On Saturday we took the girls (thanks to the Bakers for keeping the boys!)and went to Noblesville, IN to attend the wedding of one of our good friends, Jennifer Glick and Phil Alexander. Noblesville Pilgrim is a beautiful church, and they had a gorgeous wedding. My camera does not do well from distances or in the dark, but I'm sure you'll be able to see some better pics floating around blogland!








Jerry having fun with the bubbles...

Mr. and Mrs. Phil Alexander (I'm never in the right place to get a good pic!)...

The wedding party getting ready to enter the reception (Andrew was speaking to Kaitlynn while we were in the never-ending bathroom line!)...

I'm wondering what Jennifer was thinking...

Mamaw always makes sure Alli has enough to eat...

Mom and Dad were so surprised to see some friends whom I had never met. I believe the man on the left, along with his wife, lived across the street from my mom when she was growing up in Hobe Sound. Some of you will remember them...

Greg chatting with Leigh Murray...

The Alexander's from HSBC days...

"Ok, Papaw, hand over some of that yummy looking food!"

Mom and Becky go wwwaaaayyyy back! (Sorry mom, don't wanna make ya feel old or anything!). I'm going out on a limb here 'cause I don't remember exact years, but mom used to hold Becky in church when she was little. I think mom must have been somewhere between Evan and Kaitlynn's ages. My grandfather was the Burress's pastor, and they have been such good friends to us down through the years!

Greg chatting with Jerry. My guess is sports or politics...

Kaitlynn occupies herself with the leftover bubbles...

My father chatting with the father of the bride...

My angel...

On Sunday approximately 50 people from our church went downtown to participate in the 2008 Life Chain. It was hot, but we felt a sense of duty to the lives of the unborn who are so precious and valueable. If half of every church in Lima would have shown up, we could have had a chain from one end of town to the other, but of course, it doesn't work that way.

Congressman Jim Jordan thanks the crowd of pro-lifers for showing up and encourages our pro-life votes next month...

Isaac and Kaitlynn...so cute...

Evan takes a stand...or not :)...

My honey...

Dad speaks with State Representative Matt Huffman (left) and someone from Columbus Right to Life...


Little guys doin' their thing...

Jessie Lowe (left) has been a great force in Lima with his "Drugs Bring Death" message and marches...

4 Generations (I was taking the pic!) of pro-lifers...

Allison and one of her little "activist" friends...

Marmon Valley Farms...Pioneer Days...

Ryan and Evan's teacher is doing a pioneer theme in their classroom this month, and I love the display she has in the corner of the room. The kids are allowed to take turns reading books in the "buggy" when they are finished with their daily assignments. Kaitlynn absolutely loves it also, as it is just her size!



First day with mamaw after her return from Cayman. They were so happy to have her back home!

Allison absolutely adores her Papaw. She would take her daddy or papaw over me anytime, and I usually don't mind! Sometimes that break is much needed!

Not wanting me, just my camera...

Making candles...





The boys using real "cordless, pioneer power tools"! :) We split wood to make the bases for the candles that we made.



Attempting the tightrope...


Love to swing!





Ryan checking out some of the animals in the barn...

The coolest barn anywhere, with a straw maze in the upper level. Kaitlynn had fun throwing straw down on her mama...

Evan spotted a cute little kitty in the barn (ok, so I spotted her first, but had no intention of taking her home), and used his brown-eyed magic to get my consent for purchase :)...

Miss Sunshine is her name...