Never enough time in the day

Sorry to our blog followers that I haven't updated in a while.  Time truly gets away from me and I'm lucky to get a post in once a week.  It usually happens then that I have a ton of pictures or things to talk about when I do get around to posting.  Today is no different.  Since my last blog post, Justin and I helped put on the second "Amazing Race: Lebanon Style" with our church youth group.  (We missed you Wes and Melanie!!!)  It was a gorgeous day and I think the kids had a lot of fun.  Without all of the support and adult volunteers within our church the day would have never happened.  We are so blessed to have such a giving church family.  Pretty much every adult that didn't have a prior committment that day was helping us with "Pit Stop" activities, team drivers, or putting together the end of race cookout.  It was a fun day.  Here are a couple pictures from the Pit Stop at my parent's house that I ran.  The kids were given pieces of PVC pipe and they had to build a marshmellow gun and successfully hit three different targets before getting the clue to their next stop.  It was quite a challenge but all groups were successful.  

I also have some pictures from Justin's softball game last week.  He's been playing in two leagues this year and the Tuesday night league just ended, with Justin's team once again winning the Championship game.  It's been a lot of fun watching him play.  He's on a team with close friends so it's always fun to hang out and watch the kids and talk during the game.  After tonight's game however, which we didn't go to, I've been officially told that I'm not allowed to watch him hit any longer.  Last game he came off the field after hitting and I said "oh, did you get out?"  (I had totally missed him getting up to bat.)  He then said, "PLEASE tell me you just saw that!"  Sorry, nope.  He had hit an in the park 3 run homerun.  Ooops.  After that he didn't do much at bat- when I was watching.  Well tonight he calls me and says that he hit a 2 run OUT of the park homerun, followed the next inning by a single OUT of the park homerun.  His first ever, and 2 in the same game!  I enjoy seeing him have so much fun.  I remember my dad playing softball when I was young.  Good memories.  At the park, Morganne's favorite thing is, like all the other kids, to get dirty!  We just laugh and  know that after games, it's bath time before bed. 

Justin and I also had a chance this past weekend to attend our church's annual adult retreat.  Kaelynn came too since she is nursing, but Morganne stayed with Nana and Grandad all weekend and had a great time playing with them.  We had a good time.  Like normal, it's a time when all of the adults get to act like kids again and goof off, play ultimate frisbee, stay up late playing games, and also have times of worship and teaching.  We also get to see Justin's brother Derek and Lynsey, and the kids too, since Derek is the camp cook.  And boy do we eat well at these retreats!!!  Derek's talent never ceases to amaze me. 

Since my last post we also were blessed to have yet another new friend enter the world.  Morganne's best friend, Curtis, got a new baby brother, Lucas Bryant.  We are so happy and excited for the Hicks' family. He is quite the cutie and I can't wait to take newborn pics of him this week!!! 

And lastly, I had to include this cute pic that Justin took of the girls and I.  I am so blessed.  It wasn't until I saw this pic later that I realized we are all wearing blue. Can you tell what my favorite color is??? :cP  Life is good and we have been so blessed beyond belief. 

Some of our favorite people

We recently had dinner with my Papo and Phyllis.  I always love spending time with them and my girls are blessed to have the opportunity to get to know their great-grandparents.  My Papo is who we think the girls got their bright blue eyes from.  It's the same teal blue color and he had bright blonde hair in his youth.  After looking at these pictures though, I think they actually got a lot of their looks from him.  He is so excited whenever his grandkids and great-grandkids are around.  We are also blessed to have Papo and Phyllis in our lives!! 

Yesterday I went over to the Hicks' household to take some pregnancy and family pictures of Brittany before the baby arrives later this week.  It was also an attempt to get some 3 year pics of Curtis too.  It truly is easy to take photos when you have such beautiful models!  I love working with natural light and I would love to learn how to use my camera better and take some lessons.  Maybe someday...  Here are a few of my favorites.  Brittany hasn't seen them yet- surprise!  Here is a preview....

btw, HAPPY BIRTHDAY C.W.!!!

Busy, busy, busy

So little time, so much to see and do.  Since my last blog post we have been extremely busy.  Luckily, the busy-ness has been filled with fun and friends.  The last week in July we had a great time celebrating Curtis' 3rd birthday with a get-together at the Hicks' household.  He had an awesome Alligator cupcake "cake" that I was so impressed with Brit, Bryant, and her s-i-l artistry and baking skills.  It is always fun seeing the kids together.  Oh what a difference a few years make.  I'm pretty sure the noise decible level was ten times higher than it was 3 years ago!  And to think in less than 2 weeks, they'll be one more!!   

In eager anticipation...

Kaelynn eyeing Daddy's cupcake...  Thought this picture was pretty funny...

Growing up friends.  Kyla and Kaelynn, just like their older siblings are pretty close in age.  Dylan is almost 3 weeks younger than Morganne and Kyla is 2 months younger than Kaelynn.  We hope they remain friends for life.

This past weekend has been jam packed with activity.  To the point that other than sleeping we only spent about 4 hours at home in a 48 hour period.  Sat. morning we ventured out to the State Fair and Morganne had a great time!  We saw dock diving dogs, many different kids of animals, fair projects, water to play in, and LOTS of people.  I used a "Lactation Station" this year with Kaelynn and thought it was just the coolest idea.  The March of Dimes and Le Leche League paired together to offer air conditioned units to stop and nurse babies in all over the fairgrounds.  It was so neat!  I got to meet 3 other moms while stopping with Kaelynn.  What a blessing.  Here are some pictures of our day..

Enoying a free ice cream treat.  Morganne helping herself to Daddy's treat too...

Petting a baby chick!  It fell asleep in Nana's hands while Mo was petting it.

Real men eat meat!  A bit scary isn't it...

Morganne had to try it too!

Enjoying a water mister station.

Justin dreaming....

Saturday night we got together with a friend from my former place of employment.  I've truly missed my co-workers and friends from my last job.  I don't miss the place, but the friendships were real.  Luckily, I've kept in contact with many of them and I was super excited to finally get together with Cathy and Chad, since seeing her 5 months ago.  We went to a nice, affordable Irish pub and had a great evening talking and hanging out.  Morganne spent the night at Nana and Grandad's so it was the closest thing to a date (though double date) night we've had in a while, with only one kid in tow.  

Sunday morning we had a work Sunday instead of our normal worship service.  In order to try and help a developing ministry called Str8 Up Youth ministry get started, our church group headed out and cleared brush and did a ton of yard work to help get the land in better shape.  It was a decent morning, luckily we were out there prior to the day's heat.

We then headed home for quick showers and then off to Dr. Kim and Dan Lentz's new clinic's open house.  Check out their website http://www.nhim.com/.  The new place is gorgeous and we know God will use them to bless and hopefully heal so many. 

Then it was off to Justin's softball game.  He's now playing in 2 leagues and really having a good time.  Though it's one more thing to do, it's a fun time and it's a family event.  I remember watching my dad play softball for many years when I was growing up.  Good memories...

And lastly, I had to include some funny pictures.  It's called, what to do when it's too hot to head outside. Paint in the bathtub!  I got the idea from my mom and also remember my s-i-l Lynsey doing it with Annabel last winter.  Morganne had a great time.  A little finger paint and Daddy's shaving cream and she went to town.  She truly enjoyed the body art aspect verses painting the walls I noticed..  Too cute.

Have a good week everyone!  God bless!