Jal, NM

We went to the big ol' town of Jal, NM for Memorial Day weekend---to visit 2 sets of great-grandparents. It is so nice that both sets of Josh's grandparents live in the same town--and the kids LOVE visiting! It's so nice to go to a slower pace of life, and sit out in their backyards enjoying the weather, the birds, the kids playing.....it always seems so peaceful there.

Here are a few of the fun things we did while there:

played with marbles

Blew bubbles:Played catch:Played the marble game with Nana (in this pic, but also played with Kay kay!)

Fed the ducks at the pond, and played at the park:Had a great time with our "Great"-grandparents!!! Here are the kids with Pop pop and KK:And the kids with Nana and Dandy Don:We couldn't think of a better way to spend a weekend, we love going to Jal! Josh also was able to teach class and preach at church while we were there, and he loves the experience! It is such a blessing for him to preach in front of his grandparents--I know they're so proud!

Random

There have been so many things for me to post about this past week, but I have been OUTSIDE everyday enjoying our awesome weather, so nothing has been done--except the black eye post. Here is a bunch of randomness....
Our new slip n slide...it's a hit! Too bad something happened to it the 2nd time we played on it, and I'm taking it back today! Oh well, it was fun while we had it!

Alan Jackson/Josh Turner concert at the zoo amphitheater....Josh won tickets through his work--it was fun!

This next part is kinda sad. We had TREES growning in our gutters. I was so lucky to get to clean them out!

I had a little bit of help:

First black eye!

Well, it's official....we have a black eye....first of many to come, with 2 boys in our house, I presume! Dylan got hit with a baseball at Dustin's practice last night...a total accident, but he was warned to get out of the way! But, if you know Dylan, you know his stubborn ways, and he continued to pretend to bat, and lo and behold--got hit square in the eye!!!

This is last night--after the swelling went down enough for him to open his eye....and he's happy! This is this morning...a little more color to it, and a little more swelling. But, he woke up in a good mood, thankfully.

Congrats, Jeremy!

My brother, Jeremy, graduated from Putnam City High School last night! Way to go, Jer! Graduation at PC is very cool--they do it outside on the football field, and thankfully did it quick enough to be done before the rain came last night! I know he's so excited to start the next part of his life---at OSU! Go Pokes! (I can't believe I just typed that.)
Here he is walking out:
Up close--it's not cool to wave, now we point:We had fun in the stands....here's Dylan with his soon to be Uncle Cameron!Jodee:Dylan playing with my cousin, Brian....look at that smile!I didn't get any of Dustin...he was running a little late because of a make-up baseball game--which they won--12 to 0! And they made it to graduation in time to see Jeremy get his diploma--perfect!
Here are the kids with Uncle Jeremy:Showing some brotherly love:

Not the best pic of the family...Dylan was fussing because his shoes gave him blisters, and a couple of others are blinking, but oh well!!

Congratulations SENIORS! Class of 2009

brave

Wow....they're crazy! But, when they are having fun AND playing together....couldn't ask for more!

Blessed

Our Mother's Day started on Saturday --with a dinner at the park with all of my family. It was so much fun--and the weather worked out just right for being outside! We had yummy food, got to spend time with my mom, grandma, and 2 aunts, plus the rest of the family!
Here we are Sunday morning before church....thus the sleepy eyes...we were still waking up! I was nicely surprised that morning with a cappucino, omelet, and gifts! It was fun! Our afternoon was relaxing--first off to Tealridge to hear Josh preach, and then my choice! We usually go to the lake and ride bikes, or rollerblade, but the weather had other ideas! Since it rained, I played a couple of games with the kiddos--we had fun! I know this is hard to read--but it totally cracked me up! Dustin filled this out for me--some basic questions, but I'll highlight the funny ones:
My Mother likes to: see the New Kids
I like best for my mom to cook: hot dogs
I don't like it when she cooks: hamburger helper

Does my child know me, or what? He could have written anything that I like.....and he wrote "see the New Kids". I love that kid!
Hot dogs.....yep--his favorite. Too bad I don't consider that cooking....heating them in the microwave!
WHAT? I "cook" hamburger helper like once a month---maybe! We rarely eat it, because it all kind of tastes the same, and the kids don't like it much. Thanks Dustin!! haha

Here are my gifts/cards.....WOW.....I am loving all of it.

I love being a mom....and not just for Mother's Day! It is so fulfilling....I'm sad they're growing up so fast!

update...

Seriously...is she part monkey?

Funny dog

Dustin's dog, Miley, definitely keeps us entertained! Lately, her favorite thing is climbing our tree! She circles the tree--looking up into it (I think she's looking at birds--particularly, a woodpecker), and every once in a while, she jumps and actually climbs up into the tree! What in the world????


This isn't a very good picture, but I think you can get the idea!

Redhawks!

The kids got free tickets to a Redhawks game from the Memorial Marathon, so after Josh preached at Tealridge Sunday, we went to the game! They have the stadium decorated with all of the famous baseball stadiums around the US--here are the kids in front of the Wrigley Field sign:

It was chilly (really cold, if you ask me!), and there were not many people there--so we got to sit in the first row! Jodee and Dylan wanted to go up high--while Josh and Dustin stayed down low:

It worked out great--Dustin got a ball from the 3rd base coach! Very cool!

I kept Dylan entertained by taking him to the left field bleachers. He loved it because we had them to ourselves--he played with his baseball on the steps, chased birds, and saw some great plays by the guy in left field!

Here he is chasing the birds....can you see the bird?

After a while, Josh, Dustin, and Jodee joined us in the bleachers, and thankfully Josh was there--the Zephyr's hit 2 homeruns directly to our seats! He got both homerun balls--he and the kids were WAY excited! It was great!

After the game, they had Sonic Sunday Funday--where the kids run the bases, hit balls off of tees, and we could play catch in the outfield. It was so much fun! Dustin hit the ball over the fence--he felt good! Here are Dustin and Josh playing catch:
This is after the game with all 3 balls from the game: (yes, it was late, and Dylan was sleepy, thus, no smile!)

Can't beat free tickets....it was perfect!