Grace's Bachelorette Party (1 of 2)....

My great friend, Grace, is getting married July 10 and I am in her wedding - standing up for her. I am so happy for her and so honored to be in her wedding.

And what wedding doesn't have a bachelorette party? Grace didn't want to do anything to crazy or wild so we had a 2 part bachelorette party. The first was just dinner out.... we headed to TGI Friday's - our normal gathering when we meet.

MEET MRS. LOWERY

Isn't she cute?

We had to pose, of course.

Chelsea (my neice was staying w/me so she came along), me, Grace (the Bride), Rhonda, and Kayla (Rhonda's daughter) 

Me and Grace : )

Chelsea and I : )

We had a fun time celebrating Grace and her marrying the man of her dreams!

Part 2 will be the day before the wedding for mani and pedi's. See you then!

Early 4th of July with Eric, Erica & Sweet Eli

We try and get together as much as we can with Eric's family. It usually ends up being once every couple of months and we love hanging out w/them. We usually cook food and just play.

Here's Uncle Bubba, Ben and Eli playing catch.

The boys love when Uncle Bubba comes over to play with them. 

Eric and Eli

"BEER!"

 "Yes, BEER!"

Andy playing on his roller coaster.

Will playing golf

More playing catch .....

Ben's so sweet to Eli. He just loves him so much.

All done w/golf ....

 Yummy, turkey burgers ...

My niece, Chelsea, was over this weekend hanging with her favorite aunt : )

Nice, Chelsea..... nice!

Chelsea and Erica in chairs.

Andy on roller coaster.

And Eli, Ben & Eric playing catch.



We had a great time as usual. Hopefully when the weather cools down, we can get together more.

Hanging out with Uncle Bubba's family...

We love the time that we get to spend with Eric and his family. We've really missed them so we are thankful for more opportunities to hang out. We grilled out and let the boys run crazy and spend time together. My boys absolutely LOVE Eli. They talk about him non-stop and can't wait for him to come again. So they were thrilled he was here to play w/them. I love that Eli's getting more comfortable with us and acts as though he's at home when he's here. It's nice!

My niece, Chelsea, (actually she's my cousin-n-law, but I feel like her Aunt and that's what she and her 2 siblings call me) was here staying the weekend with me - so she got to be part of the fun! : )

In picture: Eric, Erica, me, Chelsea, David, Eli, Andy, Ben & Will

Happy to be Home!

We got home from our mini getaway and the boys were thrilled we were home. The boys and Kuma were so excited. And it's definitely great to be home. We really missed the boys! We had a great time, but it was the first time we were really away from them more than over night - so it was tough.

We wanted to bring the boys home something, but didn't want to bring them toys. So we brought them Toy Story 3 for the Xbox (which they loved) and pajamas. They all love pajamas - so it was a great treat.

Ben, Will and Andy posing for me in their new pj's

Will and Ben got matching shark pj's and Andy got footed pj's (which he LOVES).

Ben, Will and Andy

Precious!

Ben :)

Will (sweet ...)

Andy (being silly - dancing : )

Ben, Will and Andy being silly!

San Antonio / kids

David and I have had very little time alone in the almost 8 years we have been married and desperately needed a little getaway. So ... our FANTASTIC babysitter (and friend) kept our boys for 3 nights and 4 days so David and I could go on vacation. We are truly thankful!

While we were away, we wanted the boys to have fun too - and that they did. Jamie took them to McDonald's, to Chuck e' Cheese, to a birthday party (for one of Ben's friends), to Church .... and the coolest - was on their very first boat ride. Jamie, her brother and her parents took the boys on their boat. They were thrilled and had a great time.

Ben, Andy & Will ready to go ...

Andy and Will : )

Andy ..

Will (he's so silly : )

Will on the boat ....

Andy ....

Will. Looks like he's having fun, doesn't it?

I would say "YES"...

Andy ...

Ben :)

Andy ...

Will (all smiles & thumbs up : )

Andy, Ben & Will ...

Ben & Will watching Joel (Jamie's brother) waterski ....

Ben playing in the water while Joel ski's

Andy, of course, had to touch the water too...

Andy and Jamie on the tube ....

Andy & Jamie.

They were going pretty slow w/Andy. As you can see - Jamie could sit up w/o holding on : )

Ben, Will & Jamie getting some wind ....

Ben, Will & Jamie. Jamie said the boys kept saying "faster, faster."

Andy & Joel

(you see Ben, Will & Jamie on the tube in the background)

Andy & Joel

Andy LOVES Joel!

Andy, Ben & Will

Heading home from a fun day on the boat.

We are so very thankful for Jamie and her family. It is so great, to feel complete peace and trust and know I can leave my boys with Jamie at anytime and they will be well taken care of. I never worry and I love that! Jamie has been babysitting for us since she was 13 (she'll be 18 in September) - and she truly has been the greatest blessing to us. We love her dearly and so do the boys!

I am thankful she kept the boys and gave David and I this much needed time together. We love you Jamie!

Happy Father's Day to MY Daddy!

EVERYTHING DAD

A little girl needs her daddy

To love her with manly charm,

To soothe her when she’s hurt,

And keep her safe from harm.

A girl needs her dad

To show her a man who’s good,

To help her make right choices,

As only a father could.

A woman needs her father

Just to be aware,

He’ll always be there for her

To sustain her and to care.

You’ve been all these things, Dad.

I hope that you can see

How much I treasure you;

You mean everything to me.

- Author Unknown

*******

This year on Father's Day I am especially grateful. My daddy is recovering from a pretty bad car accident and he is doing really well. I am so proud of him! He's strong, determined and so happy to be home healing.

As I was growing up, I often took for granted that my daddy was always around. It was something that I just always expected because it was how our family was. My daddy worked hard for my mom and his family. He never complained about having to go to work and take care of us. He loved us and we knew it! My daddy loves my mom and has always taken care of her ..... for the last 50 years. He's sacrificed his whole life so his wife and children would be happy and taken care of. I always had a stable home. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I have the most amazing father and mother and I am truly thankful! 

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! I love you!

Will's Road Rash

Will was out riding his bike (as he does almost daily) and he and another neighborhood boy collided. Will went face first onto the concrete. I was outside in our driveway and heard him crying. I really thought something was broken. It was pretty scarey! Luckily - he only had this road rash on his face and he's ok. He was so sad and upset that he crashed. My sweet boy ..... he was worried about the other little boy he collided with (who was also ok).  It's amazing how Will is always the one who falls and takes the crashes. Hopefully his face heals and doesn't leave a nasty scar.