2018
(January-July)
But first,
a look back to the end of December 2017.
The last blog post eliminated one of the best things that happened in 2017.
This isn't the first time this has happened but usually I catch it before posting.
Soooo...
here is the rest of 2017 before I start posting events for this year.
After Christmas Troy and Theresa wanted to take the girls somewhere cold.
I told Todd to have them come here and they did!
One of the first things that we did was go to a Pacers game.
The boys and Ashley and Ali were there too
but
they used Ali's dad's season tickets and sat a few rows below us.
We were there in hopes to see former IU players
Victor Oladipo and Yogi Ferrell play against each other
but
Oladipo was injured.
The next morning the sunrise was beautiful!
The girls wanted to go outside to take some pictures.
We started out with this one which led to doing an all out
Senior Picture photo shoot for Sarah!
Ashley did Sarah's hair and makeup.
So cute!
It was a really cold day but we had great lighting and just enough snow.
I wanted to bring out the fairy lights!
She was a trooper being down by the lake!
That wind was brutal!
Troy is wearing his new Clemson hat!
That is where Sarah is going to College!
Next it was Sophie's turn!
Ashley did her hair too :)
So pretty!
She's a natural!
As you can see the snow really started coming down!
They didn't seem to mind!
These two sure are going to miss each other when Sarah's away at college!
That night we took a family picture upstairs in the library.
And then binge watched Fuller House on Netflix!
Meanwhile in Todd's study...
Graham was playing "Brandy" and other songs! ha!
The next day,
after we went shopping and to a movie while the guys went to the
Butler vs. Villanova game,
the girls donned Graham and my ski pants/jackets and went sledding out back.
Shaka brah!
The video I have of this is so funny!
They are the cutest!!!
They went down
and up,
and
down and
up and
down again!
While down by the lake they made snow angels.
Pretty good!!
Then they decided to try out the tire swing!
Up the hill one last time before heading in to pack up for home :(
Sophie's face says it all! ha!
They slipped out EARLY in the morning before more bad weather came in that next day.
I absolutely loved every minute they were here.
Until next time!
We always bring in the new year with Tony's birthday, January 1st!
Camille made him this luscious cake.
Lighting the candles
for
the birthday boy!
He wasn't feeling the greatest and was so sick that next week :(
He probably shouldn't have blown all over the cake to put out the candles! ha!
My parents escaped the "arctic" to Florida a day later than they wanted to
due to the icy weather.
They left on this beautiful morning
not to return until warmer weather arrived...or so we thought ;)
What does one do when stuck indoors on a cold January winter's day?!
You let the monkeys play!
Greyson and I went over to Kiely's for a play date while Lindsay groomed the poodles.
They all three play so well together!
Eli was needing some alone time! ha!
We went back upstairs and Kiely made snacks for everyone.
Soon it was time to leave and go see the poodles!
Vladimir
Doug
They're
Soooooo fluffy and cute!
Another thing to do on cold winter days is paint!
I always find it best to keep busy in January,
my LEAST favorite month,
because
it makes it go by so much quicker!
This time I was redoing the workout room in the basement.
Todd and I had purchased new equipment for our 30th wedding anniversary
and
we were just now getting the room ready for it.
Before:
The gold color that was used endlessly throughout this house needed to be changed.
During:
I lightened up the walls with a subtle grey.
We only kept one of the ellipticals.
After:
We love how bright and roomy it feels.
We had the far wall mirrored and had our new gym installed.
We are very pleased with the end results.
Now, I just need to figure out how to use this thing!
We decided to have a girls + Eli night
and
make brownies, do hair, and watch a movie.
Brownies first!
Eli kept saying MMMMM!
Best part of making brownies!
She destroyed it!
Next up,
braid hair!
We then watched a movie.
It was a fun night that we need to repeat!
Children's museum day with Greyson!
The weather was awful that morning which worked in our favor.
As you can see no one was there!
Most all schools were on a delay or cancelled so all field trips were cancelled!
AWWWW!
It was close to lunchtime when we got there due to the bad weather.
So, we ate lunch first.
After we ate we were off to explore!
The main attraction for that January was the Circus.
This tightrope walker wanted to see if Vera could balance the umbrella.
I think she was a bit shocked when she did!
We would see more of the circus later.
But first,
dinosaurs!
Eli wasn't quite sure about it all.
Going on a dig!
This area is usually a mad house but today it was just bff's digging and talking :)
Eli getting in on the digging!
I always love how the sky changes and the sounds mimic a thunderstorm coming.
It didn't bother these two!
Busy, busy, busy!
And so was this little guy!
Trains were next!
Precious little family.
Vera always asks if we really are moving
because the sounds, movement,
and
changing scenery outside
of the windows makes one think that they are on a real train ride.
Next,
the final frontier!
Inside the space station.
Eli is on a mission!
Yes he looks Russian (I guess), and he talks like he's Russian
but he's not.
We were tricked! ha!
Sandy heard him speaking English plain as day later that afternoon.
After running around space we parked ourselves on a human Kaleidoscope.
Lindsay took this picture of Sandy and I
taking a picture of the glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling while the seat spun around.
Beautiful blown glass sculpture.
The Activity Center is always a hit!
Again,
it was like we had it all to ourselves!
Normally,
Eli wouldn't even be able to get close to the water with all of the kids that are there.
No worries this day!
She made it all the way to the top of the lily pad this time!
Climbing down.
Nice work!
On the way to the carousel we stopped by this display.
And this one!
She was wearing down.
This perked her up!
So sweet.
BFF'S
Eli was getting super tired!
He had done great.
Off to one more venue...the Circus!
Trying out the tiny clown car.
Cannon ball!
So strong!
Eli trying out the hula hoop!
This girl will try anything!
She even did the virtual reality tightrope!
It took her awhile to get going.
It really was like you were high up in the air!!
Greyson sat this one out! ha!
She's doing it!
My turn.
It was so real!!!
Sandy couldn't believe how real it was too!
Soon it was time to say goodbye :(
We thought that we were going to be able to do the chocolate slide
which was one of our reasons for going at that time
but,
it didn't open until that weekend.
Maybe next year, Babe.
She wasn't crying rather rubbing her eyes because she was sleepy.
With all of our goodies in hand we headed for home!
We let Eli try some cotton candy before nap time.
He didn't like it!
It was the perfect day at The Indianapolis Children's Museum!
At the end of January Ashley was asked to do some promo work for Golf Galaxy in town.
They had just opened up and they were using blog/IG influencers to promote them.
It was a gorgeous winter night!
Evan was showing Ali how to retrieve the balls from the machine.
If she didn't have on shoes that were killing her she would've probably enjoyed it more! ha!
Todd is taking a practice swing.
Evan trying it out.
Graham got there late due to classes.
It's ALWAYS a good time when these two are involved!!
The food was great!
Setting up players for a game.
Go Ashley!
Todd showing me how to swing.
Coaching me through it.
Not bad!
The sweater came off!
Ashley was serious! ha!
Thanks Babe for inviting us to be your group of six!
On February 1,
I received this card from a sweet friend who knows my heart!
Yes!
Goodbye January!
We made it to February!!!
The first week in February
Todd and I went down to South Carolina to look at some homes.
I got us a place to stay on Fripp for a couple of nights that was right on the beach.
I got to see some of the prettiest sunrises!!
And,
some of the prettiest girls!
We got to watch Sophie play her last basketball game of the season
and
Sarah play in her first lacrosse game of the season.
We also visited Hilton Head to look at homes there.
And,
again I chose a place on the beach so I could watch the sunrise!
After many days looking at homes on and around HH and Fripp Island
we decided on this piece of land.
we decided on this piece of land.
We liked HH
but
Fripp is home :)
So,
Sometime in 2019
we will be building a home that will be passed down through the generations
so that all of our decedents can enjoy the low country and hopefully love it as much as we do.
so that all of our decedents can enjoy the low country and hopefully love it as much as we do.
My heart could not be happier.
Speaking of heart(s)
We celebrated Valentines Day
the week we got back!
I decorated my desk with a calendar that Kiely made me for Christmas
and
a painting that Tony did a few years ago.
I barely got into the door at Kiely's
as my favorite little people and doggy were there to greet me :)
They wanted to open gifts right away!
Vera got some My Little Pony jammies
and
Eli got some Paw Patrol jammies.
We did some crafts.
She is a very good painter for three years old!
It was tricky with Eli!
Yep,
oh boy! ha!
Kiely found this idea to make a tree by tracing Vera's arm and hand
and
then our fingerprints made into heart leaves covered its branches.
The hand prints were going to be used for a card for Daddy.
Happy girl!
This girl loves to craft!
Next,
it was time to decorate cupcakes
and
eat sprinkles,
and decorate,
and
well, you get it!
NOT
a Pinterest fail!
Great job, Babe!!
Eli was NOT wanting a picture.
He was ready to try them out!
So was Vera!
High five for a job well done!
Eli needed to run some of that sugar off before nap time
so
I wrapped my sweater around him like a cape and he was off!
Get him Momma!
It was a full afternoon but now it was time for a nap.
These were the finished crafts.
The hand bouquets for daddy turned out so cute!
Peace out!
When I came home this sweet card was in the mail for Todd and I
from Evan and Ashley :)
Precious!
February was a cold snowy month too.
So,
we went to an indoor play area so the kids could burn off some energy.
Will he do it?
Go Eli!
He was getting so brave!
But still needed help getting down.
Vera playing with a new friend she just met there,
That should do it.
I think that wore him out!
The next day I went over to babysit Eli.
Biggie Boy!
He was busy lining up his cars.
I sent the above picture to Graham because that is exactly what he used to do :)
Vera was in a circus at her preschool before her Spring Break!
Doing anything we can to keep Eli entertained while waiting for the show to start!
Alan put his snack in the back of his toy dump truck! ha!
Let the show begin!
He loved it!
Vera is on the far right.
She was SUPER shy!
Great job, Babe!
Time to pick up some Chic-fa-la and take it back to the house!
Haaaa!
Such a guy!
His teeth were really bothering him!!
Getting in some hugs before nap time!
I love you,
Elias Paul Garrett 💛
March came in like a LION!
Just when things started to green up!
It was beautiful...I was just sick and tired of the cold!
And this was the day my mom and dad came home from Florida :( ugh!
It didn't stick around too long.
That weekend Ashley did hair for a wedding.
The bridesmaids...
And,
the bride.
I am always amazed by her talent!!
She also is still an influencer for headbands of hope.
This was an IG post of her with one of their headbands.
🍀St. Patty's Day 🍀
As the luck of the Irish would have it Alan scored a deal on a new camper!
The sun was super bright as you can tell by Alan and Vera's reaction. Ha!
Going in to take a look.
Vera was showing us her and Eli's bunk beds.
I think they like it!
It is so pretty.
They have made so many memories in it already!
Back inside to do crafts and cookies!
Making shamrocks out of hand prints.
Next up,
COOKIES!
🍀🍀🍀
Mercedes is just waiting for something to fall.
Great job,
Vera!!
Yummy!
Pappy, Graham and Ali came over too!
So sweet :)
Bye!
Happy St. Patty's Day!
The next day as I walked the dogs to the end of the drive
I grumbled inwardly all the way down because of the heavy frost on the ground and the sight of my breath in the air.
But,
when I turned around and saw this sunrise my outlook on the day totally shifted!
Spring was surely near!
The boys birthday's bring in Spring!
Evan 25 and Graham 23
I'm so glad that we all could celebrate together!!
The next week brought in Easter
and
since we all could not celebrate together on the day of Easter,
those of us who could,
met at Kiely's for an egg hunt and colored eggs.
But first,
looking inside of the baskets Todd and I got them
and
what Grammy and Pappy got them.
After they finished with that
and
read a book,
the kids put on their ears
and
they went on an egg hunt...inside of course because this is INDIANA!
Kiely hid eggs up and downstairs.
Mercedes would like for you to put something in there that she can have, Eli ;)
Pappy helping Vera.
Eli was looking inside each egg right away and then leaving a trail of stickers behind!
Opening up the eggs!
Good job!
My favorite picture! Ha!
She's growing up!
They changed out of their Sunday best and into something they could color eggs.
We tried the whipped cream way to color eggs.
It was supposed to be less messy.
I beg to differ.
The old fashioned way was much better!!!
Todd and I decided to use our free weekend at
West Baden Hotel in French Lick.
West Baden Hotel in French Lick.
We had to arrive at the side entrance since the front was under construction.
They also had had a lot of rain and the grounds were under water.
We stopped at the French Lick winery before we went to the hotel.
That night we dined at 1875 Steakhouse in the French Lick Hotel and Casino.
I took these pictures that night from our room of how the lights change in the dome.
The next day Todd had a free round of golf on opening day but he had thrown his back out a few days prior and there was no way he could play.
They were so kind and gave him and a "guest of his choice" rain check for anytime.
The house above was a wedding present from,
the once Mayor of Indianapolis but at the time Indiana Senator,
to his son and bride.
It was a smaller version of the Kennedy home,
which sat right next to the former Mayor's summer home, at the Cape.
Mayor Taggart died in 1929 and never got to see it completed.
The second highest elevation in IN.
Crown Point Cemetery in Indy is the highest
and
ironically where Sen. Taggert is buried.
and
ironically where Sen. Taggert is buried.
Pristene!
It was so good to see color!!
What a difference a couple hours south makes!
We toured the main house.
For weddings one can rent the whole house out for 3,000 a night!
That price includes all of your meals, unlimited golf, and your own personal Butler!
All original fixtures and tile.
Very art deco.
The moldings and archways were spectacular.
In this particular room there is a secret door that takes one down the back steps of the house.
The front grand staircase.
I'm so glad we had a chance to get a private tour.
One last picture of Spring color!
It really was a nice weekend.
It's as if we had taken a step back in time.
The night that we got back it snowed!!!!!!
March did not go out like a lamb!
I thought that the sun was going to burn off the snow
but,
I was wrong and it just kept coming down.
I truly thought that I was going to lose my mind!!!!!!
That following weekend was Todd's birthday.
It finally had warmed up a little.
Enough so that we were able to tailgate at Bongee's.
We were the second group there so we were sure to get in on the first round!
Tom, Karen, Camille and Tony joined us.
Tony bought Todd this Bongee's t-shirt and Todd had everyone sign it.
I love what Camille wrote. HA!
One Spring afternoon we went out to try our hand at pickle ball.
Fishers has a park with six courts.
Todd and Graham playing.
Graham teaching Ali.
I tried...
It was a lot of fun!
Something even more fun was attending REV.
It is the first event that kicks off the month of May at the track!
But,
more importantly,
it is a fundraiser where proceeds from the event support the Indiana Health trauma and critical care programs.
These funds provide care for the drivers and patrons at the
IU Health Emergency Med Center
located at the IMS
and
for patients across Indiana in need of critical care.
Since Fifth Third Bank is the main sponsor of the event
they were kind enough to give us VIP tickets.
This gave us access to the drivers.
And,
to the Pagoda
where the best of Indiana's restaurants had their food...i.e. St. Elmo's Steakhouse, Harry and Izzy's etc.
It also gave us access to wait on the bricks for a ride around the oval with Davy Hamilton Jr.
Todd ran here first!
You can see behind him the cars they were using to drive others around the track.
It was such a thrill!
We also were able to go into the pagoda and see what the view is like on race day for the real VIP's!
He'll always be my VIP ;)
It was a gorgeous night!
Look at that line!
I'm glad that we got in line early!
Such tradition.
Speedway always seems so far from the city to me
but,
there's the Indy skyline!
We went to the Fifth Third tent just in time to meet 2017's Indy 500 winner!
Todd and Takuma Sato
After a stroll around the grounds, walk the red carpet, and see all of the cars on display,
it was time to eat cuisine prepared by more than
60 top restaurants in Indiana.
Just a few samples of some delicious food.
Back at the Pagoda I watched the Kentucky Derby while...
...eating a chocolate cupcake with mint chocolate chip icing from the
Cake Bake Shop!
Local TV News personalities kicked off the event after the rest of the crowd arrived.
The Mayor, Graham Rahal, and IMS President Doug Boles were just a few that were recognized.
Regional President of Fifth Third Bank
Steve Alonso.
One of the nicest people that I have had the pleasure of meeting.
We went back to the Pagoda to watch the sunset
and,
to get a picture with the Borg Warner Trophy.
Twenty-three bands were playing all around the grounds of the speedway.
We heard a few but left before the party really got started...we're old like that! ha!
Out of all of the tickets that Fifth Third so kindly gifts us every year
this event takes first place!
Thanks, Steve!
That next weekend it was time to get "True Blue" ready for boating season!
Ali and I decided to "red-neck tan" on the driveway while Todd worked away on changing the oil!
Todd is bringing her in!
Graham and Ali went out with us that night for a little ride.
It had been awhile since I had seen Vera and Eli.
Kiely needed me to watch them so we went to the playground after breakfast.
They're climbers!
Ali joined us :)
I took over a pair of glasses from the REV event that light up.
She loves them!
The next day was Mel's 40th surprise birthday party!
She is about as special as they come!
Jeremy gave her the best party!
We didn't stay long enough to get any of this beautiful cake!
That's because these two wanted to get home to go down to the lake and have a cigar.
Camille was in TX visiting her momma.
It was worth it!
The cotton candy sky was beautiful!!
My family came the next day to celebrate Mother's Day.
It is so sweet that they want to celebrate this day.
I've always thought it to be just another day because honestly,
these three make every day special!
From Ashely and Evan :)
And,
that night when I was getting ready for bed I found this card and candle from Graham.
This was so unexpected and so the way Graham does things.
He usually never gets gifts so when there wasn't one for me earlier that day
(not that I EVER expect there to be NOR would I be upset if there weren't any presents)
I thought nothing of it.
It was a sweet surprise.
I always get flowers for my pots from Todd.
I ordered these silk topiaries for these particular pots
because
nothing live gets enough sun to stay alive in this spot under the front porch roof!
I also picked up some fresh flowers for my pots.
Ali went with me the Monday following and helped me pick them out.
Todd took Ashley, Evan and I
(and the poodles)
out for a boat ride that evening.
It was a nice way to end he day.
That next week was our second annual Gene's Root Beer Stand trip!
Vera wanted to hold Ashley's hand all the way to Anderson.
When we parked the car Vera jumped out of her seat!
I think that that's the best part for her! ha!
Making silly faces for Snapchat.
And,
Insta stories!
Food's here!!
That's one happy camper!
Waiting on our ice-cream!
She's sharing mine ;)
We missed Ali.
She had to work :(
Soon we were off to visit Grandma Lori's grave.
So sweet.
She has no idea how much her Grandma Lori would've loved being with her on this earth.
My heart...
Ashley and Vera running back to the car.
It was a gorgeous night.
These two were like peas and carrots that night! :)
Heading home hand in hand.
Finially!
Everything was blooming!!
YAY!!
Hosta
Dwarf Rhododendron's
Peonies
Double Knock-Out rose
My planters are looking good and the azalea's and boxwood's are beautiful in the background!
Snowball Hydrangea
AHHHHH...it just makes my heart sing!
And just like that
it's Vera's last day of preschool!
There was a big picnic with all of the students at the park to celebrate.
She has changed so much in one school year!
That weekend she celebrated her 4th birthday!
Ashley brought her her own flowers :)
Momma and Daddy got her her own big girl bike.
She brought it over to show us.
One more picture before a golf cart ride down by the lake.
My little helper!
Silly girl!
It was time to sing to the birthday girl.
We had all things unicorn for her party.
Aw,
she was so sweet when we were singing happy birthday to her :)
Her wish was, "All the My Little Ponies!"
It was time to open gifts!
A new tennis racquet!
Watch where you swing! Ha!
Thanking Grammy and Pappy for the racquet and Barbie car.
In the picture above you can see Ashley capturing this sweet moment :)
From Ellen and Troy.
A new horse!
This sweet book was from Ashley and Evan.
He had picked it out for her way before her birthday.
Study it hard Vera!
Your cousin will be quizzing you when you're a bit older! ;)
Todd and I got her a Build a Bear gift certificate.
I saw where they were carrying My Little Pony stuffed animals!
We made it a girls day a few weeks later and went to lunch and BB!
First thing she had to do was choose a pony.
She picked out a unicorn instead! ;)
She was wanting a Rainbow Sparkles My Little Pony but they didn't have one.
Here she is helping to stuff it.
Checking to make sure there is enough stuffing.
Kissing a heart
and
adding it to her unicorn.
She also added a voice box.
Time to sew her up!
It was time for her a bath and to brush her mane!
Then it was time to give her a name.
She named her after the My Little Pony she was wanting but they didn't have ;)
(Oh, and of course we had to get a tutu and a magic want too)
Happy life, Sparkles!
I think she was pretty happy with her choices.
That is one loved little unicorn...and little four year old!
What a fun age :)
Memorial Day weekend was upon us.
And this is exactly how we all felt!
We had Ali, Graham, and her dad and step mom over that day
and
had Tony and Camille over for a boat ride that evening.
Love this sweet girl and those poodles do too!
Trying to get all the people and a sunset in the picture is not easy for this old person! ha!
Captain and first mate, V!
It was a beautiful sunset!
Ashley was waiting on us and watching the poodles
as I was on the phone to Geist Patrol
to have them come and rescue some stranded jet skiers before it got dark.
Mission accomplished!
Speaking of mission accomplished,
this girl graduated FIRST in her class from
Beaufort High!
This was at the awards ceremony.
So happy for her and good job,
Troy and Theresa!!
I sent her the fb comments and told her we were on our way to help her celebrate!
Todd and Troy
We arrived at Fripp late and were ready to go to bed
but,
that's when Troy and Greg showed up and had different ideas.
Evan and Greg
Strategizing!
Nothing makes me happier than seeing these brothers being brothers :)
The next day I did nothing but hang out by the adult pool with Sarah and VEG!
On Sunday we took our chairs to the beach for church!
It was pretty great!
Afterwards,
we went to help Theresa set up for Sarah's party.
The gift table.
Food bar
Stacey and Theresa being crafty! ha!
Pool golf
and
Clemson Corn hole!
Ice is here!
It's going to be a great party!
Greg, Troy, and Evan
It was a beautiful evening
but
SUPER hot and humid!!!
Todd and Barry
Picture time!
Tate is ready!
Cousins
Bane family
McMullen's
(Graham was in school and couldn't get away)
McMullen's
McMullen cousins
McMullen family
The whole dang gang! ha!
Sure wish Mammy and Paps could've been there...
The sunset was amazing that night!
And so is this girl!
She is THE sweetest thing.
Graduation Day!
A few quick pictures before we head into town.
You see the set of home bleachers across the field?
Yeh, we were not going to sit in the sun!
It was still SO hot
so
we went an hour and a half early and picked out the perfect spot in the shade!
Much better over here!
We took the top row!
Sarah Eve leading her class onto the field!
Sarah giving her speech.
It was so honest and uplifting.
There she is!
Hugs from Theresa's mom.
From her momma :)
Her hair held up great, Ashley!
Showing Evan all of her cords and medals.
The Hensley's
The family that Theresa used to babysit when she and Troy lived in WV were there too.
I am so happy that we were able to be a part of your big day!
Congratulations and good luck at Clemson!
Planes and Pancakes was happening the weekend we got back!
Alan was in Africa for work so I filled in!
Eli's protector!
She was a bit nervous as the planes landed right in front of us.
We would watch them land and then go and see them.
We also had some pancakes!
It was such a great event!
A helicopter was coming in and Vera thought that it was too loud! ha!
Everyone was so nice and let the kids touch and look inside all of the planes.
I'll go back for sure!
Soon it was Father's Day.
We took Todd out to eat!
Ashley and I took turns with the camera.
For all that this man does as a father he deserves to be celebrated.
That weekend we went out for a day of boating.
Hi Todd!
Graham is working on his tennis tan!
Pretty day!
Then there was this crazy Friday!
Kiely needed me in the morning to watch the kids.
They wanted to go outside and play in the pool and sprinkler!
Eli kept splashing Vera and himself with a bucket full of water.
And,
drinking a bucket full of water!
Oh, ok...great idea mowing the pool water!
Uh, huh...
even a better idea doing a science experiment turning the sprinkler upside down to fill up a
wheel barrel sitting in pool water.
Experiment complete and now relaxing with a juice box taking it all in!
Meanwhile,
Eli is running an experiment of his own.
How many drops of water leaking from the water table top does it take to fill up a dump truck?
And,
a John Deere tractor?
(I know that it looks like his poor back is burnt...it's just the way that the picture edited!)
We went inside for lunch and Ashley showed up!
Eli ran right to her and was so happy she was there.
Those glasses! ha!
Hey baby,
you new here?! ha!
He was enamored with her :)
After lunch Kiely and I went back outside and noticed Eli had taken his pants off
and
Vera decided to use her chair as a hat! ha!
Babies gone wild over here!
Oh well,
he was loving it and it was wearing him out for a good long nap!
Sweet Summertime!
That night Tony and Camille came over for a sunset cruise.
Look at that sky!!!!
Working on my selfie sunset pictures. ha!
Love birds!
It was such a fun night with friends and a spectacular sunset!
July 4th!
American's are able to celebrate freedom because of Navy men like these.
My nephew Chad, on the right, and Becky can't be with us on most 4th of July's now.
They live in San Diego and Chad is training helicopter pilots in the Navy.
Thank you for doing your part in keeping us all free!
We celebrated that freedom at Mom and Dad's that day.
Troy and I were manning the grill.
Since Alan and Kiely don't have their boat anymore,
we decided that the pool would be more fun for the kids
rather than spending time on a crowded boat on a crowded reservoir!
She's ready! She's got her wings, shades and sunscreen on!
Here he goes!
So brave!
We're watching!
Weeee!
Cutie!
He didn't like Graham squirting him...look familiar, Chad?!
My mom fell and hurt her knee REALLY bad so she wasn't able to get in the pool.
Always has his cars!
Snack time!
Ha!
Time to go inside while Eli was napping to put sparkler candles on the glitter cake!
She was organizing and spreading out the colors.
I wonder where she gets this??
Looks good!
Ummm...no! Ha!
We have to light them first!
Here we go!
Alan and Todd did the honors!
I turned out all of the lights so that she could see the sparklers work better.
So cute!
Blow them out!
Happy 4th of July!
Back porch sittin' and silliness.
It then started to rain and we all said our goodbyes.
Back at home Tom and Karen and Ali's Dad and Kim came over to watch the fireworks.
Karen made this yummy thing!
Golf cartin' to the boat!
The rain stopped in time for the fireworks.
We decided to down to the marina this year to watch them.
I'm so glad that we did.
They were really good!
This is one of my favorite holiday's!
I love celebrating my country and its freedom's!
Graham has a dog!
Or,
should I say has had a dog for almost a year!
This discovery was made when he moved from Indy to Broad Ripple.
There was a lot of fur on the furniture cushions and that's when we found out.
He didn't tell us because we told him that he couldn't get a dog until he was finished with college since he didn't have a job to pay for one.
And,
because we already have two dogs.
Let's just say he found a loophole!
His name is Hanson!
He was on the streets of Indy for awhile when he was a puppy until the pound picked him up.
His family moved and left him. :(
Graham rescued him and I do believe Hanson rescued Graham!
He is a boxer hound mix.
He is precious and I love my grand-dog to death!
Evan got a motorcycle!
It is super nice!
He was very proud of this purchase and brought it over one Saturday.
He and Todd went out for a ride together.
Ashley rides with him too.
They have matching helmets and everything ;)
I'm glad that they are enjoying it!
One thing that I enjoyed in July was an all expense paid trip to Maui Hawaii with Amy!
Our agenda for the week.
We went in a day early to have just a little more time in paradise.
Amy is a pharmaceutical rep and she won this trip for all of her hard work here in IN.
This is her fourth trip she has won to Hawaii.
We stayed at the Wailea Resort!
The gardens and the scent from all of the fresh flowers was just amazing.
This is the chapel made famous by Kate plus 8 couple that got married here.
Ready for our first night out!
The sunset DID NOT disappoint!
And neither did the fresh scallops!!!
I'll never again have scallops that taste like these did.
The next morning we were up so early so we took a walk around the grounds.
I felt like I was in heaven!
Once again,
these United States are as beautiful as any other country.
It was time to sign in and get our free goodies.
We got to choose which sunglasses we wanted and what color of flip flops!
We then headed down to the pool
to have some lunch
(shrimp of course)
and
all we wanted pina colada's!
We worked up an appetite laying by the pool ;)
Dinner that night included
calamari
shrimp pomadoro with linguine and artichokes,
and
tiramisu for Amy and an affogato for me!
When we walked the beachfront back to the resort we saw this!
The crescent moon with Venus by its side guided us back to our room.
Beautiful day to visit the lavender fields and Maui's only winery!
Badges on and ready to go!
Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala
(House of the Sun)
is the mystical Ali'i Kula Lavender farm.
It's a 12.5-acre farm that resides at an elevation approx. 4000 ft.
and
is home to 55,000 lavender plants
and
45 different varieties of lavender.
The "vog" from the active volcano's at the time was hanging low that day due to the lack of
Tradewinds for DAYS
and
it blocked our view of the sea.
We had lunch there and shopped all things lavender at the gift shop
and
then headed over to the Winery.
Maui's only winery began in 1974.
Emil Tedeschi started the winery.
He comes from a family history of winemaking in Calistoga, CA.
We had our wine tasting in what used to be the old jail.
This sparkling pineapple wine was our favorite!
Made from 100% Hawaiian pineapples!
Such a quaint building nestled under a decades old oak
with
views of the sea!
This house was built in 1841 for King Kamehameha III and his wife
which sits on what used to be a sugar plantation before what is now a winery.
These totem poles made from the trunks of old cypress trees
were carved after a hurricane stripped the greenery off of them.
They wanted to preserve the circle of trees,
which were once the backdrop for ceremonies for the King.
They have stood there since the 1800's.
It is not a huge operation but they do have really good wines.
That evening was the welcome reception.
The reception was underneath the colored lit palms by the sea.
(back right)
We had our picture taken as we walked down to the reception area.
We both brought black jumpsuits for that night! ha!
I had to slip out of the reception for awhile to capture the sunset ;)
Worth it!
When I came back into the reception area Amy was in her element.
It was stressful at times for her to be "working" while on vacation.
But,
she handled it all like a champ!
Pretty drinks that we handled like a champ!
Pretty palms.
As you can see NO Tradewinds.
It was so hot!
We met these ladies from NY and LA on the extremely hot bus ride down the mountain from
the
Lavender and Wine tour!
We all somehow ended up singing
the same song and laughing to get our minds off of the heat!
The food that night was delicious.
The company was better!
Posing for a picture in one of the food lines.
The next day was a day free from excursions so we spent it by the ocean of course!
On our way to dinner that evening.
We ate at
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
(whew)
that night!
I had the beef tenderloin!
That next day we were getting a couples hot stone massage.
We went to the beach for awhile before our appointment.
I stayed under the umbrella though
as my current sunburn at the time and soon to be hot stone massage
were making me feel a little anxious! ha!
It was a GORGEOUS day!!
Here we go!
My first real spa experience!
I really did love it!
This was our view from the balcony where we waited for our massage
after we experienced the hot baths.
After our massages we took a bus to Lahaina
and
had more shrimp!! ha!
The next day our excursion was paddle boarding.
Here we are practicing on land.
Amy was a pro!
There she is going out in front of all of us with the leader!
We saw beautiful huge sting ray and ancient old turtles
but,
I really did not like this excursion! ha!
My fear of drowning, not being able to stand up and having to kneel on the board for an hour,
and
dying of thirst
(I'm being dramatic of course)
just isn't my cup of tea!
But I did it and I thanked Amy for pushing me out of my comfort zone.
Our group of paddle boarders and surfers.
Hang loose!
Now this is more like it!
When we got back to the resort we went to the pool
and
met up with another IN rep that had won too!
and
met up with another IN rep that had won too!
Closing ceremonies for the last night in Hawaii!
I took this from our balcony before heading down to the banquet.
It was a beautiful evening!!
The Tradewinds were finally blowing!
This photo was taken of us while we were going in for dinner and a luau.
Cheers to the best time!!
I told Amy that I am her most boring friend when she asked me to go.
Why did she want to take me?!
I asked her to try other people first and then get back to me if no one else could go.
I'm not adventurous nor have I ever traveled on my own without Todd.
Thanks for pushing me, Amy!
I will always be thankful for the time we got to spend together!!
And the time we got to hang out with these women!
The sunset that night was so amazing!!!!
Congratulations to all of the Indiana Reps that won!
Good luck this year!
I will miss the colors and smells of Hawaii!
If you have never been put it on your list!
Going away is alway fun but I love the comfort of home.
I took this picture as we were landing in SF.
I'd never landed while another plane was landing.
As I prepared this post of "happy highlights"
I was reminded that behind some of the smiles are also a lot of tears, anxiety, and pain.
I found this message from Lysa Terkeurst that summed up my feelings
on
posting happy events in the midst of earthly pain.
She writes:
"The past few months have been a really good season.
I'm grateful beyond words.
Part of why it's been good is making peace with the fact that sorrow and celebration can coexist together in a heart quite authentically."
She goes on to say,
"You don't have to pick one or the other.
A person can quite simply have both."
From her book
"It's Not Supposed To Be This Way"