Fun in the Sun

Our View

Home for the next week.

We leave early Saturday morning for the Early Family Vacation. It's going to be a great time. We can not wait to put our toes in the sand.

Playgroup

Snacks and party favors.

Yum Yums for Playgroup

See how everyone is in the shade. It was only 10:00AM

Carson and Amanda playing in the water table.

Cute 4th of July decor

We hosted playgroup at our house this week. We had to move the toys from the backyard to the front driveway. Our backyard is like an oven in the morning and at least in the front there is shade. So the kids were able to enjoy the jump house, water table, big bubble wands, sidewalk chalk. I even pulled out the snappers for a little 4th of July fun. The kids had a great time and by the time they left they were covered in a bubbly, chalky, dirty goo. Now it's time to pack and get ready for our FL trip. Too Fun!

Week at Home

This slide is now no big deal because this weekend I went down the BIG BLUE twisting slide in the Big Kid area all by myself. I'm getting so BRAVE!

We spent the week at home. Which may sound pretty normal but not for us this month. Last week we were in Kirksville and next week we will be on vacation in Florida. So we spent the week getting caught up on laundry and household chores. We also started getting everything in order for our vacation. This weekend we went to the pool for a little while ... it just gets TOO HOT here. We also went over to visit Lindsi and Rey. Lindsi came home on Saturday from the hospital. She had to have emergency surgery on Thursday to fix a draining problem from her first surgery that was last Friday. She had to have her thyroid removed due to the cancer. She is doing very well. We are so proud of her! Keep her in your prayers.

Happy Father's Day

My Big Man and My Little Man

Todd you are an amazing Daddy and a wonderful husband. Carson and I are very Blessed to have you in our lives. THANK YOU!!

Happy Father's Day to my Dad. The most fabulous Dad any one could have. Carson loves his Papa too. Who could not love a man who hands you Dum Dum suckers every five minutes? Papa is the BEST!!!

Carson would like to wish Granddad Don a happy Father's Day. Miss you!

Kaitlin and Zane's Wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Zane Taylor

Yes - those are flip flops. She had SUPER CUTE shoes but they were not made for rain soaked grass and wet feet.

First Dance ... Very Sweet

Waiting in a slight drizzle to take pictures and they both look BEAUTIFUL.

Rain moving in and the wedding is getting ready to start. We just needed to get all the guest into their seats quickly ... our poor ushers ... they really had their work cut out for them. The Early family has a way showing up at the last minute. I think it's the name ... it just curses us.

Busting a move. All our cute kids.

Old Time Rock and Roll ... it got them all out there and dancing. One of many of cutest moments.

Me and my "Little Man" - By the way my hair felt like it had a layer of glue on it due to the all the rain and drizzle. But hey it was all worth it!!!

The sign for the homemade cookies and milk at the end of the reception. Thanks to Ali for the cookies and to Lissy for all the signs. Hey Lis - Could I get another sign made? HAHAHA!

Saturday started with zero percent of rain. Kirksville has had rain storm after storm after storm this past spring and early summer. We just need a 30 minute window with no rain and God gave it to us. The wedding was to start at 5:00PM and at 2:00PM there was still no chance of rain but around 3:00 rain started to pop up to the north of us. So we put the wedding on a fast track and had the most beautiful wedding I have seen . God let us know he was watching down on Kaitlin and Zane. Thunder sounded during the ceremony and we got the last guest out of the backyard as the first drops were coming down. I can't tell you how beautiful it was. There is just something about the power of God and his storms. Now taking the pictures after the wedding was a huge feat but Jennifer was amazing and I thinks he got some amazing shots.

The reception was a blast and everyone had a great time. All the grand kids left at the end were asleep on their parents shoulders The food was wonderful and we showed that silly DJ that people do dance to the music we had selected. He told Mom when she gave him the list no one would dance ... Oh did we show him! The dance floor was full all night long. Grandpa Mike turned 75 earlier in the week so an announcement was made and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him. He seemed very happy and looks not a day over 50. :) Every moment was perfect and Kaitlin and Zane were so happy. It not everyday you get to see a couple so in love.

My Soul Wells Up With Hallelujahs - Five Years

"The taste of salt. The dance of waves. My soul wells up with Hallelujahs."

June 19, 2004

Five Years

Still loving him everyday!

Wedding Decor!

The wedding party tables with chandeliers and what Dad calls his "Eagle's Nest."

The dance floor was lite by hanging parasols filled with little lights. Which I just love because that's the way our dance floor was at our wedding five years ago.

The "Eagle's Nest"
Really pictures do not do it any justice.

Ali's Italian Station. She was not crazy about her table but I think it turned out beautifully.

Guest table

My Chinese Station ... Thank you Todd for hanging the silver lanterns and sign.

Sara's Baseball Hot Dog Station.

Place cards ... just beautiful! Also done by Lissy. That girl has talent.

Cake table without the cake and cheesecakes.
The pictures behind the table were taken by Lissy for her Miss Prissiness Line.

Candy Candy Candy! This time we added CANDY and CHEESECAKE to the cake table.

Carson and I went back to Missouri with Heather and Molly. Mom and Dad we wonderful enough to pick us up from KCI. We then met up with Andy, Autumn and Briley at Texas Roadhouse for lunch. Carson loved seeing Briley ... they are really starting to have fun together. Thanks for lunch Dad. Then we headed back to Kirksville. Once we were home we headed over to Ali and Andrew's house for dinner. Ali is really starting to show and I think is the cutest prego girl I have ever seen. Dinner was yummy. The kids played in the backyard and even got to get treats from the "Jolly Wagon" (ice cream truck). The rest of the week was full of everyone getting into town and decorating and the CRAZINESS involved with pulling off an EARLY WEDDING. Mom and Dad really know how to make a wedding beautiful and fun for everyone. It's all in the details and Mom can do details like no one else.

Molly and Heather's Visit to Dallas

Molly and Heather are giving my little man coffee right before bedtime.

Carson loves coffee so he really loved Molly and Heather.

We went to Rainforest Cafe for lunch while on a shopping trip. Carson spent the whole time on my lap. The gorillas would make noises and it scared him.

The girls getting some sun!

Heather took Carson to the Big Kid pool. He was a little scared.

While they were here Carson would take their cell phone, sunglasses and anything else he could get his hands on.

Two weeks before the wedding Molly and Heather made a quick trip to Dallas. Thanks to Ali and Mom for taking them to KC so they could catch their flight. By the time we left the airport from picking them up Carson was in love. Every morning he would go sit in their room and listen to their Ipod's and watch their TV shows. Molly and Heather were so fun compared to Mommy and Daddy. We loved having them at our house and can't wait for them to come back. Thank you girls for being wonderful guest.

Weekend in KC

Carson and Briley playing in Andy's backyard.

This weekend we packed up the family and took a flight to Kansas City. Andy and Autumn were so sweet and let us stay with them. They were wonderful host. Andy even made breakfast for everyone which included Micky Mouse pancakes for Carson and Briley. Too cute. Thank you very much for everything guys. We loved staying with you in your new home.

We got into town Thursday evening and ordered pizza for dinner. Then the next morning Todd took Carson to a breakfast meeting with an old friend. Then that afternoon we all went to a park to meet up with my dear friend Jen and her two boys Jackson and Dylan. I just LOVED seeing her and the boys. I only wish I had taken some pictures and that we would have had more time to catch up. I guess I will just have to try really hard to make our next move to Kansas City.

Friday afternoon while we were at the park. Lissy came into town from St. Louis. She was in KC for her Mini Shoots. Thank you Lis for letting us invade your KC weekend. She ended up sleeping on an air mattress so that Todd and I could have a bed. Thank you!!! By the way Lissy is a wonderful photographer and if you are looking for someone to take some SUPER cute pics check out her site on etsy. http://www.missprissiness.etsy.com

Friday evening Todd headed out to his friend Hal's house for some drinks and to hang out. Carson and I stayed to hang out with my family. Andy and Autumn grilled out and made an amazing meal. Everything was tasty. Carson and Briley were just loving all their time together. At one point Briley was dragging Carson around the yard on the ground by his arm and he really did not seem to mind. They had to learn to share. Which was hard but they did a very good job. They were a joy to watch and I can't wait to see all the grand kids at the wedding.

We stoped at Mc D's before we headed to the airport for a quick lunch and Carson ate all 4 of his nuggets and half of my cheeseburger. BIG EATER!


Saturday morning after Andy made us a pancake breakfast. We all went over to Kris, Sam and Kate's house. Which is just too cute for words. Kris was so nice a packed a picnic lunch for all of us. My childhood friend Missy was there with her two girls Emma and Izzy. Kris's sister was also there with her two kids Ali and Carson. We then took a short walk to the park and had a picnic with all the kids. While we were there Lissy and Autumn joined us after they finished some of Lissy's Mini Shoots. Then Missy's sister Stephanie came by to say hello. I loved hanging out with all of my old friends from Kirksville. It just shows that true friends are always true friends.

Izzy and Carson having tons of FUN!

Ali and Carson under the parachute.

TOO CUTE!!!

Saturday evening we headed out to Hal's house to watch the Belmont. Again I forgot to take pictures but we had a wonderful and relaxing time. The weather was perfect (it was perfect all weekend) and the kids had a great time exploring the ranch. That night we got back to Andy's Lis and Autumn went to DQ and got everyone shakes and ice cream. A perfect way to end day.

Sunday morning we sat out on the back patio and drank coffee before we had to get ready and pack up to go home. On our way to the airport we stooped by the plaza to meet Troy, Alyisa and their little boy Xander that is a few months younger than Carson for brunch at Classic Cup. We enjoyed the perfect Sunday weather while we had an amazing brunch. We all got to chat eat while Carson and Xander kept each other busy. After brunch we all went for a quick little walk around the Plaza before we had to leave for the airport.

Overall it was a fabulous trip and we can't wait to get back to see our family and friends again.

Xander and Carson being two very good and cute little boys.

Me, Carson, Todd, Alysia, Xander and Troy during brunch at Classic Cup.

Carson and Daddy watching the fountain.

We really miss the Plaza. It's just too pretty to stay away from. Someday we pray may be able to move back. Thank you again to everyone.

First Fireworks

Carson had a surprise for his Daddy when he came home Monday night. When I was at Target they had those Snap It's ... the little paper things you throw on the ground and they make a snapping noise. Well I went ahead and got some. Carson loved them and I think Todd did too.