A Campin' We Will Go

One pop-up camper, three tubs of bedding, three sleeping bags, one air mattress, three coolers, one over-stuffed swim bag, one bag of tennis shoes, three scooters, two ripstiks, two large thermos jugs, firewood, bugspray, hand soap, dish soap, body soap, three kids, one dog and tons more! (get the picture)

Picking up our camper at Mom and Dad's.

We had a great time camping in southern Indiana at Versailles State Park last weekend with some of our friends from Trinity. It was hot and humid but no rain! We've come to realize that camping is a lot of work but the memories that are made are so worth it and the kids have a blast (so do the adults!).

Twenty-nine happy hikers

Euchure at the pool

Going off the high dive!

Amy leading the kids in a skit on Sunday morning.
Cheryl getting into an Uncle Charlie song with lots' of motions to go with it.

Brian's favorite song too!

Riley joined us for Sunday morning devotions. Alexandra helping Riley pray.

Can I just read a book while you get everything ready to go home? :)

Happy Birthday! ~ What a Day!

Leighton turned eight years old today and what a day he (we) had. To begin the day, we met Grandma and Grandpa Cady at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Rich showed up for a quick birthday "hello" since he was in the area after having a breakfast meeting.
After eating two blueberry pancakes and a sausage pattie, Leighton was given a choice of several desserts to choose from - he chose chocolate cake with chocolate sauce, whipped topping and a cherry on top! What a way to start your day!

Later in the afternoon, we went to Ben & Ari's for miniature golf and games. Leighton squeaked by beating his older sister by one stroke.

Olivia and Leighton hit the jackpot playing "Deal or No Deal" in the game room. They won 150 tickets and were thrilled.



The birthday boy chose Olive Garden for dinner and we were all glad about that. You're never quite sure where you might end up with an eight year old choosing. After dinner we decided to take a quick detour to the driving range and surprise Leighton there with his birthday gift. We told him to check in the back of the van for a golf glove and that's where he found his brand new set of golf clubs. The look on his face was priceless and the hugs were even better. He crunched his first hit off the tee. It sailed 150 yards and was straight as a stick. I just stood there and laughed in complete awe at this little guy playing like a big guy. I believe he has his daddy's golfing genes. Needless to say, I think the clubs were a great investment and I look forward to watching him drive many more balls off the tees as this little guy grows into a big guy.

Our day ended by coming home and watching Leighton's birth video and his first birthday video. We shared lots of laughs, giggles and a few happy, bittersweet tears by mom. I just wish I could step back seven or eight years ago for a few minutes and love on my babies again at that age. I love, love hearing their adorable little voices. Oh, how they've grown and changed from wonderful little children to wonderful older children. I am so proud of who they are and who they are becoming.

Leighton, I hope your birthday was happy and special just like you! We love you!

Taking a Look Back

History Camp Presentation

Leighton with his History Camp buddies along with dear Mrs. Ho who lead the camp and opened her home to these boys each day. They began day one with a timeline of their own life and the following days were spent going back to 4000 BC and working forward until the time of Jesus. Leighton throughly enjoyed his week and I'm sure he learned much more than he has shared with us.

Tammy gave the boys a research project with a topic to study. Leighton and his partner, Brock, had to research "gunpowder" and on the last day of camp they gave a prensentation to the parents. We were so proud of Leighton and his "no hesitation" to get up in front of everyone and read his research paper. What preparation for the years of oral reports ahead of him. I was also proud of Leighton when I heard from Mrs. Ho each day of what a nice boy he is and very polite and mannerly. Way to go Leighton!


Of course Leighton got to choose where we would celebrate lunch -Qdoba's !

~Friday Night~

Our friends, Jennifer and Tom invited Rich and I to their home and a night out on the lake for a "dinner cruise." Yes, there is water in Indiana!
What an absolutely perfect, gorgeous night it was. How fun to ride out seven miles, anchor down and share a delicious summertime meal together. We enjoyed getting to know these friends better with stories of our lives; some painful, and others joyful. Throw in a lot of laughs and a swim and you've got a night to remember for a very long time. Thank you, Tom and Jen for your generous spirit and the vision you've given us to invest in others and share what God has blessed you with. I think we'll dream big and maybe one day live on a lake and be sure to get enough bedrooms for our children and grandchilden.
The ride back to the house, under the stars was the best!

I now know it's possible to have a five hour vacation, 30 miles from home. Thanks for that gift.

Me and My Girls

Leighton has been going each morning this week to a history camp and loving it by the way. After the camp today, Leighton and his friends from camp went to a sprinkler park, thus leaving the girls and I with several hours to "do our thing." I told the girls to choose a place to eat lunch, not fast food, and Logan's Roadhouse won out. I believe steak tips and yeast rolls were calling Olivia's name. I think their sweet tea is some of the best!

How could we 'do our thing' without some shopping? We found just about what we had been looking for at Bed, Bath and Beyond for Olivia's new room. While I was putting the box in the back of the van, Olivia grabbed her guitar, sat down in the grass and began playing. I couldn't resist taking this picture.

Have guitar, will play - wherever.

Fun at Claires!

~Fast Forward Eight Hours~

Out to Cheesecake Factory with 'the girls' after getting Mary Kay makeovers. Sorry, but I still don't like Mary Kay make-up. Hope that doesn't offend any Mary Kay lovers out there. I thought I'd try it again, but no, still too "greasy" and "make uppy" for me. Although, I did think everyone else's make up looked really good. Fun times with some new friends from church and what better way to let your guard down than to take off all your make up and re-apply some that a consultant thinks is just "perfect" for you. Can she be serious about making $20K a month when she picked out those colors for me? Wow, I think I'll stick with my Cover Girl -smile.

Sweet Land of Liberty

I'm winning!

How blessed we are to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We understand that freedom isn't truly free and with that thought we thank the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for the freedom we enjoy each and every day.

Our 4th was spent with family attending a hometown parade in Lebanon, IN and then to the Barefoot's (my sister-in-laws' parents) home for a cookout. The kids, young and old, enjoyed croquet and beating "Uncle" Howard on his own turf.

Rich and Mom deciding which of the eight desserts to choose.

Alexandra and G-pa Cady smilin' pretty.

Ahhhh . . . summertime

Nothing like going for a swim and then coming home for ice cream.