Lovin the Lake!

This past weekend we met Paul, Allison, Adella and Penny at Lake Anna.  We took the boat down for the day and spent the day swimming and jumping and having a blast!  It was not as warm as it has been so the 20 minute ride down the lake was a bit cold with water spraying up on us, but it was still fun.  The water was choppy as it was windy and lots of boats around.  Made the spraying a bit worse than normal.  :)  I hope Paul's family had as much fun as our family.  My kids do love their cousins and whatever time they can spend with them is always great!  Definitely a trip we will take with them again!!

 Pit stop we made.  Parked the boat and Allison took this picture at the end of the dock.  Love it!

Floating down the lake

                                                                   Love the expression on Penny's face here.  She jumped and jumped to me off the boat.  She was so brave, but continued to stay mad at me because I would never keep her from going under water.  :)  She kept jumping though.  She's so funny!!

                                                               Boat docked and all of us hanging in the water.  We had our own private beach area.  We do this every time we go out.  It's nice to have your own.  

I think these two had a lot of fun!  Thank you for the pictures Allison since I failed to bring my camera.  :(

50 years! How amazing!

This past Friday, July 24, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  50 years!!  Pretty amazing in this day and age! I am quite proud of my parents in all that they have accomplished, all that they have been through and they have stood by each other for all this time.  Two children and five grandchildren--they have led a pretty good life I think.

My brother and his family were not able to be in Harrisonburg on the 24th so we planned to celebrate their anniversary on Saturday.  We had debated on having a surprise party for their anniversary, but we had surprised them for their retirement and Ann and Bill had surprised them for their 25th.  They had requested that we have an intimate celebration with just our family and Ann and Bill.  We decided to go along with their wishes and looked for a place to have our dinner.  My moms friend, Ann, told us that mom had been wanting to try this home restaurant that is in a Mennonite lady's home.  Several people she knew had, had parties there and all came with rave reviews.  This was something unique and different and all the food was out of this world!  Everything was home grown and home made.  We had ham, party chicken, mac n cheese, tossed salad, mashed potatoes and corn.  For dessert there was pecan pie and chocolate fudge pie with homemade vanilla ice cream.  Totally amazing!!

While eating this wonderful food, Ryan says "This is the best Anniversary party ever!" to Mike.  As this was his first anniversary party that he has attended, he does not have much to compare--but love that his appreciation for the food was so genuine.  Immediately after Ryan's statement, Adella says "I am so glad I wore something nice!  Thanks Mom!"  According to Allison, Adella did not want to dress up nicely, but in the end she appreciated the battle her mother won.

The food was served homestyle and the kids all took part in serving themselves.  Penny needed a little help and there was a little help needed in cutting up the meats, but all in all they did well on their own!!

After our amazing dinner, we went outside and took some pictures.  The house where we ate was quite pretty and the surrounding landscape was pretty as well.  Happy Anniversary to my parents and thank you to Ann and Bill for coming as well as helping out Paul and myself in having this perfect celebration.

 All of us

 Us with the parents

Grandparents and the Grandkids

 The five of us

 Paul and his clan

Ann and Bill

Summer Beach Trip

I know I have posted vacation posts before, but not sure if I have ever explained how things work in our family.  Every other year my parents rent a condo that we all stay in at the beach.  My parents, my brother and his wife and kids and the five of us stay at Myrtle Beach.  It is really great!  Then, every other year, we vacation as just the five of us.  It is the best of both worlds!!  This past July we did our vacation with parents, brother and family.  Had a great time, as always!!  We took our traditional trip to Broadway at the Beach, played mini golf and made a sand castle with the cousins.  A fun fun week!!

 The girls and me at Broadway at the Beach

  Eatin ice cream                                                              

The Zoltar Machine like in the movie Big.  We had just recently seen that movie.  They saw this from outside and thought it was actually from the movie.  :)

                                                                                            We enjoy going to
                                                                                       Bass Pro Shops and
                                                                                     play on the 4 wheelers
                                                                                            and boats

 With the cousins at our traditional
eating out night at Calabash.  Sadly
the restaurant burned down a few
weeks ago.

                                                                                    Me and E on the beach

 Geocaching one evening after hitting
Krispy Kream while they are making
the donuts

                                                                                  All the girls
                                                                               playing in the pool

 Love to watch them make the donuts

                                                                                       Lydi and Pen playing
                                                                             on the beach

Mike, Dad and Ryan--just hanging

                                                                                             Mini Golf

Did you know my niece
could fly?  :)

                                                                                 Had fun making our
                                                                             sand castle!

While we were planning our trip to Myrtle Beach, we realized our friends, the Liebers, were going to be there the same week!!  It was so cool.  We visited one morning for a few hours and had a fun time!