Back tracking! 2 boys and 2 girls with 4 parents!

The first weekend in December we were elated to have our good friends Ryan & Becki come down for the weekend with their 2 adorable girls (ages 3 and 3 months). As soon as they arrived Ryan started unloading their car and carrying in several bags. All of them were BRIGHT PINK! I loved it. Our weekend plans were to have NO PLANS! It was the BEST weekend!

Here are the baby's sharing in conversation.  I think Will was envious of Elin's long beautiful hair.  He was making the moves on her.  Elin was born August 29th. Will Sept 12th.  I love Will laying on the leopard blanket with a pink border :)

 
On Friday night we had a Taco Bar and then just chilled in the basement. We let the kiddos stay up late.  The big question was whether or not Libby & Elin's elf "Buddy" was going to find them at our house. Low & Behold SHE DID!  We woke up that morning to Shorty (Z&W's elf) and Buddy (Libby & Elin's elf...she is female but has a male name) fishing with candy canes off our mantle.  Let's just say these elf's enjoyed each other that weekend! 

 On Saturday, the girls went shopping a bit, we made homemade individual pizzas, baked sugar cookies, iced Sugar cookies, the guys watched football, and we made clipboards.  I love Becki so much.  We have always had so much in common.  We joke that we are sisters....we really are because we were both Alpha Chis (just at different colleges). We love crafts, sewing, cooking, shopping, and all things girly.  Our husbands always make fun of us because whenever we are together we find something to make and we have to make a trip to Hob Lob or JoAnns. This time in was modge podge clip boards.  Unfortunately we were so sticky or covered in paint I have no pictures of this part of our weekend. I must add we were planning on going to SDC to see the lights but it was raining and very cold so we just stayed in all day.  It was perfect.  The kids had a blast too.  I think Z & Libby had a crush on each other. 

Making sugar cut out cookies

 Later that night when they were cool the kids iced them and decorated.  They were the most beautiful cookies I had ever seen!

 These two kids were so much fun!

 On Sunday we went to BPS to see the Christmas village and have breakfast. 

 Beck, Lib, Zach, and Elin in a tent.

 Hugging in the middle of the camping equipment. Immediately following this picture we caught them kissing in the aisle.  Crack me up!

 Group shot

We have decided that we have a locked in date on the calendar for the first weekend in December to have a weekend visit.  We all enjoyed each other so much.  We love you R, B, L, & E!

We love our friends!

Last week another set of our friends from Kevin's old stomping grounds came to town. I've said it before and I will say it again....WE LOVE WHEN OUR FRIENDS COME TO VISIT! On Thursday night we met Blake, Lindsay, Mia & Max at their condo to hang out and catch up. Our kiddos are very close in age and got a long SO well together. Zachary did not want to leave when it was time to say goodbye. Fortunately for us they came to check out Kevin's office on Friday and to eat with us before they headed home. Bonus!

Zachary fell in love with Max's swimming gear. Isn't this funny!

Max, Zachary, and Mia....instant friends

I wish we lived closer because these kiddos really enjoyed each other.

 Blake, Lindsay, Kevin, and the kiddos

 On Friday at Kevin's office...in the fireplace :)

 Group Shot!

Thanks Blake, Linds, Mia, & Max for letting us know you were in the area. We we so glad we got to catch up.  Zachary hasn't stopped talking about M & M since we left you on Friday.  Come back soon!

More friends come to visit...YAHOO!

As you can see from my previous post we had a BUSY weekend last week.  On Sunday, our good friends Ryan, Becki, and Libby were in town. Actually they came down eariler in the week for a little family vacation.  We were thrilled when they let us in on their plans.  We joined them for lunch on Sunday after church and then took them to Kevin's office for a quick tour.

Here's sweet little Libby admiring Zachary.  They had the best time playing together. 

 Becki is due on Sept 4th with sweet little baby girl Elin Jane...about 2 weeks before me. However she is having her c-section at the end of August.  I joked with Ryan that I was going to have to come up to their house for a week to get in all the fun girl stuff and he can come down here for a week to do all the guy stuff that happens in our home. :)  Isn't Becki just the cutest preggo....she only has a ball bump. 

 Whenever we are with Ry & Beck we always say how we wished we lived closer. Becki and I have so much in common and we all really enjoy our time together! 

 Beck & Ryan "pretending" to have a maternity photo.

 Here's our first try at taking a timed photo. OPPS!

 After about take #20 we finally got one of all of us looking. 

  Thanks Ryan & Becki for stopping by. I wish we could have spent more time together but I am thankful for the time we had. 

Friends come to visit

I've said this before and I will say it again. We love it when our friends call us and let us know when they are in the area.  Even if it only for a 5 minute visit or a lunch break.  It's a special treat.  This week on Thursday we were contacted by our sweet friend from Kevin's home town.  They were headed down for a mini-vacation and stop by on Friday.  We met up at Kevin's office since they have not seen it yet. Then we hit Lambert's a famous tourist restaurant that throws rolls.  Because we have have children now it's harder to get pictures of the craziness but I managed to get a couple group shots at the office.  Thank you Erick, Mary, Bill, and Sara for letting us know you were in town. We had a great visit!  We love you guys!

Back Row: Grant, Bill, Sara, Hil, Kevin, Noah, Mary, & Erick

Front Row: Chase, Carter, Zachary, Riley

This picture was a lot easier....just the adults/good friends

 Bill, Sara, Hil (+ baby boy), Kevin, Mary, & Erick

The highlight for the kiddos was not the game room....it was the fireplace. They loved it! 

 Carter & Noah "hiding"

Noah, Riley, & Chase

Bon Voyage Dave & Kara!

So the reason we went back to the town that Kevin grew up in and spent all of his "glory" days in highschool was because we were invited to a going away party for our dear friends, Dave & Kara. Dave & Kara are moving overseas to Scotland for graduate studies. It was a great reason or excuse for all of "THE GROUP" to get together for a BBQ. This was the first time that we have had a get together with our children. In the past we either were not parents yet OR kids were not at the event. Let's just say the party had a different feel to it with 9 kiddos there. Between the 8 guys in "THE GROUP" there are 11 children (4 girls and 7 boys) all under the age 6. Kevin & I had a wonderful time visiting with our greatest friends in between interupptions of our children. 

THE GROUP:  Blake, Adam, Ryan, Kevin, John, Dave, Erick, & Bill

These guys have been best friends since elementary school.

Kevin, Dave, and John....the three amigos! 

Hil & Becki (Ryans beautiful wife)
Becki & I have a ton in common. I always love my conversations and time with Beck

Kara (Dave's lovely wife), Becki, and me 

Kara & Dave are our adventure friends...they are moving to Scotland.  Kevin & I are hoping we can go over and visit. 

Erick grilling some amazing pork steaks.  Let me just tell you Erick & Mary are the most gracious hosts.  Erick is the BEST chef.  I can still taste the yummy cheesy hashbrown casserole...OMG it was GOOD! Thank you Erick & Mary for hosting the big event and for allowing us to stay overnight in your new beautiful home. 

Dave was Zachary's personal playmate.  Dave  would pick Z up, hang him upside down, and then land him on the couch. Zachary kept asking to do it again and again. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with our lifelong friends.  Thanks Mary & Erick for planning this wonderful weekend. 

Hot Springs Year 3

This past weekend we took our "third" annual Hot Springs trip with our dear friends Mel & Wasson. Unfortunately, last year we did not make the trip because of Mel's recovery but we were not going to miss out this year. Kevin and I feel so blessed that Rachel & Matt kept Zachary all weekend long so that we could go away. THANK YOU! Also my cousin, Leslie kept Zachary on Friday while Rachel worked. Zachary had a blast with everyone and is still talking about how much fun he had while we were away. He did not miss us at all.

Just arriving to our motel and getting ready to head to the horse track.
Close-UP

One of our favorite things about the races is all the food. Kevin had to get his annual Oysters-in-the-half-shell. Yuck!

Dinner at the German joint

Last time we were in Hot Springs we found the funniest live band we have ever seen. Polka Your Eye Out is there name and there are no words to describe them. They play every Saturday night at a German Restaurant. The food is okay but the entertainment is HILARIOUS. Click here to see pics from our last trip to see PYEO.

Mel and Was

Group shot with Polka Your Eye Out

Company for the weekend...FUN!

I'm back! I did not mean to take such a long blogger break but my computer adapter needed to be replaced. I never thought it would take as long as it did to get a new one. Now I am way behind on my blogging. So I am going to go back about two weeks to our events.


A couple weeks ago good friends of ours came to visit. The arrived on Friday morning which allowed for a lot of time to hang out and re-connect. When Kevin was in high school John was his BEST friend. It is ironic now that they have now grown up and have sons. Hayden is one year and one week older than Zachary. This is so cool to see these boys at similar stages. They had the best time playing with each other. Zachary and their son, Hayden played in the backyard with their John Deere tractors for at least two hours. They acted like they had been friends for ever! That evening my sister, brother-in-law, and Elliott so graciously watched both boys so that we could take our friends to our favorite spot. The restaurant has the BEST steaks ever. We had a great evening catching up!


Misty & John

Group Picture

Hil and Kevin
On Saturday we made a little road trip to a local outlet mall. It was a beautiful day!

Hayden & Zachary
Misty and Hil

Hil, Kev, and Z
I'm so bummed my memory card accidentally erased the rest of my photos from this weekend. I had so many of the boys playing. I am going to see if Misty still has hers. Saddness!

We are so thankful for good friends! What a wonderful weekend!

Go USA! Olympics 2010

****I lost my image card reader so I have been out of commission on my blogging. Fortunately, today I found it...under our chair. Good thing I vaccumed right?

Last week, our friends Andy & Betsy invited us over to celebrate the opening of the Olympics. Besty was so creative. She asked everyone to bring a dish representing a different country. Leaving the guest to chose what you wanted to bring and what country you wanted represent. After a lot of thought I decided to bring all GREEK dishes. One of my uncles was adopted from Greece so I was representing him. I made a hummus dip appetizer, Greek Salad, and homemade Baklava. I actually put a poll on Facebook on what to prepare and a long time friend, Julie suggested Baklava. She shared her daughter-in-laws YUMMY recipe. Boy, was it delicious and very authentic. At first I was nervous because the recipe seemed so over my head. One reason I was overwhelmed was because I have never used fillo dough. I am glad I made it because it was wonderful! Thank you JULIE!

The other food dishes that were represented was homemade pizza (Italy), egg rolls (China), Quesadillas (Mexico), German Chocolate Cake (Germany), mini quiches (USA), and birthday cake (USA).

When we arrived Betsy & Andy gave each of the kids a gold medal. Which Zachary LOVED! We ate, played and visited unti USA arrived at the ceremony. Then Andy passed out mini American Flags for us to wave. It was so much fun and the kids LOVED it!


Thanks Andy & Betsy for inviting us. It was a fun night!


Chrissy, Caleb, & Kaylee came in true Olympic fashion...all decked out in there USA & Red, White, & Blue.


Here's a pic of the Baklava I made. Thanks to Julie it was great!
The egg rolls & Quesadillas

Betsy's homemade pizzas

The Hummus dip, a cheese dip, greek salad, and mini quiches

The girls eating and of course talking (Susan, Besty, Chrissy, Kaylee, Me, and Jill)

Miss A, Zachary, and Lilly playing

This was hilarious! All of the kids were upstairs in the bonus room. We heard it get really quiet up there so I went up there and found Benjamin reading to all the kids. No wonder they were quiet. They had the worlds best entertainment. Benjamin is so wonderful with kids.

Here's an arial view of the guys watching the Opening Ceremony. All the ladies were upstairs with the kids watching it on another tv.