A Lovely Luau....

was had by all during our visit to Grampy and Mi-Mi's lake house a few weeks ago....

The kiddos with their Great Grandfather...

What a sweetie!

Mi-Mi planned a little luau with all the gear. She even brought little outfits for each one of the kiddos. What a fun time!

It's been forever since we have been to the lake, and even though the water was high and the beach was closed, we still planned a little impromptu weekend visit back in June....

Along with the luau, we enjoyed just hanging out and having a good, summer-time type of visit. Fishing, BBQ-ing, and boat riding were daily items on the must-do list! We enjoyed lots of other activities so enjoy the picture OVERLOAD below....

Girls enjoying manicures and pedicures...thanks, Mi-Mi.

The guys making sure the rods are ready to go....

Good job holding still, Miss Tay-Tay!

Trey's first rod re-stringing duties....

Ty waiting for her first bite....

Tay liked watching the bobbers....we all just wished that they would have gone under more often. Fishing patience is one thing that this family does have!!!

Trey got one! (Where's the fishy?!?!)

Ty and her daddy solving all the world's fishing issues....

Tay was eager to join in....

Much better....

Me and my peanut...gotta wear those sandals!!!

It did rain one of the days, so they all had fun making pretzels...

Tay's turn...

Great looking pretzel, Trey Man....

Ty posing by hers....she just pinched the middle together. "Much easier, Mommy!"

Bubble Time!

Getting ready to take the boat out!

Someone's sleepy....

Trey's 1st cast out of the boat. Line, hook, worm, and bobber all got stuck up in the ONLY tree poking out of the lake. Sorry, Grampy. Looks like we need a quick-fix already. Grandpa's don't get to actually FISH, do they?!?!

Trey busy being bossy. We may or may not be in a "disrespectful smart mouth" phase. Ugh! Hope it passes quickly. I need to learn some of my parents' patience. That's for sure!

Tay wasn't quite sure she wanted to touch the fishy. Think rubbing her eye sounds much more appealing! Ha!

Boat rides!!!

And, of course, the visit couldn't end without a little boat drivin'....

One...

Two...

and, THREE....

Thanks for the awesome visit, guys!!! We love you lots and can't wait to make our way back to the lake sometime soon!!!! 

XXX's & OOO's

A Sweet little....

VISIT from Grampy and Mi-Mi was EXACTLY what we all needed around here!!!

We all enjoyed lots of hanging, Wii playing, playground visiting, basketball sinking, cake baking, stroller pushing, site seeing, baseball game cheering, fingernail painting, hair fixing, party decorating, and football game watching....and, couldn't have asked for anything more.

THANK you for the PERFECT visit!!! We loved EVERY, SINGLE second!!!!

We LOVE and miss you BUNCHES!!!!

See you again, soon!!!!

Little Fishin' Adventure...

The kids and I hit the road and headed to Grampy's (my dad's) and Mi-Mi's little house by Mark Twain Lake in Monroe City. It was a random, spur of the moment road trip, but it was wonderful to do a little relaxing and visiting with Dad and Donna. Trey, Tylee, and Taylen love the dogs, playing outside, visiting the park, hanging out in the boat, fishing, sidewalk chalking it up, BBQ-ing, etc...

Here are a few pics from the visit....

Trey and Grampy heading out on the boat...

Trey fishin'....he really worked hard on his casting and got the hang of it in no time...

Ty with her fishy...she did everything but cast. Reeled it in all by herself....Way to Go!

Showing a little patience....

Posing with Mommy's fish....

All ready to do a little boat drivin'....

Showing off the fish before they clean them up....

Ty checking out the fish guts headed down the drain...

Ty and Mi-Mi making some festive little strawberries....

Aren't those PERFECT for the 4th?!? So. Festive.

Tay doing what she loves to do...making pretty pictures. (And, no, she didn't write that Hi...looks kind of like it though...too funny!)

Tay getting big!!! Almost 15 months here....

Trey workin' on those fishin' skills. This was moments after the conservationist guy checked us for our fishing licenses...Good thing we all had one and good thing he believed me when I told him that I left mine in Dad's boat back at the house. Surely didn't want to end our little visit with an illegal fishing ticket. Ugh!

THANKS so much, Grampy and Mi-Mi, for inviting us down and letting us spend the weekend with you. A fun and fantastic time was had by all!!! Love you and miss you lots!!!

What a GREAT....

Family Fun Weekend!!

Jason, Trey, Tylee, Taylen, and I all enjoyed a fun-filled and relaxing visit with Grampy, Mi-Mi, and Aunt Calie (my dad, step-mother, and little sister) this past weekend.

It was FANTASTIC to see them again...it has definitely been a while. We haven't seen them since Christmas, and that visit went by entirely too fast!!! So, they ventured up here early on Friday morning and hung out with us until Sunday. Lots of Wii (darn Iowa weather), card games, laughter, conversation time, and baby holding.....

Trey playing his first game of Crazy 8's.....fun, fun!

Mi-Mi and Trey wrapped up in a competetive game of cards....

Aunt Calie holding Taylen Jae....such a snuggler!!!

Tylee joining in on all the fun.....

Cheesin' on the couch.....

Grampy and Trey J....fun times!!

Strike or Gutter Ball?!?! Calie's face probably gives it away!!!

Taylen getting some lovin' from Calie & Tylee....

Grampy & two of his grand-babies....

Mi-Mi, Tylee, and Taylen doing a little posin'....

Tylee cheesin' with Trey's bunny glasses....

Oh, now they are on the right way...buck teeth and all!!!

Aunt Calie joining in on the bunny fun...these bucks aren't so big...lol!!

Taylen and Mi-Mi!!!

The whole crew....GREAT times and GREAT fun!!!

THANKS so much Grampy, Mi-Mi, and Calie for making the trek up here from Saint Louis. It was great seeing you all and the kiddos had a blast. The Easter baskets were perfect and everyone has been enjoying their goodies!! We LOVE you bunches and can't wait until we see you all again....

XXX's & OOO's.....

~Julie