A Refreshing Visit!

These AMAZING girls are very dear friends of mine. We were all in a Bible study together before most of us had kids and one moved to Kansas! I also worked with two of them. This weekend we were blessed to all be able to get together and "catch up" (which is so easy to do with these girls). They are all "real" and not afraid to share their struggles, insecurities, strengths and weaknesses. We spent the evening at Olive Garden and then moved our conversation to IHOP (once we realized that it was 15 minutes after closing time). Like I said these are "real" chicas and I am so blessed to call them friends! Love you girls!

The C of A!

Some of you may know that I belong to a book club. Well not just any book club, but an AWESOME book club! Besides me, there are three other amazing girls in this group. Two were roommates during college and one has been adopted by us and has become a wonderful friend. We formed to club so that we could have an excuse to get together (especially during our busy lives right now) and because we all enjoy reading. During the summer, we try to get together a little more outside of our club! A few weeks ago, we all planned a trip to the lake and enjoyed the sun! One thing I love about us girls is that we are all sporadic and easy-going! Later that afternoon, we decided to head from the lake to Eureka Springs, AR. We have a favorite restaurant down there called Ermilio's. Absolutely wonderful Italian food and a great atmosphere! It was a Saturday evening and we arrived at 8pm. It was packed! We knew it would be a long wait (it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to be seated), but we were together and enjoyed talking and catching up. Finally at 10pm we got our food. Let's just say that there wasn't much talking during our meal - we were starved!!!! It was a late night, we had a great time and thanks to our wonderful husbands, we were able to enjoy the day without children.

White Water 2!

Here are a few pics a friend of mine was able to snap at White Water. Enjoy! Can you tell he loves the water?

White Water!

Today was the first day that Little Man and I have experienced White Water! Hard to believe that after living near this attraction for almost 10 years, that this was my first time visiting! We had a blast!!!! They have so many areas for little kids. There are plenty of places to relax while you keep an eye on your little one! My only complaint is that they don't want you to take ANY food in! Thankfully, the bag-checker allowed me to pass with the snacks that I had brought for Little J. We did splurge and get a corn dog for lunch, but had I not had snacks, it would have cost a lot more for our meal.

Sorry, being my first time, I didn't want to bring a camera or my phone with me because I didn't know if it would get wet. I will try to get some pics next time though!

Mmmm! The Yummy Goodness They Call Blueberries!

I look forward to this time of year! It is usually warm enough to go take a dip in the lake on those hot, humid days, most of our time is spent outdoors, and fresh fruit and veggies abound! My favorite by far are blueberries and they are just now in full swing of their picking season! A local farm grows these delicious drops of goodness in huge quantities and ever June we make our way down there to pick as many as our buckets will hold. Sometimes we make several trips!

Little Man's great-grandma was visiting, so I decided that a trip was in order to the blueberry fields! We went this morning, before the temps reached our breaking point. (Actually the reached Little Man's breaking point about 20 minutes after we arrived!) Although, most of the blueberries Little J picked ended up in his mouth, we succeeded in picking about 14 pounds of blueberries between the 2 1/2 of us! Many trips were made to and from the car, the picnic tables, or under the shade trees! This is the nature of going with a young child as I'm sure any parent can attest! We survived the heat, and tiredness by making a visit to the little building where they sell Thunder Muffins! Yes, I said Thunder Muffins! They are the best blueberry muffins you have ever tasted! Not Kidding! You can even get them in a bowl topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and blueberries sprinkled. It is called the Cumuloblubus - (my new preference!) Little Man and I loved sitting in the shade eating this delicious brunch! We had a blast making THESE memories!

18 Months!

Wow! I can hardly believe that our little man is 1 1/2. Seems like these days go by fast, but not THAT fast! Here are a few things that he is doing lately.

• Loves, loves, loves to be outside!
• Enjoys getting wet in the pool, by the sprinkler, or by hose! (and likes to spray other people with the hose!)
• Says about 30-35 words. He has also mastered a number of signs.
• Loves his buddies (stuffed animals esp. his big blue bunny that his uncle gave him for Easter)!
• Sleeps about 11-12 hrs at night and takes about a 2 hr nap.
• Eats well (the kid loves foods like artichoke hearts, pickled beets, fish, broccoli, and brats or hot dogs from the grill - he despises hot dogs cooked in the microwave)!
• Loves puzzles!
• Loves reading books (we read every night before bed and many times during the day)!
• Says "plane" when he hears an airplane in the sky and makes an engine sound when he "flies" his toy planes!
• Enjoys walks (especially when he gets to push the stroller)!
• Doesn't really care for the car seat (can't blame him most of the time)!
• Is starting to potty train (this is going well and not so well depending on the day, but he is getting it)!
• Likes to help Mom or Dad garden!
• Climbs, climbs, climbs. (can get in and out of his highchair by himself.)
• Gives the best hugs and kisses!

Enjoying the Beauty

Here is a pic of some tiger lilies that we have growing by our house! They are one of my favorite flowers! I absolutely love the colors!

We also had a visitor after the rain. Little man was very interested with this guy!