Family Fun at the Cabin

Justin and I spent the weekend with family. We met up with his siblings and their families. We sat around by the fire and talked and laughed and ate. . . ate a lot.

The first day we were there we made dinner of Fried Chicken, potatoes, and for the health conscious, a green salad. For dessert we had a cream cheese sheet cake. It was delicious. We sat around and chatted and then played a the guessing game "What's Yours Like?" This game gets quite funny. For those concerned it is a family friendly game. I forgot to get my camera out to take pictures in the bustle of getting the dinner ready, but I did make up for it the rest of the time.

The Saturday we tried going to the pond for a little swimming, fishing, and some lunch. It didn't quite work out. We drove about 30 minutes to get there and due to the lack of snowfall this last winter there was very little water in the pond, and the bottom was pretty mucky.




We drove another 30 minutes back down the mountain to the reservoir.

This is where we found success. Justin brought his grill and grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.

While Justin was doing that the nieces and nephews splashed in the water. It was fun to watch them play.

Lunch was ready and Justin and his sister, Melissa, organized the feeding frenzy.























We all enjoyed more a laid-back hour of more talking while the kiddos went swimming again.





















 Actually, the kids decided to play in the mud. Swimming lost its delight and a mud bath had all the allure.

 It was fun to watch the kids play in the mud.














After the reservoir we were all pretty beat and needed just to sit around and enjoy story-time with Matthew.

Darryl enjoying the stories of Matthew, or rather dosing off. :)

My refreshments were my water-bottle and my water-bottle. I don't go anywhere without it. I actually enjoyed the sunburn and raccoon eyes I had from being at the reservior.

Kevin armed with a diaper to handle the situation at hand.

Melissa was so tired after all the festivities of the afternoon that she needed to take a nap and Aussie was right next to her to enjoy the snooze.

Little niece was always dodging Justin. Finally he got a picture of her. I am just right behind her blocking her escape.

Melissa's youngest baby being watched by her Uncle Kevin. So Melissa could take a nap. He gave her his seal of assurance for her safety. She took a nap because we all were there making sure the seal stuck. But, on the upside, with the seal of assurance, Kevin had to clean up a poopy diaper. HA HA!

Dinner was a round of  Dutch Oven meals (2 kinds and DO dessert YUM). While Justin's sister, Cassie, and her husband, Aaron, prepared dinner, there was much talking and a game of  "cousin rules" badminton.

 

 When the sun went down and  seeing was a bit of a struggle outside. The kids went inside to play a vicious game of Go Fish.  I don't know who reigned victorious, but this was a legendary game.









  There also was a little play with some seriously impressive wax lips as well.

There also was a little play with some seriously impressive wax lips.


 Becky and I exchanged a doozie of a kiss.  I wanted to make sure the camera caught us.



The kids also went off on the Four Wheelers. Much fun was to be had. With story telling and eating and playing. Not a bad way to spend the weekend.

Olympic Pride and fears of traveling Abroad

Justin and I have been watching the Olympics. We are so proud of our country's athletes. Justin is talking about going to the games in 2020. He would like to get tickets to the less popular sporting events and make a scene cheering on the competitors. I would like to do that as well, but that would most likely involved leaving the country. I am a little trepidations about traveling abroad especially after seeing the movie Taken. Justin thinks I am being silly. I should be able to travel abroad with my big strong man and not worry about being stolen by human trafficking criminals. Yet, I still worry about it.

Going Public Again

I am a bit nervous about what I have decided to do. I have made my blog public again. I decided that its purpose was to help any birth parent who wanted to get to know us. They can't do that if it isn't public. I lost steam in writing since the scam attempt at the beginning of the year. I will try to do better. My posts won't be full of self pity about our lack of children but will be about us and what we are doing. I just wanted to make this blog available to those who might be interested in Justin and me to be potential parents. The next post will be tomorrow.

Summer So Good

So far summer has been relaxing. I have cleaned toilets and scrubbed baseboards. To some, this may not seem like a relaxing summer, but it is when those things are mostly neglected all school year. At least not seriously cleaned. I find great satisfaction in cleaning my home. I also enjoy not having to wake up at 5:30 to get ready for work.

I will be leaving Monday to go to Atlanta to be with my sister. She is having major surgery and I get to take care of her. It will be nice to visit with her and her family, but she will be in bed. Our activities will consist of watching movies and trying not to make her laugh. (That will, of course, be a struggle since I am a terribly hilarious person.)

I made it!

School is out for the summer, and I am on day two of my summer vacation. It already feels like it is flying by. I am taking the opportunity to do those jobs around the house that get neglected for the most part during the school year. Right now you could eat off my bathroom floor. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could if you had to. I love being at home and playing the domestic house wife. However, I am no expert, but it might get old after awhile. I need to get back to the jobs on my list for today, but I thought I would take the opportunity to write a quick entry.

Not sure what the trial is

Lately things have been troubling. Not so horrible that on the surface they don't seem superficial. Work has been a bit on the frustrating side because, no matter what I do for my students, it isn't enough for the parents. I sincerely try to prepare them for all of their work before I grade it, but it is never enough. The message rings loud and clear. I am NOT doing a good enough job. For a year I have been causing needless suffering for these poor students who have to be brought up to the level of an honors student rather than being at an honors level when I get them. I am having a hard time wrapping my head around that. If it is an honors class, shouldn't they be prepared for the rigor and able to read at a certain level? But, alas, EAR WAX!

So English has clearly been an issue. The second issue with work is my improv team. The team hasn't been performing at their former level of excellence. They seem to have forgotten the fundamentals. I let my team captain run the practices, but there hasn't been any real improvement in performance. I took over a workshop and I cannot tell you the disrespect I received from members of my team. What coach would put up with back talk and ridicule? I hate having to correct insubordinate behavior. It is unpleasant and makes me feel angry and like a failure. I know that part of the fault is my own in letting the team captain have too much control over the practices. I can sit here and make excuses as to why I did, but I won't. It was a mistake, and one that will not be repeated in the future. I will take control of the team again, it will be a solid performing team without one or two strong players with egos and the rest willing to be a team.

I have realized that I have someone willing to inspire and help me. These things that trouble me, as insignificant as they may seem on the surface, if they matter to me, they matter to my Father in Heaven. I can ask for help. I often forget to ask for help with my day-to-day things. I should. Everyone should. I don't have to ask for help with things like what type of toothbrush I should buy, but that may be a decision for which someone else may need divine inspiration. It may seem like I am over simplifying this, but I am sincere. If it matters to us, it matters to Him. I have been troubled about my job for awhile, and just asking for assistance to help me know what to do and do what I need to do to make things right is enough to make my burdens easier to bare. Things are coming to mind, my attitude is changing, my mood is brighter. It is within my power to change my circumstances. All I have to do is ask for that help. I will not ask that they be changed for me. Faith without works is DEAD!

Moab Day 6 and Final Day on the trail: MOAB RIM

Well, today started off BIG SATURDAY for the Jeep Safari. We lined up at 8:00 and were the sixth jeep in line. It promised to be a great great great day on the trail. Justin and I got there so early we decided to walk over to McDonald's for a hot chocolate and McGriddle. We were back in plenty of time to to get back in our jeep and leave at 9:00. Although it was a gorgeous day, it was breezy cold. Our trail was Moab Rim the 2nd hardest trail in Moab. Justin had never driven this trail before so he was really looking forward to it. Last year he missed it because he was sick the day they had signed up to run it. We made it to the air down at the trail head. Everything is just perfect. The first obstacle approaches Justin is ahead of Gerry, his dad, and I am taking the pictures for this obstacle known as Devil's Crack.

The trail leader is spotting everyone through it beautifully. Justin makes it no problem. Gerry has his turn, and he is struggling just a bit.

 He his last try to get over the crack there is a loud snap of metal. Gerry has broken his axle. Justin is willing to pull out of the line and take Gerry back to town, but Gerry insists that Justin continue with the trail. Gerry backs down the Rim to the trail head and Justin jumps back into the line.

 The end of the line I might add. So much for being in the front. At least there were only 22 jeeps signed up for the trail. The day was a fun trail ride. There was a spot on the trail that was a bit tippy and I thought we were going to roll, but Justin is an amazing driver and made it through.

As traditional on Big Saturday, we had dinner at the beautiful Sunset Grill that is up on the mountain side. I look forward to that every year. Nothing like Fillet Mignon. It is a bitter sweet night. Good food, a fun trail, but tomorrow we have to leave Riverside Oasis and go home to the real world.

Well finally I got to run the Moab Rim trail.  I have been looking forward to driving this one since I first rode it with my Dad way back in 1989.  Back then it ripped up the guts to the rear differential of my dad's Jeep and we had to leave the trail early.  My dad has since been back and conquered the trail a few years ago, but I always wanted to take it on myself.  This trail is tough!  But it was fun too.  The best part about being in Moab is being with my family as we have a good time.  We will be back next year and I cannot wait!

Moab Days 4 & 5

 We got to sleep in on Thursday. Finally, the first day in my Spring Break and I got to sleep in. Justin and his Dad volunteered at the Trade Show for the Jeep Safari. They are both associate members of the Red Rock Four Wheelers Club. Next year if they are good they get to help with trail runs. We went on a trail ride in the afternoon. We went on my favorite trail Fins & Things. I only took a few pictures because we went through the trail in about 2 hours. It was really fun though. I have several pictures of this trail, but there was this one spot on the trail where we were behind a Toyota pickup that was only equipped with open faced differentials. It was embarrassing to watch this guy struggle up the obstacle. When I hiked up to the top of the obstacle, those in the Toyota group waited around to watch Justin climb up

 It wasn't super exciting. He just walked right up with no problems at all. He really showed up the group ahead of us.









Friday, today, we were going on a trail with Gerry's, Justin's father, jeep club. We were headed out to Klondike Bluffs, but Justin's jeep started chirping at us so we decided to head back to camp to check out what was wrong with the jeep. Luckily it was only the drive line and it only needed some grease. Justin, took off the drive line and greased it up really well and then took it out for a test drive. It did the trick. We went down to the Kane Creek Trail entrance and had our picnic lunch. It was super windy, but the view was gorgeous. I didn't take pictures of it. Trust me though, Moab is a beautiful area. The pictures I have already posted can attest to that.

Tonight is the Red Rock 4 Wheelers' raffle and we, Marsha, Justin's step-mom, and I, went out to dinner and wandered about Moab's City Center and checked out the shops and such. Meanwhile, Justin and his dad are at the raffle. They ate the noxious fume producing BBQ provided by the local Boy Scout Troupe. We are still awaiting the results of the raffle. We should be hearing from them soon. I am expecting a thrilling win of a Jeep. We will see.

Moab Steelbender Trail: Day three

Today was the most beautiful day. It started out sunny with a cool breeze and was a day for shorts. I even got a bit of sun on my arms. ( I am starting my Farmer's Tan early). The obstacles were fun with a little bit of heart attack. Justin's dad decided to take a hard line down one of the obstacles and he almost tipped. I did get a lovely picture of it. Of course I refused to talk to him for about 3 minutes. Justin took the smart line. He knows that he still has more trails to run and he wants to keep his jeep running.

Smart Move Justin!

Man sometimes parents just don't listen to their children. I told my Dad to take the right line down the obstacle, but well you know how those senior citizens are...they just go and do whatever they want! Actually my dad has a firm grasp on the capabilities of his jeep, he knew what he was doing, it just looked scarier than it really was. Best day of the week so far! The sun was out and I was on the Steelbender trail. It does not get any better than this.

As we drove out of the trail there was some beautiful scenes.

We got off the trail early and stopped by the Jeep Vendor Show. I won a T-shirt. I want a jeep just to drive around town. I am not brave enough to drive off road. I don't have the nerve for it. I completely trust Justin's skills.


I took some pictures of the camp ground where we stay during the Jeep Safari.
We are sad because they are not going to be here after next year. It is the most beautiful camp ground in Moab. I wanted to make sure that I took pictures of it to remember our favorite place to stay in Moab.

Moab: Day Two Backwards Bill Trail

Beautiful day for a trail ride. We rode Backwards Bill today. There wasn't any s snow thank heavens. We had a relaxing ride. I got out and took photos, but there was only one major obstacle. Wipe Out Hill.

Justin always makes the driving look so easy.

All the jeeps on our trail. There were 26 Jeeps. No breaks and no injuries

Justin and I standing in front of Uranium Arch.

Today was such a vast difference on the trail from what we experienced yesterday. The sun was shining and I even had short sleeves on sometimes. I got out of the jeep and played with my camera. The trail was scenic rather than challenging. We had one cool obstacle but the pictures weren't very exciting.

Easter Jeep Safari: Moab Day One

We got here yesterday. Our drive down was a bit crazy. The winds were out of control, and we even met with snow as we crossed Soldier Summit. We got to Moab safely, and we settled into our cabin. We love this campground. We are sad because this year will be our last to stay because it will be turning into a hotel. I will be posting pictures of this amazing place. You will understand why it is such a sad turn of events.

Today started out a big rainy and cold. When we got to the trail head is was cold and muddy, but we were going to head out and love it. From behind the jeep it looked clear. Then the front of the jeep where the drivers' meeting was taking place it looked ominous. The snow started coming down. I knew that hydrating during the trail would be a bad idea. It was just too cold for such delicate activities. Eventually it stopped snowing, but it was still cold. I was not getting out of the jeep for ANY reason. I wanted so badly to play with my new camera so I still took pictures through muddy windows and open doors. Maybe tomorrow I will get out and take more interesting pictures.

Mountains, where are you?

Foggy windows!

Nope! I am not getting out of the jeep. Too cold and snowy.

It's not what is on the other side. It's the climb!

Man for the second year in a row I am at Moab and sick!  At least this year it appears to only be a head cold and not the flu like I had last year.  The weather was nice...OK not that nice, it snowed all morning and then was sloppy and muddy the rest of the day.  In one word the weather was...PERFECT for driving off road.  Unfortunately the little green jeep is now showing its wear and tear.  The rear passenger door would not close after we ran the rocker panel against a rock.  I know, I know, your thinking to yourself, geez Justin you should have had rocker protection.  You are right I should have, but it is too late now.  Fixing it was easy, nothing a tap of the hammer could not fix.   Hopefully I can get the Jeep replacement project finished sooner, with room for another passenger to ride with Becky and myself of course.

Way over Due

This is a way over due entry. I am home before 7:00 this week. My show closed last night and it went really well. It started off slowly, but gained momentum each night. We opened Cheaper by the Dozen last Thursday and only had 65 people. It is a small cast of 16 so it is to be expected that the shows have fewer patrons, but I was hoping closer to 90 at least, but closing night we more than doubled that with 175 audience members. It would have been great to have that kind of an audience each night, but as long as I break even I will be happy.

My set was amazing. I have a fabulous tech crew teacher that built the sets for me for both the musical and the play. I will post the pictures as soon as I get them.

Justin and I will be preparing for our annual trip to Moab. I am excited to get out of town. Sometimes you just need to step out of everyday life and go somewhere you love to visit. We dream about building a retirement home in Moab and in Florida on the beach. I am sure one day we will be able to afford such luxuries on a teacher's and a state employee's salaries. Well, Dare to dream.

I will be better about posting each week now that things have calmed down.

Here's the Story!

When I started this blog it was to, as you all know, help facilitate the adoption process because after three years in LDS Family Services' system we have had very few bites of interest.

Well, just a few days after I posted on Facebook that I started this blog, we had someone tell us she was interested in us as adoptive parents for the twins she was carrying. (The comment might still be on the blog; you can scroll down and find the original) Justin and I felt right away that this was not on the level. There were several red flags such as her name, twins, timing of the birth, and the fact she didn't want to tell us who referred her to us.

We decided to consult our caseworker. She also believed it was a scam and felt that we should proceed with caution. She would hate for us to miss out on an opportunity if by some chance it was real. She gave us a few probing questions to ask with emphasis on asking about which agency this birth mother was with. We asked the questions and the flood gates opened with all kids of information to which total strangers should not be privy. However, she avoided the question about the agency. I sent her another e-mail that only talked about LDS Family Services with their address and phone number. Her very next e-mail stated that she didn't know she needed to sign with an agency (sounds like Hollywood. . ."agency"). Anyway, she also said that she wasn't feeling very well, rather strange and that she had an appointment with her doctor later that day. I wished her luck with hopes that the LDSFS could set up a meeting.The next e-mail was less positive. She said she called the LDSFS, but the doctor had put her on bedrest, and we would have to get to know each other through e-mail.

I don't know if the rest of you can see it, but at this point she is setting things up for a miscarriage. ( just a hint of sarcasm of course you can see it!) I sent her some words of encouragement. It was this time in the scam that I wrote on Facebook about it. All the while thinking this girl's history sounded very similar to a former student's. But, I ignored the idea until I got a comment back from this former student telling me that it was she that referred this birth mother to us, and she was upset by it and would block her from FB.

This former student a year ago contacted me and told me that her sister recently found out that she was pregnant and was considering placing her baby for adoption and that my former student immediately thought of me. I honestly thought that maybe this was the reason I had the job in Magna. That I was sent to CHS to help start my family. I thought it was a blessing. Former Student asked if it would be okay if her sister requested to be my friend on FB. Well, of course, I said yes and friended them both. Sadly though, Sister posted on FB several months later about this amazing baby shower she had for her baby boy. I decided at that time to unfriend both of the girls. I didn't know that if you unfriend someone they still can see your updates; you just don't see theirs.

This former student started requesting to be my friend again soon after the post about the blog. I ingored all the requests. She would comment though. The tip of the iceburg was that she actually volunteered to be our surrogate mother. At the same time, the phony birth mother told us who referred her to us, and it was the former student of mine. She also said that she miscarried the twins and was heading back to Savannah. Are any of you surprised? I wasn't. We believe, with no proof- just a gut feeling, that the phony birthmother and former student are the same person. I was freaked out though about this former student who seems  so badly to want to be a part of my life. She even asked to come visit me at work and bring her step-daughter to meet me.

I am sorry, but that is just weird, right? Am I overreacting? I blocked this former student from FB and this is why the blog is private now. I went to the administrators of my school and told them about what was happening and that I did not want to see this girl. She gave me a picture her senior year. I have it still and showed it to the admin and to the school police officer. The school cop was willing to contact this girl and tell her to leave me alone, but I felt I had to formally do it myself first. After trying to secure Facebook and my blog, I have, tonight, officially gave notice to this former student to leave me alone. I tried to be gentle, but how gentle can you be when you are telling someone to stay out of your life especially if he or she feels they are trying to do something "good" for you? Well, it will stop or it will escalate. Hopefully, it will stop. There are more details, but this gives you a really good idea of what happened. Crazy, right?

Quick update more later

Okay, friends we have had a really weird roller coaster ride this week. We have had someone trying to scam us with a fake adoption. I am being cyber -stalked by someone. I am hoping to have blocked every point where I am accessible. When I know for sure I will be more specific. Don't worry dear friends. Justin and I are not emotionally fragile. We knew it was not on the level from the very beginning.

My sister and niece came to visit me this weekend. I am so excited to hang out with them so this will be a short entry today. Justin is all about spoiling our niece. He cooks her favorite meals, and he is getting ready to spoil her more tomorrow with shopping. Wahoo, Shopping with Justin is awesome!

CRAZY TIMES

The last few days have been crazy busy. Justin and I have been fighting illnesses that refuse to abate. Blast my stupid cough, why do my lungs hate me?!?! I have been grading essays, and that takes some. It may be a terrible thing, but I almost appreciate it at grading time that students don't turn in the essays. If only I could teach writing without having the students write. Except it doesn't actually work that way. Blast it all!

Having a student teacher has helped. Except he is teaching my favorite subject, theatre. I still have the English. Oh, well. I have a job that is fulfilling, and for all of my complaining about it, I like what I do and I enjoy the students and my colleagues.

Justin made cookies today so I am going to let myself enjoy one more then stop. We may have to take some to the neighbors. I think my cookies are delicious! 

I am a Whitney Houston fan, and I always have wished to sing like her. She was amazing and I am crushed that her life ended. Really there is no one who can compare to her. She made some really bad choices. I blame Bobby Brown, but that is the Tabloids speaking. Why can't famous people stay away from drugs and alcohol? There are so many in the news with problems that stem from addiction. I guess they become conditioned to think they are invincible. What keeps some grounded and others misguided?  Its too bad to hear about Whitney Houston, she was one of a kind.

Other big news, I got a replacment frame for my Jeep wrangler project.  Now I can spend tons of time in the garage!! 

SICK AND TIRED

Well, so much for fighting off the dreaded disease. I am sick and frustrated by it. It is like my first year of teaching all over again. I was sick all the time that first year and this year I have been sick several times. It is really driving me crazy. One of my students said maybe it is a celebration of teaching for 14 years. Nice. For the germs I guess it is. I'd rather celebrate 14 years of teaching with a raise or winning a million dollars. Right now all I can say is thank heaven for aloe tissues. My poor nose would never survive without them.

 Well, I have a bizillion essays to grade. I better get to it before I run out of energy tonight. Cheers to all. Have a fabulous night!

Happy Ground Hog Day

Happy Ground Hog Day! So the ground hog saw his shadow, but it isn't a big deal since the winter so far has been super mild! 

Tonight we prepared for the Super Bowl by doing a practice try on the fried chicken in Justin's Turkey Fryer. It worked out well. We had some seriously delicious fried chicken.

Justin is getting better from his creeping crud. I think I might be getting it. I truly love my husband. He shares everything with me. :)

I have essays to begin grading. I have seen a huge improvement over this school year in their writing. I am really proud of what my students have accomplished even if some of their parents like to tell me I am mean and like to set my students up for failure. They say some really hurtful things. I think it is funny that they actually believe I got into this profession to rip children to shreds. It really unleashes the wrath within me and I have to take a time out before responding to their bold accusations via e-mail. They do not dare say it to my face. The world of technology emboldens people with anonymity. Cowards is what I call them. Face to face they have to learn to behave, but hiding behind a computer screen apparently gives them license to be cruel.

Oh well. Have a fabulous evening. I am going to put myself to be to try to fight off any dreaded disease they maybe trying to flatten me.

Ho Hum

So yesterday I get home from rehearsal and then rush to Costco to get some supplies. Justin texts me to say that I had just stood up my VT. I cannot believe I forgot our appointment. I hurried like a mad woman so I could get home. I got home and she came back for a lovely visit. Then I went to bed. I am still suffering from the weekend of theatrical high. I don't have much to report today except my sister and niece are coming to visit. My niece is turning 12 soon and it is her birthday trip.  I am so excited. Justin is excited too. He is preparing to spoil her.

I feel like I should write more, but I can't really think of much to say. I won't have much time as tomorrow I have essays coming in, and I won't have time to blog, but I just might need a break from the grading. I usually have much to say after grading essays. Usually I am whinning about the fact that I am a failure as a teacher because my students can't write. Whoa is me; oh whoa is me!

Well, good night all. I shall write once again.

Not such a Manic Monday

Hello Everyone,

A little more rested. I am avoiding going to the grocery store right now. I thought it would be a great time to write on the blog.

Some exciting things have happened today. I must give back story for this to be impressive. At the end of  November my show Guys and Dolls closed. I sent back all of the materials in a box that weighed 38 lbs and 11 oz. at the beginning of December. When I returned to work from the holiday break I received an e-mail from the publishers that said the box showed up to the publishers empty. ALL of the materials were missing. The condition of the box was EMPTY. That is about 3 grand worth of scripts and orchestrations. Well, I filed my complaint with the US Postal Service, and today I found out that all but 8 librettos and 6 of the orchestra books were returned. I hope they find the rest, but 8 is better than 25 and 6 is better than 20, so things are better than they were.

Another happy thing was the scripts for the one act my theatre 4 class is doing came today. It is the little things that make me happy. Last Wednesday I got a new chair mat for my desk chair, and I did the happy dance in front of my English class. (They already think I am crazy, so I didn't care).

I also finished blocking my show. Now the real work begins. It opens in a month! Yikes!

Justin came home early with the Creeping Crud. He has been hacking up the most disgusting wads of grossness that ever existed. He was trying all weekend while chaperoning to get sick, and finally, he did. Okay, maybe he wasn't trying to get sick; he was trying to avoid getting sick. (Justin objected to the phrase "trying to get sick") :P

I am finding I have the intense need to read a really great book. I haven't really read anything for a while. I am suffering from withdrawls. I guess I better stop playing on the blog and go to the store. Ugh.

Good night!

UTA Update

Home from UTA (Utah Theatre Association) Conference. It was a great experience again this year. Except for the hotel, everything was great. Justin helped with the conference chaperoning. I got a new  BYU sweatshirt and a new pair of Comedy and Tragedy earrings. The workshops were good too. There were some really amazing performances. Next year if they ask, I will have my students perform some of their work. I am trying to recover from the weekend's adventure, so I am not so eloquent with my writing tonight. Maybe I will be all caught up with my sleep tomorrow and can blog about it a little more coherently.

My Siblings and Their Spouses

Justin and me. I am much more tan in this picture than I am right now.
Oh, Florida, how I miss you.

We have such a great time in Florida with my side of the family. We go once a year usually. We don't have very many pictures of this past year's summer trip. I spent too much time in the water, and Justin spent too much time in the shade reading a book or in the pool throwing the kids up in the air to have them come splashing down. I am hoping to add more to the blog before long. I will be asking my family to send me some that they took. I have three siblings and 9 nieces and nephews and another niece on the way. They are bound to have pictures I can add.

This is my older sister, Crista and her husband, Matt.
We had a couples' night out while Grandma watched
all the grand-kids back at the beach house five of which are theirs

I am so very lucky to have a sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law that are so amazing. I love them so dearly. It is like they have always been part of our family. Justin and I love their kids so much. We have to spoil them at Christmas. They are the most loving group of children anyone could ever meet. Some may say I am being biased. Well, I have to admit. . .I only tell the truth and nothing but, and I never exaggerate.

My little brother, Robert, and his wife, Hayley.
They have three kids joining the group Grandma is watching

Laughter is a huge part of our trips together. I hear horror stories from my friends of the obnoxious family trips they have to take with their different families. I honestly cannot imagine ever experiencing that kind of drama with my brother and sisters. True, I am a Theatre teacher, but I don't do drama!

The background of Katie's picture just really cracks me up. Temporary Body Art booth and the artist in the background really completes this picture of a loving couple.

 

My baby sister, Katie, and her husband, Bryan.
They only have one at the beach house with Grandma, but one is on the way