A CHILD'S IMAGINATION

While I was away at my class reunion, Marc took the boys to his Hunt Camp. It was Clean-Up weekend, so all of Marc's Hunting buddies were there working. Marc told me that they boys had so much fun just running around and being boys.

After they got back home, I got this picture texted to me from Marc.

Luke had taken some of his toys and recreated the "Hunt Camp".

1. The Barn represents our House

2. The Blanket represents the bumpy road from our house to the Camp

3. The red Semi-Truck Trailer represents the Trailer that sits on the property in which they all sleep in.

4. All the Cars represent everybody's Cars that were there working.

Marc told me that he would run his Monster Truck back and forth and back and forth from the "Camp" to the "House". I guess this entertained him for quite some time.

I've never seen Luke do anything like this, so I was sad that I missed it. But SO Happy that Marc got to experience a "First", and, thought to take a picture of it for me.

25 YEAR HIGH SCHOOL CLASS REUNION

The weekend of August 13th, was my High School 25 Year Class Reunion. So on Thursday the 11th, I was up and on the road by 6:00am (by myself - Marc was staying home with the boys), heading for Indiana. I was anxious to try the new and SHORTER route that my sister had discovered when they drove home back in June.

The new route is GREAT!!! I was to our Exit by 2:45. As I was coming up on the Exit, I took a picture of the sign (yes, while I was driving). I LOVE this sign. I always get SO Excited when I see it and know that I am ALMOST home. Even though I left Connersville over 20 years ago, I still think of it as Home.

First thing on the agenda for the Weekend's Festivities, was to go visit a childhood friend from the old neighborhood, Sharri Herbert Kendall.

We had scheduled a Family Portrait Session.

After taking all the pictures, I got lucky, in that all of Sharri's family arrived from being out to dinner - her Mom and Dad, her brother, and her sister. It was so great to see all of them and be able to visit with them for a little while.

Friday was spent hanging out with my cousin, Tash. We pretty much did nothing but visit with each other, and go Back to School shopping. That evening, Aunt Debbie, Megan and their whole gang also came over, and along with April and her kids, we all went out to dinner together. Even though, I had just seen all of them in June, it was wonderful to spend time with them again.

Then Saturday was Reunion Day. I met up with some other classmates at the Eagles at 10:00, so we could decorate. I was responsible for all the table centerpieces.

During the afternoon, I hung out with my friend Paula, and then I went back to April's to get ready.

Sadly, while at the Reunion, I only took one picture...

of Ralph Gesell and Kevin Scripture. Ralph and I have been friends since Elementary school, and were total BFF's in the 6th Grade. I have wondered often about him over the last 25 years, so I can't even tell you how Excited I was when I saw him walk through the door. He lives in Michigan, works as a Designer for Ford, has been married for 18 years and has three kids. So, So, So good to see him. Kevin and I have been friends since Junior High, and we went to College together. He and my high school sweetheart were best friends, so we hung out a lot together. He lives in Richmond, IN, is an Eye Surgeon, is married to his high school sweetheart, Kelly, and has two kids. His oldest, Molly, was to be leaving for IU the following weekend. So, So, So good to see them.

I'm sad I didn't get any pictures of my girlfriends, but luckily there are quite a few on Facebook. It was great seeing and hanging out with Paula, Amy & Steve, Aimee, Kim, Tina, Valerie, Michelle, Lisa, and Marisa. For a graduating class of about 350, we had a pretty sad showing - maybe 30. Oh well. I had a Blast, and hopefully in 5 years I'll get to see more of my friends who all hold a special place in my heart. There are nothing like the friends from your childhood.

SUMMER MEMORIES FROM MY PHONE

Before I start blogging about things from this current month, August, I went through the photos on my phone. I wanted to see if there was any special moments that I had missed with my camera, but captured via my phone's camera.

And there was...

I believe this was taken on Grey's birthday. It was the second weekend of the Farmer's Market, and it was chilly and drizzling. The boys are enjoying some yummy Farmer's market produce... Strawberrys - or as Luke calls them, Busboys.

This was at the end of May, one of our first days at the beach. Luke make Grey his own private swimming pool.

These two were taken the Friday that we spent the entire day at the beach with my family. I guess they were tired. LOVE how they're holding hands.

These were taken the weekend after my family was here. Marc was playing golf with Doug (our neighbor who had just returned from being in Iraq for one year), so I stopped by to see how Maria was doing. The boys had fun riding little four wheelers with Dillon and Morgan.

In July, we skipped church one Sunday, and headed to Richmond for lunch. After filling our bellies at our favorite restaurant, P.F. Changs, we took the boys to the open mall's fountain. They had a blast!!!

And pretty much right after this shot, I dropped my phone on the concrete... and it was no more.

From that same afternoon, Marc captured this with his phone...

Nothing like a little ice cream on a hot summer afternoon.

CHUNK, PORKCHOP, BEBOP, GREY

I just thought I'd throw all of Grey's nicknames into that Title

And here he is...

*notice how the glass is below his mouth?

So silly!!

MISSING KEYS AND FISHING

July was pretty uneventful, in other words, I didn't take a lot of pictures.

I did, however, take a picture of this...

The boys were kind enough to remove some of the keys from my laptop. Luckily, I was able to find a tutorial online showing me how to fix them myself.

On one of the nights Marc took the boys fishing, I tagged along to see if I could get any pics of Grey in the action.

Not so much... this was about the only one I got.

SUMMER BIRTHDAY PARTIES

This summer the boys were invited to two of their friend's Birthday Parties. The first one was back in June for Tyler Monette. The Monette' are friends of ours whom live in Richmond.

The party didn't start until later in the afternoon, so we thought we would make the day of it and head down early. We wanted to take the boys to the new Richmond Children's Museum. We were able to kill a Small amount of time there, but were sadly Disappointed. There really wasn't all that much to do, hardly any educational exhibits, and the price was Ridiculous. Don't think we'll be going back any time soon.

The boys did enjoy the big "Sand" Box. It actually wasn't even sand, but tiny crumbled pieces of rubber - pretty cool.

They had fun doing some puzzles with Daddy.

Grey got his "Paint" on in the Art room.

Of course they were fascinated by the large fish tank in the lobby.

And the Water Zone is always a hit.

They had fun, but Definitely NOT worth the cost.

Then it was time to head to the Birthday Party. This year it was held at an indoor Soccer facility. The boys had fun running around kicking soccer and footballs, but were really too little to play in the organized games that the older kids participated in.

Then it was time for some Birthday Cake.

Happy 5th Birthday Tyler.

The second party was in July for one of Luke's classmates, Illyana.

I took the boys after spending the morning at the Farmer's Market. Needless to say, it was one of the hottest days of the summer. Illyana's grandparents had organized quite the little party for their granddaughter. There were all kinds of games and a Jumping Castle.

The first game was "Pin the Tail on the Donkey". Luke did pretty good.

Grey however, did NOT want to keep the mask on.

In the end Lonnie let him take it off before he placed his tail (on the nose).

Then it was time for the Pinata. Grey got to take a swing (sans mask).

Then it was Luke's turn.

After all the kids had taken a turn, it still had not broken, so Grandma thought she would give it a try. When she went to swing for the first time, Grandpa thought it would be funny to pull it up so she would miss. I have to say it was pretty hilarious. Just the look on his face said it all.

Of course the Jumping Castle was a huge hit... for both boys.

Then it was time for cake. Doesn't Luke look cute in his Birthday Hat?

Luke and Grey look on in the background as the Birthday Girl blows out her candles.

This picture was taken shortly before Grey took a tumble, and fell off the picnic table bench. He came up with a bloody lip, but he was fine. He was back in the Jumping castle in no time.

Happy Birthday Miss Illyana. Luke was pretty excited to find out that she is in his class again this year.

SKINNY DIPPING

Back in June, Marc and I finally cleaned up the kiddie swimming pool that some friends of ours (thanks Filter's) had given us a couple of years ago. While Marc was filling it with water, I went inside to get the boys swimsuits.

This is what I found when I came back outside...

Obviously no need for swimsuits.

Now mind you, this is water straight from our well, out of the hose. So needless to say it is quite Frigid. I think in this picture, they're thinking... "it's Cold, it's Cold, it's Cold, but we DON'T care. We are NOT getting out!!

Nothing like sliding your bare ass down a plastic slide.

"I'm FREEEEEEZING Mama!!"

Grey had a ton of snot dripping out of his nose. I was pointing to my face under my nose trying to show him where to wipe it off. He's trying to mimic me. He never wiped the snot off.

There's nothing like Bare Naked Butts covered in large Goosebumps!

Even though the boys were freezing their little *@$!# off, they had an absolute blast!!

They haven't been back in the pool since. Maybe I'll fill it one more time before the hot weather is gone.