Coming Home!

Posting this picture of Peanut in his Coastie shorts in honor of Pumpkin coming home tonight!  Can't wait!

Sisters!

My niece got married and I got to spend the evening with my sisters.  It was an enjoyable night.  And, as always, the time in Cincinnati goes by too quickly!

Wedding Road Trip

My niece got married on Saturday.  The Big Guy and I went on a road trip to Cincinnati.  This time it was without any children.  Kind of odd, but a taste of what's to come next year!  We had a nice ride even if we were routed to Lexington.  Gotta love Google Map App, always getting us to our destination in the fastest amount of time.

Hauck Mansion

Last week in Cincinnati, The Big Guy and I were right down the street from our reception sight.  We drove around back and I snapped this picture.  What a place and what great memories.  It seems like yesterday we were leaving the reception heading to our hotel.  I remember my face hurting from smiling.  How can 25 years go by so quickly?!?

Lovely Workers

My coworkers at the gift store surprised me with a mini cake to celebrate my birthday.  So,  Sweet!

USAFA Summer Seminar

Peanut attended the USAFA Summer Seminar.  I'd never been to CO and wanted to see the Academy.  Man!  Oh, Man!  It is so beautiful and so big!  The Big Guy and I only stayed a day, but it was a lovely little get away for us.

Candle Making

The Big Guy is a sport.  He went to a candle making class with me.  It was an enjoyable night and we have enough wonderful candles for the year.  The class location was a fabulous gift store, similar to the gift store I work at.  I ended the night buying a new pair of Pons shoes.  Can't wait to wear them!

West Coast NOT East Coast

It is funny how the mind works.  Pumpkin is normally on the East Coast.  For the remainder of the summer, he will be on the West Coast.  It seems so much farther away.  He has a bed on a cutter. Can't wait to hear all about it, but gonna have to wait...Prayers for an experience of a lifetime!  Treat him well, Alameda!

My Baby is 18!

Last Sunday, we celebrated Peanut's 18th Birthday!  He chose The Arcade, a downtown Memphis favorite, for breakfast.  He let me work at the mission first and then meet them.  Love that!

He got a lightweight sleeping bag that smashes up into next to nothing.  He is going to need it this summer for a few of his adventures.  I made him test it out to see if he fit and if he could get it back in the storage bag.

Mission accomplished!  We had burgers on the grill.  A group of kids came over to watch the basketball tournament.  Hard to believe how fast these years flew by.  Just yesterday, he was attached to my hip!  Happy Birthday, Peanut!

Frisbee Golf

Peanut and his friends play lots of frisbee golf.  When Pumpkin was home, we all went out to play.  It was my first time.  I'm not that talented with a frisbee and was a bit worried.  It turned out to be quite a bit of fun.  I definitely have to work on my throwing skills!  We did not keep score, we just played the nine holes twice.

Guess I should have taken a regular pic and not a selfie.  Not sure everyone wants to see the veins in my forehead!

Peanut was still feeling the effects of the injury from the relay.  The brace helped to remind him to not hit his thumb.

Some of the holes were wide open.  Others were in the woods.  The trees do add a bit to the challenge level.  These two provide such entertainment!

Sibling Support

Peanut competed at the TN State Track Meet.  He qualified and competed in three events.  In this day and age, that is unheard of.  Kids specialize and will only run one, maybe two events.  I don't quite understand it, but that is the "winning" world we live in.

It was a hot day.  We know hot, but this spring we got lucky.  The weather at most meets was enjoyable.  We were not so lucky for the state meet.  Peanut ran the first leg of the 4 X 800 relay.  A guy in front of him dropped his baton and created a domino effect.  Peanut jumped around with spikes and all!  He did not fall but his right hand got clobbered by another runner's baton.  After finishing, he walked off complaining that his thumb was broken.  Who knew track was a contact sport?

Peanut went on to run his fastest mile.  Yes.  The thumb was throbbing and continued to do so as he ran the two mile.

I was so glad Pumpkin was there to cheer Peanut on.  This picture captures my heart.  Pumpkin was coaching him encouraging him to keep the right perspective.  Hope the coaching continues on to life.  Pray it becomes a two way street with them.  They are so lucky to have each other as brothers!

Junior Year Is A Wrap

We are about three weeks into summer 2016.  I'm still coming to grips with having a high school senior in the house.  This was Peanut on his last day of school.  He looks thrilled to smile for me, huh?

I'm going to try to post a bit more often.  My blog is a great resource to document what we do.  Now that it is summer time, I should have no excuses!

Eastern Relays at the University of Louisville

This weekend we watched Peanut run in a fast meet, Eastern Relays.  It was a wet one!  Saturday, we donned our rain gear and braved it.

Peanut getting ready to run the mile.  It was pretty much pouring.  He ran well!  Hard to believe we are winding down this track season!

Visiting Marmaduke

Got to see mom last weekend.  She keeps taking her glasses off and putting them down in random places.  As a result, no glasses.  The weather was absolutely beautiful and we had a lovely visit.

Out of the blue, my brother showed up too.  It was great to see him.

When we took her back upstairs, they had found her glasses!

Attention

It's been quite some time...hoping to give my blog a bit more attention!

Yes.  That sweet boy got some good pets!!

Hearts!

We are selling these at the gift store.  They are unique and each one is different.  I got one for my MIL to hang on her door.  Earlier this week, she moved into her new place at a nursing home.  So far, so good!

HAIR Action!

For most of Peanut's freshman and sophomore years, his hair was very short.  He has enough hair on his head for 3-4 people.  Love the character it has!  Not sure if he knows what he is doing with it, but it makes me smile.  This pic was after a shower with absolutely no product in it!

Flat Tire

I backed out of the gararge last week and hopped out of the car to get something I forgot.  It was then that the flat tire caught my eye.  I don't remember the last flat.  It turns out there was a nail in the tire.  We were able to get it fixed and back on our way.  The little portable compressor was a godsend making it very easy to pump it up!!

Driving in Style

Pumpkin got a car while he was home.  We have to take care of it for a few months.  So, we drove it to the grocery store last week.  Like the ride!  Still coming to grips with reality, my son bought a car!

Dinner at Ecco on Overton Park

One night when the boys were home, we went to dinner at Ecco on Overton Park.  It is one of my favorites.  There is a roasted veggie on wilted greens.  It is my go to and it is yummy.  The best part about this meal is that we were all together!  I hope to make it back there soon!!

Holiday Highlights 2015

I miss the holidays.  I miss all that it means and I miss being with my boys.  But, we have some great memories to cherish.

*Pumpkin tried to surprise me and fly home early.  I caught on when I checked his flight info.  I got to greet him at the airport.  I think I would have flipped out if he walked into the mission.

*Peanut finished up exams with his big brother at home.  It is tough to focus when all you want to do is hang out.

*My three boys played 18 holes of golf.  The weather was great.  The players were rusty.  They had fun anyway.

*Pumpkin made some yummy applesauce in the crockpot.  Peanut made some holiday cookies.

*Pumpkin bought his first car!!!  We did not see that coming!  So impressed.  He negotiated, stayed within budget and made a great choice.  For the next few months, our driveway is a parking lot.

*Peanut wrapped packages with duct tape.  They were wrapped well and generated lots of laughs.  Pumpkin made excuses for his wrapping skills.  Guess he needs more practice.

*My boys give gifts from the heart.  More importantly, they are happy to receive gifts from the heart.

*We served at the mission on Christmas Day.  It was a welcomed change of routine.  After serving, we came home.  We put our jammies back on and enjoyed the day opening presents, playing and eating a lovely dinner.  I did not want the day to end as Pumpkin flew out the very next morning.  Saying goodbye doesn't get easier.  We are very proud and grateful.  Both boys are doing well.  They get along and we enjoy spending time together.  That was the best present of all!

Winter Training

Pumpkin is wrapping up a week in Florida for winter swim training.  I know they worked hard.  We got to see a few pics of him.  Hard to imagine him with a beard.  It'll be gone by tomorrow evening when he heads back to CGA.  Safe travels back to CT, sweet boy!