50 Years

We have been planning a 50th reception for Mom and Dad for several months now. We were so excited when it all came together Saturday and all the guests arrived. Lisa and I worked some long hours on Friday decorating and trying to decide exactly how things should be done. We decorated, tore off and re-did a few times, sat and pondered and finally congratulated ourselves on a job well done. (Nothing like tooting your own horn!!! ) We also prepared a meal for extended family members that would be traveling. When Mom and Dad walked in and saw the room, they were a bit overwhelmed.

We are so proud that they have made 50 years. Not a lot of people can say that any more. We had a great day celebrating.

The cake was absolutely beautiful and we were so excited with the way it all turned out.

Kensi, (Daniel's girlfriend) Sara and Amy served the cake and punch.

I Love Vacations!!

I am constantly looking for places to go on our next vacation. I love, love, love to go anywhere. One place we like to go to every so often is Branson. This past weekend, Justin and I decided we needed a quick get away, so we went to Branson for four days. It was beautiful!!! I always love to go in the fall because they decorate everything there, plus the trees are so pretty with all the fall colors. This year was no different, although when we got there Wednesday, everything was still pretty green and only had a hint of changing colors. By the time we left on Sunday, everything was in full color!! What a difference a few days make!

This horn of plenty was so beautiful and larger than life at Silver Dollar City. People were stopping and taking pictures in front of it, so it was hard to get a picture of it without it being covered up with people. We also went to the Hollywood Wax Museum. We had never gone before. It was very interesting, but it creeped me out a little bit. Some of them just looked dead! Some of them looked so real it looked like they could just start talking to you at any time. We had fun taking pictures with some of them.

Talladaga Nights, Ricky Bobby. SHAKE AND BAKE!!

Justin couldn't wait to get his picture taken with I Dream of Jeannie!

Me and Austin Powers.

We had such a good time. We laughed every time we would go into a show. It was a sea of grey hair everywhere we went. Cains, walkers and motorized scooters everywhere. We felt like we were the youngest ones there, but that was just fine with us.

New Hairstyle

FYI......Emma has created a new hairstyle. It's called the Bowie Kanowie. Just so you know what to ask for the next time you get your hair done and would like something a little different. Although, I'm not real sure anyone else knows how to do it. Aren't grandkids fun?

Project Progress

We have done a lot to the back yard since I last posted. I am so excited with the progress we have made over the last few weeks. Here are some pictures that show how far we have come. We actually have a yard now and I love it! Here is what we started with:

The sod has been delivered and now the puzzle of how to lay it out the best way.

The stacks of sod. We have a long way to go.

Emma is supervising to make sure Papa does it right.

It looked kind of patchy at first.

Now the fence is in except for the gates and the grass is gorgeous.

We changed our mind about the metal fence and I'm glad we did. We still plan on covering up the back side of our neighbor's fence to match ours. We love sitting on the back porch and drinking coffee in the mornings when Justin is off work.

It's Spring and We Have a Project!!

I have been terrible about keeping the postings up to date, so I decided I better try a little harder. Things have been pretty uneventful around here since we got back from Africa, but now things are gearing up. We added on to our house seven years ago and we have never finished the back yard. It has been nothing but dirt and weeds. The progress has been slow. Obviously some of us have been uninspired to get things done. (I am not mentioning any names!!! ) It seems like we get one step done each summer. Last year we got the posts set for the new fence and concrete poured around them. I thought we were making good progress and hoped we would get it completed. BUT, that's where it ended.....for year six.

This year that certain someone whom I didn't name before, told me Monday that he ordered sod grass and it will be delivered today!! I am so excited. I want my yard to look good. I can't wait to fix it all up. So Monday, Justin and I got out there and raked up all the sticks, leaves and rocks. Justin hauled off a bunch of junk and tilled everything. Today he will fertilize and Thursday and Friday, he is going to lay the grass.

We decided we are going to do a metal fence instead of a wood fence. Justin thinks it will last a lot longer and we have seen some that look really nice. So, is it POSSIBLE that we will get our yard done this summer????? I have HIGH expectations! I think we can... I think we can.... I think we can!!