Busy Busy Busy!

For the most part, we're homebodies, but the last 10 days or so, we've had a LOT to do! We hardly ever have plans on weeknights especially, but we spent almost every night last week out and about! So I've hardly had time to sit down and blog about it. This (Sunday) was the first day we finally had a chance to just "veg," and it was glorious! So this is a whirlwind get-you-up-to-date edition...

In the last couple weeks, Andra...

...went to the zoo with me and her cousin Molly, who happily rode the kiddie train with her without complaint (did I mention Molly is only in 8th grade and already 6 feet tall??)

...went to her cousin Garrett's 2nd birthday party (my sister's son) and happily made a mess of his birthday cake (while saying "mess! mess!")

...also tested out some of his new birthday toys, and took a special liking to his tool belt!

...swam in her Grandma's baby pool for the first time this summer (finally got some HOT weather!) and developed a baby pool addiction in just a matter of minutes...

...went to the State Fair and "shared" a chocolate shake with Dad (although she was actually trying to shove the ice cream off HIS spoon when there were just a few precious bites left)...

...rode the carousel at the State Fair. Twice!

...and just so you don't think we've forgotten all about Pudge amidst all the summer excitement, you'll be happy to know he made a splash at an annual dog swim we always take him to at a nearby park. Before they close the pool for the season, they let the dogs have free reign of the pool for the night, and Pudge LOVES IT. He swam. And swam. And swam. And stole multiple dog toys, tennis balls, and frisbees from other dogs who don't have the same swimming proess that he does. He always proves he's a water dog when we take him swimming. Here he is successfully beating two other labs to the prized tennis ball.

Andra getting a kick out of all the action at the dog swim.

...and finally, some quality cuddle time with her big bro Pudge.

Shew! So like I said, it's been a busy couple weeks. We've got a pretty boring week on schedule now, and I think we're all happy to have some lazy time. Summer can be hard work! :)

Celebrating 40 Years!

This is how it all started 40 years ago when my mom and dad said "I do"...

In late June, my parents celebrated their 40th anniversary, and we wanted to do something really special for them. My sister, brother and I planned a surprise 40th anniversary party the weekend of their anniversary, and it was a hit! (I'm finally posting about it because we hired a professional photographer to take pictures that day, and we just got the pictures back!) Plus, I was so busy playing hostess that day, that I only managed to snap one picture, and it wasn't even a good one!

Here are Mom and Dad arriving and realizing what was going on. They were stunned, to say the least. We'd told them to meet us at this park to have family pictures taken (which is why my whole family matches in khaki and white...it was all part of the ploy!)

The pastor of our church also led Mom and Dad in a ceremony to renew their vows. Mom walked down the "aisle" with a bouquet my sister had designed to look just like her original bridal bouquet. The maid of honor (my mom's sister) and the best man (my dad's friend) were there too!

Me and my big sis...partners in crime to pull the whole day off without a hitch! :)

We borrowed this awesome car (a '59 Chevy, I think?) from a friend. Dad loves it, so we knew it'd make the day even more special if they got to drive some cool wheels around town that day. They took it downtown for dinner that night, and the grandkids all went for a spin too!

The happy couple...

We also had a wedding cake made for them to resemble their original cake. It turned out VERY retro (definitely looked like a '60s cake!), and was delicious too!

The whole family...my parents, their kids, son-in-laws and three grandkids. To quote one of my favorite country songs..."All because two people fell in love."

The day was absolutely perfect, and I wouldn't change a single thing about it. The best part was seeing how happy my parents were. They've done so many special things for their kids, it was nice to do something really special for them. They gave my sister and I beautiful and unforgettable wedding days, so hopefully this is an unforgettable anniversary for them too. They still haven't stopped talking about what a great day it was! I'm so lucky to have parents who love me so much, but more importantly, love each other!