Small Town Life

I miss small town life. Not that the town we actually live in is that gigantic but we do live within a 60 mile radius of probably 3 million people. So things are definitely not the same. Since we got to visit home this month we got to attend two city band concerts. Now Trav and I both played in the city band and so did his sister and dad but I didn't think I would really miss it that much when we moved away. But I do. Not really playing in the band but going to the concerts. They usually have an ice cream social and there is always the popcorn wagon... It is fun to sit and listen to the band, eat popcorn and ice cream and visit with friends.

And if you get to go to the band concert Friday night don't forget your blanket to sit on, some money for the popcorn and ice cream and dance a little bit for me.

Ski Time

Oh what fun we have had this last week. The kids and I went home for the week and had a great time visiting everyone. Trav just got to spend the weekend, but he did get to finally water ski and see the girls water ski. Brenna really got the hang of it and can now do it all by herself. Way to go Brenna!

Zia skied too! But really likes the tube more! This is her with her cousin Kai.

Leighton rode the tube by himself. And really liked swimming in the lake.

Zara likes the boat too, but hates her life jacket! Isn't she a cutie!!!

Have I mentioned that I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Milbourn Cyber Cafe

I am in my home town for the week. Well just one more day now :( boo whoo. Anyway. I am at my friends Missy and Denny's house. Check out their blogs in my side bar. I thought that I would post something from their front porch on one of their three laptops. Isn't technology cool!!! I will post some fun pictures from the week later.

Wedding Bells

Trav's cousin Tom got married this past weekend to Melanie. We had a great time with his other cousin Tim and family on Friday. We are so glad they have a paging system in Cabela's ;) Right Tim!!! Had a wonderful time at the rehearsal dinner Sat. night and a blast at the wedding Sunday afternoon. Welcome to the family Melanie!

Webkinz Mania

What is a Webkinz you ask? Well let me tell you a little bit about a Webkinz. It is a stuffed animal craze that has taken over our house. We only have two but let me tell you they are taking up a lot of our time. They are stuffed animals that you can buy, then adopt online and play with. Brenna got one for her birthday from a friend in Findlay. This summer she has gotten to play with it a lot more than she did during the school year. So Zia wanted one too. So a week or so ago she bought one with her allowance. The real problem lies with Travis. As most of you know he LOVES to play games. Well in Webkinz world one way to make money is to play little arcade games. So it is right up Trav's alley. Now don't think he is the only one. I have to admit that I like to play the games too. They are pretty fun and become addictive. You can make friends and play games together. Add rooms to your house. Buy stuff for your Webkinz. You must feed and care for your Webkinz just like a real pet. (luckily they don't pee or poop on my floor:) You can even invite your friends over to visit your virtual house! I included a picture of our new pets. Brenna's is the lion, and she named it Alexzander. And Zia's is a Lil' Kinz gray and white cat named Sam. So if you can't get a hold of us this summer look for us in Webkinz world!

Oh How I Love This Man!

This is my man! Oh, how I love him. We just celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on 07-07-07. He was so sweet this year. He tried to surprise me with a special dinner out. His parents were going to be at our house the weekend of our anniversary, so he had called them a month before and asked them to watch our kids so he could take me out to one of my favorite restaurants, The Melting Pot. Now I said he tried to surprise me because he has a hard time surprising me. I know him too well and I pick up on little things when he is being secretive. He finally had to tell me because one of his cousins, and his family, were also going to come and spend Friday with us and I was trying to figure out what I was going to feed everyone while they were here. (He took me out Fri. night instead of Sat. when his sister and family were also going to be here and we were all going to the rehearsal dinner)

If you have never been to the Melting Pot you must go. But be prepared to spend a couple of hours if you have a full 4 course meal. It is a fondue restaurant and it is fabulous. For my friends in Illinois there is one in Indy across from the Castleton mall. You start out with a cheese fondue, then a salad, your entree fondue, and then the very best, a chocolate fondue. I think I could live on the chocolate fondue! They have several to choose from and I think they all sound divine. We made up our own with milk chocolate and cream de menthe. YUMMMMMMMMM. Travis really liked the restaurant too. So don't think your man won't. Just know that is pretty expensive.

I thought I would share some old pictures with you all. Here is one from when we first started dating. This was my sweet sixteen birthday party. Sorry it is so dark. I think it was from my disk camera. Don't we look so young. We started dating when I was 15 and Trav just turned 16. That scares the daylights out of me now with three little kids one of whom is 9. That is only 6 years away. Yikes!!!! What were my parents thinking?

These two are from college. The first one was at a Pi Kappa Alpha formal in Indianapolis I think. I was pinned as their sweetheart at that formal. The other one is at a Delta Gamma formal. I can't remember where.

Next came the marriage!

We still look so young! What has happened in those 12 years!?! We dated 6 1/2 years before we got married. So that means we have been together 18 1/2 years. How can I be that old?

Now there is special meaning to the date we chose for our wedding. First of all my parents were married on July 6th and Trav's parents were married on July 8th. Also our first date was on Jan. 7th, so July 7th 1995 was right between our parents and exactly 6 1/2 years from our first date.

Travis, you are the love of my life. Thank you for sharing your life with me. You are a wonderful man and I am so glad you are my husband and father to our children. Your love of God and people is such an inpiration to me and so many others. I will love you always.