Family Fun on the Fourth!

What a great weekend this has been. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to have Brent, Elizabeth and the girls with us but since Elizabeth's dad had his funeral just last Tuesday, they decided that they would come to Noblesville in a few weeks.

I returned to Noblesville with Kendra after the funeral on Tuesday. That evening, Kendra put Lexi in the "little red wagon" to enjoy the evening air. She couldn't resist putting a couple of pigtails in Lexi's hair. She looked adorable but didn't keep them in very long.

The Gera family arrived from Gainsville, FL for a 10 day visit with Kendra and family. Their families take turns visiting each other due to a long friendship. They are a wonderful family, easy to have around and great fun to be with. With Paula and Ron living only 8 houses away from Kendra, Paula's is the place where the real action takes place. They have the pool, hot tub and large home even though Kendra and Jason also have lake access. Paula is just the outstanding entertainer and we all take advantage of it. She also loves having everyone there. I caught Ron and Alexis having a little fun time together in the middle of all the excitement.


With the Gera's at Kendra's house, Tom and I spent Thursday through Sunday at Bowmans. On the morning of the 4th, Paula, Ron, Tom and I went out on Ron's boat to enjoy the gorgeous weather. We saw several large pieces of wood in the water but one especially got our attention and we worried about any boats or skiiers that might hit it so Tom and Ron hauled it in with the help of a rope (Cowboy Tom). We couldn't believe the size of the log and we put it up on land hoping that we had done our duty to save the world from danger.

Here are two of the "little" Gera kids. Tricia is 10 and Eric is 6. Cameron is now old enough to drive but I couldn't capture him in a photo.

Blake loved having Tricia and Eric play pirates with him.

Nicholas is loving a teeny tiny cupcake with Deb Gera looking on from the pool.

Alexis was soooo happy in her baby pool. She thought it was the best bath she had ever had.

Deb's mom, Diane and husband Matt rest at Paula's and Ron's.

Summer!

One of the most fun things about being a grandparent is getting to go to some of the kids activities. Nicholas had several games rained out but we got to watch a couple of games. Alexis loved cheering him on.

These are my two most favorite boys in all the world. Blake (5) is on the left and Nicholas (6) is on the right. Note that Nicky's two front teeth are starting to appear.

Their family left today for a weeks vacation in Tennessee so I had to put their pictures in my blog because I am really missing them. Tom and I haven't seen them in a while so I look at pictures a lot!

Lexi loves her brothers more than anything. She loves that they kiss on her, play with her and now...read to her!

Tom and I took a "daytrip" to Chicago on the South Shore. We drive part way, catch the train, walk around and window shop until we get tired and then catch a train home. We chose a perfect weather day.



We walked to Navy Pier and saw the pirates. Of course we thought of Blake!!!

What a beautiful city!

This week, Layla (on the right) and I went to "Grandparent and Me" camp in Leesburg, IN. It is held at Camp Barbee where Kendra and Brent went to church camp when they were kids. It was held from Monday noon until Wednesday noon...perfect amount of time for a beginning camper. The kids had to be from Kindergarten to 3rd grade. On the left is Sarah (granddaughter of Penny Youngman who told me about the camp). It was such fun getting to go their together and be in the cabin together.

Layla and Sarah had such a good time together.
They didn't meet each other until a few few minutes before leaving for camp. They will love getting together whenever Sarah comes from Kentucky to visit her grandparents. They were making plans to get together before they got home from camp.

Camp was a great experience. It was fun just being together!

Yesterday, Layla and Marley came to our house since Elizabeth had the day shift being with her dad. Elizabeth is trying to spend as much time with him as she possibly can. This is a very difficult time for the family.

The girls ran through the sprinkler (well...Layla did) and loved watering the flowers. Of course last night were terrible storms here but I know those flowers didn't mind the extra water.

Two of my precious girls!

The Merry Month of May!

I can't begin to remember all of the "May" events. It is the month that I make more birthday and anniversary cards (with a couple of extras thrown in for good measure) than any other month. By the time that we celebrated Tom's 66th birthday on May 15, I had already created 4 and it was only the beginning. Kendra decided that 66 candles on one cake was too many. Good thinking!

I can't believe that Layla and Nicholas (below) are now Kindergarten graduates! It has been so much fun watching them learn to read and write, make new friends and begin their educational journey. Above, Layla says goodbye to Mrs. Smith. She was fortunate to have Carolyn (our good friend for many years) as her teacher.

Nicholas loved Miss Gray. We had a chance to visit his classroom on Grandparent's day and on the day of his "Kindy 500". We are soooo proud of Nicky!

Then it was Layla and Marley's turn to have birthdays. Layla turned 6 on May 27th and Marley (below) turned 3 on May 22nd. Does life get any better than on a birthday?

Here are just a few pictures of my sweet little Noblesville grandkids. Nicky was reading to Lexi and Blake was entertaining her with her toys. They are such wonderful kids.

I love this picture of Blake. He just makes me smile!

Hi sweet Alexis! Are you singing to PopPop? You are so much fun!

One Year Ago...

It was one year ago that I learned that I had bladder cancer. I've had 3 surgeries to remove 12 TTT's (teeny tiny tumors) in 12 months......3 tumors every 3 months. But thank you God that they are contained INside the bladder and Dr. Fretz "looks after them". Some people get a tumor never to have another. Then there is me! But no complaints...just graditude that they are being taken care of.

Now!!! This morning I'm heading back to New Directions at EGH. Enough with the excuses! This 13 pound weight gain WILL come back off. I am out of control with my compulsive eating and I need help again. THERE! I said it! I need AA....no...CEA (Compulsive Eating Anonymous)!!! I felt like Pioneer Woman with my Memorial Day cooking but that is over now. No more! Done! Nada! Pray for me!

Not Indy 500.....But "Kindy-500"!!!

Nicholas is nearing completion of his Kindergarten year. Just 3 more days and he is a 1st grader!!! But today was a thrill! We got to attend his "Kindy-500" where every Kindergartener got to ride a big-wheel and race against each other. Doesn't cost anything but certainly proved entertaining! Tom, Mommy, Blake, Alexis, Aunt Paula and I (Daddy is travelling to Georgia) were spotted in the crowd. See that sweet face in the center? He's waving at me and waiting his turn. Get ready...set....go!

It was well organized and they raced 4 kids against each other and then when all had had a turn, they raced the winners of each race against each other.

It's finally Nicky's turn! He's ready!!!

Blake is ready to cheer his brother on next to neighbor and friend, Alex and her brother Jackson.

After each child finished his/her turn, they could visit different stations...face painting...

.......flag making..................

..............tattoos.....................

................ and race car snacks.

Then, any dads that wanted to could race. It was hysterical.

The moms get to try it next with their own kids giving them a push.

And then the best part.................the teachers could take a turn!

This is Mrs. Miller (above). Below you see how much Nicholas loves his teacher, Miss Gray who will soon be Mrs. Perdue.

Look at this sad face! My heart was so sad for Nicky for a few minutes. He had waited for sooooo long at the face painting station and then all the kids were called to take a seat to announce the winner of the race. So, after all that waiting he sat...with never a complaint. After the announcement, he returned to the station (starting again at the back of the line) and waited and waited and waited. He finally got to be "in the seat" and the lady doing the painting had to leave!!! Heart break, but............

...........Mommy to the rescue. He just wanted a simple Colts horseshoe. Blake looks on and decides...........

...he will get one too since his mommy is doing the painting.

Lexi was a her usual sweet, happy little self during the race. She is sad though that she doesn't get a Colts emblem on her cheek but maybe next year. She didn't fuss about it though. Bless her heart!