Gavin's 7th Birthday!

Pokemon Birthday party for Gavin. He and Garrett are so into collecting those cards right now. I surprised Gavin with this cake when he got home from school. I told him that I hadn't had any time to make a cake or wrap any presents for him.....but when he cam into the kitchen he realized I had tricked him! We let him open all his gifts so he could play with them since he had school the following day. He loved everything! and said that this was the best birthday ever. It was fun to have Les, Christy and the kids with us to celebrate.
What a cute group of kids!
This light saber was on his "wish list". Can't say that he liked it too much though, lol.
My baby is a 1st grader!!! Rich took Gavin shopping today and bought him a real bike, no training wheels!

Jessica's 15th Birthday!

Jessica is 15!!! Wow, does this make me feel a tad older? Yes! We had so much fun having the Miller's here with us and to celebrate both Jessica and Gavin's birthdays while they were here was great. I got creative and did a beach theme cake for Jessica's party. The little umbrellas were a hit with all the kids.
Amanda, Jessica and Meghan.
These girls have been friends since infancy.
Thank goodness for having 2 tables in the house, one for the kids and one for the adults, perfect!

Summer

Summer is going by so fast and we are already into back-to-school shopping and registering the kids for the new school year. I have been so busy with Rich home and trying to keep up with laundry and getting dinner on the table. Having Rich home has been so great! He just wants to do everything at once, things we take for granted every day like going to the store and being able to wear shorts! I have missed blogging so enjoy the many posts I have made today! The pic is by Jess, she took a couple flowers from my basket Dad and Mom Pendleton sent me for my Birthday, I thought they were pretty. We are doing really good here and getting so excited for Les and Christy to come with their kids next Wednesday for 2 weeks to spend with us. We have a fun week long vacation planned to go to VA to Busch Gardens and make a trip to Myrtle Beach. Just want to say that we miss you all and HOPE to come this fall for a visit per Rich's schooling dates allowing. XOXO

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Warning....not for the Squeamish

Okay, so here is my fun Chip story...... a couple of months after we moved here to NC in 06' Chip started having a lot of tummy problems including horrible and unpredictable diarrhea. I have had him in the vet many times, each telling me he had IBS ( irritable bowels syndrome).Finally after seeing the new vet and going through 2 rounds of antibiotics in the last 3 weeks, the vet said lets do x-rays and blood work. They sedated him for the procedures because he has become quite the mean and unhappy doggie. The vet came and got me, brought me to the x-ray and said "we have a big problem" and showed me all this "stuff" in his intestines and asked me what I thought he had ingested. It looked like dental floss to me and fishing line to Rich. The vet told us he needed surgery to get it out of course and so we decided that we needed to take care of our little honry Chip. I took him in yesterday for his surgery and the vet finally called me in the afternoon telling me Chip did well and that she took out a LOT of PARACHUTE STRING and a few hair ties!!!!!!! I can't even tell you when he ate the stuff and how long it had been in there but she was surprised that he hadn't been sicker or even died! Me too! I feel so bad that he has been suffering for so long! So he has a nice 6 inch incision on his tummy and lost 1 lb!!!! Yes! it weighed 1 lb.!!! So, we will be super careful from now on that Chip does not get into anything he shouldn't. So, for those who have pets......hopefully my story will make you aware and you won't have the same experience. Those who don't have pets.......what an expensive responsibility! Oh yes and the total with the surgery , x-rays, blood work and last 2 visits comes to a grand total of $1500.00.
This is a GALLON size bag!!!! The bag weighs 1 lb. Gross and amazing!

More Pool Time

Oh my Gavin!!!! He is always making me laugh. He says the cutest things and makes the funniest poses. Rich bought the boys goggles for swimming and they love them, they just don't make a person too attractive, lol. Please take note of Garrett's head in the background, Gavin is catching up to him!

Is Garrett a mirror image of his Dad or what?

Wrestlemania!!!

This is what happens just about every day Rich comes home, the boys get all excited and jump on Rich and wrestle.

Rich always wins!

Jan's Birthday

I had a nice Birthday with family and friends Ron, Kari and Vincent. The kids decorated cupcakes for me per my request.
Cheese!
Ya, this is me stunned with a fabulous 4 hour "Queen for the Day" spa treatment that Rich and the kids suprised me with! Also, I have a fab Nine and Co. purse in my lap that Jessica and Rich picked out.....love it! My bestest gift I asked for was Rich to be home by my birthday, who says a girl can't have everything? Rich cooked dinner~steaks on the grill, yum. I got some really nice things from everyone....Thanks! XO

Swimming with Rich

The boys had the pool to themselves this day! Rich had a hard time keeping up with Gavin constantly jumping in and showing off his swimming skills.
Garrrett showing off his cannon ball.
Rich showing the boys how to do a BIG cannon ball! I had to put rubbing alcohol in his ears to get the water out, Rich said it is my magic trick.
My handsome boys!Time to go home! I just love the trees here, I just love summer green.

A nice Breakfast

I made from scratch biscuits and gravy for everyone the first Saturday after Rich came home. Good stuff. I like cooking again for my hubby.