I cannot WAIT for 2010!!

Life has been WILD. Pete has been over the road it seems like more then he's been home. While it's hard to have him gone, we are very thankful for the work! He has also been able to see some new places like Canada, Texas and South Carolina. He had a chance to go to Denver yesterday but we passed it up because.... I NEEDED HIM HOME!

I had to have my appendix removed on Christmas Eve. Yes.. more drama to add on to 2009. The baby is ok and I am feeling much better so we have alot to be thankful for. However, I haven't been able to have much pain control because of the pregnancy and I am not able to lift anything over 10lbs or drive. Being the mom of a 1 1/2 year old requires alot of lifting so I've been relying ALOT on family and friends.

The baby has been kicking like crazy and is constantly reminding me that it's still doing good. One out of four babies do not survive the surgery so we are constantly thankful to have this baby in our lives still. Pete came home from South Carolina at 3:30am and took me to the ER at 4:30 am and I was out of surgery at 2pm... so it was a wild Christmas Eve for us!! I came home from the hospital on Christmas and we've been staying with my mom and dad since. Pete has been wonderful. I do not have the words to explain his love for me and my love for him...and how thankful I am to have a husband who shows it to me even when I'm tired, in pain and so very emotional. I am crying all the time, lol.

We are planning on going to WI this weekend for our Christmas with his family.... but I am praying that it's not too much. I am telling myself I'll take it easy, so hopefully I will!! We are just planning on relaxing and giving my parent's a break :) Our plan is to be back to normal on Monday, which will be 10 days after the surgery. I have a doctor's appointment and I will also be able to drive and lift Makenzie again.

That is one of the MANY reasons I cannot WAIT for 2010!!!!

I'M PREGNANT!

I am so happy I can shout it outloud! We are expecting another baby June 10th, 2009. We are sooooo very happy and thankful. I have been sick, tired and crabby but all that is starting to go away now that I am in my 2nd trimester. PRAISE GOD!

Timmy's Latest Visit :)

I love seeing him but it makes me miss him so much more!!! While he was here we celebrated his 4th Birthday, went to the condo in WI to go swimming and see my in-laws, took cousin pictures at JCPenny's, went to the Shedd, went to Catom, and did a few projects/crafts. Makenzie got really sick while he was here so I didn't get to take as many pictures as I would have liked to. HOWEVER, we made the best memories with the two little ones I love so so much. Here are some of the shots I did get...

So much to be thankful for!!

Oh how I love the holidays. It just makes me happy... thinking about the REAL reasons that we have to celebrate. We have a lot to be thankful for and I am keeping that my focus during Thanksgiving. We thank God for our health, our families, our own little family, a roof over our heads, jobs that provide and we enjoy, and mostly for His love and the faith that we have in Him.

THEN, when Christmas rolls around we are making our focus Jesus and not just the food, gifts and fun. Sure, those are all wonderful things... but I don't want to forget what needs to be our focus. There are so many traditions that I really look forward to and we have most planned out which makes me VERY happy!! The Jensens are going to join our yearly downtown day, my dad & I will make the turkey and homemade stuffing for Thanksgiving, we will then go to the Jensens for their dinner, THEN (a new thing)... we are going to SUNDARA overnight to celebrate Lily's graduation, for Christmas we are making Christmas cookies, we have a gift wrapping day to look forward to, cutting down the tree and decorating, decorating the house, taking our Christmas picture... and so much more. It will be fun but it will be refreshing to keep all of it in perspective. While I look forward to these times, I need to keep my eyes on the fact that the picture is SO much bigger then this all.

PS: I'll post about Timmy's trip here soon!!

Enjoying the Fall

The weather is unseasonably cold here, but it is a nice chance to slow down a bit. I am feeling unlike myself in the way that I would rather relax then get something done... but I'm enjoying the freedom from clean floors, organized pictures and all the toys being picked up each night. I don't know how long my little break from my obsessive desire to have everything under control... but I will enjoy it while it lasts! It is nice to enjoy the small things and appreciate that Makenzie is changing every day. I know when I get older and it's just me and Pete at home, I won't think "I wish that the windows would have been cleaner" but rather "I wish I would have spent more time playing." SO, hopefully I have finally got that through my thick skull.

God has been teaching me alot in the last few weeks. After being audited by the IRS for several months, we received word that the audit was over with no penalties and fines. I wasn't worried that we did anything illegal but just stressed over the amount of work it was to provide the auditor with what he needed. Also, you just never know what they are looking for. It is a huge relief to have that over. It is crazy to me that we were audited by the IDOT and IRS in the same year (both things are huge fears for most trucking companies) and that we survived them both without any fines. Praise the Lord. It was also helpful from a spiritual perspective because all my anxiety and fears had to be prayed over and worked through, thankfully with the help of a loving God who desires for us to lay our worries on His back and trust that He is faithful.

Pete is good. He is happy to be in an 18 wheeler more and has even done more road work. Last week he went to AL on the 18 wheeler and loved it. He likes the freedom and the excitement... and I am just thankful he is working! He just spent a day paint balling with Collin, Russ, Brad & Luke. It sounded like they had a great time!! If I get my hands on some of the pictures that Collin took, I'll post them! Since he was gone from 4:30am to 8:00pm, Makenzie and I decided to get out of the house and do some visiting ourselves. We went to breakfast with Rachel and then over to her & Neal's new house to visit before we made our way over to Michelle's house to spend the rest of the day. Mich was dog sitting and Mak LOVED the dog. I really wish we could get a dog for her, but with all of our crazy plans for the future and how much we enjoy throwing everything into the car and heading up north... it just doesn't seem to be the right time. She is learning how to use the "big girl potty" and is so proud of herself. I had no idea how much work an 18 month old is... but I guess it's just one of those things that everyone else laughs when you mention it!

Sweet Home Alabama... where the sky is so blue.

We just got home from a week in the South! We couldn't have asked for a better vacation. The kids did wonderful and played together like they didn't go a day without each other. I am so thankful that we have been able to see Timmy Lee every few months. I am sure it will not always be this way... but I will enjoy it while it is!! The Adams family are always so welcoming and the weather was perfect. I am so thankful for my family, especially for my sweet sweet nephew.

Forgetting Normal

So, I realized that once you figure a child out they change. You can put them on a schedule, find their favorite food, and solve the little problems that are so important to them... and then they realize they don't like the nap right after lunch, they are sick of yogurt and they want to drink root beer. Yes, I said it. Makenzie loves root beer. We don't give it to her often but it makes her day when she can sit on the patio in the lounge chair with an open mouth cup filled an 8th of the way with root beer. I was NOT ready for her to get this old this fast. My baby is now a child who knows what she wants and is starting to use her words to make herself very clear. When words don't work... squeals (that sound like the pot belly pig I had as a pet) will do just fine to get everyones attention.

She started swim lessons last week and we signed her up for gymnastics for the next term. AH. So much fun but so scary at the same time. Pete just said he can't wait to take her to movies. I personally miss the little burrito I took home from the hospital. So little for such a short amount of time.

We leave this weekend to visit Timmy Lee & Timmy Ray. I am VERY happy that Pete is able to come with us. He was busy last week with work but didn't get dispatched today and the owners of the company (aka my mom and dad) decided that life is too short to leave behind Timmy's beloved Uncle Pete. Sometimes working with family is hard but sometimes it rocks. If Pete's truck is busy while we are gone...whatever. We'll make up for it one way or another.

Life has been a little rough around the Jensen home, some of you know the full extent of it, some of you are still thinking that life is peachy... as most of the facebook world leads everyone to believe. Either way, God is good. He knows what He is doing and the verse that has gotten be through the last few weeks states "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." You would think that I would have realized by now that I'm not in control of my life.... but I'm still working on understanding that God is in control and that means I am safe and secure in His plan. I don't need to worry or stress or make things more complicated then they need to be. I just need to trust Him. There is a joy and peace that comes from following Him and walking in blind faith and it makes me mad at myself that I find those feelings when I am at my lowest. I guess it takes good times and bad times to show a person who they really are...and I'm still trying to figure myself out, lol.

Enough blabbing... I have to put away laundry and go kiss my baby goodnight.

Going Going Going...

Since it is the last month of summer we are taking advantage of every day!! I know that we will soon be stuck inside the house with a crazy toddler so we're enjoying the great outdoors while it lasts.

We had a fun weekend up North with Chris, Anne & Audrey. It was fun to catch up with them since our lives always seem to be on the same track as theirs!! It feels good to air out the reality of marriage and parenthood with family who understands, encourages, and laughs along!! We boated, beached, the boys fished and the girls talked talked talked. Jeff & Char watched the girls so we could get away for a dinner one night, which is always a blessing! We had a great breakfast on Monday at a local buffet before heading home. Pete didn't have to work so we enjoyed the long weekend and wonderful weather. It did rain but it waited until we were done boating and the girls were napping! Makenzie enjoyed Audrey and it was fun to have a baby around again!!

My mom & I headed back up North only a few days later to enjoy a LOOONG weekend doing things we always talk about doing! Makenzie LOVED the deer park and enjoyed Story Book Gardens too! She has no fear of animals and loves to feed them. My dad flew in on Friday and Makeznie was in heaven crawling all over the plane and pretending to fly. Pete came up after work on Friday and was able to stay until early this morning. We spent alot of time with his family and really got to relax. My favorite part was s'mores on the beach at night when all the other boaters were on the road heading home. We are truly blessed to have the condo. It is a place to go to focus on family and forget all the little things that seem so stressful in the moment.

Mak & I are going to pack up again this week and head over to IN to visit our good friends Adam & Annette... and I can't forget Makenzie's boyfriend, Austin. I am really looking forward to some girl time and it's always great to watch the kids play! Thank the Lord for good friends. I only wished they lived closer and that Pete could come to... but someone has to bring home the bacon!

Pete has been doing good. He is loving every chance he gets to drive an 18-wheeler and he's doing a great job. I never thought that I would marry a truck driver (since I grew up knowing what that life brings) but it has worked out great so far. It's nice that he has a job he enjoys. This week has been slow but hopefully it will pick up again after the rain dries up. At least it gives us more time to work on projects!!

A verse that has been on my mind..

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It is important to remember the bad times to appreciate the good times ... but not dwell on what cannot be changed but rather focus our energy on appreciating the blessings God provides and appreciate the comfort that being a believer brings. It is also so easy for me to worry about how life can change in just one day or even one hour. That is why that verse puts me in my place. God is in control and I am so ready to surrender my fears to Him. I cannot control the future, as much as I try with my lists and all my plans, but I can choose to trust the One who is in control and take comfort in knowing that He does all things for good (even when it is impossible to understand sometimes.)

Not Much Going On...

Our Side Yard
My Little Flower Garden (Veggie garden coming next Spring!!)

Rachie looked so beautiful and happy!!

My crazy hair!

Yes, we've been like this for more than 10 years now.

I say that and laugh. I haven't blogged in a while because I am trying very hard to enjoy the warm weather and get outside as much as possible. I know that the cold weather will be here soon but I'm praying for a warm August/September. We got a fence last week and I LOVE it. Makenzie and I spend alot of time outside in the flower garden now. She loves to run around and have no limitations and no one chasing her! Praise the Lord that we stayed here because it is just perfect for right now.

We are hacking away at our project list which has included: the amazing fence, a kids pool (I'm picking up on my way to WI tonight thanks to criagslist!!) getting a hutch and TV for our living room (we only had TV in the finished basement and I admit that a little baby Einstein goes a long way when I'm trying to cook dinner or empty groceries from the car!), fix up my old toy box for Makenzie's room, get a little play kitchen for Kenzie in our kitchen, clean out our master closet, update the version of accounting software I use for all the companies, etc. This next week I'm going to work on child locks in the upstairs bathrooms (so I can actually keep stuff under the sinks), transplant a tree that was on our lot line and is now getting a beating from the fence, we really want to clean out our storage in the basement to move our treadmill from my mom & dad's down there, and maybe work on some more closets. The more we do the more I feel a peace about staying here!!

Rachels & Neals wedding was last weekend. Beth & I had a great time getting ready for the day. It was a treat to get my hair & makeup done but it was a little much for me. Makenzie didn't even know who I was, lol! Oh well. I always thought I would never be the mom who took 20min to get ready but there is a freedom it not being wrapped up in how you look. Pete & I were able to dance alot at the reception because my amazing mom & dad took Makenzie home for us. They had her most of the weekend for us with all the wedding activities.

Pete has been buys at work. He loves it. Me.... not so much. I know a man loves to provide for his family so I get why having a lot of hours excites him. It gives us more financial freedom... but I miss him. I try not to complain about work since it comes and goes but I will admit that I have been spoiled with how much he's been home this year!! He worked 21 hours one day and other than sleeping in the same bed for 3 hours I didn't see him for two days!! At least we have all weekend together. He thought he would be off work by now but moves keep coming in. Praise the Lord for work and I'm working on my attitude, lol.

I have an AMAZING husband.

Everyone who knows Pete loves him... it's hard not to. HOWEVER, I live with the man and I of course tend to get frustrated over the little silly things that really should not matter. SO, I was reminded this weekend of how special of a guy he is.

We were driving on 90 heading North to Wisconsin through some rain. I was driving and complaining that my butt hurt and that the stop and go was making me feel sick... and Pete said, "I don't know what to do to make it better. I've offered to drive but you won't let me... so other then staying at Sundara tonight I don't think there's much more I can do to put you in a better mood." I thought he was joking... I was being crabby and I knew it. After not believing him for about 3 minutes I realized he really booked the night!! I was SHOCKED. Pete has never done anything like this before. We dropped Makenzie off at his mom & dad's house and went to the hotel at 4ish. After checking out the amazing room and view we went out to dinner... just the two of us. AMAZING. I love real conversation and remembering all the things that we've been through over the last three years of marriage and our five years of being together that has brought us to love each other more then I even understood when we said our vows. I don't pretend that life is perfect... we have plenty of bad days... but this was not one of them!!! We then went back to sit in the hot tub and relax. We woke up to eat a wonderful breakfast on our balcony and then suntanned in the morning, worked out, suntanned some more and even took a little nap in between dips in the pool. It was AMAZING. I don't even have words for how relaxed I was.

We have had a tough hand dealt to us over the past 1 1/2 but one positive of the whole experience is that our relationship dove to a new depth that I think would have taken 20+ years to have reached if it wasn't for me realizing how much I need Pete. I am an independent girl and I tend to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders without asking for help but I wasn't able to be that girl for a long time. I can see that we are starting a new chapter to life and I feel like it is going to be good. God is my rock and my strength but Pete has been everything that God knew I needed him to be.

The Simple Woman's Daybook...

FOR TODAY July 22nd

Outside my window...rain falling onto the pond and a flower I planted in memory of my sister.

I am thinking...I cannot wait for Pete to come home!!

I am thankful for... my sweet baby, coupons, and rainy days.
From the kitchen... Mexican casserole for dinner with rice and a salad.

I am wearing... tank top and sweat pants.

I am creating... thank you cards for some wonderful presents I got for my birthday!!

I am going... to Kohls or Bed Bath & Beyond (with coupons!!) to pick out shower curtains and rugs for our master and guest bathroom after Makenzie wakes up.

I am reading... I wish I had time to read today!!

I am hoping... that I can clean the main floor of the house tonight after Makenzie goes to bed.

I am hearing... the rain.

Around the house... paperwork that needs to be sorted, cleaning supplies left out from last night, and a sleepy cat.

One of my favorite things... having the windows open on a rainy day.

A few plans for the rest of the week: finish cleaning, get bedding ready for Annette to come (YAY), pick out paint color for our upstairs hall/landing, drive to Beloit to buy a play kitchen for Makenzie that I found on craigslist.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/ (to see the creator's blog of this blog concept)

Amish Day & A Lesson Learned

Not everyone will think this is as exciting as I did... but trust me... it was ALOT of fun. For my birthday celebration my mom, mother in law, and sister in law all went to a town in WI (close to the condo) where the Amish had a small community. We spent the day going to bakery after bakery, shopping at their country store, and investigating as much as we possibly could!! The food was amazing... Pete made french toast with a loaf of their bread.. YUMMY. Their cinnamon buns were so big and delicious and I had a blast shopping at a wood working store that also sold crafts and other items. Char is great at asking questions without seeming intrusive and we talked to several people about their lives and businesses. I am going to learn how to make soy candles in the glass ball jars that we also use for canning. I bought two of them and LOVE the smell and look. I also bought a perennial for our garden in the back yard. It was a great day of talking, exploring and enjoying a taste of a world so far from our own. (Amy, we thought of you often... next time you need to come with!!)

Also, I have been realizing something that I find very intriguing. The more I think about what I want and focus on myself, the crabbier I seem to be. When I'm worried about helping someone or thinking of what I can do for someone else... I am content. I know that the Bible talks about selfishness alot for a reason and that is something I'm working on. Whenever I start to think "I need a break" or "I just can't keep up with everything on my plate" I stress and make myself so irritable. The pastor of the church we go to in WI spent this week on how important it is to give (not just money but our time, energy & our gifts) to God and to others. I am going to focus on this all week.

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another more important than himself; Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."

Going CRAZY.

We have had a FUN two weeks trying to fit everything fun into every moment we could. Between the condo in WI, Brookfield Zoo, Fontana Beach, Aunt Linda & Tim's house with Abbie, Alex, Katelyn, the pool at Grandma & Grandpa's, a fun BBQ with our friends & family, their new power wheel that they take all over the place... and probably other stuff I just can't remember... we all had a great time... but we are all starting to get tired. Today we just enjoyed a relaxing day at my mom's & dad's with a trip to McDonald's and to Cold Stone. Both kids are sleeping and we'll hopefully spend more time in the little pool and just playing before Timmy heads back to AL tomorrow afternoon.

While we are all sad that he is leaving tomorrow... we already started planning our next trip to see Timmy Lee and his family in AL!! My mom, dad, kenzie & I will spend a week down south in the end of September.

Also, to get me thinking about the next couple of days and not just tomorrow... we have a huge to-d0 list that we've been adding stuff to since we decided to keep the house. SO... Pete & I will keep busy with that soon!!! First, we are all heading up to WI for some time with Pete's family and to catch up on some sleep and hopefully relax on the beach. We couldn't have asked for a better time with the kids. They both did WONDERFUL!! I'm sure they will miss each other, but it won't be long until they can play again. I'm so thankful that we have the opportunity to travel to AL and that Timmy Ray is awesome and lets us take him back to IL!!!! (I'll post pictures soon but my camera is right next to a sleeping three year old and I'm not about to disturb him!!!)

Life Is Good

THIS NEEDS NO COMMENT...

EATING A DOUGHNUT!!! (Timmy Lee had one too!!)

SUCH A HAPPY BOY!!!

I DONT WANT TO KNOW WHAT SHE'S THINKING!!

Everyone has ups and downs in life, some bigger then others. I can hopefully say that I've been through one of the biggest downs that I could ever have imagined... which really really stunk... but now I can feel us getting back up. This does not mean I don't miss Tammy. I still want her back and I cannot wait to see her in Heaven. However, God taught us to have a new focus on this life to make every day count... to cherish the family we have, enjoy the friends who have been there through thick and thin, love each other more everyday (ok... we have our "crabby with each other" days too... but at least those are way less then the good days), appreciate the gift God gave us to raise and adore while she's growing and changing every day, and to just appreciate the small common things that we take for granted.

I don't want to be one of those people who make things seem perfect all the time because that is NOT life.. not anyones.. not mine. In my past blog I was honest when it hurt and I was real about how I was feeling. I'm hoping to do the same here, but I am confident that they will be more encoraging as time goes on!! Enjoy the pictures from the past couple days and if you're reading this, you are someone who loves me and who I love and I really appreciate you... especially if you are one of the people who prayed me out of a very hard time in my life.

God is good.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my nephew.

SOME PICTURES OF IL & WI FUN

THEY LOOK LIKE AN OLD COUPLE...

he even runs off the road because he's too busy looking at houses and people :)
THEIR NEW TOY

AT THE BARABOO PARK

THEY WERE SO HAPPY TO SEE EACH OTHER!!

OUR LITTLE HOME!!

We didn't know how Timmy Lee was going to handle coming back to IL for 2 weeks but he has been GREAT. He did wonderful on the plane ride and enjoyed the long weekend up at the condon in WI. We are now back in IL (all staying at my mom & dads so that the kids can be together from the time they wake up till they go "nigh nigh".) In WI we went boating, beaching, swimming at the pool (more like wrestling Pete on a tube while trying to squirt each other with a water gun), to the park, to a small zoo... pretty much anything a three year old boy would want to do in the Dells!! He has an adorable accent and eats like a champ. He LOVED the fireworks and thinks that WI is "very cool". I think we would all agree!!

He has also been very patient with Makenzie. She had been very crabby for about a week and on Saturday she was miserable!! She got a bad middle ear infection and Pete & I took her to the urgent care and later to the ER in the middle of the night. She was in so much pain that she wouldn't eat, drink or sleep and would just cry. SO, the ER doctor gave her tylenol with codien (sp?) and she was able to sleep about three hours at a time. Needless to say, all the adults got about 2 1/2 hours of sleep and Timmy slept for about 10!!! The screaming didn't bother him one bit. I was sad because I was not able to do everything with Timmy since I needed to take care of my little one and I felt like she was missing out on precious time with him... but considering how miserable she was I'm just happy that she is finally back to sleeping and eating today!!! I missed my little joy bug.

We have alot more planned before he goes home so stay tunned for more updates :)

PS. We did take the house off the market and I feel a total peace about it. I cannot wait to put our family pictures back on the walls and put up a fence. I'm not saying that we're going to put it on the market as soon as the economy picks up because then it will seem like a waiting thing rather then a real home sweet home thing. SOOO we are probably going to stay for another baby and then figure it out after that.

Change In Plans?

Well... I feel like someone or many people have been praying for me because God gave me a total change of heart. I was longing for peace and joy and contentment, but was not feeling any of those emotions all at one time or on a consistent basis. HOWEVER, I feel them all now, and I am very thankful and feel like it is close to a miracle. Thank you to all of those who have been praying for me. This is how it all started...

Friday I went up north with just Kenz. It was an easy trip up and we got there early morning. I was looking forward to some time to get unpacked and organized, but I was hit with the same emotion I felt when I was at home by myself. I wanted to sell our home because I felt horrible there... kind of a mix between depressed and moody. I realized that it is NOT the home, it is when I am by myself that I feel this way. Thankfully Pete's mom came over later in the afternoon and I had time to reflect with her and later with Pete. Once I realized this, I started re-thinking the whole house thing. We love our home, we love the layout, we love how the companies are set up already in the office, we love how it is organized and clean, we love the patio and the basement that Pete finished. What I do not like is how I feel when I am there alone. Also, I had a horrible experience bringing Makenzie home so I dreaded the thought of bringing more babies home there... but my mom said that it might be time for us to replace bad memories with good ones. I need to work through this because the feelings will not change no matter where I am. Pete is working longer hours now so it is only going to be more apparent, but I feel a huge peace in knowing that it is not the structure or the location but rather the loneliness and the time to think too much.

Pete & I are going to make a decision this weekend but we are leaning towards taking the house off the market. It would put us in a stable position financially, it would take away the stress of having to move, it would prevent us from taking a loss with the home and would force me to turn to God, family & friends in my times of being alone. I know I have a little one that should distract me, but that does not always work. She is a huge blessing but is not a band-aid in my emotional times.

So basically, I am actually feeling a peace in staying in our home. This is a miracle to me and I know that it is an answer to my own prayers and to the prayers of many others. I actually want to go take the for sale sign down and throw it away right now... but I know we have to think it through. Pete said he would like to stay in the home but understands why I would want to move... so he is supportive either way. He is seriously the best. I felt crazy when I told him I wanted to stay, but he just laughed and said "whatever makes you happy babe". I love the guy.

Fun with Good Friends

This is my first post on our new blog. I feel like I've turned a new page in life so I'm ready to start a fresh blog....(stay tuned for my next post)

Last weekend we went up to the Dells with our friends Adam & Annette and their son Austin who is exactly one year older then Makenzie. Annette is actually the person responsible for Pete & I meeting... so she is very special to us ;) We have gone through alot together and have built a bond that I know will last a lifetime. I know it sounds corny, but the country song "you find out who your friends are" is a song that makes me think of them. They have been amazing to us and have been such a support and have given us alot of encouragement during the hardest time of our life.

The kids had a great time playing and we all had a fun time catching up. We went boating Saturday morning and then put the kids down for a nap in the afternoon. The guys went out cruising in the boat and fixed the pontoon while we talked and relaxed until the kids woke up. We then went up to the strip to shop, look around and even take an "Old Time" picture. I'll have to scan it in soon for you all to see!! We then went back to the condo to grill out and put the kids to bed. Once the babies were sleeping the boys (including Jeb & Steiner) played poker while Annette & I soaked in the hot tub and caught up on girl stuff!! After boating & beaching again Sunday, they packed up to head back to IN in the late afternoon. Pete & I stayed until Monday AM when Pete then took off in his work truck to go do a couple of moves and I took off with Kenzie in the pickup truck to head back home.

We had a wonderful time with Adam, Annette & Austin and we CANNOT wait till we see them again soon.