Family

The girls and I just got back from visiting with my family in Illinois, Iowa, & Minnesota.... sigh ... sigh....sigh.... It was a great week of catching up with my peeps! We were able to see my Mom, Bob, Dad, Grandma Rita, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Gary, Cecelia, Aunt Candy, Jimmy, Chris, Abby, & Connor. The last three aren't family yet but will be on August 8th, Chris and Aunt Candy are getting married at the same church my grandparents got married many years ago. (good vibes) There was still family that I didn't get to see and I'm sad we missed them... My cousin Anna, Uncle Denny & all of my cousins on my mom's side of the family. It was hard to give everyone the time they deserved b/c there was just to much to do in such little time. We were spread very thin and we were exhausted by the end of the week. I hope all of you that have family around don't take it for granted. You are blessed.

This past week made me realize a few things..........

• People get older
• Your childhood house seems smaller than it did as a child
• The playground that you used to play on is smaller than it used to be
• My mom's hugs are the best
• Pizza @ Mama Nic's is still the best
• The hill you rode your bike down really isn't that big
• I still feel like a little girl in my grandmothers house
• My grandmother is very opinionated but I love her
• I don't like to travel w/out Darren ( I actually already knew this one)
• It's hard to please everyone
• When I'm with my family I am happy
• Saying goodbye sucks and makes me cry
• Coming home is AWESOME!!!!!!

This past week was a little tough for me..... it was really an emotional roller coaster. I was so happy to see my family and spend time with them but with all that comes the realization that people get older and you never know how much time you have left with them. So with all that said enjoy your family and let them know how much they mean to you!!!!! I did!!!!!

This is a picture of the girls with their Great Grandma Rita

This is my little cousin Jimmy (he is not so little anymore....)
We were able to go see a play( melodrama) he was in! It was so fun and Reagan
thought it was the best thing she had ever seen!!! Well done Jimmy!!!!

This is a picture of my Aunt Candy and her soon to be Chris....
He is a great guy, I'm so happy for her!!
She deserves all the happiness in the world!
We were sitting by a camp fire thats why the picture is so smoky.

This is a picture of Chris's children with the girls .... Abby 11 Connor 8 ~
The kids got along great and we can't wait to see them all again!!!

We went to the zoo in Moline and Bob took the girls into the reptile building and mom and I stayed outside and I saw our reflection and took this picture!!! I love it!!

I really liked the reflection pictures! This is Bob with the girls!!

This is a picture of my dad with the girls at the park.

I had a great time with all of you! Thank you for a great week! We
miss you all already and can't wait to see you again!!