The Love of a Family is Life's Greatest Blessing

What a sweet face!

Soph and me practicing the self-portrait

Me and my buddy, John

John and Jen



Me and Jen
me and my hot hubby

Buddies

Sharing a soda at DQ

Sam and John had such a good time hanging out while the Benefields were here. Sam could not get enough of him. They got along so well. I think they might have had a couple of little spats, but they were quickly resolved. Sam said just the other day that he wishes John could move his house here. He's missin' his cousin!

Seeger Turns 4

Seeger turned 4 August 8th and his party was on August 14th. We had mostly family and our friends the Jeffersons. Seeger is in love with their little girl, Emma. He had lots of fun and got some great gifts that he loved. Thanks everybody for making it so special!

First Day of School

The 3 oldest kids started school on August 12. Sydney is in 5th grade, Sophie is a 3rd grader, and Sam started kindergarten this year. They were super excited about going back to school. Sam thought he was so grown up since he got to wear a uniform like the big kids for the first time. They had a great first day.
Sam after school. He looks pretty happy. He must have liked it!

Girls Night Out

We took the girls school shopping one afternoon for school supplies, shoes, clothes and other necessities. We had dinner together at O'Charleys where kids eat free all the time. Gotta love that place. It was fun, but tiring. The girls just enjoyed being together!

Fun at the Pool

Jen and I took the kids to a local water park 2 of the days they were here. The first day, we didn't even get in because a storm was moving in fast and thunder cleared everyone from the pool. The kids were pretty disappointed. The second time, the weather was perfect and the kids had a blast. They didn't want to leave! A shot of all the kids before heading home.
What a beautiful smile, even with all that metal in there.
Another great smile!
One more left!
Such a ham.

Summer Vacation

Our summer vacation was at a beautiful lake on the Arkansas/Missouri border called Bull Shoals Lake. We rented a 1700 square foot cabin out in the middle of the woods, right on the lake. Eddie's family let us take their boat with us. Thanks guys! We were joined by great friends from church, the Jeffersons. They stayed with us for 3 nights. We had 2 nights by ourselves and then a wonderful surprise ending. Jen, Christine, and John were waiting in our cabin one afternoon when we came in from the lake. We were expecting my mom and dad, but not our family from Japan until we got home. They finished out our vacation with us. We tubed and boated everyday, all day. It was nice, but a little too much work to be called a true vacation. We had to cook all our meals and do all the dishes after every meal. No restaurants and no dishwasher. The kids and I decided that the beach is better!Sunset from our balconey
Sam, Syd, and John

Syd and Chris Paw Paw with the boysJohn and Sam waiting for some actionSophie and Tavie JeffersonTavie had a birthday while she was thereSeeger 2 days into the tripEddie and meFun on the tubesSyd and ChrisPaw Paw took a turn at tubing. He was the comic relief just watching him try to get on the tube and back in the boat!Seeger the first day on the boat. He was petrified. He did not enjoy it until halfway through the 2nd day.Eddie with the kids. Look how clear the water is.Our last day, just before heading home.