This Week

This week for teacher appreciation we had Lucy paint a pot and plant a flower in it to give to her teacher. She was really excited to make a gift to take to her. Her teacher loved it and was very thankful.

Just a random picture of Garrett laying around playing.

Last night JJ needed to go help with mutual at church so I dropped him off and took the kids to the playground. I was worried they might be a little young to play on this playground but they weren't. They are such climbers and they loved playing here, we will have to back . Lucy enjoyed learning some new things and just being able to climb all over the place.

Garrett just wanted to follow Lucy and he did pretty good, I was impressed with his climbing skills.

After the play ground we went to a new frozen yogurt place that just opened. Gracie Blue, and it was very yummy. It is self serve and you get how ever much you want and top it with whatever you want and then you pay depending on how much it weighs. It was really yummy and Lucy had fun picking out her own stuff.

Also this week I came down with a bad allergic reaction in my eyes. It started over the weekend and by Monday afternoon it was just getting worse. JJ was able to bring me home some drops but they didn't seem to work. I woke up Tuesday with my eyes almost swollen shut and JJ got me the first appointment he could Tuesday morning. The Dr. thinks I got something in my eye that caused such a serious reaction. They put me on a steroid drop that seems to be working great. My eyes are still a little puffy, but I think I mostly just look tired. Hopefully they will be back to normal soon.

Also this week JJ was able to complete his last final ever!! That is unless he ever decides to go back and get his MBA, which is possible. He is so excited to be done and be moving on. He also found out he passed part 1 of Boards, way to go! He sure put in a lot of work and time studying for that and we are so proud of him for passing and getting a great score! He also completed and won a scholarship assignment and we were very thankful to receive the money for that this week. He put in some hard work on that and we are proud of him for winning. I think he is pretty proud of himself and also glad to be moving toward his goals in life. It is exciting to see something you have been working so hard for is just getting closer and closer.

Spring Family Pictures

We had the Sullengers take our pictures last weekend and I love them all! We wanted to make sure to have them done before they left and before it got to hot. I am glad we got them done when we did because even taking them it was pretty hot and humid--I am glad we don't look like it was hot and humid! I love them all and I can't wait until my prints come in the mail so I can update all my frames. Thanks Sullengers!

2nd Annual Wiener Roast

Saturday afternoon we hosted along with the Sullengers our 2nd Annual Wiener Roast. We provided hot dogs and buns for everyone and then we had everyone help bring the rest. We had a great turn out and it is always great to get together with our friends. We had it down at Lake Arkabutla, same place as last year. This year we had it a month earlier since last year it was so hot and humid on that day. Well this year we got a little rain, but it ended up being nice because it was cooler and we weren't dripping sweat. With the water on the rise they had the whole park closed except this one little picnic area. Cara called on Friday and spoke with a lady who told her the lake water was high but everything else was open, kind of a bummer to get there and see the whole park and playground area was closed. Just as we were eating, mostly done, it started to rain. At first it was just a sprinkle but then it picked up a little. It lasted only a few minutes and then things cleared off. We stuck it out under a few big trees and some umbrellas. It was just a light rain, no thunder and no lightening. After it stopped things cleared off and we had a great time finishing eating, playing games and visiting with our friends. With no playground the kids did a great job just wondering around the grass and using their imaginations to play with each other. Oh well it rained on us a little and we weren't able to get the ideal location, it ended up being a great activity even with a few things that could have ruined the whole event. We are sad that the Sullengers are leaving this summer--who wants to help me host next year??

The Sullengers

Our table, us the Heiners and the Bullards
Jackmans, Lamberts and Livingstons
Bibo and Wiess Family
Fishers and Watt's
Pierce Family

Butterfields, Chatwins and Christensens

Jenkins, Winters, Nevers, Pauls and Bibo
Shurts Family

Winters Family

The kids enjoying the umbrella fun

I know I didn't get a picture of a few people--I tried to get everyone that came! Thanks so much for coming and helping with bringing something, we had a fun time seeing and visiting with everyone.

Riverwalk

Yesterday we headed up to Mud Island to go to the river walk and check out the mighty Mississippi River which is on the rise due to the amount of rain we have gotten here. It is only going to get worse with rain in the forecast for the next couple of days. It was so high, we have never seen it so high!

We brought some toy boats and had fun floating them down the river. They had a couple of races which were fun and they even had to help their boats a few times when they would get away from the stronger currents.