Plenty of Peaches

Most people have heard of the Georgia Peach. But if you want my honest opinion, the Alabama peach tastes even better! They are delicious and in season from May through August. This past week, Jesse's parents visited some friends of theirs and came home with bags of peaches. I LOVE peaches, but when they're in such abundance, they go bad before you can eat them all! So I went into overdrive finding ways to use them up for later. The outcome: We had jars of peach freezer jam, a container of homemade peach ice cream, two loaves of peach bread (kind of like banana bread but with peaches instead), and two peach crisps. I threatened to make peach soup, but Jesse and Trent devoured the remainder of the peaches before I had the chance! Sweets don't stand a chance in our house. Both crisps are already gone!

Successful Surgery

Sue's surgery went really well! They were able to remove the tumor and surrounding lymph nodes and reconstruct the colon. She was in surgery about two hours and then she spent a few more hours in the recovery room. She still has the spots on her liver, but they looked around while they were in surgery and did not find anything new. She is now settled in her room. When we left the hospital, she was still groggy from the pain meds and anesthesia. She is resting and looks great. Everyone is encouraged as today went as well as we could have hoped.

Family Shots - Wedding Pics, Part III

One of the great things about weddings is that they bring a lot of family together. Our family is really spread out. We have people representing every region of the US and some in Europe too. Family came from the east, west and places in between to celebrate Dana and Chris's marriage.

Dana made such a gorgeous bride!

My brother's adorable family

Texas is HOT

One of the family tables - Poppy, Nanny, Aunt Vicki, Uncle Bob, Eric, Alicia, Lily

My handsome men and Grandma Sue

Surgery Day is Almost Here

My mother in law is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow morning (Wednesday). The plan is to remove the tumor that is in the colon and reconstruct the colon. Please be praying that all goes well. Also, remember you can follow her progress on her caring bridge site.

Bride and Groom - Wedding Pics, Part II

Ceremony in Progress

Mr. and Mrs.

First Dance

Dana and Chris with Mom and Dad R

Time for Cake!

Surviving Summer

It is SO hot this time of year. We just finished our hottest July on record and traditionally, August is even worse than July. Temperatures have been right around 100 for several weeks, heat indexes have brought it into the 105 - 110 degree range. I love summer. I really do. But in the deep south, real summer can start in May and go on well into September. And it's not a "dry heat," it is a sticky, humid, sweat sitting still heat.

To best describe it to my friends and family in the Midwest Tundra, it's comparable to the feeling you get midwinter when you are just plain tired of cold and snow and ready for spring (except here it's the opposite.) I'm looking forward to the day where I actually consider putting on a shirt with sleeves. The thought of wearing jeans almost makes me giddy!

We can't be couped up inside all summer long in the air conditioning. It would drive me (and Trent) absolutely nuts. So we still continue to go on walks, play outside, etc. Thankfully, my inlaws and the YMCA we belong to have pools. So at least a couple of times a week, we go swimming! And the pool season is Looong. Last year, I think my inlaws had their pool open April through October. So here's to surviving the rest of summer!

Examining

If you look closely, it's a 21 week baby bump!

Chatty

Floating with Daddy

Here Comes the Bride - Wedding Pics, Part I

Finally! I had to scan in pictures from the wedding. Having a toddler to chase after and being the matron of honor, I did not get the opportunity to take many pictures on the actual wedding day. But thankfully, relatives of mine did take some pictures of the beautiful day.

The lovely bride and her father

The best man and I escorting my lovely little niece

Flower Girl, ready for her closeup

Trent escorting the mother of the bride and the groom

TJ Close Up

Lily and Trent were opposites when it came time to walk down the aisle. As we were waiting to walk down, Trent was contently hanging out with Grandma. Once he started walking down the aisle, he was less than thrilled with the situation (as evidenced by him trying to sit down in the picture). Lily was coming apart inside. The best man was holding my bouquet and Lily's basket until we were inches from walking down the aisle because I was trying to manhandle my rambunctious niece. Once she saw all eyes were on her, she was absolute angel walking down the aisle. You just never know how they're going to behave in a wedding!