Camping and Jamming

Every July my family has a reunion in the mountains. It's pretty intense with lots of 4-wheelers and dirt bikes. It used to be that almost everyone did tenting, but now many of the campers have RV's and actual camper trailers. I'm afraid Jeff and Cade and I tented it and it was a miserable night for those of us over the age of 10 :( But we took a ride down to the Platte river that lasted all day on Saturday. It was a BLAST! We had a picnic and took a dip once we got down there. When we got back we were exhausted. I'm so happy that I got to show my new family how my old family does reunions :) Enjoy the pics!

Jeff and I taking a small ride when we first got to the campout on Friday afternoon.



Jeff and Granddad checking out the gears on one of the 4-wheelers.


Great Grandma the pyro helping Cade the pyro start a fire. YIKES!



Jeff and Jymon playing golfshoe or some such thing. It was pretty fun. Check out that form!


Cade driving on one of the not-so-tough roads down to the Platte. Check out the cool helmet he borrowed from Jymon!


Scott and Brandy


Dad riding Jymons dirt bike down the steepest hill of all time. Jymon has been riding motorcycles since he was about 5, but he knows when to let someone help. Dad actually laid it down and tried to pretend he didn't. Oops!


Here is everyone taking their turn on the hill. The camera just didn't capture the steepness at all!

Grandma followed by Granddad.


Scott and Brandy


Jeff and Cade


Jeff and Cade followed by mom


Look at mom go!

Plus there was uncle Brent--i didn't a picture of him for some reason. Quite the troop of riders!

Ah, refreshing after a hard and dirty ride!


Cade playing with Prince back at camp.


I should have gotten way more pictures, but I didn't. It was a great time! The rest of the family camps for the whole week. I must admit, I like my bed so much that I'm almost glad I had to go back to work. OK, not glad, but at least I got to actually sleep last night!

And here we have the jamming. Cade bought himself an electric guitar to go along with his acoustic. It came with an amp, a case and even a CD to help learn. He is doing AWESOME at his lessons. His teacher is so impressed and complimentary each week. Cade seems to love it and it's fun to see him practice and jam out. Here are some pictures of him with the electric guitar.

Stop and Smell the Roses

I came home a few days ago to this on our kitchen table. It's the sweet little things that mean so much!

And they all said "I Do"

My brother Scott and his wife Brandy got married last weekend!

Check out their great photos at www.pashioneyez.com. Click on Gallery, then on the right hand side you'll see their names.

It was a great wedding and now both of my parents children are married off. CRAZY!

Summer Fun and Family

We've had lots of quality time with both sides of our family this summer and it has been wonderful! Here are some random and out of order pictures from the past several weeks.

My Granddad helping Cade tune his guitar


I'm making Margaritas--of COURSE I'm smiling!


My Granddad and Grandma


This is from our wedding. Checking out what family traits we have in common :)


Jeff's family: Brother in law Jake, Aunt Helen, Cousin Cassie, Sister Jenn and niece Hanna, me, (I just woke up), Cade, Jeff, Uncle Dave, Mom Patsy, Dad Jim, Aunt Susan.







Cassie and Dave


Things are very serious at our house ;)


Aunt Helen, Uncle Dave and Hannah


Jeff composed a song. Cade jammed it while Aunt Helen and I tried to sing a duet. Cade was NOT amused with our laughter!


awww!


Cousins


Cade and my cousin Jymon playing Guitar Hero


Uncle Dave and Cade with their 4th of July shirts


I absolutely LOVE this picture of Jeff!


Our first 4th of July together!


Cade doing what he does best :)


Jenn, Jake and Hannah. Seriously, she's about the cutest baby I've ever seen.


Me and Dad


I can't help but smile. And look at his!


Cassie, Helen, Ryan and Dave (all the way from DC, Golden and VA!)


Hannah can spot a talent


I'm not even sure what is going on here, but could it be more hilarious?


My extended family all the way from Nebraska and Kansas!


Helen and Cassie


The men doing some grilling. My grandpas and Jeff.


At Memorial Park for the fireworks


Just because he's so handsome :)







We've had extra quality time with family this summer and it's been GREAT! Here are some random photos of some of those times.

You mean, THIS cute photo, Laura?

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Woman! get your priorities straight!

Have you ever gotten your priorities a little backward? I think I’ve been doing it quite a bit lately. Those of you who know me may know that I like things clean. I mean I like no dirt AND no clutter. I try not to be obsessive about it, but sometimes the need to wipe down the counter overpowers me! Well getting married means I’ve moved in with two boys. Things have changed, to say the least. Things are louder, with more movement, more people, more stuff and more mess. But also with more fun! How is it that I let OCD Terri smother fun-loving, easy-going, carefree Terri? So the floor has some spots on it. So the cat hair is showing on the carpet. So there are a few glasses that haven’t been put in the dishwasher. More importantly there is a 10 year old boy who wants to show me a song on his guitar. There is a 10 year old boy who wants to play guitar hero with me. There is a handsome hubby who wants to sit down and relax with me. There is a handsome hubby who wants to cook a meal for me. At the end of the day, year, life, the number of spots I cleaned up, the hours I spent dusting or vacuuming, the loads of laundry I did aren’t going to count for much. Sure, doing these things will keep me sane. Cleaning can even be therapeutic for me. And it isn’t unreasonable or wrong to want to take care of my home. But at the end of my life I really want to turn the pages of my dusty memory and be delighted by the bright chapters of fun, laughter, playing, spending time with my family and friends and joy. Just plain joy. I think I’ll get started today. I mean it. I’m going to try to focus on my boys tonight and let the cleaning wait. Think I can do it? We’ll see!

just a few for fun :)