North Carolina

Casey had work meetings in North Carolina last week, and we have good friends that live about an hour from where his meetings were held, so we went along for a visit. We had a really good time & enjoyed lots of fun activities.

Ryan has been wanting a slip-n-slide all summer, so he was thrilled to see they had one and did lots of slipping and sliding.





They tried it again the next day, but it turned into a mud-n-slide/baseball game.



BOYS-VS-GIRLS





Ryan missed out on the mud the 1st day, because he had already showered, so he decided to mud himself up the next day.



It wasn't as much fun to try & clean it off



We went to a park that had teeny-tiny frogs





and a cool wall to climb.



Went swimming at a pool with some really fun stuff to play on



and a diving board for special tricks(the back flip really hurt).



Had a water balloon fight that ended in turmoil, because Kaitlyn accidentally hit Cody in the face.



We had some good eats and a great visit with friends!!



Thank you Ouzts family for a fun week!!

Pioneer Day

Only a few months after Casey and I were married, we were playing a game with friends and I was trying to get him to guess the word ANNIVERSARY. I thought it would be an easy one given that were just married, but when I said, "July 26th" as his hint he blurted out, "PIONEER DAY!"(which is celebrated July 24th) instead of ANNIVERSARY!!

So, today is our Pioneer Day/Anniversary. Casey drove over 900 miles for our blind date, and after 1 1/2 years of a long distance courtship we were married July 26, 1991.

I'm thankful everyday for such a great husband, father, and friend!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Probation

Kaitlyn attended youth conference last weekend. The theme for the conference was "You're On Probation"...meaning we are in our probationary state while on the earth. They received bright orange t-shirts to wear while preforming their service project, which was picking up trash along the highways(usually reserved for inmates in bright colored attire). She said they received lots of honks and a few people stopping for directions inquired as to what they were doing. On the front there is a picture of the earth along with a short scripture, which is pretty hard to read unless you are at close range.

She now enjoys wearing it out, as everyone reads the back first & gives a long stare to try and figure out why she is "On Probation".

Okra

Ryan LOVES Okra.

Last year Casey canned some Okra with peppers and seasonings, and we all enjoyed Okra like we never thought possible. It's a southern vegetable that you either like or dislike. I really dislike it(other than Casey's canned variety), as the inside seems to have the consistency of snot, but Ryan loves it! He has been watching the Okra pots daily, and if he finds any that are ready he eats them raw....yuck!!

Friend Weekend

We had a fun weekend with good friends that came to visit.

We ate some great Mexican - El Sol in Athens is such a good Authentic Mexican Restaurant. We took Casey's mom while she was here. She loved it so much that she had to go back a 2nd time before she left. Knowing that our friends enjoy Mexican Cuisine we decided to take them while they were here, so we ate at El Sol 3 times in 5 days, and it was delicious every time!

We also visited Scoops(a must for every visit)









Stayed up way late scrapbooking(miss those late night crops) and eating delicious chocolate mousse - Got 11 pages done in 2 days!



The boys enjoyed tons of play time





While the girls enjoyed Youth Conference



A great weekend had by all!!

Grandma Ritz

This past week Grandma Ritz was able to come out from Utah and spend several days with us. The weather couldn't have been more perfect while she was here. It was warm with no humidity(rare for this time of year in GA), so we enjoyed spending time outdoors, 4th of July activities, We introduced her to boiled peanuts and grits, she found a local quilt store she enjoyed, did some shopping for some fresh pecans & other treats, she played many rounds of Sorry with Ryan, and...of course a visit wouldn't be complete without a few poses with grandma...







We had a wonderful week...We love you Grandma Ritz!!

4th of July

We started out the day with some fun activities they had in town.



Free Cotton Candy



Games for the kids to play



and blue slushies!



We went swimming that afternoon with some friends. The kids enjoyed having races in the river.



(apparently Kaitlyn didn't hear the word "GO")...









Casey was able to do some fishing but had to walk down the river to get away from the splashing kids.



We came home for a delicious dinner & blueberry pie. Ryan couldn't wait to get out & start the fireworks portion of the evening, so we waited as long as we possibly could and then began with the poppers(or poparotzies..as Ryan calls them).



The kids(and adults) didn't want to bother with the crowds for the 4th of July, so we created our own... somewhat smaller fireworks display.





We had a wonderful day full of friends, family, food and fun. How grateful we are to live in a place where we can enjoy such blessings given to us and for the individuals and families who sacrifice their time and sometimes their lives for these freedoms...Happy 4th of July!!