Insert "Jaws" Music Here

Sure she's cute. Lookin good in her suit and googles. BUT... this girl is fearless in the water. While I was innocently sitting on the pool steps (with a firm grip on girlfriend's swimsuit straps) I had to make a quick reach with my other hand to save Lilli. Somehow, when I looked down at Kendall, she was on her back, about 6 inches under, looking at me, calm as could be. Now it was one of those moments that happen in an instant. I snatched her out. Her back, thankfully was to me and she was facing my friend Kimberly, who fortunately is a genius and clapped wildly and said, "yay Kendall". While I'm trying to remember to breathe again and get the blood back into my head. She spit once I think and was ready to go again. She'll jump in too. Look out for this one folks!
 

Home Safe and Sound

Yup, it was a strange week. We missed her. The kid we've had around the longest. The experimental child. She had a seriously great time. We have new respect for LeeAnn, "the youth guy". She's got guts and patience that woman!















We celebrated with dinner and shakes at Steak and Shake.

 

Yes Sir, That's My Baby...

There she is. At the hideous hour of 5:30 a.m. On her way out of state to her first ever church camp. I am so excited for her. I hope she loosens up and has a great time (without getting in trouble of course!). We're all gonna miss her this week, but I'm glad she gets to go. Adults, take some time to wax nostalgic about your summer camp adventures (or misadventures). Fun stuff! If you thing of it, say a prayer for my baby girl and the other kids (15 I think). Mostly pray for the 2 brave adults on the journey with them!

Just 2 More Pictures

This is me and my bestest cowboy-honey.














Here is Adriano (red shirt, black hat, back to us) accepting a gorgeous prize saddle. So good to see him win one! 

Big PBR Night in Orlando!

There it is... Me and one of my favorite bull riders Mike Lee. He didn't manage to git-r-done last night, but I forgive him! Everyone's allowed an off night.

















This is Brendan Clark. Aussie rider from Beyond the Bull fame. Nice accent. Bull riding.... well, we'll cut him some slack...




















This is the big opening! "This is no rodeo..... "THIS IS THE P... B.... R....!" Insert grand pyrotechnics and screaming fan noise.















This is Tater Porter, local boy done well in professional bull riding (despite Silver Spurs and others, Florida is not really known for producing a lot of bull riders). He was the host of last night's show.



















I didn't manage to get a good picture of my very favorite PBR rider ever... JW Hart. Unfortunately, he didn't ride his bull either. That's okay. I'm a loyaly JW fan and he's still my favorite.

Running a close 2nd, is Austin Meier (as far as my favorite riders go). He's doing so well for being so young! Unfortunately, last night was not his best either. His first bull was a total loser. He stayed on and got a re-ride. They didn't say the bull score or the total score, but if I was a judge, I would have given that bull (named Vickie Did It) about a 10. Seriously, it was sorry. Poor Austin was not a happy cowboy. Alas, the re-ride was not kind to my rider Austin and he ended the night with a no score.

The short go riders were as follows: Clay McIntyre, Jay Palhke, Greg Potter (great ride for 90 points), Tyler Thomson (a promising young Canadian), Jake McIntyre, Steven Shelly, Jason Bennett, Luke Dotson, Jared Farley and the big news of the night... Adriano Moraes. In the long go he rode and got 71 with the option of a re-ride. Took it. Guess what? Next ride, re-ride city. Can you believe Adriano had to ride 3 in the long round. Final score on the last bull 87. Gets him into the short go. Short go he shows us why he's the 2 time champ with a beautiful ride for 92.5 points on the bull Niagra. And takes home the prize!

Is that enough commentary for you? Bet that's more than you ever wanted to know. This fun filled and exciting night was a birthday gift from my favorite cowboy ever... My wonderful, sweet hubby Pete. Thanks for the funnest birthday ever. 

They love me, they really love me...

Yup, here's what the Bible study gals brought me for my birthday. In case you can't tell it's a slurppe with a big bow on it. Do they know me or what? I had a great dinner at Pam's, another feast at my moms and breakfast in bed on the morning of my real birthday. With the exception of getting sick(ear infection, sinus infection, throat infection) is was a great birthday and a good year. In addition, my hubby is taking me to the Challenger Series of the PBR on June 10th to watch some bull riding. YeeHaw! 

Oh Sweet Girls Night Out

Yup, we did it again. This time manis and pedis and dinner at Macaroni Grill. How good is that. There was lots of girl talk and laughing. And of course coffee to top it all off. How about those green toes! They were the bomb! Can't wait for the next time.


 

The end of an era and a school year...

Here is Lilli officially finished with her first year of school. Kindergarten. She is very proud to be a First Grader and doesn't quite get the whole summer break thing.








Parker is finishing 5th grade and is headed to a new homeschool group for middle school. He will also be doing some school on the computer this fall.














Katelyn is off to the same middle school group as Parker. She is looking forward to branching out socially.














Katelyn will hate moving on without Coach Benz, quite possibly the best math teacher in the universe. Although Katelyn found him to be a little too "military" at first (what do you expect, he's a West Point Grad), she quickly grew leaps and bounds in her math ability and her appreciation for just the right teacher. She's not sure how math will be without him, even though he assures her she's ready for Algebra.
 

Family Time

We felt great need for family time. Dad was on his way to Sioux Falls, SD. Who the heck goes there? Right? Anyway... We decided to go bowling. We had a great time! Lilli darn near beat us all. The computerized scoring and bumpers are way too cool. This in something we need to fit in a little bit more.


 

Oh yea...

about the ice skating? Kendall is officially convinced that we have all lost our minds! 

Trying something new

Our end of the year homeschool party this year was at a skating rink. What a fun thing to do with a group of Florida kids! They thought that I was crazy when I told them they needed to take coats with them. It's the middle of May in Florida. Very quickly the were assured of my sanity. Thankfully, their mom hasn't always lived way down south and soon became the official skate lacer. (got to get those ankles tight!) There was a lot of wall hugging going on, but everyone was ready to try it again soon.
 

Our Musical Stars

Yup, it was that time again. Time for the Kickstart Musical. I'm so thankful that Ms. LeeAnn takes this on. The musical was the "Amazing Jerusalem Makeover" The kids did a great job and we were all very proud of them and their hard work.
 

A 13th to remember...

Can't believe it was 13 years ago that my sweet first born came along. Where did the years go. I guess I blinked. We celebrated this monumentous occasion by a trip to Daytona Beach. It was a great time. Here she is in all her glory, the birthday girl.

Kendall enjoyed the cake. I'm sure she'll be 13 all too fast too.













What a way to enjoy the view.












Here's the gang doing a little shopping and eating at Johnny Rocket's.


It was a fabulous weekend that we will all remember and tresure. 

Invaded!

By Mumaws that is. These are relatives that we don't often get to see. How to explain? My grandma's (in the center) brother's children and grandchildren and spouses. Ohhh.... You got it now, right? It was great to see them and all the kids. It was a short, but fun visit. 

Bible Driller Extrordinaire!

That's our Parker. He went to the big Bible Drill and went all the way to Super Drill and made a perfect score. How great is he?! We are proud of all the hard work he has done.