Christopher's 2nd Birthday!!!!

Who needs a fork anyway!!!!!

Went to Ozark again this weekend. Christopher's 2nd birthday party. Big success !!!! Seems like we are traveling constantly these days, but things I hope are slowing down until October when we make another trip for Claybank.

It Really Did Happen !!!!!!!

THEY ARE MARRIED!!!!!!!!!! It was very simple, very beautiful, and both looked very happy. Got to see people I haven't seen in years. In fact, the last time I saw my "adopted" baby brother (Doug Bowman) he was, maybe, 25. This 40ish man walks up to me before the wedding and keeps looking at me like I have lost my mind, then says...It's me...Doug....I almost lost it. These guys weren't supposed to age. If they age, then that means I age. I refuse!!!!!!!

Anyway, reception was fun and the "Mad Hatter" wedding cake was the finishing touch to a fun couple. Will get to see them again in a few weeks when we return to Ozark for the grandson's 2nd birthday party. Seems like we are traveling alot this year!!!

My new toy!!!!

Jim came home Friday afternoon from work to find JR and me in the kitchen "cooking" dinner. I told him to sit with us and tell me about his day (our usual routine) but said he had to go check on something first. I figured it was work related so I didn't really pay attention to what he was doing. A few minutes later, I hear a vibration and ring and assume he had left his phone in the kitchen. I couldn't find it. JR keeps pointing to the counter, but I can't see anything. I lift up some papers that were sitting there and guess what I find???? MY NEW IPHONE!!!!!!!!!! I had no clue that he would do such a thing!!! He keeps running around here saying he's having them all shut off, that they are nothing but headaches and cost too much...big bag of hot air...LOL. After the new fridge that was delivered a few weeks ago, I was totally surprised that he would pull this off...but what can I say...I have the best, most thoughtful husband in the world, even if he does get on my nerves sometimes...LOL.

Just Things

Finally got the big dumpster...it's full and looks like we didn't touch a thing...how do you accumulate so much useless "stuff"? Lots of trips to Goodwill and tons of trash bags to go. Maybe someday it will look like I'm making some progress.

Finally have the laundry room finished. Not exactly what we wanted, but it's useful. Jim tried to put too many appliances in too small an area. Washer, dryer, 2 freezers and extra fridge...nothing but a path left in the middle of the floor. But on the bright side, I have a lot more space in my kitchen and don't have to go to another building to get to my freezer.

Had a great time last week with Carel, Sara and Gage. They stayed the week with us, and although they had the "crud", we had fun staying up late and poking fun at the men in our lives...too bad Jim was the only one here to take the heat...LOL. Kate and her crew came up Wednesday and we had a cookout and day of games and fun. By the way, Carel, I have restocked the wine supply so come on back!!!!

Trying to get things organized around here, but not having much luck. The more I clean and throw things out, the more I find. It also doesn't help to have 3 teenagers leaving their "belongings" everywhere. And how did I wind up with high chairs, walkers, swings and toys again???? Oh yea, grandchildren. But wouldn't life be boring without all this chaos!!!!!! I love them ALL !!!!!

Girls Night Out

We all know that my girls and I are Twilight-aholics. Last night we decided we would have a girls night out and go see the latest installment "Eclipse". Jim decided he didn't want to be left behind and wanted to tag along. He was worried the girls would be upset with him going, but I assured him that it would be fine, but he had to remember that it was GIRLS night out and not Dad's. He asked Jake if he wanted to go too, but Jake just laughed at him and "No, you just go have a good time" snickering at his Dad while pushing him out the door. Everything was going fine until we reached the movie theater and he saw the people waiting to buy tickets....got tickets....sat down in theatre....and he watch wide eyed as the seats filled up with teenage girls and either their moms or boyfriends....We told Jim there would be some Werewolf and Vampire action in this movie, but neglected to tell him that it was only a small part and the rest was romance. He sat there quietly watching, munching on his popcorn and snowcaps, and sighing heavily. When the movie ended, we told Jenny (who was in a separate car) to follow us to McDonald's. Jim is stunned and wanted to know "Why are we going there???" Our answer is "Because that's what we do". When we get our order and sit down, the conversation, of course, turns to the movie and other "girlie topics". Poor Jim. He finally has enough of the discussions, gets up, and leaves us to go sit outside where he calls Jake and starts complaining much to Jake's amusement. We decide it's time to take Dad home and I don't think I have ever seen him looked so relieved. I wonder what he will say next time it's a girls night out..."Can I go?" or "See you when you get back"...........

Hell Hath Frozen Over

I knew it. Hell froze over!!!! I got a call the other day from someone asking what I was doing the end of July. Told him that I was going to rock concert and was sure he was calling to say he was going with me. But NO....he wanted to know if I had bought tickets yet, which I hadn't, so he asked if I would rather be at his WEDDING instead!!!!!! My 40 year old, confirmed bachelor brother is getting MARRIED!!!! I knew that someday, someone would reel him in....LOL. I'm so happy for both of them and hope they have as good and happy a marriage as Jim and I do. This is one event I absolutely will not miss!!!!!

Sunday at the Holcomb House

It's Father's Day, so that means all the kids are at home. After a meal of Sonny's ribs, the boys (Jim, Jon & Jerry) are all vegging on the couch watching action movies between snores. Jenny and Jake are playing Monopoly, Rachel is playing with JR, and Emily is pestering me wanting an iPod touch. I wouldn't have it any other way.

This has been a busy week. Laundry room is moving right along. Jim is down to the last coat of joint compound and then it's painting and the floor. Going this next week to pick out new refrigerator, then it's on to the pantry. I CAN"T WAIT !!!! Maybe then I will finally be able to clean my house.

We have Rachel set for school. She starts June 30 finishing some math courses and then it's dual enrollment for her final year of high school and first year of college. She has a lot to do, but I have faith she can pull it off.

Jake and Emily begin their 8th grade year tomorrow. Jake is ok with it but Emily fights me tooth and nail. I think she is part "nightwalker" because she doesn't come "alive" until the sun goes down.

Another busy week coming up. Jim goes back to work tomorrow, school starts, and I start trying to clean, although I don't know where I am going to put everything right now, but we at least need a path. I see a big dumpster in my future!!!!!!!

We are WORKING!!!!!!!

Yea!!!! We are finally working on the laundry room. Jim is on vacation and has "promised" to get things going. Today was our first day to Home Depot and returned with a trailer full of supplies. Of course it rained all day today so nothing was accomplished. Well, I say nothing, but that's not quite true...we had a wonderful afternoon with all the kids. When we got back from Home Depot, Jenny & Jerry were here, then in walks Jon & JR. The guys had a good time watching Ultimate Fighting Championships, but the girls and I had to leave the testosterone laden living room and moved to the kitchen where we fixed a late lunch/early dinner and had a good time talking and singing trashy songs. Later the kids played games at the dining room table while Dad vegged on the couch and I, of course, cleaned the kitchen. But I didn't mind, because while I was cleaning, I was also listening and enjoying the sounds of my grown and almost grown children having a ball. Life goes by fast....don't blink.

Restarting

OK, guess it's time to start the blog again. Have had many complaints thinking we dropped off the earth after the family reunion last year. Let me assure you that this is NOT true. We are alive and well and busy as bees. Lots has happened since last year...we have moved my parents back to Alabama, lots of trips and kids getting their own lives. We also have accomplished a lot on the house and are now working toward finishing the laundry room (which didn't exist at all last year).

So what's happening now? Grandchildren are growing!!!!! Jenny has moved out (again), Rachel is waiting for word on whether she will be able to "dual enroll" in high school and college this year, and Jake and Emily are getting ready to start their new school year...8th grade!!!!! Jim is busy working and I am busy canning and freezing. So far we have 21 qts strawberries, 9 jars strawberry jam, 15 bags english peas, 20 bags green beans, 22 jars peaches, 20 jars dill pickles, and we have only just begun. Jim just stares at the jars and grins. He gets this look every year and wants to eat everything immediately. He's happiest when his freezer and pantry are full.

I will try my best to keep the blog up to date and fill you in on the latest happening in the Holcomb household.