Wedding Weekend

We made a road trip this past weekend. Friday morning, we headed north to Sterling, IL to be with family in celebration of a wedding. Our second cousin, Jason, who is seven months younger than Micah married this weekend. It was a wonderful weekend weather wise and the ceremony and reception were lovely. We spent the night with my aunt Friday, enjoyed the wedding festivities on Saturday which were in a small town, Capron, near Rockford, IL, and drove home Sunday. It was a fast trip, but a nice one. We were amazed to already see leaves changing color ushering in the fall months. I'm including a few snapshots of the day: ceremony, reception, and dinner. I had to snap fast to keep out of the way of the photographer, but we wanted some memories of the day and a chance to share with family and friends.

Catching Up

I am really behind. We went to Oshkosh the last week of July for our vacation and I haven't been caught up since. We had a wonderful time on our trip. It was fabulous to meet up with old friends, catch up on the latest since last year, share food, fellowship, and fun, and enjoy all the excitement of Wittman Field and the thousands of airplanes, the aerobatic shows, and the vendor booths. The weather was incredible. The daytime temps were in the mid-70s, and the nights in the mid-50s. We had to wear sweats and hoodies in the early morning hours. Enjoy a few photos of the sights and our friends.

Summer came to an abrupt end as we arrived home on Saturday night late and we were up early to attend church Sunday morning, then I went back to work on Monday. However, to keep the enthusiasm of the airshow current, Collin and I went to a potluck last weekend at his local EAA association and had a great time. That was on Friday night, and then on Saturday afternoon, we went to Memphis to a hanger party as the guests of our friends we have made in Memphis that join us each year in Oshkosh. We went flying in a Ryan PT22, an open cockpit plane which is a World War II trainer. This plane was filmed in the TV MASH series as "5-O'clock Charlie. Our friend bought it and restored it. When I was flying with him, we did a barrel roll. I decided since over half my life is over and I've can't think of one thing I've ever done in my life very daring that I should go for it, and I survived. We also flew in a Stearman, a double-winged open cockpit that also flew during WWII. It was great. And lastly, we flew in a RV6 which is a modern zippy plane which will take your breath away. We had a great time.

This has also been an exciting weekend. We went out yesterday to ASU for move in day where we grilled and served 200 hot dogs to students moving into the dorms. Again, the weather was beautiful and we enjoyed the day. The White's and the Deaton's helped out. The was a project to help with the college ministry at WSBC.

And then today, we celebrated Bryan's 21st birthday. I can hardly believe so much time has passed. We had lunch at Grandmother's and Papaw's house and squeezed in his birthday quickly. She fixed his favorite, Oreo Dessert. He has been so busy trying to move himself out to campus, gear up for his classes, and attend band rehearsals all week. He is home with us tonight, but I think by tomorrow night, he'll be set with his roommates. I sure hope he doesn't forget how to find his way home.

Well, this promises to be another busy week and we have another road trip planned for this weekend.

Stay tuned,

Marcia

Birthday Celebration Weekend

Collin is the birthday boy and we have celebrated this weekend. And what a beautiful weekend it was with sunshine and a break in the temperatures. His birthday is actually today, the 19th, but his mom and dad wanted to take him to JoJo's on the White River for a catfish lunch. We headed to the hills of Sylamore just outside of Mountain View yesterday morning about 10. We had lunch and then made a few stops in the area. One in particular was the folk center where there was an old cabin and farm implements. We enjoyed the drive and the scenery. Look at the photos and enjoy the day along with us.

Marcia

Much Needed R & R

It's been a busy two weeks. Let me just mention two quick highlights and then on to the vacation. On June 30th, Collin and I celebrated our wedding anniversary--30 on the 30th. I don't know where the time goes. It has been a wonderful life. If he would ask me, I would marry him all over again. We celebrated by making a trip to Wal-Mart after having supper together at home. We laughed; not overly romantic, but our life together has been special because of all the little things. Nothing monumental, but just the day to day life stuff; making the most of whatever is going on right now and the time you have. No glitzy gifts; there wasn't always money to buy something, no big trips, fancy restaurant dinners, or hoop-la; we needed to work or our kids had an activity and we wanted to be where ever they were watching whatever they were doing. The secret to our successful marriage you ask? There are many and I don't have room for all of them here, but I'll tell you this one; I forgive him every day. haha

July 4th, we stayed on the home front to avoid the crowds, but we grilled at home, set on the patio swing and listened to firecrackers all around from the neighborhood kids. We were getting ready for our vacation.

Last Monday, we headed out to Bull Shoals White River State Park with our new camper and set up for the week.










It was wonderful. It was peaceful, quiet, laid-back, no hurry, no clocks--whatever we wanted to do, whenever we were ready to do it. We love taking in nature. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we don't. Sometimes we take walks, sometimes we read, sometimes we take naps, sometimes we get in the truck and head off for adventure. We eat when we get hungry, and get up when we wake up. Collin did a lot of cooking for us on the grill and he was was frying bacon for breakfast. I can hear it sizzling and smell it just looking at the picture.

Our camp site was backed up to the river and in the mornings, we sat with our coffee just watching the river roll by. The scenery was beautiful.










Collin made friends with the wildlife. The squirrels would come take nuts and crackers from your hand. We saw a number of deer and a variety of birds.










I had to get this quick through the camper window, but it is a redheaded woodpecker.

We were just below the Bull Shoals Lake and Dam. I was quite impressed with this massive structure and the power it generates to furnish electricity. We didn't get to take the tour, but on our next visit, I want to plan for that. Notice the high lake on the left side and the low river on the right side. The tiny specks on the top are cars crossing so you get the idea of how big this concrete monster really is. And this is a small one compared to others in the US.











One day we also went out driving to see the Norfork Dam. It is quite impressive also, but not quite as big as Bull Shoals.











Friday, we packed up and headed home. We had a great time and are looking forward to the next outing. Funny how fast time flies when you're having fun.

The Arkansas Traveler,
Marcia

Let the Summer Begin

If the temperatures are any indication, it is definitely summertime in Arkansas, but it never really seems like summer to me until school is out. Although the students were out at the end of May, my contract goes longer and this is really my first week at home.

Last Monday and Tuesday, I started my summer vacation with two all-day workshops in Harrisburg gaining in-service credit toward next school year's required 60 hours. They weren't too great. Was I ever glad to get home Tuesday afternoon and have that behind me. Then I was back at school on Thursday to help a colleague with some computer projects for an on-line college class he was trying to complete. So as you can see, it wasn't much of a free week.

Friday was a busy, but exciting day for me. My baby girl was headed home from NOLA and I hadn't seen her since April. I had some house cleaning to do so she and Rhyne would have a clean room, some mowing to do so the yard would be nice for the weekend, a few things to do in the kitchen because we like to eat, and Collin and I had haircuts scheduled at 5:30. All this and we still beat them home. Bryan has stuck by pretty close this weekend, too, as he thinks his big sis is just pretty special. We kept it simple and had pizzas for supper. Saturday morning, we had a big pancake breakfast, Micah and I went shopping, and Saturday night, we grilled hamburgers.

Sunday was a special since it was Father's Day. We went to church, then on to mom and dad's for lunch. I want to share a picture of the family. Sorry about the table; first things first. As I said, we love to eat, but this is a pretty good photo of our bunch. I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful father, and I'm very lucky to be married to a wonderful father. Sunday night at church, we had home-made ice cream fellowship. That was kind of fun.

We had a great visit with our kids, but they've gone on their way from us now. They have visited with the Putman's and tomorrow are enroute to Tennessee for the remainder of their vacation.

At any rate, summer has now begun. I enjoyed this special visit, and now, I'll have to focus on some housecleaning and home projects. Of course, no matter how busy I get, I always start the day with a walk and coffee time sitting outside on the patio. As July rolls around, Collin and I hope to get in a little vacationing and recreation ourselves.

Thank goodness for air-conditioning,

Marcia

Weekend Bliss

Another weekend has come and gone. It was fairly peaceful and relaxed. We finished up a few odd and ends that were pending including the pergola. We took down the first blind and put up a new that will be a bit more functional. I've included a few pictures of the finished construction. We've already spent quite a bit of time swinging and enjoying some late evenings and early mornings.

I finished up at school on Thursday just to start on in-service meetings tomorrow and Tuesday that will be needed for the fall. Hopefully, I'll get finished up so I can do some things at home. And then, we are so looking forward to taking a little vacation time before too long.

Collin and Bryan managed to find some time Saturday afternoon to "play" in the backyard. Although the picture is a bit distanced, they played with a bat and ball. I was reminded of days gone by when Bryan was a little bit smaller than he is now. I guess you never get too old to share time with your dad. I think it's true; men are always little boys that just grew taller. Whatever the case, these two had big time.

Taking it easy,

Marcia