Grandkids Sleepover!

Wow ~ what fun is happening at our house!

Pat and Courtney are away in Charleston, SC for some "couple time" and we have their precious kids ~ Rebekah, Joshua, and Bailey (5,3 & 1 yr. olds) for five days. We decided to add our other two granddaughters (Brittany and Andrea) tonight for a "grandkid sleepover". I was going to wait until our time was over to share some pictures with you, but I can't wait!

What fun is being had.................actually as I write..........the giggles coming from the bedroom upstairs with the four older "cousins" is music to my ears. :)

Courtney and Pat at the airport

Goodbyes are hard

"Not sure I'm ready for this......"?

Well, maybe it won't be too bad......

The fun begins.......Chick Fil A on the way home!

Helping Papa put new sand in the sandbox

We watered the flowers, had fun swinging, rode bikes, played in the sprinkler,

had a "chip and water" appetizer as Papa grilled burgers and hot dogs,

and ended the day at Burke Lake walking..........and playing on the BEST playground.

We all slept good!

Papa fixed pancakes before church.....yum!

Brittany and Andrea arrived early afternoon........for the

offical "grandkid sleepover"!

The rain tried to keep us from our plans, but we just went to plan B.

The sunroom became the headquarters of much fun.......

bead bracelets and necklaces, drawing on the white board,

calls from mommy and daddy from Charleston,

building block forts for the cats,

and listening to the storm on the roof.

Riding bikes in the garage.........

Grilling chicken in the rain.......under the beach umbrella. :)

Yummy dinner!

Even made it in the pool..........

sprinkling still, but no thunder!

A fun outing.............after dinner.............

Dairy Queen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The grandkids............:)

Yum!!!!!!!!!!

Settling down for the night............

End of the day.............Grandma reading to us

Papa............enjoying some down time as the "kiddos" are asleep upstairs.

What a great day!

Happy Birthday Alden

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday dear Alden.

Happy Birthday to you.

adults visit

kids play

the girls

What a fun day.........celebrating Alden! He's a pretty special guy to about everybody who runs across his path. Thanks for being you and being a part of our lives.............husband, Dad, Grandpa, brother, brother-in-law, friend, co-worker, brother in the Lord .....we are better because of YOU.

We love you and wish you a wonderful year ahead!

Summer Fun ~ Memories

Alden, Steve, Hannah and I just got back from a few days at Myrtle Beach. What fun we had relaxing and enjoying time together. Ahhhhhh yes, we are definitely beach people. :) We loved the waves crashing, the tide going in and out, sitting in the beach chairs reading and napping, boggie boarding, throwing the football, people watching, the breeze blowing in our faces. We rode bikes, Alden and Hannah fished, shopped, played cards, watched beautiful sunsets, and enjoyed some good eating.

We visited with Cecil and Louise (Alden's aunt and uncle) on the way down to the beach and visited with Ken, Lynne, Kenneth and Alden (Alden's brother and wife) on the way back home. It's always GREAT to be with family.

We're thankful.

Steve and Hannah throwing the football in the surf

Alden enjoying some reading time

Isn't this so cute? A "snack mobile" right on the beach!

Dinner on the porch while the sun is setting........lovely.

Hee hee......while visiting Cecil and Louise....

Alden is put to the task of "checking the ailing gas pump"

(He loved doing it......and yes, figured it out, of course!)

Before heading to the beach...........we enjoyed an evening with Phill and Christy.

Christy's parents were in town and we loved getting to see them!

The Smiths and Allisons

The guys

The girls

These next two pictures are a little walk down memory lane.....................

Chapel at Bolling AFB.......

We were at Bolling today getting new military ID cards.....

and had to ride by "our wedding" chapel....special.

Yes, the "blue minivan".....ADCPSH has been retired.

So many onlookers through these last 16 years wondered what the initials stood for....

was it a "DC push"....nope....hmmmmm.......simply....

Alden, Dorian, Courtney, Phillip, Steve and Hannah.

What great memories were had in this "Smith" minivan.

Happy Summer to you dear friends and to YOUR memories being made. :)

In Memory of Allan

Our brother-in-law, Richard, lost his brother Allan to a heart attack this past week. Allan was quite a man ~ full of humor, had a zest for life, was a man of character and persevered through cancer and diabetes. He taught us all much about being courageous and living life as it comes ~ the good and the bad. We miss him already. Be praying for this dear family ~ Richard, Susan, Derek, Rachel, and Chris as they grieve this great loss. Why is it we seem to take life so for granted..........life keeps us going way too fast............losing a loved one brings life back into perspective ~ it's ALL about relationships........... with our family, our friends.......... and above all our Savior. Life.............precious..............YOU are a treasure to us.

Florida Trip ~ wonderful "dream come true" weekend

My sisters ~ Dianne, Susan, Kim and I ~ known as the "Staley girls"..........took a trip to Florida. We went to see some dear family friends, Bea and Bob. This couple is very special to us.....best friends of our parents and have shared life with us through the years. What a memorable time we had...............laughing, crying, eating, beach time, sharing old photos, reminiscing, talking, shopping, and most of all.......just being together.....enjoying each other. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, our tank is full.....we're content......with new precious memories.

~ Wonderful "fun" sister time ~

Truly ~ a wonderful dream come true