Projects Galore...

So, Dad was here with us from March until June working for a printing company in Harrisonburg.  He has come down since to help finish up some projects and help with some babysitting for me to work extra some.  Boy, I am SO THANKFUL TO MY DAD! He is my hero really.  He is usually calm, easy going, fun and full of laughter with new ideas and projects going.  When he was with us, I quickly put him to work, which meant I also went to work.  We painted the entire house, trim, doors, anything that needed paint, it was painted.  WHAT A JOB!!!! Well, we just finished the end of September and it feels SO GOOD to check that off of my list.  Our house REALLY needed the paint!  I secretly think when you move into a new house, they add water to make the paint go farther).  We went through 11 gallons of paint for this house! Thank you DAD! I love you!

 Terry Gale Hunt.  Hunter is named after him.  I love you Dad!!!

 Christina and Dad at Aunt Judy's funeral.  Ethan's head popped in too!

 Ethan and Alexis spotted this nice spider web! Pretty, huh!?!

 The new wall....need to update pictures next! LOL! There's always something to do, right! ;)

 This rain fell all in under 1 hour.....really hard too! What a storm! Glad we stayed dry! ;)

T-Shirt Grey is this color in the Master Bedroom.  Hunter even helped a little bit!!! ;)

Family Gatherings....

I have lots of Aunts on my mother's side- actually she had only sisters- 6 of them total.  I'm sure there was never a dull moment at her house growing up!  What fun! When we moved here to the Shanendoah Valley several years ago, I new I would be within 45 minutes from 2 of my older Aunts whom I didn't know as well as the others.  I was actually looking forward to seeing them again and reestablishing relationships there between them and my cousins, whom I also hadn't seen for a long time!  Unfortunately, Aunt MaryLou passed away 2 years ago.  I was VERY thankful to spend time with her, trying to get over to see her each month.  We spent our first 2 Thanksgivings here with her and my first and second cousins.  It was very memorable.  My children remember Aunt MaryLou coming to their birthday parties here also.  MaryLou held Hunter at 2 weeks old before she got sick.  I am VERY thankful for my family.  Unfortunately life brings trials and sickness.  She was strong, passionate in her beliefs and so loving.  She loved to visit. We'd sit on the porch and chat and eat together.  It was always a nice reunion for me.  She'd tell me about her childhood and memories of the past.  I'd eagerly await what she'd say next.  I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have beyond the grave.  I'm thankful for the gospel that binds us together as families.  My other Aunt, Judy, unfortunetly passed away the end of August as well.  I am thankful to have also spent time there with her!  She was such a loving Aunt.  She, too, had many trials during her last years.  But, with trials, came many blessings for her in family and friends.  She was talented, making dolls, portraits, books of family history.  She even traveled to Ireland several years ago, oxygen and all, to visit her ancestors.  I loved listening to Aunt Judy's stories of the past, from growing up, to travelling to Ireland.  We talked of our family.  I'd bring over the laptop with my kids and show her all our pictures and what we've been up too also.  Sometimes life brings you lemons, but she learned how to make sweet lemonade with what she was dealt.  I am thankful to have gotten to know these 2 beautiful ladies while still on this earth and can't wait to see them again!  I love you Aunt Mary Lou and Aunt Judy.  God be with you till we meet again.

 Mary Lou, Doug and Christina at a surprise visit! June 14th, 2009

 Hunter at almost 4 weeks old

 Me, Christina, Hunter and Jessica (cousin)

 Mary Lou's home after funeral- Aunt Jean, Mom, Aunt Fran, Aunt Patty Ann

 Cousins Raymond, Steven, Mom, Aunt Fran, Aunt Jean, Cousin Dee-Dee (Doris Marie) and Larry Bowers at viewing for Aunt Judy- end of August 2012 in Shenandoah

 Great Aunt Jackie, Mom, Aunt Jean, Aunt Fran, Great Uncle Mack

 Cousins Steven and Bradley

  Chris and David with all the kids!

School days

What an amazingly fun summer we had!  Broadway Sharks, trips to Statue of Liberty and Bethany Beach, Delaware, family outings for the day, camps, vacation in MD, sheesh...it has gone by too fast!  We DID make lots of memories though!  End of the summer brings thinking of new goals and back to school thoughts....fun, fun, fun! The kids actually were excited to begin a new school year, and I was thrilled to watch them succeed!!!! Alexis is going to first grade with Mrs. Smallwood, Ethan in 3rd grade with Ms. Depoy, and Hunter at Morning with My Friends Preschool with Mrs. Fuska!!! Even Daddy is going to his 2nd year of PA school!!! YAY! The thought of possibly shedding a tear or two has come about, but then I think, "Look at them go!  They are getting so big and growing up and getting so smart!"  Maybe it'll be my turn to go back to school someday! But, for now, my place is at home!!!  Here are a few pics....

Fun at the Fair!

This year, we attended the Fair with some of our friends, the Dollar Family!  Kids just LOVE the fair!  All the animals, petting zoo, ice cream and doughnuts, crafts, tractors, cow and pig shows....the possibilities seem endless!  Every year the kids ask if we can move to the farm.  This year for the first time, I'm ready to have more space!!!  Who knows what will come, but when Chris is finished with school, we would all like some land to run and play!!  I love where we live here in the Shanendoah Valley....it's mostly farm country and beautiful!  I enjoy the fair every year and I think the kids do too! Here are some pics of our visit!

Part 2....Bethany Beach

Day 2 thru Day 5 were spent at the ocean....in pure relaxation...it was heaven!  What a much needed trip for me....for our family! Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us stay at your lovely home!  It made it so nice!  We shopped for school- shoes and a few clothing items, ate WAY too much chocolate from Candy Kitchen (this place is SO addicting!!!) and ice cream (from Hockers- the best BIGGEST banana splits you have EVER seen) and too many boardwalk fries (need I say more ;) ) , rode the scooters every evening, concerts on the beach boardwalk, nature walks with a fun animal farm inside with turtles, horseshoe crabs, birds, insects gallore....just to name a few!
Day 6 was spent driving back to my sisters for lunch and several hours of chatting, games, and a huge rain storm....and then we had to say goodbye until next time and came back to pick up Lucky and come home!  Lots of memories.....

Here are a few pics....

Vacation...Part 1

So this year we actually did it! We made it to the Statue of Liberty....and we had a blast! We visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty....was a gorgeous day it was- sunny, warm, nice breeze with the water! Lots of fun memories! Here are a few pics.... of Day 1 of our trip...

Fun Day....

My work does a fun day each year at a local Caverns here in VA! It is so marvelous! This year was the best yet, in my opinion! Best food, hands down- it was catered! AND all the family was there from my side except my brother-in-law! The kids LOVED it!!! We did the Cavern tour, then lunch, "the jumpies", ice cream, pony rides, rock climbing wall, cotton candy, kettle corn, more "jumpies", swimming, mini-golfing, more ice cream! WE WERE POOPED at the end of our day, but it was so fun! Here are a few pics of the day....