Tennessee

 We went to Tennessee in June for our friends Jeff and Janelle's wedding.  We rented a big cabin near Gatlinburg with our friends Bryce and Suria and their kids.  It was really fun!  We got to visit with lots a friends.  One of our friends tried to back his car out of the driveway and took on the curb the lost.

 The car was actually teetering on the curb with neither front or rear tire touching.  Because we're such good friends, we laughed and made fun of him.

 Tennessee is so beautiful. I just never get tired of looking at the mountains.

 The kids enjoying a Popsicle on the porch.,

 Daddy enjoying a pre-wedding nap

 We had a little time before the wedding so we took pictures of ourselves. The boys love taking pictures with my phone.

 I think this one is a nice shot!  I don't know, I could see this life size hanging in the living room.

 We weren't aloud to take pictures during the wedding so I have no actual proof that we attended a wedding but I assure you that we did and it was lovely.  We did get a family picture outside of the adorable chapel.  Micah would not cooperate.  He looks like this in almost every picture we try to do as a family.

 More beautiful scenery.

 Sleeping babe. I dread the day when they are too big to curl up and fall asleep in my lap.  That day is not too far off.

 handsome boy posing for his mom.

 Pool time.

 I often cry like this too when someone takes a Popsicle away from me.

 two cool guys.  at least they like to think so.

 Personally, I think this is much cooler look.

Sweet EmmaLou.

daddy stuff

 we got this gun for daddy for his birthday.  Max is modeling it.

 fishing with daddy.

The Saginaw Zoo

 We met my sister, her mom and step dad and my niece and nephews at the zoo this summer.  It was so great having all the kids play together and so nice that they got to spend time hanging out.

 He is getting so big!

 This cow had such buck teeth.   My sister and I could not stop laughing at this poor animal. I think you really had to be there to appreciate the hilarity of the situation.

 Gotta ride the train when we go to the zoo...........even if you are graduating from high school!

 fun on the carousal

I love this picture of the boys with my nephew Tyler.

Just some pictures over the summer that I liked

 Rainbow in our yard

 Maximo and his cousin Connor

 Micah wearing his gladiator helmet

 lol.  This will definitely be a "embarrass you in front of future girlfriend" picture

 Our house!

 by the look of his legs, he was in an actual sword fight.

 I mustache you a question..............he he he

Yes, I think he was tired.

What has become of this poor blog?

Its disgraceful what has happened to this blog!  I haven't updated this blog since May!  Its the middle of September.  Oh my goodness.  Well, lets get to it.

The John Ball Zoo

 Last week Jason had a conference in Grand Rapids so the boys and I went along for a few days.  It was a beautiful day on Wednesday so we headed to the zoo.  My phone was about dead so we didn't get a lot of pictures but we managed to get some.  Here the boys are taking a ride on Emily the camel.

 Here we're checking out some monkeys.

 and back to the camel ride.  It was fun watching them.

 Max was pretty impressed with this bear.

 This started out as just a bear hug, but was quickly turning into a lesson on the birds and bees so we moved on.

 This picture doesn't do them justice but these eagles were quite impressive.

 Better get used to driving one of those Max.  You'll be doing a lot of that in a couple of years.

 And Micah, you better get used to being around goats because we'll be getting some of those too.

"look at the camera and say cheese!"  This is what I get, both staring off but at least they are smiling.  The zoo was fun. I love spending time with these guys.

and the work goes on

 Well, work is continuing on the house.  Jason got the drywall up and the spaces cut out for the wrought iron frames.  This weekend comes mudding and hopefully getting those frames started.

 In between working on the walls for the loft and everything  else, Jason got new metal roofing put up on the barn.

 its kind of hard to see in this picture but it looks really nice.  I can see now I'm going to want the rest of the roof replaced with the new stuff lol.

 Last weekend we decided to tackle this over grown rosebush that is next to the garden.

Look out rose bush, Jason the chainsaw plant massacrer is coming to get ya.

 a short time later the bush was cut and the mighty trailblazer was taking it away to meet its fiery death.  Well, it hasn't actually met its fiery death yet.  We tried to light it on fire but it was raining and even a half of gallon of gas didn't seem to help her to go so maybe this weekend it will meet its demise.

Here is the end result, a view to my garden.

working on the house has been a little slow moving but its fun.