Good birthday so far!

I'm having a good birthday so far. Just sitting in a coffee shop seeing what everyone is up to and using my amazon gift card Helen got me (thanks Helen!). Just thought I would post a picture from the Builtmoore (sp?) Estate from last weekend, I love this pic of B and I. Well, I gotta get to work. My bday party isn't till Saturday, so I gotta work till then :). Thanks for all the birthday wishes (I loved the voicemails Mom and Dad, VERY CUTE!) Love you all!

~L~

memories

Home again at the parents'. Grandfather not doing so well. Just really waiting on him now. Wondering if he's going to get better, but knowing this is probably not. It's difficult. Hard to see him like this. He was always such a strong man, always working in the garden or playing golf or going to Vagas. Please pray for our family during this time.

Relaxin in the sun

Went home for Father's Day weekend and have been spending some quality time with my Mom and Dad. It's been really nice. Sunday the whole family got together at my grandparent's house and all the great-grandkids swam in the pool and played together. It was fun to see them all together. Then Monday Mom and I went shopping and to a movie. We saw The Waitress (I fully recommend it to any woman, it was REALLY good) and had some great conversation on the way home from the mall. Monday evening the kids came back over to the pool (right across the street from my parent's house) and we all hung out again. But the best part about yesterday was my amazing conversation with my older brother. We always joked and talked together when we were around each other, but I have never felt like we've had a real, serious conversation about what's real in our lives. It was a little scary, but I couldn't believe we were even FINALLY talking about some things that had been on my heart for YEARS! Shaun, if you're reading this, you have no idea what that conversation meant to me, thank you so much. I love you Bro! :)
This morning (Tues) I went to breakfast with my Dad and that was great too. We always have good conversation. He's an amazing listener. Now I'm about to go get my haircut at the beautician that did my hair since I was little!
Anyway-just thought I would tell you about my weekend. I had a great trip to see my family, less stressful than usual amazingly, and some great times.

See ya!

Fun times at camp

Had an amazing week last week at Camp Westminister. Met some amazing people and had some good laughs. We worked hard to set up the camp for the wedding but it was all worth it. For the bachlorette party we went to a place where we could dance and had an absolute BLAST! GREAT times that night. The wedding was beautiful and the day was perfect. It was great to meet all the people that had such a huge impact on Dave's life and finally put faces to the stories. Here's a few pictures from the wedding, enjoy!

beautiful wedding, wonderful week.

Hi from MI

Sup guys? Just thought I'd give you a shout-out from Michigan. We're up here for the week for Adam D's wedding (he was in mine and Dave's wedding if you were there, the blond one, not his cousin), and having a blast! I was quite anxious, in the worrying sense, to meet Dave's friends. So we got here around 9 on Monday night (after leaving at 7:30 am from BC) and I met LOADS of his camp girls. I have YET to meet a guy friend except for Adam who works here, except for the honorable Bill Gourley (maintenance man and go-to guy here at Camp Westminister) who is Dave's ultimate idol and who he wants to be when he "grows up."

The girls I met are great though, I'm thoroughly enjoying getting to know them. We went out to eat all together last night to a place called Traverse City. Had an amazing meal at a brewery there and then went browsing in a book store and then to coffee. Great night.

Today is another clean-up/get the camp ready for the wedding day and I'm helping Dave with "his" precious sailboats. Not that I know loads about sailboats, although my Dad did teach me a thing or two. I'm hoping to get some "lay-out" time in some this week, maybe today, as it's supposed to be the warmest day all week.

well, I'm outta here, the boats are calling us! Love ya!

p.s. will post pictures soon!

apologies

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile guys, I've (gulp) become addicted to Facebook. I know I said I'd never have a site there, but I do now, and I check it every waking minute I can! I hate and I love it at the same time, what can i Do???

So, to update you on the OTHER things I've been doing--last weekend Dave and I were home for Bethany's highschool graduation. I can't believe she's old enough to graduate!!! It was nice though, and I got to see loads of people I hadn't seen in years there. We also got to see a soccere game of Bethany and David's. The ref. was the WORSTE I'd ever seen, but both of them made some BEAUTIFUL goals so I was happy to see them play. We also got to take my oldest nephew to see Spiderman 3 with us, that was really fun. It's nice now that he's old enough to do stuff with us, athough I'm sure we're seriously boring to him.

Sunday, on our way home (a little detour), Dave and I went climbing at Stone Mtn, NC. Had a blast! The hardest climb I've done since LDP! It was 4 pitches and tooks us about 3 1/2 hours. Good stuff though, but we were throughly worn out by the time we got down. Definately want to get back into doing that more often, though I need new climbing shoes quite badly, those killed my feet.

I've started work full time at NOC for the summer. Hosted my first group there this week and it went well. I was with the same group last year so I remembered the teachers, (it was a middleschool) that always helps. Things went pretty smoothly, a few minor bumps but I worked most of them out. Ah the joys of being the "go to" person for every little thing.

Other than work I've been spending loads of time with a girlfriend of mine from church and her kids. We've been taking walks and watching the kids play in their little pool quite a bit, fun stuff.

I may be going to a women's conference this weekend while Dave is in his Swift Water Rescue class, but haven't decided yet. It's free and I love the girls that are going, so it could be fun. Though I'm not much of a conference person I'd love the hang-out time I'd get with the girls.

That's pretty much it! Summer's kicking off and I'm really excited to be back at work. I love being back on the river and the ropes courses. Well, I'm outta here to try and grab some things for dinner later. Love you guys!

pictures of us climbing at Stone Mtn, NC

Conclusion

So the beach was absolutely amazing...exactly the relaxing trip I was hoping for. The women that came with me were so much fun, I don't think I have laughed that much in a LONG time. We took some great pictures too. The last night we went putt-putting and had a blast. I feel like I left here with a few aquaintences and came back with five best friends--I know that's cliche' but it's true. I really do feel amazingly close to these women now and I feel so blessed to have them as friends. Love you guys!!!

This has been around for ages, but I just found it SOOO hilarious

more beach pix

This was from dinner last night--cute eh?
heading to Myrtle Beach for the evening--so will post more later!

Girls' beach trip 07--more pix later!

YAY! It's not raining, the fridge is not leaking, and I'm not burnt!

So, I am currently at Oak Island, NC enjoying a girls beach trip. It was suppose to storm all week, but so far, with the exception of a few showers and some strong wind here and there. We finally got on the beach today and took a REALLY long walk (we walked to the pier to the LEFT for the Eddy's who know what I'm talking about). I don't know how far it was, but after we got done we all gritted our teeth and got into the water (freezing!!!). It was so much fun!

Yesterday, "Dr-Fix-It" (seriously, that was the companies name--I about DIED when they answered the phone that way!!!) came and fixed the slowly defrosting fridge. That was fun, let me tell ya. But, it's all done and we can now refridgerate our food in the fridge and not in the freezer (the freezer was about as cold as the fridge SHOULD have been).

Also, I am NOT burnt folks! Every time I've walked outside I've put LOADS of sunscreen on--45 SPF for my face and chest, 30 for my back and neck, and 15 for my stomach and legs. So, I've gotten a LITTLE color, but not a recognizable amount (by anyone but me anyway).

So far we're having a blast. We've played games every night and stayed up an laughed till we cried until past midnight Tonight we're going to play Putt-putt and tomorrow is our one night out to dinner! We also went the the thrift shop on the island yesterday and found some really great stuff!

Well, gotta go! I'll post pics for you to see after this post! Love ya!

Very cute pic of my lil sis and my Daddy

P.S. B you're growing up so fast! You look SO sophisticated with those glasses, I REALLY like them on you, totally cool :)

Farewell

Michael, Bruce, and Scott left today to pick up the LDP from the Appalachian Trail. We were sad to see them go, but we've had a great time hanging out with them this last week or so. We went "oot and aboot" for a short paddle last night at the play spot in town, so that was a nice last kayak session with the boys. I got a few tips from Michael on how to do a good stern squirt in my kayak. It felt good to be being instructed by Bruce and Michael again :). It somehow brings back the memories and feelings I had when I was in LDP. I hope the LDP of THIS year had a good backpacking trip these last few days. Hiking the A.T. is definately something Dave and I want to do eventually, whether that will ever happen, who knows. Well, here are a few highlights from the LDP's trip down here. Eh-n-joy the thrills...and spills :)

Sad to see you go...

The LDP's

So the Canadians have arrived ya'll! :) They got here Saturday night and we've seen alot of them so far. We hung out with them on Saturday and Dave did some paddling with them in the Tuck (river that runs through Bryson). Then Sunday that came to our church and then spent some time on the LIttle T. river. Sunday night they all came over for dinner. We had a blast getting to know them and I had some great conversations about films with an LDPer named Joel. Then, Tuesday (yesterday) I went paddling with them on the Tuck and then we went to dinner with THEM at their campsite and had burgers. Tonight they are doing some initiatives for the Youth group at our church and then their coming over to watch "The Fugitive" since the train wreck scene is still wrecked beside the Tuck river here. I like them so far :). They're really great and like Dave says, it's nice to have become a stop on the LDP paddling trip. Well, I gotta get going. Only three more days of class, including this one, so I have to stop slacking off and get the final papers done. See ya!

p.s. no Molly, we didn't just wake up, but I like lounging around in my pj's all the time! Were you saying we looked bad or something??? lol Love ya Mol!

Cute pix with the new camera

We got a new camera last weekend. It's exactly like the one that you got Helen and Mervyn and Sylvia. We love it so far!

Good "Sun"

I've started my fake tanning for the season (the lotion stuff that makes you look like you have a tan). It looks pretty good! By the time I go to the beach I should have a sufficient "tan" so that I won't be tempted to bake in the sun. Yay! Dave's even helping me keep it as "un-blotchy" (<--not a word most likely) as possible.

Can't wait to see my family this weekend. I'm going home for Friday to go to an antique festival with my big sis and her twin boys. Wish I could stay for the family birthday party on Sunday (a niece, nephew, and my lil sis B), but I have to be back by Saturday afternoon because I have friends coming into town Saturday night.

Our friends coming into town are actually the new LDP from Medeba!!! They're coming to see us Saturday and we'll be coming to our church Sunday, then eating with us on Sunday night! VERY excited to see them all, especially Bruce, Michael, and Scott!!!! Have a safe trip down guys!

Well, I'm in the middle of my extremely boring American Lit. class, so I should probably get off here. Love you all!

Tomato Garden

Tomato Garden

An old Italian man lived alone in the country. He wanted to dig his
tomato garden but it was very hard work as the ground was hard. His only
son, Vincenzo, who used to help him, was in prison.

The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Vincenzo,

I am feeling pretty bad because it looks like I won't be able to plant
my tomato garden this year. I am getting too old to be digging up a
garden plot. If you were here, my troubles would be over. I know you
would dig the garden for me.

Love, Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Papa, I'd do anything for you Papa, except dig up that garden.
That's where I buried the bodies.

Love, Vinnie

At 4 am the next morning, FBI and local police arrived and dug up the
entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man
and left.

The same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do
under the circumstances.

Love, Vinnie