Alex is coming home!

So for those of you that don't know, my brother and Laura (AND RUBY!) will be home for good on September 1st (next Tuesday).

We are all very excited. I am super excited. I remember the night my brother left (Laura was already in London). I thought it wouldn't be that big of a deal, I mean, he wasn't leaving for good right? Just a few years and then he'll be back. He left that night, and we were both a little teary eyed, but I was surprised at how upset I was. I sat down and had a good cry after I realized he was gone for a while.

Things have changed so much. Between Alex and Ruby being born and five years gone by without the entire family at birthdays and holidays.............I could not be more excited for them to come home. I am also uber anxious to meet my niece and watch my brother be a father.

Hurry up Tuesday!

Long Time No Post - Lake Trip

So with the economy the way it is, we didn't think it the best idea to take off and do some lavish vacation this year, but we wanted to do something. Amanda found these awesome cabins in Broken Bow Oklahoma for rent so we decided that would be a fun trip.We got an awesome group together, loaded up the boat, and headed to the lake. Chris and Stacy, and Amanda and Jason went with us and we had a great time. The boys played golf one day while us girls checked out town. (as far as that goes, if you haven't been to Broken Bow Oklahoma to shop, don't) We also played on the lake quite a bit and the boys tried their hand at fishing. They weren't successful, but the DID try. It was a good weekend. The cabin was awesome and I am already trying to figure out if I can get my family to go during the holidays.

Below are some pictures from the trip. Take a looksie. See what Broken Bow is all about!

Chris and Stacy by the fire. It was so nice and cool at night!

Allen and I hanging out by the fire. It is so rare to get a photo of Allen smiling! He always has to do something goofy. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw this!

Amanda and Jason

Allen, doing what he does best......

My gal Amanda and I by the fire. Ready to roast some marshmallows

Drinking our new wine-a-ritas. They are awesome!

The girls at Girls Gone Wine

Just thought this was funny at the nail salon. I mean, if they can make your nails look good holding a 40 caliber, they can do anything right? Sign me up

Again, couldn't help myself. Really? Bushwackers? And is that a beaver on the sign? REALLY?!?!?

Allen found the tubing to be a bit on the beginner level

A water filled weekend

Today is the Fourth of July! We have some friends coming over tonight so Allen went to work in the (newly sodded) yard and I was going to clean inside. Well, that plan flopped. Alex was not about to let me do anything. I got one load of laundry done and swept the kitchen floor with Alex throwing a fit every step I took. So I gave up.

Allen was trying to fix one of the sprinklers outside so I yanked Alex's clothes off and took him out to play. He LOVED it. A new hobby I am thinking. ;)

Alex's first real swim

Allen took the day off Friday, which was a surprise to me! So we went over to Sheila's house for a swim. Allen, Alex, Jack, and I all piled into the Murano and took off. Alex has never actually been in a real pool until today. He loved it. He hated it. No wait, he loved it. No, he hated it.

He really couldn't decide. One thing he did know was he was all annoyed that we were so close to him all the time. He could not understand why we were walking one step behind him everywhere he went by the pool, and I think that wore him out more that the swimming.

A man and his dog

Love it

Hate it

Really, he's very shy and reserved......like his Mom.

On Wednesday night Allen and I had a ton of shrimp to boil, so we asked our neighbors Joe and Teresa to come help us eat them! We see them often and Alex is growing incredibly fond of Joe, whom we call Uncle Joe.

I think most kids would run from a grown man flailing his arms about and growling, but not Alex. In fact, he just does the same thing right back atcha.

Couldn't help but post this video. He just makes me smile.

Also in other weird news, Teresa and I sound identical on video. That is her talking not me, but we even confused ourselves.

We are moving on without Stretch. Jack is very bored, sad, and lonely. He is just a little slower to get out of bed, and not as excited to eat, etc. He is adjusting though and so are we. Thank you everyone for your sweet sentiments.

Post again soon.

:)

Stretch Roberson

We lost our dear buddy Strech-a-Reno Roberson this afternoon. We have been having some issues for a while. Allen took him to the vet for some testing this afternoon and it quickly became clear that Stretch was in the fairly advanced stages of dementia. Stretch was 16 years old, had recently lost a significant amount of weight, and we would find him wandering around the house, bumping into walls in the middle of the night. He didn't ever seem to know where he was.

This, and quite a few other factors, prompted the vet to agree, that is was time for Ole' Bean. Allen made the difficult decision for Stretch this afternoon.

It goes without saying that Allen, Myself, Alex, and most of all Jack, will miss him terribly.

Stretch Roberson

4.26.93 - 5.29.09

I'm an Auntie!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contratulations to Laura and Alex on the birth of

Ruby Christy Lynn Macnab

8.0 lbs even

Born at 11:05 am in London

Laura and Ruby are both doing just fine!