We're back!!! We actually got back Saturday night, but as things tend to happen, life has been busy! School started at Calvin on Monday, so work got a lot busier for me. On top of playing catch up, I had a bunch of other things to take care of us well.

Ben and I have started the house hunting process, so we've been busy this week searching GRAR, getting pre-approved for a loan, and touring some homes. We found one house that we love, in our #1 neighborhood that was recently foreclosed... which could be good for us! It will take a few weeks to go through the legal processes before it is back on the market, but we still managed to get an appointment to go through it - TONIGHT! I am really excited, but also a bit nervous. I'm afraid I will fall even further in love with this house. It's at the very top of our price range, so if it comes back on the market even cheaper, that would be great!

The rest of our Cali trip was wonderful. Napa was beautiful, but hot! It was over 100 degrees both days we were there. It rarely gets that warm there. It was still fun though. I've been sorting through pictures and hope to get some up soon.

Vacation

Just a quick update...

We're having a great time in California!!! We got some nice sun at the beach, Ben learned to surf, saw some great friends, went to Hearst Castle, drove up PCH from LA to Pacifica (so far.. over 2 days), went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, drove 17 mile drive and stopped at Pebble Beach... I love vacation!

Tomorrow is driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, seeing the coastal redwoods, and on to Napa!!!

MANY pictures to come.

S.O.B

No... not THAT... S.O.B = sister of the bride!!! That's right - Jay and Janae are finally engaged! He totally surprised her Thursday night with the proposal. She and I are both pretty difficult to surprise, so what better way to do it, than on a date she had planned? I'm so happy for them and can't wait to celebrate and help. The wedding will be sometime next summer, mostly likely July or August. So fun!

Aside from that, I've been really busy with work. Lots of meetings and things as I transition to a new position. Plus, with school starting in a few weeks and freshman moving into the dorms, it's always busy this time of year. I'm sneaking out on some of the busy-ness this year though - Ben and I leave for California on Friday!!! I am so excited. I'm looking forward to seeing good friends there, as well as seeing some parts of the state I have not seen yet. I think we're taking the laptop, so I'll try and update as we go.

Hope you all enjoy the last week of summer!

June's Legacy

4 years ago next week, my maternal grandma passed away. She was an incredible woman who had a heart of gold and touched many people's lives. In her memory, a woman who cultivates lillies created a new variety and named it "June's Legacy" in honor of her. Each family received one of these plants, and every time we look at it, we are reminded of what an incredible woman she was.

Two years ago, my mom transplanted it to a new place in the yard, and last year it did not produce many flowers. This year, however, it is flourishing and producing so many beautiful blooms. Last weekend I stopped out there to take a few pictures:

Redneck Olympics

Seeing how I finally have a night at home - and am spending it watching the REAL Olympics, I figured it'd be a good time to post some pictures from the Redneck Olympics.








The last picture is of Randy showing off his prize. The winning team members each got a scratch off lottery ticket... no one won anything though.

The evening ending with a fundraiser poker tournament for Sportspersons Ministries International. It was fun, as it is every year... I made it to the final table. I think I finished in 5th - not too bad. My hubby finished in first for the second year in a row and won $100!

You Might Be a Redneck If...

Check out Al's rat tail!!!

Up next... the Redneck Olympics!

crazy busy

this week has been crazy-busy!!! We've been gone pretty much every night, and we'll be out at the Moes family cottage all weekend. Ben's grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins are in town to celebrate his grandparents 60th anniversary. I promise I'll post more redneck pictures early next week.

Have a great weekend!!!!