Sunday Lunch

After church this Sunday, my family gathered at my dad and stepmom's house for lunch. It was a wonderful time of visiting and dining. They are heading out for an Alaskan cruise today for my dad's 50th birthday (and just for fun), so it was nice to see them before they depart.

Hensley Grace wasn't too sure about the grass.

Ashley stood guard over the Gerber Graduate Puffs. These yummy snacks are a hot commodity around this crowd.

Dad and Chelsey have a little debriefing before she is an orphan for 2 weeks.
Brian and Maddox discuss Disney's Scene It.

Brian is a fan of the "parted down the middle" hairstyle.

Let the Good Times ROLL

Hey, Friends! Please bear with me as I make it through the last few weeks of school. I promise more posts will come...

Family Pictures

The only thing that my mother-in-law wanted for Mothers' Day was a family photo shoot. It was the first time that the entire family had been in one place at one time since the last wedding in January (Brian and both of his sisters were all married inside of 7 months).

The men of the family

group shot
The original family
The wonderful women

And, yes, I'm wearing my wig. The only reason that I decided to do this was because there was some mention of these photos being used for a Christmas card next year, and by then I'll have a lot of hair. I didn't want to look like a cancer patient, even though I am.

And, then there was Gladys. I bought her a pink shirt to wear to Race for the Cure, and then we didn't take her. Poor Gladys has major social anxiety. She is the biggest 115 lb weenie that I've ever seen. Anyway, she got to wear her shirt on Mothers' Day.

Finally!

After weeks of patience and perseverance, my peony finally bloomed. Remember back to our little competition? Well, my hard work finally has something to show for itself. Isn't she a beaute? Too bad this will probably be the only bloom of the year. Oh well, she was still worth it!

Mothers' Day

The hardest part of being married? Holidays. No contest. This is the first year, in my 25 years on this earth, that I haven't spent Mothers' Day with my mother. It was tough. I guess that is just part of being married, though - the give and take, the compromise, the turn taking.

This year for Mothers' Day, Brian and I stayed home. We hosted lunch at our home, and both of his sisters were able to come, which is rare since one lives 14 hours away.

Dale and Judy (Brian's parents)

Lunch
And old-fashioned meal: roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, rolls, and salad. Yum!

Judy and Erin

Table Decor

Post Race Lunch

After the race, we got together at my dad and stepmom's house for a wonderful pre-Mothers' Day Lunch. Carol (my stepmom) and Chelsey

Dad and Daughters

Sisters

Grandma and Dad

A Special Day

Hi, readers! I'm back after two very hectic, but wonderful weeks. I enjoyed my time away from blogging, but it did seem like a little something was missing in my days.

Well, Saturday was a very special day on the Pleasant Drive circuit. A few monts ago, the Susan G. Komen affiliate in my city asked me to be a spokesperson (of sorts) for the annual Race for the Cure, benefitting breast cancer resesarch. Of course, I jumped at the chance because it was an enormous honor and privilege. And, I'm always excited about getting my story out to other young women.

So, here are some highlights from the day...

Ashley (my sister) and Hensley. Isn't this the sweetest picture?


Brian (my brother-in-law) and Maddox. Maddox participated in the kids' dash, and he won a medal :)

Sweet Hensley is supporting the cause in her fashionable pink dress.

My mom and dad

Chelsey (my sister)

Me and Bri (and, please notice the sign that he made. isn't he just the cutest?)

After 10 years of participating in the race in honor of my stepmom and grandmother, this year was particularly special, as it was my first time to wear a survivor shirt. I felt such a sense of victory as I finished the course.