Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Time to catch up...

Wow, I can't believe the last time I updated this blog was the first part of April. Well obviously it's been a busy few months. We've had some computer issues, so that is also part of my excuse. :) It takes a miracle to post a picture, but we are hoping we might have a work around until we buy a new computer.
Anyway, in April our family took a trip to Denton, TX to got to Fellowship Family Camp for Easter weekend. It was such a fun trip, and a real blessing to our whole family. The boys did great on the long drive, enjoyed playing with friends, miniature golf, running around playing soccer and basketball. The messages were wonderful and such an encouragement to us.
Marcus finished up Kindergarten on June 2, and on June 3 we took the boys to Grandma and Grandpa Ballews to spend a week with them while we went to a wedding in St. Thomas. My friend Amy got married St Thomas, USVI. It was such a fun time, and a beautiful wedding! We spent 3 days there for the wedding, then Levi and I went to St John, USVI to spend 3 days together alone. We got to go to some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. We stayed at a wonderful place up in the mountains that overlooked Cruz Bay, rented a jeep, enjoyed exploring the island, snorkeled, enjoyed sunsets, etc. It's a vacation I will never forget. Of course the boys thought they got the better end of the deal by staying with Grandma and Grandpa for a week, and even had trouble coming home. Marcus cried the first 2 nights we were home because he missed his Grandparents so much...good to see we were missed. :)
June was a busy month with baseball a couple nights a week. Marcus finished up the baseball season the first week in July. It was amazing to see how much he, and the team, improved from day 1 to the end of the season. The last game was his best game, hitting a home run, and getting 3 hits. He also played very well in the field. He had great coaches who were so encouraging to the kids, and made it a really fun season for him.
Also in June Levi's Grandpa Gayan and Aunt Becky came out from Arizona for a month. We've had such a good time with them, having lots of family dinners and get togethers. His Uncle Joe came out on Saturday to join everyone for this last week that they are here. The boys have never met Aunt Becky or Uncle Joe, and are enjoying them so much!
Levi's brother and his family have sold their home in town and have bought a house out in the country. (just a couple miles out of town) We are in the midst of helping them get moved this week. It is a beautiful park like setting on a treed lot somewhat close to the lake. The kids will have so much fun exploring the woods and making forts, etc. We are so excited for them to get to move out there!
We went to KC for the 4th of July, attending the Ballew family get together. It was lots of fun to see everyone, including the newest little Ballew. My cousin and his wife had their first baby, Jackson, who was only a week old. He is absolutely precious! What a sweet blessing! We all enjoyed visiting, swimming, of course eating...the boys got to play in the biggest bouncy house I've ever seen, and take train rides around the yard. I couldn't believe it's been 4 years since we've been able to go to a Ballew 4th of July...explains why the kids didn't remember it. Carson and Cole were only 11 months old, and Marcus wasn't even 2. I remember I had just had my hysterectomy 2 days before and was sick as a dog, but wanted to go see everyone because we were moving to South Dakota a month later. Time just moves so quickly, I'm just so thankful when we can spend time with friends and family.
The next week Mom took vacation and came up to spend the week with us. We all had such a busy summer so far it was nice to just be home and relax, enjoy visiting with her and doing stuff around the house. She took the Amtrak train up here, which was a first for her to ride a train. We went out to eat a few times but other wise just hung out at our home. It was a great week!
Today the boys and I are helping Deann move some things to the new house, then the boys have dentist appointments this afternoon, and a family dinner at our house tonight. Levi's Grandpa, Aunt, and Uncle leave on Saturday, so this is our last week with them. It's going to be hard to see them go, we've had a lot of fun.
I'll post pictures as often as I can, I have a lot I need to catch up on getting posted. Hope everyone is having a good summer, stay cool! Upper 90s, maybe 100 here today...Ugghh.