Our summer trompings...

In two months, we've enjoyed so much life! Here's a bit about our travels:

June 3-12--California! We spent time visiting new friends and catching up some old in Sacramento, CA. We saw Crater Lake in Oregon. We visited the Redwood National Forest. And we enjoyed the beautiful wine country of Sonoma Valley.

June 13--I enjoyed planning and celebrating my class reunion with friends. Thankfully, both Betsy and I were able to get to town the night before (at midnight). We had trouble flying standby with Bonaroo going on in Nashville. But my wonderful father picked us up in Atlanta and we road-tripped back to Maryville together.


June 14-19 We spent time with the Thomas family. Colin and Dad went round and round playing cornhole, while Mom and I caught up and made plans for the summer (which we managed to do a few too! I don't think we'll get to candle making though).

June 20-28 Emerald Isle, NC (in the Outer Banks) called our name, and we went with Colin's family to enjoy the beautiful beach and sun rays. We were easily distracted by the newest member of the family, baby William Colin. We celebrated his first birthday together--and he had his first bit of cake. We also sang the national anthem impromtu at Ft. Macon. Nate's voice rung out rather squawkally. We enjoyed Uncle John's authentic Italian cooking and homemade ice cream every night. Jenna-Clare was right--we all gained an extra pound of goodness from that little delicacy.

June 29-July 11 We unpacked for a while at the Thomas family's homestead. We enjoyed some movies, some good food, some sleep (lots of sleep), and organized Mom's library. Jordan had surgery last Monday. This surgery is supposed to help end her seizures. It can take up to two years for the results to be most clear. For now, she's just chilling out with her best friend (and sitter) Karlie. We also spent a day on the lake with the Sharps and the Otis duo along with my studmuffin brother, Dave. Dave then took us whitewater rafting at the end of the week. Lots of fun! Check out the Facebook pics if you can.

July 11-20 We headed back to be with the Roberts family for a week before Colin heads off to train for his teaching job in New Mexico. I hope to catch up with my dear friend Natalie and also see our beloved pastor from Clarksville, TN. Somewhere in this coming week, I also hope to receive the long awaited call from JT (my brother) that Noah's arrived! Then, I'm going to hightail it home to ride up with the folks to greet this little man. I can't wait!

July 20-25--Colin will be in Montezuma, New Mexico and I'll probably be in Balitmore, Maryland. We'll come back to Maryville and load up to leave on Tuesday, July 28th for Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

So, there's the run down. Man...time flies! And there's so little left before we leave our world of comfort and jump in headfirst in a new culture. The big and upsetting question remains: Will I miss Wal-mart?