Introducing the newest family member....

WINSTON!

"our" 6 week old chocolate labradoodle

He may be the cutest puppy I have ever seen!

I use the term "ours" loosely, because although the kids have claimed him as their own, Winston actually belongs to Grandma and Papa. Thankfully, though, we get to love him and play with him all the time!

Ben definitely loves this little guy!

And Ella really likes him, especially when he is sleeping or eating

I had to include this picture of our little J-bug, because she really had no idea how funny she is!

Summertime fun

At the spray park in Dublin.

The kids LOVE it here!!

Beth Smith - when are you going to go here and play with us???

I usually think that Ella looks exactly like Matt, but looking at this picture, she definitely belongs to me!

Surgery update and PARTY

Well, I survived my surgery. Actually, it was a very smooth day. I don't know why I worried so much! And, we just got my pathology report back a few days ago and it was CLEAR! Yeah!!

It took me a full week to recover. Thankfully, Patty and Doug help with the kids and Matt and my mom took care of me. Thanks for all the help, family!

This past weekend (10 days post surgery!) Hallie and I headed to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri for Meredith's Bachelorette Party!!

Here we are just after landing in St. Louis

Mer's dad (Star-Lo... our nickname for Steve Arlo) headed to the lake hours before us girls and got their condo all ready for us, complete with party decorations!

Hallie and Robyn (our LA lady!)

Friday evening boat ride

Captain Star-lo

Saturday morning, Mer had us busy working on a project for the wedding!

Then we headed back out on the boat (me, Mer and Nicki)

Mother of the bride, Celie (aka Silly Jones)

A stop for drinks at Captain Ron's beach bar

Mer and Nicole with their "hottie whistles"

The bride and her maids...

The bride and her MOH (sister, Cara)

We had a little shower for Mer while we were there. I won't tell you what this gift was, but the faces on Nicki, Cara and Celie are PRICELESS!

Ummmmm..... I am not going to say what this is all about. But I will tell you it had us laughing for hours!

On the way out of town, we had to stop and try butter burgers and custard shakes! YUMMY!

It was so sad when it was time to leave. (Thanks for everything, Steve, Celie and Cara!) But there are only six short weeks until the wedding! And I am sure this is going to be the WEDDING OF THE YEAR! Look for pics to come in September!

Ben's first visit to Dr. Jojo

This post is dedicated to Papa because it is Ben's first trip to the dentist office!!! (I took these pictures just for you, Dad!) Ben did great! I was so proud of him! And of course, Dr. Jojo and her staff was AMAZING!

Here he is... with 20 beautiful, clean teeth!

Becoming a patient (and conquering my fears)

The next few day are going to be very busy for me. Tomorrow I go in for my first MRI so that my doctor can get a good look at this bump in my cheek/jaw (please forgive my sweaty, post-run pictures)

































Then early next week I go in for surgery to remove this bump.


I'm terrified.


I'm claustrophobic.


I hate hospitals. (Why do I work at one??)


I can't wait to get this all behind me so that I can just enjoy the rest of my summer.