Family

It all started out when Kristen asked me to take family pictures for them.

That was easy enough...

or not since Colt is not a big fan of having his picture taken.

Then Ryan and Nicole came so we could get a
Christmas picture taken for mom and day with the boys...

we failed...
and will have to try again later:)

They made shirts for the boys that they met me in when I came back
so we took pictures with them on
(they say aunt Erin's favorite if you can't see them)

on the back of Colt's it says little one
and on the back of Jax's it says big one
Cute I thought.

trying to get the boys to laugh and look in the same direction


Then a challenge was given... go figure
so we took a break ...

while Ryan proved he could still do a headstand

then dad had to prove he could still do one

so random... I know

Then we took a family picture!

Good Times All Around!

Indiana

This weekend I went out to Indiana to catch up with friends.
I got to attend the last part of the gateway sale. In driving out there I forgot
about the hour change so ended up getting there later then I had
planned, BUT I was able to catch up with those I knew were going
to be there and really wanted to see!

Saturday night I was able to hang out and stay with Janice (and Becky:)
But didn't get a picture with her:(
(don't worry Janice next time I will remember because I know
how much you love to have your picture taken!)

Sunday after church I went over to Kristy's and hung out with
her and her family then we went out to do some shopping and
to stop for coffee and a much needed talk time.
It was so good to catch up and get in a "girls night" with her.

Monday I drove further north to "the lakes" to meet
up with Tamara and her family.

If I haven't said this enough T is SO good for my heart!
I love her and was so blessed (and completely relaxed)
the entire time I was up there

The last few days there were lots of talks,
swimming,
fishing (I caught 2, and T's were twice the size of mine:),
attempted wake boarding,
and jet skiing

this morning we went out skiing (I attempted that also)
and T and I took our normal "in the water" picture.
It seems like all our pictures together are in some body of water:)

It was not fun to say bye to her BUT I will get to see her in a few
weeks at her wedding!

I then got to sit in a van for 5 hours as I drove home.
My body now hates me and doesn't want to move.
It was all totally worth it and I would do it again in a heart
beat if I could!
Praise Jesus for Great Friends!

First Week Back

This first week back I have been busy....

watching Jax and Wrigley

playing out side

watching colt

he doesn't do much yet:)

hanging out with Kate (and David)

hanging out with Amanda

getting together with some of my girl cousins

AND
I was able to get together with Wendy and Ella to catch up and get a
much needed hair cut, and with Meg and Mason, but didn't
get pictures with them so hopefully we meet up again so we can
get a picture!
Loving the social Life!

Great Wolf Lodge

Thursday night I flew into WI and was able to meet my family
and some of my extended family for
a mini vacation at Great Wolf Lodge

My nephew Jax is fearless he LOVES the water

and would run as fast as he could...

then he would wipe out and wait for someone to put him back
on his feet... then laugh and do it all over again:)

I also got to meet this good looking guy for the first time!

Colt enjoying the water
I think he looks like such a little old man in this pic:)

all warm and dry after a fun swim

Tom, Mariah, Ryan and Jax enjoying the wave pool

(Yes I know this picture is blurry but thats for the sake of those
involved in the picture who would not be okay with me posting a clear one)
This was the one ride mom went on. It was called the Tornado and
Kristen, Ryan, and Dad just laughed at her as she pinched her eyes
shut and screamed the entire time. As I was waiting at the bottom
to get the picture mom was for sure the loudest screamer of all the ones I
witnessed that came down:)

Keri and her girls Mariah and Maddie

Kristen, Ryan, Nicole, and Adam racing down the slide

Mark and Mariah enjoying the water slides

Watching Jax in the wave pool was HILARIOUS
He started off sitting on the tube then as the big waves got going...

he flopped over to one side.... then another wave hit...

and then he was flopped over to the other side.
and loving every min!

Colt giving me a big cheese

with his chubby cheeks and double chin

Maddie who wedged herself into Colts bumbo seat.

Peyton with her VERY blue mouth

Stacie and Peyton

The Big Dogs Motorcycle Club shirts

The club members

Here I Come!

FYI I am coming back to the states for the month of August and would love to

get together with as many of you as possible. I fly in this Thursday
but won't be around central IL until Monday.
Hope to see you soon!

In Less Than 2 Weeks!

I will get to hang out with these two awesome guys!
Very Exciting!!!

Meet the Taylor/ Champaign Team

The team in their matching shirts

The team at big tree

The store room before Don and team got started

wood cut and assembling started by Don and Caleb

Diane painting shelves

The finished room view 1

view 2
Don and his team did a phenomenal job... the transformation
was truly unbelievable!

Stephanie and Shelby's "For Sale" signs

Jeff and Tony adding benches to the playground area

Jeff enjoying his handy work

working on the cistern

taking off the cistern roof to make improvements

replacing the cistern roof after improvements have been made.

This team ended our work team season in a great way.
They were so much fun and I am thankful for all the
new friendships that were made.