Family Gathering

On July 18th, the kiddos and I (along with Rebecca, Eleanor, and Maybelle <formerly known as Baby> ) headed up to Pa-paw and Ma-maw's house for a weekend of fun.  We were needing to take the sheep up to Pa-paw's so they would be able to go to another fair.  Plus, one of my cousins was hosting a family party that weekend because my aunt and cousin, along with her kiddos, were in from out of state.

Along with my crew at Pa-paw and Ma-maw's house, there was Aunt Katie and Brian and Ian and Mary (friends from Canada)!  Friday night was a long, late night waiting for Aunt Katie and Brian to arrive.  Needless to say, the kiddos slept late on Saturday morning - Dallas nearly fell out of bed!

The party was on Saturday, and the kiddos were very excited about swimming in Luke and Kathleen's pool!

My little fish, Little Miss

Dallas also started taking off on his own (they both had on life jackets)

Dallas was the first of the young kids to go off the diving board...

Then, the other little boys followed suit (George Martin on the left, Austin on the right)

Luke and Kathleen's neighbor found a small turtle while mowing his lawn, so he brought it over for George Martin to have!  (Look closely, and you can see the turtle in George Martin's hand)  All the kiddos loved admiring the little creature.

After the swimming was done, Reba crashed for a nap, Dallas played some more with his cousins, and the ice cream turned and froze!  Then, Reba was able to do what she loves most...love and kiss on the little babies!

Dallas liked holding the little ones too

At the end of the evening, we decided to get some cousin pictures (even though some had already left or were in bed)

First up was a picture of my sisters and my cousin Kathleen.  Lisa is the oldest, and I am the youngest (there is just over two and a half years difference)

We've been doing this photo for just a few years...

Next, we had to get all the girls

L-R: Lisa, Vanessa, Kathleen, Vivian, Karina, Jennifer, Me, Reba, Katie, and Grace

Finally, half of the next generation...

Front Row: Vanessa, Karina, Juan, and Austin
Back Row: Aunt Carol, Eric, Dallas, Vivian, George Martin, Reba, and Grace

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos

Last weekend, the kiddos and I were able to spend the afternoon with some of our out-of-state family!  One of my cousins, Paul, and his family were visiting from South Dakota.  The last time we were able to visit was almost three years ago at the last Labor Day Weekend Gathering Doug and I hosted in Williamsburg.

Thankfully, the rain cleared and all the little ones were able to get out of the house and play!

They started with races out to the trees and back

Jerry (in the blue polo) was giving the instructions on where to run

Grace (on the left) and Reba were chasing each other around the tree

I think Dallas and Reba turned a little early to be in the lead on the way back :)

After the foot races, we got out some frisbees.

As I was getting ready to head home, I realized we didn't sit the little ones down to try and get a nice picture.  We decided to skip the idea at that point because my two were cranky about having to leave, another was getting ready for bed, and two were asleep.  All in all, it was a great visit - and hopefully, it won't be so long until the next time we get to see you again.

Until next time...

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

Enjoy the photos Ma-maw took at our day at the lake with the extended Robertson family...

 When I saw this picture...

I was instantly reminded of this picture (taken at last year's day at the lake)

Dallas got his first ride on a jet ski...

Reba stayed on shore to hang with the girls...

Homemade ice cream melts way too fast in the summer heat...

a day at the lake + a day in the pool = one tired little girl

Until next time...

Robertson Labor Day Get-Away

Doug and I hosted our last Labor Day Get-Away for the Robertson family this year (well, our last one at this house). We were so thankful that so many were able (and willing) to make the trip. We had plenty of food (my fridge has just a few left overs remaining), laughs and memories. As always, I wasn't the best with my camera - I'm hoping either my mom or Lisa will be sending some of their's my way so I can share...

Saturday lunch time for Reba was a little difficult - she was too interested in what all her cousins were doing in the front room!
The new item for this year...

Doug and I saw this was available for rent at our local hardware store. We thought it would be perfect for all the kids (young, old, and young at heart)

Dallas thought it was a blast. He was very disappointed when he had to take it back on Monday.

Alex preparing to bounce everyone in the air

I even joined in on the fun

Aaron taking a little break from the action

Poor Dallas and Austin had a hard time staying up

I was so proud of Dallas and how willing he was to let the other kids play with his toys. This was the closest he came to "playing with" his cousins - sitting among them and watching.

Until next time...

We're Busy, Busy, Busy...

Sorry that I have been absent from the blog scene for a while. Doug, the kids, and I got in last night from a mini-vacation to Indiana. We left around noon on Thursday, and we arrived at my parents' house around 10 o'clock. We spent much of the next 3 days in Rushville, at the Pioneer Engineer's Club (aka: the antique tractor show!). I have pictures that I will post sometime - I can't promise when that will be because our month of August is jammed packed with events!

Still to come will be pictures from the Iowa State Fair. My family is coming on Saturday, with the sheep, to stay for a week. Next, it will be back to Indiana for a friend's wedding and my 10 year class reunion! Then, it will be Labor Day weekend - which brings the extended Robertson family to our home for a Rockin' Robertson Reunion!

So, as you can see...we're busy, busy, busy :)

Oh, yeah. I also have pictures to post of Dallas' stay with the grandparents. They all had such a fun time.

Until next time...

Robertson Reunion

On Saturday, we headed down to Shaffer Lake (Hope, IN) for a Robertson Reunion. It was so much fun to visit with everyone. There was lots and lots of awesome food, great weather, and many laughs. Enjoy the pictures!

This may look like Dallas and Austin are working together to figure out the gate, but Austin was trying to open it and Dallas kept shutting it!
Cindy was finally able to get Reba to sleep

Jump in...the water's great! (L-R: Reba, Luke, Didi, Austin, Kathleen, George Martin, Rajean, Dallas, Brooke and Nikki)

Dallas and I chilling on the lake

Dad decided to join in the fun - Dallas was one cool dude in his sunglasses

Reba loved splashing too

Lazy River...I mean Lake

I took Dallas out on the tube...poor guy fell asleep!

Lots of sunshine + Fun times in the water = One very tired little boy

Reba and George Martin had a fun time playing together

Until Reba stole the Gatorade bottle

It was all good once we found a second bottle!

Dallas loved the squirt guns...especially when he figured out how to use them!

The youngest generation of "Robertson's"

(This is half of the great-grandkids. Grandpa is up to 11 great-grandkids, with 2 on the way this fall. )

(L-R: Dallas, Reba, Austin, Vanessa, Juan, and George Martin)

A little more playing and dancing before leaving...

Until next time...