Lake Times

My Aunt Debbie and Aunt Pat came to Lake Tenkiller this weekend and brought along three of my cousins Kelsey, Alli, and Ryan. Kelsey has gotten even taller and she's going into 10th grade. Alli has grown into quite the young lady and is going into 7th grade. And Ryan is her same old talkative self, and is going to be in kindergarten. Boy do I feel sorry for her teacher...because she will not be able to get a word in! 

It was REALLY crowded on the boat and in the trailer, but that's the way we like it! Here are some pictures of the summer '08 visit of the Barnett women. 

Parenting Practice!

Over the past couple of weeks, I've had the pleasure of babysitting my two favorite nieces. Here are some pictures of our adventures.

Morgan spent the day with me last week when Amber and John came to Little Rock for a doctor visit. She has gotten to be such a big girl! And, very mature. The word "yes" in her vocabulary has been replaced with "sure!" That was her answer to every question and it made me laugh every time! We spent the day doing what we love best...shopping! And she was no trouble at all because she has been trained well by her Nana over the past couple of years! 

I got to babysit Addi for two days in Fort Smith while Luke and Tiff went back to Louisiana to get their things moved. This was my first 24 hour babysitting job and I now have a new appreciation for stay-at-home moms! She was such a sweetheart and was sooo good, but round-the-clock babysitting wore me out! Even with my mom home at night! I did feel like a real mom, though, and I LOVED it! My favorite moment was when she started reaching for me for the first time. Even in the little time we spent together, I think she really started to get to know and trust me. She would whimper when I put her down and come sit on my lap when she got tired. AWW* That made my heart melt! 

Now I just need to babysit Drew for a day this summer! EEK! He has A LOT of energy! I might wait until next summer...

One year down...eternity to go!

Who knew a year could go by so fast? Dustin and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary on the 7th by doing what we love best...eating! On our first night of celebrating, we went to P.F. Chang's and he took me to see Sex and the City (don't feel sorry for him...he likes it). The second night of celebrating, we tried a restaurant in Little Rock called "Cajun's Wharf". We both decided it was the best meal we've had in our lives. Super yummy! 

And just when I thought Dustin had lost every romantic bone in his body (he used to sweep me off my feet when we first started dating. The past 4 years? Not so much.), he booked me a day at the spa! It was so thoughtful and perfect because it is something I would never do for myself. Heck, it will be my first massage ever! 

Here's to us! Cheers!

The 4th at Ouachita

The 4th turned out to be a rainy weekend at the lake (yuck!), but we didn't let it stop us from having our traditional fun. We just staked out on the dock and weathered the storms. Yes, I said storms, as in more than one! After getting caught out in the first one on the boat, we didn't want to do that again! Dustin had to ride the seadoo in and got pelted in the face pretty good while I sheltered Drew and I with several towels from the downpour. In true Drew fashion, he didn't get scared by the lightening and thunder one bit! He just thought the storms sounded like fireworks and wanted me to "clean the towel" because it was wet. :o) What a cutie! Here is evidence that we had some fun...even in a LITTLE bit of sun!

Welcome Home, Addi!

Good news! Luke, Tiffany, and Addi are coming home! They even bought a house! Here are some pictures of when Addi and "The Weatherford's" came to the Fort to start getting settled in! I'm pretty darn excited to have her home, but I think her Nana is even more excited....if that's possible! :o)

My New Buddy

I got kinda bored at the beginning of the summer and it really left me wanting a dog. Dustin and I talk about getting a dog a lot, but we know that we are out of town a lot and live in a small space. However, I got a little ansi one day and decided I was going to go to the Humane Society. Well...that has turned into a new love. I brought home Glenda (who was severely abused), really hoping to keep her if I could get Dustin to agree, but had to fill out "foster parent" paperwork to test her out for a night. Well....it turns out she likes Rudy a little too much. Glenda wanted to sniff and rough house with Rudy, and he wanted no part of it!  Plus, it turns out Glenda is too large to fit in our lease! 

However, that night of fostering her has changed me for the better. I signed up for the next volunteer meeting at the Humane Society and have gotten into walking dogs and petting cats at the shelter. That's really all they need if you can't give them a home, just some lovin'! And we all know I'm really good at lovin' on animals. 

Please, Please, Please! If you are thinking you want a new pet, adopt an animal from the shelter instead of buying one. There of plenty of great pets at the shelter who are in need of your love. If you can't adopt, I found that they accept not only monetary donations, but blankets, leashes, bowls...whatever you can give that they could use! I made a donation in Glenda's name and let her keep the red blanket she slept on at the house...and it felt really good! :)

Lake Bound!

Happy 4th of July! It's hard to believe that this time last year we were on a catamaran in Barbados celebrating America's birthday. And although that was GORGEOUS and IRREPLACEABLE...there's something patriotic about cooking out burgers and dogs, going to the lake, and watching fireworks with a cold beer! Can beat that! 

We're taking first timers with us...Kevin, Dustin's good friend from the U of A and Maverick, and his girlfriend Vanna. Pictures to come after the 4th (probably some anniversary pics too)!

P.S. Congrats to Kara for getting engaged yesterday! Love ya!