Turning 34

I turned 34 last week and I am viewing it as the start of my new year. Hopefully my 34th year will have hold health and peace for our family! The last 6 months have been a complete whirlwind with moving houses, remodeling, work travels for both Grant and I, my health issues, hail storms, etc. We have made it through together (with lots and lots of help) and I am praying that the rest of 2012 is a little less eventful.

Mary, Cadie and Jack Ranger helped make my birthday special with a delicious cake, flowers, a birthday crown and a lovely gift of wind chimes from Mary. My parents gave me new patio furniture for my birthday (It is so wonderful!) and so Mary gave me the wind chimes so I can sit in my comfy new furniture and listen to the wind. Dawna took me out for brunch at Crossroads on my birthday and I also received many cards and calls from sweet friends and family. Grant and I went to a birthday dinner this past Saturday night with our good friends Chad and Jaime. We had great food and conversation and it felt amazing to be out and feel happy and pain-free. That is the best birthday gift of all!

Then on Sunday Mimi and Bunky came to a special birthday lunch hosted by John and Dawna. They all gave thoughtful gifts and so now this week I have gift certificates for new shoes and a pedicure. Sounds good to me!

Thank you everyone for making me feel so special!

Setting a Record

How many trips can we make between Texas and Kansas in 15 days?

• 2 - June 28: Ron and Nicki, my parents, fly from Kansas City to Dallas
• 3 - July 2: My Mom, Dad and Jack Ranger fly from Dallas to Kansas City
• 2 - July 5: Cadence and I fly from Dallas to Kansas City
• 2 - July 6: My sister Courtney and her husband Ryan drive from Austin to Kansas City, they also drove with their 2 dogs but I am not going to include them in the count :)
• 6 - July 9: My Dad, Cadence, Jack Ranger and I all fly from Kansas City to Dallas and Courtney and Ryan start the drive from Kansas back to Austin
• 1 - July 11: My Dad flies back to Kansas City from Dallas
• TOTAL = 16 (not counting the 2 dogs or my brother flying to Kansas City from Seattle on Friday, July 6th!)

Thank goodness for Southwest!! We all had a great time together and my Mom and Dad enjoyed a little alone time with Jack Ranger and I loved getting to see my family in Kansas City. During our trip we enjoyed dinner with the Kellers, breakfast with my Grandma Jack, church at OBC and lots of time with my folks and sister Courtney and brother Eric.

Caption by Ron Gullickson, "This is Cadie after a hot trip to the Farmstead - she DID NOT want totake a nap, but instead wanted to watch Mulan in the basement with me while her Mom and Jack napped. She didn't last very long!"

Jack Ranger, Nina and Cadence

My Grandma Jack and Jack Ranger. This is a great pic because it is nearly impossible to get my grandmother to smile in pictures. The kids and I had a nice breakfast with her.

Papa escorting us back to Dallas. He was managing both kids riding their horse-suitcases. What an awesome grandpa!!

Uncle Eric got to play buses more than he probably wanted to, but he was a sport about it.

Happy Birthday America!

Cadie and I spent the 4th in Dallas attending the annual Walsh party and Highland Park parade viewing, swimming at the Gray's with our Club Meadows crew and then watching a few fireworks from our front yard. It was a full day and Cadie and I were both worn out.

Jack Ranger chilled with Nina and Papa in Kansas City. He rode in the neighborhood parade and then went swimming at our community pool. Nina and Papa said they all had a great time and Jack Ranger didn't seem to miss us a bit. I think he enjoyed being the center of attention for once. Cadence tends to steal the spotlight.

Getting ready for the parade with Nina.

Jack Ranger loved the goats at the always fun Deana Rose Farmstead.

Cadie watching the parade with the Riley kiddos: Jacob, Ella Bray, Eli and baby Wren is in the green stroller at the back.

BFsF Ella Bray and Cadie

Big John was trying to get a hug after Cadie had been gorging on sugar for about 2 hours. I was worried she was going to hurt him.

Sharing some candy with Uncle Ace.

One of my BFFs Emmy Harmon Riley.