August Photo Dump

Photo Dump

Stantec Farwell Party

A few nights ago Dave's colleagues at Stantec threw him a Farwell party.  Dave has been working for Stantec (and its many other names) for 10 years but it was time for a new adventure.  It was so nice to see all his colleagues and friends show up to wish him well in his new career adventures.  In a week he will start his new job working for Corken as their structural engineer.  He is exited and very apprehensive about the change but what is life with no risks. 

Mom's 60th Birthday

This year my Mom tuned 60.   Its kinda hard to believe because she really doesn't seem 60 to me.  Infact neither of my parents "seem" 60.  I'm never very good about celebrating peoples birthdays, anniversaries or other moments but this year I really wanted to put forth an effort to plan something fun for my mom.  I took on the ringleader role for brainstorming and kept my Dad, and Brother on board with ideas and dates.  Ultimately we decided on the Bardstown dinner train.  It was something neither of us had ever done and we thought it would be a bit more special than going out to a fancy restaurant. 
My dad took the reins from that point and got us all scheduled for August 6th.  The dinner train that night also included a magic show which was actually pretty neat and funny.  The train left the station and we were able to view some of the countryside near Bardstown.  It was an out and back in ride, but the scenery was pretty.  The food was so so but what could you possibly expect from a kitchen that had to fit and function on a train.  The best part of the night was when they brought my Mom a cake!  The crew got everyone on our cab singing Happy Birthday which was nice, but my Mom and I quickly noticed mid song that the cake said, "Happy Birthday Clara."  When they were finished singing my mom brought it to the waiters attention and she insisted that she still blow out the candle.  We asked if Clara was on the train and wanted her cake but they were basically already serving us the cake.  It was almost like they didn't believe us that my Mom was not Clara.  So, what else were we to do.  We ate the delicious cake and all had a pretty good laugh.  We later heard that Clara and her family were well compensated for the mistake. 

4th of July

4th of July this year was cold and rainy.  I was super glad we had not made big plans to go boating or camping.  We instead spent the day at my parents house for a grill out.  The whole family came which was great.  Brody and Jett got to play with Sydney, who was I believe taken back a little by their energy.  They did have the home turf advantage though.  My mom again, provided great food, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. 

We spent the rest of the weekend at the pool (on the one nice day), at the movies watching Finding Dory, and participating in the Copperfield 4th of July parade.

Boating

This weekend Brett and Dave took the boys boating.  They had a blast, and loved the water...even if it was the nasty Ohio River.  Brody spent the day jumping from the sunbathing area of the platform, swimming under the Pontoon boat, and his most favorite, tubing!  At one point Brody refused to get off and from what I understand he and Dave tubed for over 20 min.  Later in the day when Andrea and I were able to leave Mindy's wedding shower we met them at the river and went out for a bit.  Jett had a great time splashing in the water and didn't mind his life jacket as much as I thought.  He was a little perturbed that we wouldn't let him go while in the water.  We all are hoping to plan a cabin weekend trip to Cave Run here soon and rent a double decker pontoon boat that has a slide. 

Adult Only Vacation To The RRG

Dave and I recently returned from a well deserved and very much needed 5 days away.  We spent the first day cleaning house and going out to brunch.  Once everything was clean and we were all packed up we headed to our cabin in the RRG.  We rented Beary Secluded a two bedroom cabin with a hot tub, and it was perfect.  We spent the 5 days hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and relaxing.  We enjoyed coffee and cocktails multiple times a day in the hot tub, delicious food at Miguel's pizza, and Rock House Café.  We met up with friends one day and kayaked and visited a trail and overlook that I had never been too.  We finished season five of Game of Throwns, watched a climbing documentary and just enjoyed each others company. 

We talked a lot, not always about things of importance but we actually talked to each other instead of at each other.  To often with the kids and our busy lives it feels as if we are just going through the motions of each day and never really acknowledge each other or are actually present for the small moments of time that really matter.  On this trip we decided that we definitely need to make our relationship a priority so we have decided to take one evening during each week and let Sara keep the kids and put them to bed for us. 

Returning home the boys were excited to see us both, but what I think I was most surprised by was how happy Jett was to see Dave.  Jett is usually glued to me but I think he is really starting to realize how fun his Daddy is.  Brody of course had so many stories and loved telling me about all the adventures they had with Nana and Clark and Grandma.