Jessie Graduates and so much more......

Ok so it has been since April that I blogged-- I'm not so good at this. Since April we have been busy--- Jessie senior night, graduation, Josh and Meg for married, Erin came for a Visit, Shelby and I went to Ruston for a visit and we spent a day at the lake. Here are picture of the events.

Time Flies!

This past week Jessie attended her Senior Prom, that is so hard to believe. It seems like only yesterday she was playing in the dirt at the ballfield. I'm so glad that I got to witness Jessie grow into a beautiful, intelligent, down to earth young lady.

Frozen Lula lake

Mike, Keri, and Ashlyn down at the falls.

We had an awesome time on Saturday at Lula Lake. This was the first visit to the falls for the Schmidts and we were glad to be with them. We also took Regan, Shelby, and Lexi (Shelby's friend). The day was georgeous but chilly. Once we made it down the trail to the actual lake and falls we decided to take the trek down to the bottom of the falls. It was not an easy hike but definitley worth the effort. Once we got to the bottom we realized it as all frozen and you could not go anywhere. It was so neat to see all the frozen water and icicles.

Family Fun!

This past week has been full of emotions. It all started on Friday February 12th, Erin, Jonathan and Jackson came to Flintstone for a visit. We normally try to go away but this year was different. Two years ago Erin and I decided we would plan a mini vacation every spring just for us. It would be a time that she and I could just be together and Michael and Jonathan could hang out (they really love being around each other). In 2008 we went to Gulf Shores, it was wonderful. We stayed at the Phoenix with all the blue hairs that travel to Florida for the winter. We shopped, swam in the indoor pool, ate out, walked on the beach and played the Wii. Last year (2009) we meet in Meridian Mississippi at Clarkco State Park. Even though the accommodations were less than perfect, we really enjoyed that place. Michael and Jonathan rode bikes, and Erin, Jackson and I just hung out together, took walks and played on the play ground. (It is so nice to be able to just sit and talk in person). This leads us to this year. Since my dad is about to under go some treatments for liver failure, Erin decided to come to Flintstone and be a tourist. Coming home served two purposes. One, they got to visit with Dad (before he could possible be sick from the treatments) and two, they got to be tourist in Chattanooga. We also got to have house guest for 5 nights! Michael and I loved it. During the 5 days we went to the Aquarium, Creative Discovery Museum, and the Imax! I can honestly say I had a WONDERFUL time. My emotions were up and down all week, just when we were having a great time watching Jackson play, I would think about how much I'm missing in his life by living so far away from him. I guess I take it for granted that I have watched Shelby and Regan grow up. Tuesday morning was terrible to say the least, it never gets any easier to say goodbye to them. Even though Erin and I have learned not to drag out our goodbyes, I crawled back in bed and cried myself back to sleep that morning.

Guests!

My sister is coming to town today! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the up coming 5 days! Erin, Jonathan, and Jackson are coming to Flintstone! Pictures to follow!

SnOw!

Today is Friday January 29th and we got snow! I mean lots of snow! It started about 12pm and it has not stopped (5:30pm). It is so pretty. As I watch it snow I realize how old I'm getting, I can remember hoping and praying that it would snow so we could get out of school or maybe even go home from work early, but now I worry that the power will go off or someone will wreck and not make it home. I use to stay outside in the snow and play until I could not feel my feet, not today I barely stayed out 5 minutes, just enough time to get a few pictures.