Getting Ready for the Lake

After John's last lacrosse game on Saturday we headed down to the lake for a little clean up before opening weekend, which is usually Memorial Day.  We really didn't spend much time at the lake last summer, and I didn't make it down one single time over the winter, but it felt good to get down there and do a little organizing and cleaning.  

We've been getting by with some old mismatched lawn furniture on the deck, but Lawrence really wanted something more comfortable to sit in so we stopped by Lowes and Beth, Beth & Beyond before we went and picked up some new lounge chairs and a few rocking chairs.  The rocking chairs required some assembly, and I was pleasantly surprised that John and Sarah participated in that little project.  They put the second one together all by themselves.  

A rare moment of sibling cooperation

We got quite a bit done Saturday night...kitchen cleaned, pantry stocked for the summer, lawn mowed, rocking chairs assembled...after a quick KFC dinner we settled in by the fire John built and enjoyed the chilly spring night, which soon became very hot after Lawrence threw the rocking chair boxes into the fire.  I was scared our little campfire was going to set one of the trees on fire!

Someone call Smokey the Bear

The next morning we tackled some more chores, and Sarah took on the task of cleaning the wrought iron furniture on the deck and giving it a fresh coat of paint.  It was soooo dirty and nasty from the winter.  Here's the before:

Not a very inviting place to have dinner

After a good scrubbing we moved them down into the yard and she got to work painting them.

DIY Channel star

And then, viola!  Like new (not really, but almost!)

And with the new lounge chairs and rockers, the deck is ready and open for summer!  Cocktails anyone?

Time to relax

Before heading home we went down to the dock to have a pizza and take the boat out for a quick check.  It was a bit chilly, but being on the water made us ready for summer.  Bring on the sun!

Claire's Birthday and Mother's Day

Mother's Day was a gorgeous spring day this year, and I felt blessed to get to spend it with my kiddos and to have a nice visit with my mother-in-law, aka Mary Lawrence, aka Nana.  I'm so mad I didn't get a picture of her and Lawrence out on her porch...we sat outside and visited in the sunshine, and I had meant to snap a photo!

My own mama wasn't in town on Mother's Day...she was in Russell Springs with Sherry, Marilyn and my grandmother.  They got to spend the day with Grandmother, and I'm sure she was happy to have them there.  

Sherry, Mom, Marilyn and Grandmother

We went to the Hamilton's that night to celebrate Mother's Day and Claire's 15th birthday.  We had a nice night hanging out and visiting.

Fabulous night for the deck

Sarah and Claire doing crafts with Reese

Claire and her grandfather Bruce
(photo bombed by Susan!)

Claire received a really special gift from her grandmother, Helen.  Bruce had given Helen a beautiful scarab bracelet back in the '50s for a birthday gift, and she gave it to Claire that night.  Love family treasures!  There is absolutely nothing better.

So pretty!

Showing Helen how nice it looked 

Hugs for the special gift 

Lots of fun teenager goodies 

Claire and her mama

Three generations...Granny Shanny, Claire and Reese (Claire's
niece of course, not her daughter!) 

Happy to be their mom

Happy Birthday Claire!

Syd-Star

On Wednesday night we finally got to go see Sydney play some softball!  Between lacrosse and field hockey we always seem to have conflicts on her game nights, but this week we were free so we headed over to Providence to watch her team play Silver Creek.  They were raising funds that night for cancer awareness so the girls were wearing their pink and navy uniforms (they're so cute, I think they should wear them all the time!).  Syd played great...I think she has long softball career ahead of her!

Go Pioneers!

National Honor Society Induction

This last week Sarah and Tanner were both inducted into CAL's chapter of the National Honor Society.  Tanner had actually been inducted last year at Eastern, but having transferred to CAL this year he had to become an official member of their chapter.  I don't think he was too thrilled having to sit with all the new inductees, who were mostly sophomores.

Sarah was happy because for once she wasn't the last name in line ("T" Young comes after "S" Young!).  It's the little things that make her happy.  :-)

We harass Sarah a lot about her grades and not studying enough, but in reality we are super proud of her accomplishments.  Lord knows neither Lawrence or I were ever in NHS, so she's way ahead of us there!  

It has been fun having Tanner at CAL this year.  Sarah loves seeing her cousin around, and they've been able to hang out a lot with their mutual friends.

We are proud of these smarties!

Derby Weekend

Derby weekend was a fun one this year, and while we didn't go to the track on Derby Day, we did do some other fun things leading up to the big day.  On Thursday we went out to Churchill Downs with the Weises, Russells and Vargas.  We've gone out on Thursday (given an official name this year of "Thurby") with them the last several years, and it's become one of our favorite days at the track.  In fact, we had so much fun this year that I didn't even stop and think to take one single picture (shame on me!), so I'm going to include a throwback from last year's Thurby day.  Here is one of my favorites of Lawrence and me in front of the spires from 2013.

We stayed until the last race and then went to our traditional dinner at Z's in the neighborhood.  We laughed so much on this day...it was fun, fun, fun.

Somehow Sarah had sweet talked her dad into agreeing to take her and five of her friends to the Oaks this year (he is definitely the "fun" parent).  He got them a box and off they went that day for a fun day at the track.  

The day was a bit chilly but they all insisted they didn't need sweaters or wraps.  Having been at the track many a chilly day myself, I knew to send Lawrence with a bag of items, and late in the day he texted me a picture of them saying the wraps and the box lunches from Panera I sent with him were a good idea! 

The girls had fun hooking up with friends and the day appears to have been a success.  It's probably best I wasn't there, as I surely would have been a nervous wreck making sure they didn't get into any trouble in the infield!

That night we got to do something we've never done before...go to the infamous Barnstable Brown party.  Lawrence's friend Billy Collis gave the firm six tickets (they do work for him from time to time), and we all stepped out in to style to rub elbows with the stars.

The Firm - together for 20 years!

The party was such a fun spectacle to see...in some ways it was different from what I expected (the house itself is a bit tired), but in other ways it was just as I had pictured...lots of semi famous (and some really famous!) people, great food and music, and lots of over the top decor.  We had a ball, and I'm really glad we got to go.  

Me, Laura and Amy heading up the walk to the house

Checking out the pool

Watching Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert 

All the girls from Oaks spent the night, and we were all dragging on Saturday morning.  The day was beautiful outside, and after everyone went home Lawrence and I went and picked up flowers for the yard and I got all our spring planting done.  That evening Sarah went down the street to babysit for the Dezarns and we were all in bed by 10:30...not the most exciting Derby day ever, but definitely a great Derby weekend!

Easter

Finally, for the first time in years, Easter was a beautiful spring day!  We have had some really dreary Easters the last few years, so it was glorious to spend almost the entire day outside soaking up the sunshine.  The kids were off school on Friday, and John and I went to a viewing of the The Passion of the Christ at church (Sarah had spent the night with Emmalee the night before and was still at their house).  What a difficult movie to watch, but what a wonderful portrayal of all Jesus endured for us.  I'm really glad we went.  

Claire spent the night with us on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning we went to church before going to brunch at Meme and Papa's.  The service was so good...Kyle spoke about what our lives would be like without Easter, and it was a wonderful message.  Of course the Easter Bunny came and left the kids some goodies like lacrosse and field hockey balls, candy and a few other fun things.

Meme had set a beautiful Easter table and served her traditional brunch which we all love (she always says she feels bad serving the same thing, but it's a tradition, and we all love it!).

Easter is my favorite holiday...I love being with family without the pressure that comes with Christmas, and the beautiful spring weather was the icing on the cake.

That night we went over to Badoo's for a delicious Easter dinner.  Mary Lawrence joined us too, and we ended the night wishing Dick at happy 76th birthday (his and Uncle Bill's birthday was coming up on Tuesday).

After honey glazed ham, deviled eggs (one of my favorites!) and this decadent ice cream cake that Lori brought, I thought I might explode.  And it was totally worth it!

Happy Easter!  

Sarah's 16th Birthday

Sarah's 16th birthday was celebrated in a few different ways.  As it has most years, her birthday fell during spring break, which meant we would be in London on the big day.  The only angst this caused was that she wouldn't be at home to get her driver's permit on her actual birthday, but this was a small price to pay to get to spend her birthday in such a cool place!  

Before we left on Friday I gave her a few gifts that she could use for her trip.  

First, a Vera Bradley toiletry bag to match the duffle bag that Meme and Papa gave her for Christmas...

... and also a pair of Hunter boots to wear while she was in London.  She had been asking for a pair of these for a while.

Her birthday fell on the Wednesday we were in London, and I had packed a few little items to give her that morning.  She really wanted a Lilly Pulitzer wristlet that had a place to keep her driver's license on the outside, but the only ones I could find like that were sorority themed. Since she isn't in a sorority I got her one that would hold it on the inside, along with her phone (she liked it, but has since swapped it out for A Vera Bradley one with the ID on the outside - gotta show off that license!).  We also gave her a pair of Pandora earrings.  She loves small earrings so we gave her a special pair of new studs.  

We had a great day going to Kensington Palace, and I loveD that we got to spend the entire day together (one benefit of her birthday being on spring break - no school!).

That night we had a swanky dinner at Barbecoa, right outside of St. Paul's Cathedral.  

That next week after returning home we went to get her driver's permit.  She was so excited to pass that test!

That Sunday night we had the family over for dinner and cake.  I decided to enlarge a picture of her permit for her cake (strawberry with strawberry icing, her favorite).

She received lots of birthday moo-lah and gifts, and she had a nice night with her family.

I can't believe she is really 16...in a way the time has gone so fast, but in other ways I can't remember my life without her.  I am oh so grateful for my beautiful, smart, healthy daughter.  I love being her mom, and I thank God every day for the blessing of her in my life.  Now, remind me of that when I'm teaching her to drive over the next six months!