Family memories....

My hard-working husband was on vacation last week, so we tried to do a couple fun things, relax at home and get some projects done....but the first thing we did was spend the day making a special family memory.

We packed snacks, drinks, extra water and lunches and headed out to Living Treasures Animal park. I really like packing all of our food...it's healthy and frugal..and picnics are fun! The day started out raining...but we decided that rain or shine, we were going to have fun! And...when we pulled into the Animal park...the rain stopped. What fun we had! Meghan and Sara were busy taking lots of pictures on their own cameras and LAUGHING....while Sara took home movies on her new FLIP camera.

Anna was enthralled with the kangeroos....the one on the left had a little baby in it's pouch and Anna wanted to take them home!

Ronnie fell in love with this big guy. He named him "Shellvin"...and spent quite a bit of time with him.

Afterward, as we were walking to the car...the rain started up again! We drove just a couple minutes to Morainne State Park...and by the time we pulled into the parking space at the lake, the rain stopped. We had a wonderful picnic lunch, then headed for the sand! Sara, Ronnie and Anna ended up putting their suits on and swimming, looking for rocks and playing in the sand. The blue gill fish were swimming around their feet, while Ronnie & Anna tried to catch them by hand.

I simply relaxed with a little bit of knitting...it was so peaceful there! I WILL be getting a nice, big straw hat to keep the sun off of my face though!
Meghan kept me company busily crocheting away....while the clouds rolled away and the sky turned a beautiful shade of blue!
Dad enjoyed the peace and quiet for a little nap while the little ones played...

The rest of our week, we watched Ty, went bowling one afternoon, finished our bathroom project! Then...from Friday on, it was BUSY! We had the highschool evaluations for Meghan and Sara (always wonderful, our evaluator, Diane is such a wonderful friend!)...then we went to a very special celebration...and adoption party for our friends, the Porcari's, who adopted Alanna! What fun we had! After the year they have had, since Alanna was placed with them when she was 3 days old...the ups and downs, the uncertainty, the joys...and the trust and faith that they placed in God....it was a joy to celebrate with them! It was such fun seeing all of our mutual friends, the older girls hung out with all of their friends, the little ones played on a big playground with tons of their friends...and Ron & I had a great time catching up with OUR friends, as well!

Saturday, we had my nephew, Shayne's graduation party. I have to say, my sister Lori is a pro at planning parties! It was such a special tribute to Shayne...the decorations were perfect, the food was incredible (my mom made most of it...pulled pork, meatballs, sauce, rigatoni, roast beef....all homemade from scratch)....even with the rain that poured down (it IS Pittsburgh, after all!) everyone had a great time!

We ended our week with Father's day! My wonderful husband enjoyed a special week with his family, we had my Dad and step-mom, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law for dinner (Ron's favorite...slow cooked barbecue ribs with my honey barbecue sauce)...then Meghan made 2 banana cream pies for dessert. A sweet ending to a special week!

~Now....tomorrow, our dear friend Gabrielle is coming to stay with us for 3 weeks...a nice, long visit! Then...on Wednesday....I am leaving for Ohio with Meghan, Sara and Gabrielle for 5 special days...time spent with good friends, a large homeschooling conference where we will have the privilidge of hearing Dr. Voddie Baucham speak...then more good friends, and home on Sunday!~ I have a couple posts scheduled to post while we're gone, then it's back next week to document our trip! Ah....summertime!!!! Have a blessed week! ~Sue~