Summer Lovin - Having a Blast!

Since Shayne's quarter isn't quite as hectic as in the past we have been able to do a lot of fun things, and it's been a blast! Here's what we've been up to in between all our travels!

What would summer be without bbqs? We love BBQs - good friends, food and fun, what more could you ask for? These were pretty early on this summer! Kevin - the master griller!

OOPS!

Nothing like a good game of football to make you really hungry!

Just two of the many cute kiddos we get to hang around - Taylee and Davis

And of course you can't have a bbq without volleyball

All the wifeys just hanging out

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

James and Molly called us one afternoon and we spontaneously up and went on a little outing. We stopped by the Jefferson Outlets to do a little shopping and then took our first trip to Cincinnati. They wanted to introduce us to the Montgomery Inn Boathouse - according to James and Molly they serve the best ribs!

Random?

Yep we agree, those were some spectacular ribs

This is the view from the restaurant, it is right on the water and such a great atmosphere!

Just outside the restaurant - isn't it pretty?

Switcheroo - We kind of forgot who we were married to there for a sec

Oh here's the right one!

What would an outing be without James removing an article of clothing! Yep James you better believe we posted this, hmmm what's Belle doing to your nipple? Oh yeah and watermelon made a great end to the night, thanks for the fun outing guys let's do it again soon!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We took a day trip to Hocking Hills and brought the girls along for the fun! For those of you who don't know, Hocking Hills is about the closest you can get to feeling like you are in the mountains out here in good old flat Columbus. There are a lot of hiking trails, caves, waterfalls and it is very lush with vegetation. They also have a lot of campsites (we'll be back later for that). The girls did really well. We ended up taking them on about a 7 mile hike. They went strong the whole way and didn't tire out til we got in the car to go home. It rained a bit while we were there which made for some pretty muddy dogs, but it sure made the waterfalls even better so it was worth it.

One of the many waterfalls - we actually didn't get the greatest pics of any of them, this was just a bitty one.

Just think mountains!

Cool Bridge

Weird tree chair

A cave on one of the trails

Wading in the water

Just after the rain

So much fun we can't wait to go again!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gardening 101 Sherri decided to try her hand at gardening this year. She wasn't so sure she had made a good decision after her visit to Lowes talking to the gardening expert. She was a little intimidated when he started using all the gardening lingo (dead head, IPM, sludge, blanching, axils, bunching, dibble stick, dethatch, grafting just to name a few) but she went for it anyway and so far it hasn't turned out too shabby.

There are 4 of these hanging on our deck in the back just like this ready and waiting to be planted in

These are two other bare areas in the backyard

This is in the front - these plants came up on their own but we still wanted to put more behind them

This was the result afterwards, there are no pics of the others right after because we decided to plant some veggies and flowers and those had to have some time to grow.

We went home to Utah and came home to this - we (or at least Sherri) were so excited!

and this! We had no idea they would sprout flowers. The ones we planted behind are still growing so no pics yet

And THIS!!!! The garden was in full bloom, peas, cucumbers, carrots and pumpkins - hopefully they all turn out!

And last but not least, this! This spot rarely sees the sun so we planted hastas here and they are coming along quite nicely!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What hasn't Shayne been doing this summer, you'd think he wasn't even in school. We're not complaining though we are loving every minute of it. It's going to be hard when he has to study so hard again! He has been playing every sport imaginable! He is on a volleyball and softball league with some fellow dental students, plays basketball often, and golfs pretty much every day, sometimes twice! Most of this Sherri can't enjoy as well, so it has been fun for her to go and watch some of the softball games!

Batter Up!

GO TEAM!

Shayne pitches quite a bit during the games.

Bart makes for a good catcher

Good form coach! James put the team together and so far they are having a great time. We won't talk about their record, they still have more games to go!

The wives along for the action and a few mosquito bites to go along with it!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sherri took her four day weekend recently and drove a few hours up to Michigan to help her brother and his family move in. They were moving from Missouri for school so Sherri jumped on the chance to go play with her niece and nephew. Shayne had a test to study for so he couldn't go - he was missed and we can't wait to go visit more now that they live so close!

Such a beautiful sunset on the drive up! No I wasn't driving and taking a pic at the same time, that would be crazy!!!

Sherri's brother Steve, his wife Kasey and Grant (Sherri had never met him until this trip) who is 9m old.

Isn't he a cutie, I can't believe this is the only pic I got of him!! Probably cause his sister loves the camera so she stole all the time!

The many faces of Sarah! She is too cute for words and has such a funny personality. She is 2 1/2 going on 16, watch out mom and dad! As you can see from some of these pics she is very independent and likes to do things herself, even if it may seem too big for her!

The Detroit River is basically in their backyard. There is a huge park right by it and apparently there is always a lot going on there. We went down to check out the weekend festivities and this is what we saw! Tunnel Boat races - really cool!

And a jet ski competition (to see who could do the best tricks, there were some really cool ones) this one of course was the favorite because it was painted like NEMO!

And........ just because we love our girls and think they are so dang cute!