Refreshment

This past weekend I was able to spend some quality girl time with my favorite girls from Dallas. We met at my parent's and soaked up every minute away. We enjoyed a home cooked meal (thanks Mom!!!), dinner out, lots of talking, playing games, staying up late and sleeping in late too, sharing wedding stories, pictures and videos (I even tried on my wedding dress), and even some make-you-sore exercise. It was such a refreshing time, although I did come back very tired :). We missed Jamie terribly, but hope to all get together sometime soon. THANK YOU BEN FOR MAKING THIS WEEKEND POSSIBLE BY KEEPING OUR PRECIOUS KIDDOS. YOU ARE THE VERY BEST!!!

Words cannot express how thankful I am for these friends! When we lived in Texas, I knew they were special friends that I loved spending time with, but it wasn't until we moved away that I realized what an unbelievable blessing they were to me and my family. We were intentional to sharpen each other to become more Godly women, more loving wives and better mommies. As I look back on my time with them, I am amazed at how successfully we did in fact sharpen each other. I need these women in my life! I realize that these relationships were built over 3+ years and that I must be patient in developing them here, but I am in need of authentic, sharpening friendships.

Thank you girls for loving me through my faults and for taking time to meet me in Oklahoma! You are the best friends I could ever hope for.

After a relaxing, adult weekend, I came home to 3 wonderful children and a gracious husband. It was great to get away, but great to get home! While I was gone, Lucy decided she would try to start keeping up with Reid.

4th of July at The Farm

For those of you who don't know, Ben grew up on a farm with all of his cousins (11 total), aunt and uncles and paternal grandparents. They are a very close family with lots of traditions, one of the biggest is their 4th of July celebration. The first celebration was in 1976 and has grown since. This year close to 350 people attended. On Wednesday morning (or 2 days before the 4th) a huge fire is started in a "brick oven" underground. By the time evening comes the fire has died down and the meat goes in. They cook 2 whole pigs, chicken, goat and beef. The meat is seasoned, wrapped in foil, then cheese clothe, and then long tubes of chicken wire. It is then quickly placed into the brick oven. The lid is closed and completely covered with dirt. The meat cooks until the morning of July 4th, when it was served for lunch. The Stites family mainly provides the meat, drinks and paper goods while all the guests bring side dishes and desserts. The Stites women also add a few of their own sides and desserts. I'll admit, I went through the line early to make sure I got some of the Stites' food (it really is the best.)

Preparing the pig

Watching the men cover the pit with dirt...with Sarah

Helping Daddy put the last little bit on top

These boys, and I call them boys because all of them except Ben and Matt complained about every shovelful of dirt them moved, uncovered the pit on the 4th of July.

Of course Hampton and Isabelle helped.

This year several of Ben and Matt's college teammates came to visit. It was fun to catch up and meet the new additions to their families. The Tuley's, the Justice's and the Leslie's came to celebrate!

Brittany and Hampton

Hampton and Carrigan played well together in the ice. Hampton didn't leave these buckets for at least an hour. He moved ice and water from one bucket to another and handed people drinks.

Dadoo serving meat - Ben's brother

Quite a spread
The line
The Leslie Family

The Justice Family

With Ma and Papa...the ones who started the whole celebration

My sweet boys

3 of the 4 Stites girls...what sweet cousins!!!

He found the creek!!!
What a fun day!!!

More Tennessee

In addition to the 4th of July fun, we also enjoyed a few days just hanging out with cousins. David and Candice's girls are so sweet and compassionate with Hampton and he LOVES them. Just the other day Hampton was looking at pictures from our trip and when he saw Carrigan he said, "Hi Carrigan. My go Gran and Poppy's see you." Here are a few fun pics.

Naked Popsicles

(2 years 2 months)

(2 years 5 months)

(almost 7)

(4 years)

Sweet, sticky kisses

Helping Gran water the flowers

David and Candice are building a house on the farm. Not only have we been able to see it a few times during the process, we also had the chance to right special scriptures on the frame work of the house. Here are a few of the verses we wrote. What a special tradition.

We are so excited for them and thankful for their strong foundation! We love you all!!!

Kansas City

After our trip to the lake we drove straight to the airport to go to KC. Ben had to work, so Hampton and I tagged along to visit cousins. We had so much fun and the weater was awesome...a nice break from the heat here! We visited a mock farm where the kids enjoyed seeing all kinds of animals and even petting a few. Hampton ran from one pen to the next, so excited to be with his cousins.

Caroline

We were also able to see Madison and Elizabeth swim in their first ever swim meet. I was not feeling great (more on that later) and all H wanted to do was swim. It was a bit of a challange, but the girls did great! We were glad to see it. Great job girls!!!

Elizabeth

Madison