Lovin' Lake Gaston

So, our family is in the middle of a week stay at Lake Gaston North Carolina. This is Bryan's families 8th or 9th year coming to the same house. The house is a 3 story log cabin and we have crammed 16 people in. Funny thing is we never feel crowded. It is beautiful here. We have our own beach leading down to the water, a floating dock and a slide on the fishing dock that the kids can have fun on. The first days with kids are always a little rough. You know, new place, new people. Kind of freaks them out. I think we are doing OK now. This morning was 60 degrees and breezy. If I could bottle it up and bring it to Florida I would. Here is a picture essay of basically what has been happening...

This is the few from the back porch...


This is what our "beach" looks like with people on it...



This is a long shot to the boat dock...

Raleigh has stood comatose in front of the television

(I am missing the pic of Hudson throwing a fit, but trust me, there have been plenty)

Hudson has been going around stealing the kids drinks and apples.

I think this explains how both of us were feeling day 2.

Raleigh loves spending time in the water with the big kids. They are really good with him.

Raleigh got brave enough to jump off the end of the dock.

And then he got brave enough to go off the end of the slide!

More to come...

Happy 4th

Looking forward to spending the day with YaYa, Papa, PJ, Pappy and my cousin Shannon who I haven't seen since my Grandma's funeral 6 years ago! She is almost just like me, so we should have fun together. Nothing better than a day filled with burgers, swimming and fireworks. Sure do wish my sis was here...

A little homemade fun...

Our family had a great weekend! There was shopping in Orlando, a date with my hubby and a fantastic dinner prepared by mom, dad and Jen that would put any restaurant to shame. The highlight, though, was the redneck slip and slide that my husband sat up in my parents back yard. It was like a 40 foot long blue tarp that we put sprinklers on, tons of soap and the kids were pulled by a rope and slung off the end. My favorite part was when my sister decided to throw on some old clothes and participate. I know, so not Jen, but she did it. I think she had fun! Here are a few photos and a video for proof. Love you Jen...

With much thought and consideration...

Yes folks, I'm pretty sure we have decided on a name!

It took us a while to agree totally and for me to
get it through Bryan's head that we weren't naming
the baby Bryan Jr.. :)

So, here it is...

Sawyer Reagan Lutz

(And yes, Sawyer is a county in Wisconsin, so we
are keeping up with the geographical name thing)


And yes, we do watch LOST, but that's not the reason for the name.
But, hopefully this Sawyer will be just as clever with nicknames!

We went swimming today...

We went swimming today and I just wanted to share a few pictures. Raleigh has his swimmies on in some of them, but totally doesn't need them anymore. He was swimming really great at the end of our 3 hour swim today. And Huddie, well, what can I say, he is a crazy man. He has no fear WHATSOEVER! Scares me to death. I have to chase him around most of the time to stop him from jumping in on his own, but I don't mind, he has such a blast. We plan on doing the same thing tomorrow, and the day after and the day after, well, you get the point!

A new room, A new summer, A new me!

Remember I told you that Pappy (Phil) was working on our 3rd floor to turn it in to a bedroom for Raleigh. Well, I have some pictures. It sure has come a long way and Pappy has worked sooooo hard.

This is the stairway going up to the new room...

This is going to be a cool little hiding place for Raleigh to play in. It is at the top of the stairs and is just big enough for 2 or 3 kids to sit it. We are trying to utilize all space. He is going to love this!



This is part of the main room. There will be 2 dormer windows open, 1 is covered and 1 is part of my huge storage closet...

This is our Pappy, sweating and working so hard! Raleigh wants to put bunk beds on the wall where he is standing.

This will be the view from one of Raleigh's windows! High, huh?

On another note, school is over. I am glad but I will also miss my sweet kids. We had graduation at 8:30, which is why the kids look so lovely. All but 2 of my 24 students got checked out after graduation, so I only had 2 the rest of the day.

Bryan came and brought me Huddie and Raleigh came with Mom after they drove through the terrible storm that went through yesterday!

This is a picture Raleigh drew of his Robot Mom with a baby in her tummy and really big floppy ears...What's up with that?


I sat on the floor and tried to teach Raleigh to play connect four. He was only interested in winning and Huddie was throwing the pieces at us.

THEN, Mom, Raleigh, Huddie and I went to a great new restaurant I have been wanting to take her to called Peach Valley Cafe to enjoy a bit to eat.

Don't I look tired! Look how droopy those eyes are...

Huddie...

Raleigh...

The three stooges!

I am excited about summer and am looking forward to rest and swimming with my kids. Oh, and maybe actually making dinner again! I can't wait!

Can you smell it?

I can smell summer coming. It is blowing just over the hill. 2 DAYS LEFT!!!!! I don't know if I have ever been so excited for a summer before. I am trying to slow down this week and really enjoy my students. They have really been gettin' on my nerves as of late and I am trying to end without feeling that way. We have our class party tomorrow and then 5th grade graduation on Friday. Raleigh's school ended last week, so YaYa has him this week. Boy, we sure do miss the little guy around here. It is awful quiet. He is having a blast, though. She and Raleigh are in Orlando with my Dad enjoying some "vacation" time. They will join us Friday up here is Gainesville! I can't wait... Oh, and no, we don't have a permanent name for this little baby boy yet. Let me rephrase, I have one, I am just waiting on Bryan to say OK. I will let you know when we decide!