Family Fun

July 15-23
I was part of the committee in charge of planning our 10 year high school reunion, and had to be in Fort Wayne for that after we returned from Nebraska (reunion post to follow).  Steven drove up to join us for the reunion weekend, and then James and I stayed an extra week to visit with family.  James had fun playing with Grandma and Grandpa Dowling, his Aunts and uncles, and all four of his great grandparents.  We had a great time!  This week James has also started to think about crawling!  He's moving his hands, doing some bear crawls and face plants, but not actually crawling just yet. 

Grandma and Grandpa Dowling

Great Grandma and Grandpa Dowling

Great Grandma and Grandpa Quance

Uncle Doug and James....twins???  ;-)

5 generations. My grandma Quance, Great Great Aunt Mary (Gma Quance's Mother's sister), My mom, me, and James. 

James was awesome on the airplane both to and from Nebraska.  He was happy, played and slept most of the way...what a trooper! 

We stopped to see Aunt Sarah and Uncle Greg in Indy on our trip back to Ft. Wayne.  They have a beautiful new apartment and we had such a nice visit. 

Nebraska Part III

July 14
In Nebraska I also had the chance to visit with some of my former teammates.  We had lunch together at one of our local favorite places, Lazlo's, and had a chance to catch up.  You're looking at a group of NCAA Division I National Champions....10 years ago!  wow, times flies!  I miss you ladies!

Top Left: James and I, Laura, Lindsay, Pat,

Bottom Left: Anna and Maddie, Angie and Logan

Nebraska Coliseum...where you'll find sold out volleyball action! 

The court.  I actually really miss this place.  On game night all the bleachers are out, right up to the red edge of the court.  Playing in front of a sold out crowd every night...students can't even get a ticket!  4200 of the most amazing fans you'll ever encounter, they sing the national anthem together, cheer so loud the floor shakes, and recognize a great play...no matter which team wins the point.  Truly an amazing and unique atmosphere.  We are Nebraska, We are One. 

Wall of All Americans

The Bell Tower on campus

The new weight room, coaches' offices, academic center, etc. 

This is the back of the football stadium. 

My old stomping grounds...the Smith Dorm.  wow...

My teammate/roommate, Michelle and her two adorable kids, Bella and Paxon.

Nebraska Part II

July 12-15
While I was in Nebraska, I also had an amazing visit with my cousin Amanda and her growing family, husband Adam, Peyton, and soon to be baby Easton.  Adam is in the Air Force stationed at Offut Air Field in Bellevue, NE, which is just a short drive south of Omaha.  Their son, Peyton is seriously adorable and super smart!  He will be starting kindergarten this fall and is going to be a big brother very soon!  It was so great to see you all, hope we can see you again soon!

Check out Peyton's thumbs up...so silly!

Peyton made us a snack.  He asked Amanda if she could help him get out all of the ingredients, but then he put them together and "cooked" it.  :-)  It was a concoction of vanilla wafers, pretzels, peanut butter, chocolate and lime juice.  He heated it all up and presented it on a little plate, one for me and one for himself.  Then he looked at me and said..."You try it first!"  hahaa!  It was actually pretty good, the lime juice gave it a little zip!

Nebraska Part I

July 12-15
James and I went to Nebraska to visit my best friend, Anna, who just had a baby girl, Madison Rae.  Anna and I played volleyball together at Nebraska and we've stayed close even though we only see each other once every three years.  We're determined to not let it go that long in between visits again....especially since James and Maddie are going to be married someday!  :-)  hahaa...just kidding! 

Thank you so much Anna and Ben!  We had such a great time!

Maddie is already so tall, maybe she'll be a volleyball stud like her mom!

James LOVED Izzie, their dog.  She let James play all over her, he was in heaven.

Touchdown!

On our way to Lincoln, both the kids took naps in the car, we though it was pretty cute. 

Anna's parents, Mary and Steve, had us over for an amazing dinner!  When I was in college, they took care of me like I was their own.  I spent lots of time at their house for holidays or just weekends with family.  They are some of the most wonderful people, and I was so blessed to be part of their family while I was missing mine! 

Fourth of July Weekend

Our great friends Pete and Deena invited us to join them for some lake festivities over the 4th of July weekend.  We stayed at their new beautiful home (thanks for the awesome hospitality) and then headed out to Lake Cumberland early on the 4th.  Pete borrowed a Jet Ski from a friend and rented a Pontoon Boat for the day, and we couldn't have asked for better weather!  Lake Cumberland isn't what you'd normally picture as a "lake", but instead, it's miles and miles of river that's wide enough to boat on...very cool!  We had an amazing time! AND...James' first two teeth came through on this weekend, two bottom ones. 

Our hosts, Pete and Deena

Don't let their size fool you, their dogs, Tank and Tess were seriously sweet!  Tess didn't leave James' side.

This was the first time Steve had ever been on a Jet Ski.  He had a blast and I took him for the ride of his life...I think he was scared!  :-)

This vehicle is actually both a car AND and boat!  you can drive it right out of the water and take off onto land.  How amazing is that??

A whole month ago....

So...it's been over a month since I've blogged, and there is lots of catching up to do!  These were taken on June 24th when James started to go from lying down to sitting up on his own. 

I came in to pick up James after a nap and this is what I saw.  From over the top of the crib I saw his little bald head moving around.  He was smiling and quite proud of himself. 

This same day he also decided his toes were quite delicious!