Memorial Day 2025

"We are not doing any work today!" Teddy made a statement and stuck to it.  The guys did go to the store for a few items for lunch.  Teddy cooked on the blackstone and I cooked on the stove...homemade mac and cheese with bacon.

We had yummy chicken tenders and lots of conversation!

Made me laugh to see where the dogs planted themselves!  Very telling...even after all the years.

Our cooker!

A simple summer birthday celebration while we are all together!  MMMM!  No candles...Mom didn't plan super well ahead of time!

Ashlynn worked her magic for Teddy because his head is too hot.  We enjoyed the time to chat about all the things of life.

Then everyone went on their way...Teddy to date and the other three to get ready for their work week...catching up on calls and grocery shopping.

We sat out on the porch enjoying all the forest sounds and talking about all the things we are grateful for in this season of life.  We are thankful for the opportunities we have to spend time with our grown-up chair fillers.  They still make time for our family even with life responsibilities and other activities.

While we understand it...the dogs, on the other hand, sat waiting for everyone to come back.
 

Sunday in the South

On our way to church to meet up with Teddy and Sloan.  It is now a regular thing I do when we spend Sunday in the South...we take a picture!

The dogs were happy to get their "Teddy fix" at every chance they could.  I think he enjoyed it too!

Napping...

Watching...

Thanking...
 

Meeting a new friend

Teddy is quite the chef!  He had a plan for supper...in...not out at a restaurant!  Fresh corn on the cob, burgers and potatoes on the blackstone.  Always chatting, thinking, and planning!

We got to meet Teddy's friend.  We shared supper together and then getting to know her.

How do you get to know someone?  Look at all the pictures and childhood stuff your Mom brings to you to keep at your house now!  Teddy was so cute...and so little!

Now he is all growed up and big!  Chica decided that she likes Sloan.  We think she is pretty sweet too.

 

The newlyweds are house-hunting

We picked up Ashlynn and Alex and went out to brunch on Saturday morning.

We went to their favorite spot...First Watch...and got a table outside.  It was a lovely day to be outside and visit.

We then drove to Clinton to check out a house and see the area where they desire to move.

The next picture was a moving picture as both of them moved a little faster backward when they saw a cage in the crawl space.  Upon second look, it was empty.

But at the back of the house, there was a baby raccoon holding on for dear life.  "Where there is a baby...there is a mother close by!?!"  We never saw it though.

Checking out all the mechanical and important structural stuff.

No pictures inside...but noticing the topography of the land that greatly affects the water run off.  The realtor gave them some good things to think about, consider, and check out as they continue on the adventure of house hunting.  We are grateful for people who want to help our grown children learn through these life processes.

It was a gorgeous day in TN and we are thankful for the time with each of our children!

 

Alisa's new place

We girls took a load over to Alisa's new place on Friday night.  Our van had several boxes we brought from Michigan for Alisa.  Slowly but surely we are getting rid of all the odds and ends that keep turning up around our house. 

So excited for her cute little kitchen!

We put together the bed frame to let the mattress have the 24-48 hours to puff up.  I love the little patio off her bedroom.

Ashlynn did some cleaning.  So brave of her!

The weather was so cool and beautiful.  It made for a nice air freshening in the apartment.

We moved her old twin bed in for her couch in the livingroom on Sunday afternoon.

Dad came over to check things out and make sure all things were in order.

The windows do not work correctly and that is a safety concern.  So Alisa is on it with a few other items that needed attention!  Uh...do you see what I see?  We were not impressed with the property management of things to which Alisa said, "Uh, now you know why I am only paying $xxx."  

Alex helped take care of a couple items for her.  She is in good hands.  The area seems to be safe and quiet.  And so we trust God to take good care of her in this new phase of her life...apartment living!  I remember how fun it was when I moved out on my own the first time.

We didn't get everything set, but a great start.  Alisa, you owe me more pictures when you get things how you want them!  I can't wait to see how her ideas come together!
 

The mountains were calling again!

We left Thursday after Ted was done with work.  I had the van loaded, lunch made, and ready to go!  We made good time till Cincinnati...where we sat in barely moving traffic and lost an hour.  We made it to Teddy's by 10:50pm.  He was tired...but waited up for us!

We got to work on Friday morning with some jobs!  I painted the kitchen white and brightened everything up.

My little helper ended up with paint on her back...but she didn't care!

The guys got back from Home Depot with supplies to set the new kitchen sink base.

It took longer because of the floor difference of 1 1/2 inches in the 60 inch span for the new cabinet.

They built a platform and got everything level.

Measure once...twice...thrice...

Have power tools...will roll!

I finished my job and sat and watched the guys.

Dad did more supervising this time around!  I love watching and listening to the guys work together!  Both of them are smart cookies...and funny!  Both have learned from Papa!  And who do you call when you just don't know for sure?  Uncle Jon!