More 50th Pictures

The Girl cousins NEVER stopped dancing....What Fun!!!
Melanie & Hattie still got it going on!
AAWWWW... Ronnie misses his Shelly!!
Tyler & Caitlynn do the tango!!!
Ronnie & Brittany are too cute!!!!

Congratulations Mom & Dad on 50 years!!!

This is what going to Maine every year is all about. It sure is loud and crazy for a few weeks, but I would never want it any other way!!!!!

The night was almost over and we had the DJ play Rock around the clock as we all watched the best jitterbug dancers ever!! My mom and dad!
Dad and Melanie look at the anniversary present, a photo book of my parents lives, they loved it!! I can only imagine how bittersweet it must be for them; 7 kids, 26grandchildren and 1 greatgrandchild later...I hope I am blessed enough to find out!

Luke loves music and dancing more than I have ever seen with my other kids...its so fun to watch!

From the first shocked look on my parents faces as they walked in to the last dance, the 5oth anniversary party was my favorite night in Maine. It was perfect. We had Italian food, great music and over 100 friends & family that showed their support. My brother Willie was "there" thanks to a web cam video link. Most people were seeing him for the first time since the attack. He was so happy to still be a part of the big night. My brothers & sisters were all able to "let there hair down" and be silly and act like teenagers. That was a rare treat. The kids especially loved watching the adults act so crazy. Thank you Mom & Dad for EVERYTHING:)

Ronnie turns 16!!!!!

Ronnie is the only one this year lucky enough to get a lobster on the fourth...he deserves it for his big day!!!
His favorite Ice-cream cake from Dairy Queen, don't tell Cold Stone!!!
Ronnie's favorite part of his birthday is being able to celebrate it every year in Maine at Papa's camp with all of his cousins!!! He also is the only one who gets fireworks every year, "Just for him" Hehehe! The money is not to bad either:) Seriously, I can't believe my chubby little baby boy is already 16...I'm nervous about this whole dating thing, he seems to always have a line of girls wherever he goes!!

Kevin & Rochele in Maine

Rochele & Kevin arrived wed. night July 2nd, we didn't even let them rest. We had a great sunset boat ride on Cobossee Lake.
Thursday was the adult daytrip to Freeport. We window shopped and had real maine "LOBSTAH" rolls. They were so yummy! Kevin loved LL Bean, esp. the kayaks and the video interview with the saleslady..Hehehe!!!
Rochele is still Daddies little girl!!!
Fourth of July Fireworks at Fort Western our annual tradition, How weird to celebrate this year with a son-in-law!!!
The 5oth Anniversary party for my parents was the highlight of this vacation, I hope these newlyweds beat their record:)

PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!

These pictures are just incredible!!!! He loved the Beach and these pictures prove it!!!! As I look at his face I can see all of my children when they were babies, which makes it so bittersweet!!

Popham Beach Maine

This was one of my two most favorites days in Maine. I just wish Rochele & Kevin would have gotten to Maine one day sooner so they could have gone. The weather was perfect, later in the afternoon a thick fog rolled in that made it a little scary. Kathy & I felt so brave(not really) as we conquered the strong current, with our husbands help, to get to the rocky mountain island. The water was waist high on me and I felt like I was walking sideways, and if you stood still you sank down in the sand. I still can't figure out how the little girl cousins made it across that current by themselves, they said they just held hands, AMAZING!! The Men & Boys played football and had a great time, they all looked HOT!! Ron ended the day by making his famous dragon sand sculpture!! What a Terrific day!!!!!

Papa's Camp......Great Memories

For years Papa's camp has created a magical place for all of the cousins' and a few extras. It is just picture perfect beauty on cobosse lake. I love just laying out in the lawn chair, book in hand, watching the kids have so much fun. They play who is the king of the water trampoline or king of the dock. They take out the Kayakes, waterski, tube ride or jet-ski. Sometimes they just "chill" and if we are really lucky they talk and laugh with all of us adults. This is what we talked about just a few short years ago when they were all toddlers or babies. Its just pure bliss. How lucky we are!!!!

The birthday I ALMOST forgot

My 38th Birthday was great in all the ways that really matter!!! I have a great family, a great faith, and wonderful friends!!!! I was so focused on other things this year I literally forgot about it myself. However my great friend Jenny reminded by taking me out to lunch and Ron made me the BEST birthday cake ever. The bottom layer was brownie, two layers of chocolate cake with rasberry filling and ganache on top w/ fresh rasberries. It was AMAZING!!!!