Tee Shirt Time: Skellenger Family Doin's Style

Actual Date: Monday, July 25, 2011

This was the day that the Skellenger Family Doin's was in full swing.  The rest of the family arrived and everyone was so excited to see each other again.

Uncle Chris and Parker had fun riding around.

Jacob taught Brooke how to play a new game.  I love how focused they are.  Brooke's tongue is sticking out, that's a sure sign of true concentration.  

These two were born a month apart and it was great to see how well they got along and loved playing together now that they are old enough to play on their own and carry on conversations.  

The boys did... well, whatever it is that boys do.

Ann taking it all in.

While everyone was at home Chels and I ran out to pick up some last minute things for my Papa's ceremony.  He past away last Summer and we had a funeral for him (I talked about it here).  Because he was a Navy and loved being on the water he requested that his ashes be scattered at sea.  So that's what we planned to do.

While we were out and about we found this bear at Costco.  We texted our Husbands and Dads asking them if we could buy it and they all said no.  

What?!  Why not?  We NEED this in our lives.  Who could say no to that face?

After we got back to my Grandma's house Chelsea and my Uncle Don took my Grandma's old truck over to my Mom's to pick up some food and my dog Chester.  When they pulled up all I could see was Chelsea's face, which was streaked with tears from laughing so hard, and Chester.  

But where was Uncle Donnie?

Then he stood up and jumped out of the truck bed...

Apparently Chester would not scoot over once they got him in the truck.  No matter how hard they tried to get him to move, he wouldn't budge.  So poor Uncle Donnie had to ride back in the truck bed.  I can only imagine what that was like.  My Mom lives pretty far down a pretty wash- boardy dirt road.  That ride had to be a rough one.

Early in the evening my cousin Cindi pulled all the Moms aside and showed us a surprise she had brought.  

She had gotten one for everyone.

And I do mean everyone!

I downloaded every ones cameras to my computer so there are a lot of pictures to go through from that evening, almost 400 to be exact.  So, I am just going to throw up some of my favorites.  

Parker and I

That's my Fam-Damnbly.

My brother Kenny, his wife Heather, Chelsea her husband and me. 

Parker saw what we were doing and he ran over and climbed up.

Aunt Ann, Uncle Donnie, Cindi and Jacob

My Grams and 5 of her 6 siblings and some of their spouses.  

Uncle DJ, Aunt Anne and Ryan

 The extra shirt is for their sister who was unable to make it. 

The two Annes.

Take your socks off Anne, your on vacation!  (Sorry I had to. You know I love ya. :o)

Cindi that stands and Cindy that sits.

When Chelsea was younger it was confusing for her when people would talk about "Cindy" or "Cindi." Finally one day she just said "Which Cindy?  Cindi that stands or Cindy that sits?'  I just love the innocence of little kids.  

Parker and Uncle Kenny playing.

I wished we lived closer so there cold be more moments like this.

Tanner, Ryan and Jacob 

Two Jedis, Brooke and Garenn.

Nate and Jeff

Me and two of my monkeys. 

 The End

...At least someone laughs at my jokes.

Grubbing @ Grandpa and Grandma's

Actual Date: Sunday, July 24, 2011

Grandpa Ray and Grandma Carol invited us over for dinner.  I always love going to their house and visiting with them.  And of course the food is always amazing too.

If you don't believe me, just ask Chris.  Look at his Fingers.  I had to take a picture.  That guy tore through those ribs like no body's business.

After dinner Grandpa brought out a Coconut and cut it up for us to eat.  

The kids thought it was the coolest thing ever.  They'd never seen anything like that.

Tanner tried it.

Ava and Garenn were sceptical, but they enjoyed it once they actually tried it.

Brooke loved it.

So did Parker and I.  

Thanks for the Dinner Grandpa and Grandma.  It was so good spending time with you guys.  

Before we left for dinner, some of our family arrived for our Family Reunion aka The Skellenger Family Doin's.  They had just drove in all the way from Iowa.  Tomorrow, the rest of the family is coming in to get the party started.  

Woot!  Woot!

While The Mamas Are Away, The Boys Will Play

Actual Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011

On this day we headed down the hill for a little shopping.  But first we met Chelsea and the boys at In and Out for some lunch.  She had just picked her Dad up at the airport and he was craving it.   After our bellies were full the girls (Grandma Ginny, Brooke and Chelsea) and I headed to the mall to do some shopping. 

Last year Brooke wore uniforms to Preschool but she doesn't have to at her new school so we actually got to go "School shopping" and buy fun stuff instead of just uniforms.  

The boys on the other hand headed off on a mission of their own.  To find Garenn a new bike!

 And since Garenn got a new bike, Tanner got a new bike too.  Garenn's old one but with new training wheels.  He was so excited.  

Look at that baby.  He's so stinkn' cute. 

Tanner wore those rain boots about every day we were there.  He wore them with everything, he didn't care.  One day I remember Chelsea telling him "Tanner you can't wear those with that outfit." and he said "But Mom!  I really care about them." 

Parker wanted to be part of the Big Boy pack too.  Soon enough little man, soon enough.  

My Sister From Another Mister

Actual Date: Friday, July 22, 2011

This day was a great one.  In the a.m. I headed down to the airport with my Grams to pick up her sister, Ginny.  We call her "Grandma Ginny" because she looks just like my Grandma.  

  

After we got home from the Airport we headed over to my Mom's because a very dear friend was coming to visit.  Crystal!

Crystal and I literally grew up together.  Our families had been friends long before we were even born.  We spent lots of weekends launching rockets with our Dads out on the Dry Lake and we had a lot of fun holiday parties together.  

As we got older we raise some heck at the Cocky Bull.  Remember that place?  I mean the real Cocky Bull, back when it was the only thing out on that side of town. (We once got caught for being out past cerfew.  We told the cop that we were out late heading to the store to buy "Feminine products."  I think he bought it because he didn't call our parents.)  

I have a lot of great memories with Crystal.  

Riding to school in the good old Nissan truck (What was his name?)...

Hearing her scream "Kittens!" every time Happy Toes, her cat walked into the room.  Now I can't even see a cat without hearing "Kittens!" in the back of my head...

Getting in trouble for coming home from school late...

Walking 3 miles towards home from the bus stop before my brother showed up to pick us up because he forgot he was supposed to...

Watching Biodome... on tape... 5,000 times...  Not just on taped but on a tapped tape... with commercials...

And so much more.  Too much more to list.

Thanks for coming to visit Crystal.  I've missed you girl.  Can't wait for you to come visit soon!

After Crystal left we hung out a little longer because Grandpa was on his way home.

And the girls were beyond excited to see him.  

Celebrating With Grammy

Actual Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011

On this day we headed over to my Aunt Pat's house to celebrate my Grandma Helen's Birthday.  Her 86th Birthday to be exact.  I am so glad we could be there to celebrate with her.

While we were at Aunt Pat's house of course we had to feed her fish!  Ginger wanted a treat too.

The girls in the Tea house.

After feeding the fish, they sat down to watch the new Alvin and The Chipmunks movie Grandma had bought them.

Then it was time for presents!

I found these socks and I could not pass them up.  

Gram has a hard time staying warm so when I saw these knee highs I thought they might help.  Plus they were flashy and wild so I thought she would think of me while she wore them.  

She loved them!  She said she was going to put on some shortie shorts and wear them to the bar that night to celebrate.  She said she might even have to dance on the table to show them off.  

For those of you who don't know my Grams, she is totally joking.  She is one of the most sweetest, down to Earth, most Godly Women I know.  I highly doubt that she's actually ever even been to a bar.  But that's why it's so fun to tease her about it.  

Cake time!

Brooke helped her blow the candles out.

When we first arrived Brooke asked if we could take some pictures on Aunt Pat's red bridge.  I promised her we could take some before we left, and you know she didn't let me forget that promise.  

Brooke took the lead and posed the pictures.  "Ava, come over and give me a hug."

"Now do a thumbs up."

I love Ava in this picture.  She couldn't get it but she sure tried.  I think at one point she had her tongue sticking out because she was concentrating so hard.  It was cute.

"Now put your arms out like this."

Beautiful Brooke.

And Adorable Ava.

Oh and then there's this little clown.  He wasn't too interested in taking pictures with his Sisters.  But I do have this picture of him that I took on my phone earlier that day.  Auntie Chelsea gave Brooke a new head band and Parker thought he was funny with it.  I snapped this picture and sent it to Brian with a note that said "Good morning from your third daughter."

He wrote back "Pretty."  

Something tells me he's not going to be showing that one off to the guys in the morning meeting...