Sunday, August 16, 2009

Luau's and Butterflies...

Yesterday, we went to our friends Chris and Chrissy's annual Luau. Lots of great friends, great conversation and lots of drinks! Little did we know, though...Chris had a little surprise in store for Chrissy. While giving their "thank you for coming" speech, he PROPOSED!!! We've known since the first time we met Chris that some day this engagement would come...they are just THAT perfect for each other.

It just overjoys me to see my friend this happy. She certainly deserves it...and so does he.


AND SHE SAID YES!!!
In addition to just being a wonderful couple, they are incredibly close friends of ours (Chrissy and I have known each other since we were little kids). We have been blessed to be able to witness their relationship grow from the very beginning. Chris recently moved out here from Wisconsin to be with Chrissy and her daughter Paisley, whom he treats as if she were his own. He will make an incredible husband and step-father to Pais. Congratulations you two!!! We love you so much.


Me and Heather

Heather and Barnes

Chrissy and Jamie opening up karaoke!...didn't last long...the cops shut it down.

Colleen and Tony


This summer, since we've been working with AM on his academics to get him a little more caught up, we decided to do a butterfly experiment with him, since we didn't have much science material. We were lucky enough to have 4 out of 5 of our butterflies hatch! We released them yesterday.

This sad little one with the bum wing didn't last long. He died within a few hours of being released in our yard.



What gorgeous creatures God makes!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Speakman Camp Out '09...

We wanted to have one last hoorah before the school year started for all of the kids, so last weekend we had a camp out in our back yard. There were about 14 people in all...three big tents, a camp fire, glow sticks, flashlights, and lots and lots of marshmallows. We all had so much fun! Rich and I skipped the tent. We blew up the air-bed and put up the pack-n-play in the yard, we sprayed ourselves well with bug spray and Rich, Zack and I slept under the stars. It was nothing short of wonderful!

Our nephew Cal...soon to be "big brother" to a little sister :)

Our niece Shea...soon to be a big 2nd grader!

One of my very best friends, Emily. Also, mom to Logan (Zack's best friend).

Logan :)

Our nephew Alex...soon to be starting kindergarten!

My brother Clint...soon to be "Daddy" again!


Logan and Zack. More interested in playing with the buckles on the booster seat than playing with the other kids.

My beautiful sister, Kate...the master camper!

Logan...or, as Zack calls him, "Gogie"

AM enjoying the camp out.

AJ, Alex and Cal.


Lovely static-cling hair from the tent.

Herbie...life of the party!



My goofy brother.





Zack loved having the family around!

He is SO handsome :)


S'MUPS. S'mores made with peanut butter cups. I'd rather stick with just the marshmallows, myself.

Fascinated by the fire.

Roasting martshmallows for the first time.

Playing "ni-night!"


Alex going to sleep.

AJ, getting me back for using the "flash" on my camera :)

AM, Kate and Shea hittin' the hay.

"Mmmmm! Mellows, Daddy!"


Pre-camp out...a picture of Zack throwing a tantrum in time-out.

NOT impressed with time-out.