Shower #1

Bridal Shower

The Gregory Ladies

In the middle of October, Erin and others threw me my first bridal shower for Chad's side of the family. It was awesome to meet and visit with so many friends and family. The decorations and food were amazing! Erin made so many wonderful items, but she made these tasty cake-pops (I just came up with that name) that were so creamy and yummy...I can't stop talking about them!! It was also nice that Chad got to stop by for a second so he could see and hug his aunts and nieces. Chad and I were definitely blessed with so many awesome things to start our new life together. We can hardly wait four more months to use our new items!!

I definitely want to add more pictures as soon as I get them!



Fall Fun

Fall Leaves and Falling More in Love

 Chad and I have been going to the apple orchard every fall for Four years! Fall is by far my favorite season and love everything about this time of year - including, apples, bonfires, football, sweatshirt weather and changing leaves. Chad has always loved summer the best but my absolute love for autumn has moved this season into his second favorite :)

We always plan the whole day around going to the orchard. We take the long, scenic route to get to there and then immediately grab apple cider slushy's! We then walk around and pick some apples and pumpkins. Finally, we make our way to the back of the orchard and lay a blanket down under the same tree. Our favorite part of the day is laying there together and enjoying the view of the changing leaves and scenery. After resting for a while, we make our way back to the festivities. We buy one more apple cider slushy each and head back to the daily grind of life. Our trip to the apple orchard had become one of our favorite traditions!

Another love of ours, which happens to be in the fall as well, is the Colts. Even though it is a rough season, we still love the Colts. We were blessed to get tickets from our friends and had great seats with an awesome view! It was awesome to have the roof open and see the lovely blue sky and fall breeze while watching the Colts!

Cider and S'mores

Cider and S'mores

Chad's brother and sister-in-law, Jean and Amanda, hosted a family cookout at their house for family time and to celebrate the beginning of fall! We had a bonfire, smores, apple cider and lots of laughs! All my favorite things about fall :)

Unfortunately, Chad could not get off work and we all missed him! However, this allowed more time for me to love on Jackson!  Him and my newphew, Connor James, will be our two handsom ring bearers for the wedding!!



Friends

Zach and Chelsie

Though miles may lie between us, we are never far apart, for friendship doesn't count miles, its measured by the heart.

Back Row: Chad, Jeremy, Danny, and Sammy
Middle Row: Morgan, Emily, Tara, Erin, Ryan, and Gretchen
Front Row: Nathan, Zach, and Chelsie

Over the summer, our dear friends, Zach and Chelsie Strong, moved to Clearwater, Florida. We miss them so much but can't wait to visit them! Before they moved, all the friends gathered one more time to add more memories and wish them well on their new journey.

More Pictures from the party.... 

The ladies

Chad, Zach, Amber and Chelsie

Reminiscing about ghost riding and century club!

Shakamak

Shakamak Family Trip

Chad, Morgan, Mallory, Molly Uncle Joseph, Elizabeth, and Dad

Every summer, five years running, my family takes a little vacation to Shakamak State Park! We stay in a small log cabin with no air conditioning and no TV. During the day, we swim in the pool to stay cool and then play games and listen to music all night! It is a blast!! We play games from cornhole to dominos to Euchre to closest to the pin in golf. We stay up all hours, sometimes not going asleep at all just playing family games. After each game, everyone gets a rank from 1 to 7 in the order they finished (1 always being the best!) At the end of the trip, the person with the lowest trip wins the horse head...this foam colts horse helmet weird lookin thing....but it is very coveted! Last year, Chad and I tied for first and this year my stepmom Elizabeth won! (As soon as I find the picture of Chad and this hat, I will post it because its soo cute!) Chad automatically finished last this year since he could not get off work this year to join us - we missed him very much!! Thank you to Elizabeth and DOAD - dad of all dad's - as we call him for five years of family fun!!! We have created so many wonderful family memories at Shakamak and can't wait until next year.

Softball and Summer Nights

Softball and Summer Nights

Chad's loves to play softball and is in a league on Tuesday nights! Over the years, I have realized how much he loves to play and now enjoy going to the ball park every Tuesday evening to watch his team Do Work play ball. (It also helps that Ryan and our friend Chris plays so I get to hangout with Erin and Chris's fiance Alli)



Hot Days at the Lake

Living on the Lake

Throughout the summer, Chad and I have spent many days swimming in the lake! We love to go boating, tubing, swimming, and get together with friends/family. Chad loves the water and stays in the lake as long as he can!

Video of Chad tubing for a few seconds and then falling! Tubing is so much fun and do it almost every weekend!

Swimming with Friends

One hot and lazy afternoon, Chad, and his two friends came to lake and we swam all day. Next thing we knew, it was seven hours later and we all had a great tan...except Jeremy was red!!

July 4, 2011 = Lakapolza

July 4 is the annual lakapolza at Lake Edgewood. Its a block party but on the lake! Every one pulls up to the shore with their boats and we all tie them together. The party has live bands, food, and fireworks! One of the neighbors created a huge water slide and every one from toddlers to grandparents slide down into the lake! (Erin and I both enjoyed the slide!!)

Erin and Ryan joined us for the day! We had  our own little summer cookout then tubed and swam all day! As the evening came, Ryan and Chad left for work so Erin and I stayed at the the party! We had fun all evening!!! It was a great way to celebrate our nation!!