Gang Get Together!!

I've explained before, but for those who are new to our blog, we have a group of friends affectionately known as the "gang". Gary met this group of wonderful people when he first went to college out of high school 34 years ago! We all get together twice each year, once in the summer and once in January for our Christmas. This past weekend was the summer get together and it was hosted by Todd & Lisa Goodheart. A few years ago, we switched the summer gathering to coincide with Labor Day weekend. It is so nice to have several days to sit and visit, getting caught up on the last half of a year! We rotate who hosts the summer get together. This year brought us to the Goodheart's lovely country home. They have a wonderful big front porch to sit and visit on....just like in the goood ole days! We also enjoyed watching the wide variety of birds drawn into their feeders. We were treated with scrumptious barbeque, salads, and desserts all weekend long! No one walks away from these get togethers having lost weight, that is for sure!!

Lisa generously provided Mandy Rose with the tools for art projects! Mandy Rose very much enjoyed the front porch, especially after she figured how to climb up it from the trellis at the end! She did that over and over and over...getting filthy and having a ball!

Last year, the summer get together took place just 3 weeks after we got home from China. Everyone in the "gang", including Momma and Daddy, was commenting on how much Mandy Rose has blossomed in the last year. She surprised everyone last year by being friendly, happy, and out-going. Gary and I were still very new as parents and learning the ropes. This year, we are an established family! Mandy Rose, of course, is still very friendly, happy, and out-going! That is just who she is! She had a terrific weekend spending time with each member of the "gang". The only member she was a little shy of was Doug, but only because of his beard, I think. Doug has played Santa for the last several years and has grown a long beard to more look the part. Mandy Rose didn't know if she wanted to get too close to all that wild woolinesss! LOL!

Learning to blow bubbles with Linda!

Hanging with the "gang" on the porch! She has her chair and her drink, just like the rest of us!

Linda brought a lovely bag of books to share with Mandy Rose!

On Sunday afternoon, several of our group decided to go on a nature walk. Mandy Rose and Daddy tagged along. They were gone for over 1 1/2 hours!! I figured Mandy Rose got carried virtually the entire way. But, I was told when they returned that she had walked at least a mile on her own! These 4 adults took much longer to walk this trail because of Mandy Rose. Not because of her little legs and shorter steps, but because they kept stopping to show her things. Several remarks were made about how seeing things through a little one's eyes makes them interesting all over again! I experience this on almost a daily basis! If only we could retain this wonder of the world that is innate to a child!

When they returned, I asked if Mandy Rose got to "pee in the g'ass" which is one of her favorite pasttimes while out and about? No, she didn't. When I lifted her off of Joe's shoulders though, her pants her soaking wet! I thought, "Oh dear! She has peed on Joe's neck!" But, it was not the case! Her pants had wicked up all the sweat off of Joe...her undies were completely dry!! She obviously had lots of fun exploring the country!

Riding on Joe's shoulders!

Tossing rocks off the bridge! What kid doesn't love to do that?!

The long trek home! What a little trooper!

Playing "Lasso Golf" with Lisa!

Still practicing her bubble blowing skills!

Once again, we had a wonderfully relaxing weekend with friends! We relaxed, laughed, shared stories, and ate excellent food! Gary and I always so look forward to getting together with the "gang", but now they are becoming a part of Mandy Rose's memories and history! That just pleases me to no end!