Perfect Ending To a Perfect Summer: Birthday Parties, Kiddie Pools, Etc.

We don't have much news to share this week... with the exception of the unbelief that Fall is already upon us! UGH!!! Being that we're not fan's of the popular Fall color 'orange' and due to the fact, this is a 'voting year' for America... we've chosen to go with the good ole' red, white and blue for our blogging-background!!! God Bless the U.S.A.

Other than Greg's Birthday Party last Friday (the 22nd), it hasn't been all that eventful around our place... even though Greg's actual Birthday was Tuesday (the 19th), on Friday, we met the entitre family at his favorite Mexican Restaurant (in Indy), "El Azteca" for his favorite meal there...
Shrimp Quesadillia's, Guacamole Salad and Sweet Tea.
For dessert, we all went to Mamaw S's house for a slice of his '70's Tie-Dyed-Ice-Cream Cake'. It was a great evening to celebrate a great guy and spend time with a great family!
On Saturday, Greg and I bought Aly a 'Froggie Kiddie Pool' for next year... however, we put her in there for a few minutes and she absolutely LOVED it!!! She's our 'water-girl' and it doesn't matter if it's a pool, the tub or even a sink... she loves playing in the water no matter!

We haven't taken many pictures since our Anniversary Trip, but as we do, we'll post them! All of you know by now, that our picture-taking goes in 'spurts', one week we'll take a ton of them and another week will go by without our taking even one photo! Oh, well that's just the way are, I suppose... LOL
Guess this is it, until next week or the next piece of 'big news' rolls around! (Pray we'll have our camera handy when it does! wink-wink) Take care, ya'll...

Home, Home on The Range...

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

FOR OUR LARGEST-TO-DATE

ONLINE PHOTO ALBUM...

OUR ANNIVERSARY TRIP 2008!

(Can you believe that we're still experiencing trouble with our computer, uploading photos, etc.??? So, this is about the best way we can share photos with you for now.)

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/OurBelatedAnniversaryTrip2008

We had an incredible weekend... if it just hadn't have gone by so quickly! We began the weekend, on Friday evening, by taking Alyson to attend her first wedding... she did a fine job, too. (Thanks to Uncle Danny and Aunt Ronda for helping out!!!) On Saturday, we stopped by Paradise Cafe' and Bakery for Brunch. After arriving at our destination and before we could 'pick up our keys', we did a little shopping. We then went to see our Room for the weekend... it was BEAUTIFUL! (Thanks to Mama and Daddy for such a sweet Anniversary gift!!!) Some day we would love to have an old fixed-up house with antiques similar to the ones at the Inn! For an early Supper, we had yummy BBQ with all the fixins at "Trolly's" (AKA: "The Trolly"). This, followed by wonderful Hor Dourves at the Inn (provided every day in the late afternoon/early evening). Later that evening, we attended a light family comedy Play downtown and were able to get some good laughs in (following the Dessert Bar at the Inn... which is also provided on a daily basis)! Sunday morning, we had a lovely HOT Breakfast which included delicious homemade Pastries and fresh Fruit (also provided daily) at the Inn. We spent most of the day driving through the hills of Brown County, Bean Blossum, IN. (the Bluegrass Capitol of the World), and a variety of State Parks, wound up in Bloomington, IN. where we grabbed a late lunch/early supper, before heading back for a little strolling. (We'd like to add, that Nahsville is a bit of a Ghost Town on Sundays, but very nice and quiet!) Again, we were able to enjoy the Hor Dourves that evening and on top of that, a little later that night, we grabbed some of the Inn's 'to-die-for' homemade Desserts... TOOOOO much food for one weekend! On Monday, we were again at the Dining area for another wonderful hot Breakfast, before hitting the road for a little more shopping. After 'turning in the keys' at the Desk... (we sure are going to miss this place with it's lovely atmosphere, Staff and of course the incredible FOOD!)... we were once again, out for a bit more shopping and strolling. When we felt it was about the time to head home, we directed our car for the Highway... even though a wee sad, we were anxious to see our little Aly-girl!!!!! We grabbed a bite of late lunch/early supper at "On the Border", did a little 'Mall-walking' and then you'll never guess where we went!!!!! (Ugh!) Well, long story short, Greg's back had been 'out' all weekend, so our last stop found us at 'the Doc's'! However, all in all we had one of the best weekends we've had in a very long time and are grateful to once again be "Home, Home on The Range"!

Bye Bye, Friends and Family!

Well folks, after attending a friend and co-worker's Wedding tonight in Greenwood, (a Knuth/Wireman/Watts concoction), it's hard to believe it's already midnight! We're now in the process of packing 'it all up' and planning to head out of here in the morning!!! We can hardly wait to head that steering wheel toward I-65 S... too bad we're not able to go a little further south! None the less, we're anxious to get away for a few days and are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying a little 'couple' time.
We wanted to take just a second to thank all of our 'E' friends, that read our BLOGS on a regular basis and send us replies VIA 'Yahoo'! We consider ya'll just another part of our Blogger-Family and love keeping up with you, as well!
We will catch up with everyone, sometime next week, after our return on Monday night...

The Start of the End of Summer... ALREADY?!?!

Aly playing "Tag" with her friend, Jacqueline

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/AlyWithHerSummer2008Company

Click on the LINK above for a look into Aly and some of her Summer 2008 company playing together... (We're still experiencing trouble with our computer, uploading photos, etc. So, this is the best way we can share photos with you at this point.)

Greg and I at our Wedding Reception

Well, it truly is the start to the end of the Summer and we can hardly believe it's already almost GONE!!! We've had a very busy Summer with lots of company, events, day trips, etc. going on but, we've enjoyed every second of it!!!
Aly has changed more in the past month than in the previous 8 months... we celebrated her 9 month Birthday on July 30 and are looking forward (in some ways) to her 1st Birthday! It'll be lots of fun to plan even if a bit sad!
Greg and I are looking forward to our 3-day "Belated-Anniversary-Get-Away", coming up this Saturday, it'll sure be nice to relax and have a 'pretend' 2nd Honeymoon! We both need a 'wee' break right now, that's for sure!
We trust all of you will enjoy your week and weekend coming up... we'll be sure to BLOG about our trip and post a picture or two, ASAP!

P.S. If you, your family or even your Church group have never seen the movie, "Facing the Giants", PLEASE do so THIS week... in our opinion, it's got to be one of the best films Hollywood/Goldwyn has ever put out!!!

"The W.C." (AKA: "The Water Closet")

An English lady, while visiting Switzerland, was looking for a room so she asked the schoolmaster if he could recommend any. He took her to see several rooms and, when everything was settled, the lady returned home to make the final preparations to move. When she arrived home, the thought suddenly occurred to her that she had not seen a W.C. around the place. She immediately wrote a note to the schoolmaster asking him if there was a W.C.
The schoolmaster was a very poor student of English, so he asked the Parish Priest if he could help him in the matter. Together they tried to discover the meaning of W.C. and came to the conclusion that it means Wayside Chapel. The schoolmaster then wrote the following note to the English lady:
Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the W.C. is situated nine miles from the house, in the centre of pine groves, surrounded by lovely trees. It is capable of seating 220 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays only. As there are a great number of people expected during the summer months, I would suggest that you come early, although there is plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation, particularly if you are in the habit of going regularly.
You will no doubt be glad to hear that a good number bring their lunch and make a day of it, while others who can afford to go by car, arrive just in time. I would recommend your Ladyship to go on Thursdays when there is an organ accompaniment, the acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sound can be heard everywhere.
It may interest you to know that my daughter was married in the W.C. and it was there that she first met her husband. I can remember the rush for seats, there were ten people to a seat, usually occupied by one. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces.
The newest attraction is a bell donated by a resident of this district. It rings each time a person enters. A bazaar is to be held to provide plush seats for all, since the people feel that it is a long- felt need. My wife is rather delicate so she can't attend regularly. It is almost a year since she went last. Naturally, it pains her very much not to be able to go more often.
I shall be delighted to reserve the best seat for you if you wish, where you will be seen by all. For the children, there is a special time and place so that they will not disturb the elders.
I remain,
The Schoolmaster
(This is my "make-up" Blog to the Blog I "lost" last time. When I read this little story it took me back to my college days, the trip we took to the U.K. and the "W.C.'s" we saw while there. Hope y'all have enjoyed a great laugh... I know Greg and I certainly did! LOL)
Did ya'll have a chance to look at Aly's most recent picture (below), yet? She's getting so big, now! WOW, where have the last 9 months gone?!?!?
Well, until next time...

The Start of the End of Summer... ALREADY?!?!

Well, due to a "Blogger" complication, I've just lost the entire Blog I wrote only moments ago! (Everything that is, except the 'title'...)

Here's a picture of Aly taken while playing this afternoon... already 9 months old and pointing at everything! LOL She also began to crawl over the weekend!!! (For those of you who aren't aware, you can click on a single photo to enlarge it or click on a photo album cover to be linked to the actual album... just a little F.Y.I for ya'll!)
Being as I have more unpacking to do this evening, from our weekend trip to Missouri and also a bit of laundry, I'll simply have to try blogging another time! (I've never had this type of problem with the Blogger company and wished it hadn't happened today... UGH! Anyone else ever experienced it?)
Be on the look-out for another blog from me, later in the week... I'll sure look forward to the blogging and hope for no complications next time!