I have the best family ever!!!!! Yesterday afternoon everyone pitched in and cleaned up the yard, flower beds included! It was amazing to see so many working and how quickly the work got done. What ususally takes me a whole week+ took a mere 3.5 hours. Everyone pitched in, yes some even grumbled, but the work was completed. Both my future daughter-in-laws worked their fingers to the bone as well. It was rather enjoyable working along side some adult females and I can truly say Liz (Daniels fiance) outworked me! We had alot of laughs and even some groans. Once all was done and the tools put away, the kids all sat outside chatting. It was touching to see them all sit around and enjoy the fruits of all of our labor. I must say the yard and the flower bads have never ever looked better. Dave mentioned that it no longer looks like a bunch of psychotic people live here!

Scottie and Den worked on the pump in the basement that drains our "broken" washer. Yup you heard right the washer went down about 5pm on Friday, perfect timing so we couldn't get ahold of a repair man before the weekend, oh well, its actually been nice not having to think about running up and down the stairs doing laundry. I take it as a blessing but.....the blessing will soon end once the repair man arrives next week and I tackle the mountains of dirty laundry. I am afraid we may have to make another run to the laundrymat and do the essentials. Thankfully Den and Scottie got the pump working and everything back in order and ready for the washer to be hooked up. Not only do I have an amazing family but I have even more of amazing husband, who puts up with my ideas, plans, and who goes above and the beyond the call of duty for me! We may not be blessed with much, by the worlds standards, but I sure am blessed with an awesome family!

The group together sharing a potluck. Inspite of the rain that came, we all had a fun time, lots of laughter and as always the kids had a ball.

Christine holding Victoria
Brennan and Mikie
Tori all done in for the evening!

We started our holiday weekend off with a trip to the Neadows campground in Brandon. As always, the kids had a blast driving around the golf carts.

1) Bryan and Mikie
2) Blake and Jacquie
3) Bryan, Nate (Ben's friend), Ben and Blake

Brennan won two trophys in the Pinewood Derby Race at church on Wednesday night at church. The first trophy was for design and the second trophy was forplacing 2nd in the speed race! The leaders at our church did a nice job for the kids. It was pretty cool too as the kids did all the work themselves on Wednesdays without the help of over-eager parents, isn't that the way it should be??? Jacquie's car didn't place in either catagory for her age group and Colson's car came in first for his age group but they forgot to get trophies for that group and they had several little boys who were very disappointed! I love these types of activities as it brings the church together to cheer on all the kids, fortunately the Lutztribe has alot of cheering members.......

Good morning, its Saturday, raining here in our part of the world and looks like through most of the lower southern states as well. What a Memorial Weekend, high gas prices are keeping many home, though the news does state that 34 million people will travel 50 miles or more this weekend. Maybe those 34 million have a sub-compact car that gets 50 miles to the gallon unlike us, a suburban that gets 15 miles to the gallon. We don't have any specific plans, just enjoying the kids who are all home this weekend. Dave flew into Detroit yesterday for the weekend from Minneapolis, he and Casey are busy making wedding arrangments for their upcoming wedding in August. Dan got home about 3am this morning from his trip to the Wilds of Canada, and the boys who have summer employment have the weekend off. Its nice to have everyone here, though the absence of Brad, Amanda and the boys are definitely noticed. We are so proud of him, and the choices he is making for himself and his family. His choices affect not only his immediate family but touch the lives of us, his extended family, and lives of others he does not even know. Our military are unsung heros in my opinion. They deserve the highest regard and praise for the way they "stand in the gap" for all of us Americans. Its unfortunate that it takes a Holiday to remind us of how thankful we should be for them; these men and women who so faithfully fight for us, who give up their personal freedom, their families, their wives, their children, and their lives to keep us FREE! Please don't let this weekend pass without praying for those families who have lost their precious loved ones in this war and previous wars, and for the soldiers who are now fighting, for their safety, and the safety of their loved ones left behind.

Jacqueline had her dance recital last night. She was adorable and when we get a chance we will blog part of her dance. She made us all laugh. Here are a few pictures I took of our precious one! She loved the roses her daddy gave her after the dance! The theme was "Once upon a time" and she did a ballet dance to Sleeping Beauty and a tap dance to Three Blind Mice.

Ben's and his date Megan just before they left for the prom. Also included are the couples they shared the night with. It was a picture frenzy at Megan's house with all the parents snapping away.

WHEW! we made it back from Pennsylvania safe and sound! What a trip! We are so proud of Daniel and graduation was great, the weather was perfect. It was a long two days with the kids.........Brennan developed strep throat on the way to Clarks Summit; Victoria did fine for most of the trip but the last hour she did not handle very well. We finally arrived at the hotel, got everything unloaded and the kids were anxious to swim and get their kinks out from the long 10 hour ride. Victoria was, to say the least, out of sorts. Not only was she tired from a long ride in a car seat but she developed hives from who knows what, was constipated, had gas and cried straight for almost 2 hours. We were beside ourselves trying to figure out what to do with her. After several trips to Walmart for tylenol (no one could seem to find just infant tylenol) we finally got some down her, and it was almost midnight before she settled down and slept! My heart broke for her. This was her first, and maybe only, long road trip! We did buy some benedryl and gave her a smidgen to help with the hives for the trip home (which also helped her sleep too!) We were able to spend a brief time with our dear friend Dennis Wilhite and then hit the road about 5pm only to find ourselves in a traffic jam on the highway for an hour. Actually for me it was a blessing because I just held Victoria and let her play some without being in the confines of a carseat! We only moved 5 miles in one hour and we were not even creeping at 5 miles an hour. Once we got back onto the open highway she crashed in her carseat and we decided to take a little detour from the highway and take a country drive by passing some of the busyness of the larger cities. Unbeknownst to us we went a little to far, though the drive was beautiful with country churches, lakes, beautiful rolling hills and mountains, we finally hooked up with the right expressway and were only a mere 1+ behind schedule. The kids did super, mostly sleeping, Den is unbelievable in being able to drive well into the early morning hours, with us finally arriving home a 3:30am. Everyone went off to bed, of course Colson had to sleep in our bed, then Jacquie was scared so she climbed into our bed and Den decided he would just sleep in Colson's bed........I guess we love musical beds! LOL Most everyone with the exception of Blake was up by 7am, UGH! and then I started the laboring task of unloading the vehicle! Fortunately it was not too trashed and it was a fast clean up; sorted all laundry, put away luggage, did dishes, folded 2 loads of laundry Bryan had done while we were gone, ran the dishwasher, took out the trash, washed and vacuumed out the suburban, and am now going to help Ben get himself ready for the prom tonight. Pictures are at 4:15 so I will be posting some of his big night! He is excited! On top of all of this I totally forgot to send off Mothers Day Cards to my mom and my mother-in-law! ARG!!! I hope they won't be disappointed to get them a few days late. All in all we had a great time out in PA but home is much sweeter!!!!

Daniel, his grandpa, his dad and his sister Victoria; Dan, me and Den; Dan, Colson, Professor Wilhite, Den and Victoria!

Daniel with Colson (who thought he was so cool with Dan's hat on); Dan & fiance Elizabeth; Dan and Jacqueline; Dan, Den and Victoria!

Here is our graduate! Isn't he handsome? We are so proud of him!

Our #3 son is graduating from Baptist Bible College this week! We are so proud of him. He is such a blessing to this family; playing Santa for his youngest sibblings, being goofy, showing his sweet and tender side with his little sister and such a handsome man all dressed up! We love you son!