Swart Life Continues: Summer 2016

A very busy summer but a blessed one as well!

We began July with our annual Boore 4th of July get together at my cousin Greg and Michelle Hardister's home outside of Pittsburg. We so appreciate them hosting us each year. It's fun to see all the younger kids growing up, marrying, etc. It won't be long til they provide us with some little ones to enjoy at these get togethers.

For many, many years, Mom and Dad hosted this event at the farm. We have some wonderful memories of those times! This one is of us three girls, Aunt Judy, Nancy, etc. almost 30 years ago.

And our children....who have all grown up and have babies of their own now.

In those past years, we would load up in Dad's truck and head to Pittsburg to watch the city fireworks' show. We still watch now, but everyone drives to a location and we sit together to watch.

June/July is Anniversary Month for all my kids.

Josh and Michelle on June 25th

Josh's family today :-)

Andy and Carman on July 9th

Andy's family today :-)

Rachel and Jonathan on July 6th

Rachel's family today :-)

We have kept Copeland and Eisley several times this summer as Rachel and Jonathan put their house on the market and it sold almost immediately. I felt I was more help to bring the kids home with me so that they could pack; work on a loan process, etc., than to help her pack.

One Sunday while they were with us, we ate lunch with the Hall family and celebrated birthdays, which included Jeff's.

Many of you will recall the story of my sweet friend, Karen Meier, raising her newborn twin grandsons and her death as a result of a brain tumor when they were only 18 months old. The boys are now 7 and doing great. Karen's husband, Mike and his wife Becky are doing a wonderful job raising them. Leigh and Dave still have a very active part in their lives.

We love swimming in the Ryan's pool!

When we returned the kids to NWA, we had a little family birthday party for Jeff at On the Border with those who could meet us for lunch.

Jessica Hall has graciously monogrammed "lovies" for all my grandchildren. I delivered Shep's to him that day.

The next weekend, Jeff and I spent a couple of days in KC to celebrate his 63rd birthday. We visited the very interesting Arabia Steamboat Museum.

Enjoyed a delicious meal at the Cheesecake Factory

With Grandma moving, Josh, Michelle and Avi made a trip to Girard to visit her one last time. We introduced Michelle and Avi to the famous Chicken Mary's restaurant.

Andy and family took a mini vacation in KC. We met them in Joplin for lunch on their way.

July 26th, Avi had her adenoids out, so we made a trip to NWA to be there for her surgery. It went well but her recovery was rough for a few days. Thankfully, she is doing fine now!

We stopped for a few minutes afterwards to see Rachel and kids and she was up to her ears in packing, etc., so once again, felt I best could help her by bringing the kids home with us.

Took them to Macaroos in Joplin one day

And then met their parents in Anderson a couple of days later to exchange them

The first of August, we enjoyed a mini family vacation with Andy and family and Rachel and family in Tulsa (Josh was working out of state; Michelle working and Avi at her dad's, so sadly they couldn't join us). We met the kids at El Chico in Tulsa as Jeff loves El Chico!

The hotel we stayed in had a mini water park that the kids sure enjoyed (and us adults did too)

The first night, all the kiddos had a sleepover in Papa and DeDe's room (except for Shep)

Eating popcorn and watching a movie

Our first full day in Tulsa, we visited the Oklahoma Aquarium. Such a nice facility!!

The kids with Elvis :-)

From Tulsa, we once again brought Eisley and Copeland home with as Mom and Dad were finishing up their move from Lowell to a temporary apartment in Centerton until God opens a door for their future home, It was an eventful day at First Baptist that Sunday. Lost power for 40 minutes due to a storm. Jeff preached on, even in the dark!

I returned the kids to Rachel on Monday afternoon, then went over to Andy and Carman's to stay the night. Enjoyed spending some time with these cuties:

The next morning, I went to pick up my sister at the NWA airport and then began the full week of packing up Mom, garage sale, and moving her. I'll have another posting about that soon.

August means it is time for school!

Laine is in First Grade (goodness!)