Our East Texas Time

We were able to get away for a couple of days this past weekend-- to the piney woods of East Texas! We have some great friends over in that part of Texas that we try to see as often as possible!
Ron and Gwynn Shultz along with their children and grandchildren have become such a dear part of our lives. I met Ron and Gwynn almost ten years ago now, when I was a freshman at ACU. Their neice, Lori, is my very best friend and we traveled from Abilene to Tyler several times during college to see them.
After I married David, they just welcomed him and we have all just become such good friends. They truly are a blessing to us and it is a blessing everytime we get to see them!
What a fun time we had! From supper at Jared and Holly's (their son and daughter-in-law), spending time at Holly Lake with the whole bunch (and watching Benjamin "fish"), visiting and catching up, and attending services at Shiloh Road, we really enjoyed our time together and can't wait to see them again. We love you, Ron & Gwynn!
And of course, I did manage to get a little "Canton Fix" along the way-- although I didn't buy a single thing. I think David is still perplexed over that one!

Benjamin's Big Day

Our good friend Hollye had mentioned to Benjamin a couple of times that it would be fun to have him come out and stay with her and Gary for a day this summer while she is off of school.
Well, last Thursday I took her up on it to get some things done around the house-- it always poses a certain number of challenges to have one's own agenda while there is a toddler running around!
Gary and Hollye, along with their son Cade, live outside of Muleshoe on their farm. Of course, one of Benjamin's first words was "tractor" so we all knew he would have a blast spending an entire day out there. Since Gary and Hollye have become our resident babysitters, Benjamin just loves going over to their house. We really consider them his "local grandparents" since our parents both live at a distance, they are so sweet to him and he just adores them.
Benjamin's day was filled with fun. From riding on the tractor with Cade, to visiting all of the animals, he had such a good time. And of course, decided to fore-go his nap! What a stinker!
I thought I would post the photos from Benjamin's debut on a John Deere (at least one that isn't "his size.")
We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends out here that treat us like family!