Let's Get Together...Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

Our kids from Michigan called and said they were going to stop on their way home from Cincinnati to visit with us this weekend. I took Friday off so I could shop and be ready when they came. I needed to launder some big comforters I had and that would require a trip to the laundromat since they wouldn't fit in my washer. We had to go a few weeks ago when our power was out. It had been a long time since I've used one but they haven't changed since I was little. The machine prices have however! It takes many, many quarters to do a load. I was excited to have Craig and Amy and kiddos come since we hadn't seen them since May. I was hesitant to have a family get together since the last 2 times we did we had electric and then AC problems. I joked that I shouldn't even mention them coming..all of Ashland could lose electric!
I put the comforters in the big machines and headed off to do some errands. When I came back to put them in the dryer the attendant was walking around on his cell. He stopped when he saw me and said he had some bad news...oh no, now what. You will not believe this. He tells me that the laundromat is out of power...in fact the whole city of Ashland is out of power. Yep, I said those famous words.."Are you kidding me?" He wasn't. In fact Mansfield and Ashland and about 4 other little towns were out. I guess a transformer blew due to overuse of AC. The funny thing was our house was fine. I gave a big thank you to God for that blessing! I took my stuff and ran for home and they dried nicely out in the crazy heat. I promise not to have any get togethers for a while until my power outage curse is over..I didn't realize I was so powerful!
Now here's a face we don't see enough of. Little Sophie is a crack up! She's got those big blue eyes and curly hair and the funniest little looks and actions. It was great to have them here.
Katie had a big smile for the camera even though she was not feeling 100%. She had a sore throat and later that night was running a fever. They've done a ton of traveling this summer and I think she picked up a virus somewhere along the way. But she's a trooper and we never heard a complaint out of her.
One of Craig and our son Jack's good friends from high school recently moved back to this area with her husband and 5 kids. They all got together at our house after spending some time with the kids at the Kroc center water park. We ate lunch and sat around talking about escapades from their school days. We laughed and I marveled at what great people they've turned out to be. It's hard to believe those days have come and gone so fast.
All the kids enjoyed watching a movie and getting to know one another. It was so hot out and they had already spent the day at the water park and were ready for some quiet time. Even though we had 12 kids there, they were so good you never would have noticed!
Homemade chocolate icecream was a hit. Sophie's shirt took the bigger hit though.
Cameron kept asking to make brownies, so he and Sophie and I whipped up a batch. We served them with homemade icecream..good choice Cameron! He and Sophie enjoyed helping but I think they liked the spoon licking more!
Amy and I put together shish kabobs..they were delish! Craig did the grilling and they came out perfect. I should have taken a pic of them all skewered up..they were so pretty! The yummy fresh tomatoes and sourdough Italian herb bread we picked up at the farmer's market in the morning. Mmmmmm.
One last big smile from Taylor...he loves angry birds!
I had to head off to church and the kids had to head back to Michigan. Poor Katie was feeling pretty low..sick and a bit feverish. I talked to the kids this evening after they got home and she was feeling better. Hope so..I feel awful for sick kiddos when they have to travel. But we enjoyed seeing everyone and I'm glad they were able to make it.