WACK 2013

You would think I'd get used to this, but it gets me every year.  I stand in amazement as a bunch of knowledgeable and organized volunteers rush around to fit kids into ski vests, "cages," and modified skis.  Then, they carefully position them into the equipment (Ian requires extra padding since he's so skinny) and lower them into the water.

 He waits with anticipation while the boat gets into position (and of course, he is waving to the crowd on the dock!)

 Then, the boat pulls away and the helpers make sure he's safe until he's "up" and off he goes, with 2 jet skis at his side in case he falls out.  And, I stand there taking pictures through blurry eyes filled with tears.  There are so, so few things that these kids can do that give them the sense of freedom that skiing does and here are all these people, volunteering their time, boats, fuel, sacrificing vacation days, etc just for our kids. 

 Heading out....

 and coming back

Do you think he enjoyed it???  

Posing with Dad 

 Kimberly is a beautiful, sweet girl that we met at Camp WACK 2 years ago and have been blessed to get to know her entire family.  Ian was thrilled to have his picture taken with her and insisted on holding her hand.  

 No only does Ian get to have fun, but the other boys got to go fishing and take part in different activities. Jeremy caught a fish but refused to touch it.  Going to have to work on that!

Lucas found the craft table and made a visor and colored pictures.

I tried to get a picture of Amie Gish, who coordinates and directs Camp WACK (Water Adventure Camp for Kids) but she was always moving and I didn't get a good one.  I know she has a great group of folks who help her throughout the year.  Thank you to all who donate food, money, time, boats, fuel, and so much more to this awesome program!!!  You will probably never know what a blessing it is to so many people who have challenges that most of us can't even imagine coping with.  Many of them can't express their thanks verbally, but I think Ian's smile  and right arm pumping the air says it all!  He LOVES it and is thankful for the opportunity!!  Can't wait for next year!!

Fourth of July

Last Wednesday, the Indiana Humphreys made our way to Memphis to spend a little time with Olivia and Ethan and their parents.  Lindsay did a great blog post here:  http://lindsayandtroy.blogspot.com/2013/07/visitors-for-fourth.html and I won't attempt t upload all those pictures so check it out if you haven't already.  However, here are a few more pictures of the fun!

Felicia and her mommy

Brenna, the fish

 Ian, warming up after a swim

Olivia, looking too grown up!

Drew, getting ready to launch Jeremy

Troy getting ready to make a splash

 Ian loved his boat, especially when powered by Jeremy or Lucas

Sweet Felicia

Poolside Tea Party with Pops

Ethan was clearly unfazed by all the hoopla in the pool

 Drew on the slip and slide

 Pops holding Ethan.....again!

 Handsome little guy

 Best attempt at a picture with the grandchildren

So thankful for these precious little ones!!!

We left Memphis on Friday afternoon and had an eventful trip to Mom-mom and Dad-dad's (slow traffic, lots of rain, wobbly tire, sheered off bolts!)  We ended up spending a couple of  hours in Goodlettsville, TN waiting for someone to come fix it.  Since it was close to crazy Uncle Brian's and since we weren't sure if we were going to get out of there before nightfall, he came to visit and waited to see if we needed a place to stay for the night.  We finally got to Leitchfield very late and headed to Falls of Rough on Saturday morning, where we had a wonderful visit with several family members that we don't get to see very often, ate lots of ice cream (a Humphrey tradition!) and enjoyed the fireworks on the lake.  However, I failed to even get my camera out of the bag, so I don't have any pictures to show for it.  :-(

It was a fun, fun 5 days and today we are trying to get back to the real world and catching up on laundry.

The Big 3-0!

I have no idea how this happened but somehow our little girl is turning 30 today!  It was just yesterday that she was this little doll in a bonnet.  Now she's a wife and mommy of 2 precious little ones, a wonderful daughter, granddaughter and great granddaughter. 

Lindsay, we are so thankful that God loaned you to us 30 years ago and for the blessing you are!!

Happy Birthday!!

We love you!!!

Mom, Dad and the boys

Pops and the boys in Memphis

Two days after Ethan Grey made his entrance, Pops headed back home for a week of single parenting so I could stay in Memphis and be Grammy.  I will never be able to thank him enough for the sacrifice that it took to make that possible.  And he wasn't the only one!  We had a host of friends and family that took a turn watching the boys while we were both gone and while Tom was at work when he returned.  Words can't express what a gift that was!   After surviving the week with the boys, Saint Tom loaded them up, along with all the gear that goes with traveling with them and drove the 9 hours back to Memphis.

 Pops and week-old Ethan

 Diva Olivia

 Lucas loved the giant bubble maker that Grandpa and Grandma Ro brought for O

 Ethan's favorite spot.....with his mommy

 Lindsay and Troy have the most amazingly gracious neighbors who insist that we use their pool and we are so happy to oblige!  Henry gave the boys lots of swimming and jumping tips.

 Jeremy finally got the nerve to jump off the board.

 Not to be outdone, Ian had to go off the board, too!

 The beautiful big sister

 Pops getting some more Ethan time......

 Uncle Jeremy getting a turn to hold his new nephew

 Uncle Lucas was fascinated by Ethan's hair

 Uncle Ian meeting Ethan, too.

  

 Last photos before tearing ourselves away and heading back to Indiana

I wasn't supposed to post this picture but I think it looks pretty good, so here is the complete Troy Roberson family with 10 day old Ethan.

More Ethan

Grammy is totally enjoying this special time with these special babies!  Poor Ethan is already learning that this crazy old lady has a camera in his face much of the time he is awake.  Perhaps that is why he sleeps so much.  Hmmmmmm.

Trying to keep his eyes open

 Chillin' with Daddy and rubbing his whiskers (notice Ethan is in there, too!)

 We braved the heat and took a short walk.

 What can I say?  This child is beautiful!!!!

Olivia loves crafts so I always try to bring something for us to do together.  Here she is, showing off the jewelry we created.  We might just go into business!

So, so thankful for these days in Memphis while Pops (and a host of others) hold down the fort at home!!

Ethan at Home

Little Ethan brought his mommy and daddy home just 24 hours after making his entrance into this world and what a sweet blessing he is!

Here is Olivia giving him kisses when they got home.

 Pops got lots of Olivia time before he had to head back to Indiana and I'm not sure who enjoyed it most.  She frequently asks if he's coming back today.

Holding Baby Ethan

Beautiful baby!  

 Olivia loves her baby brother already and is so sweet and gentle with him.  Precious!

 I am constantly struck by how much Ethan looks like Olivia did when she was born.  The amazing thing is how he already has the same expressions that she does now!

 Gorgeous!  (and we aren't the least bit biased!)

Happy Birthday, Troy!!

Our favorite son-in-law is 30 today (2 days after the birth of his handsome son!)  We're so thankful he started hanging around 13 years ago and we didn't scare him badly enough to jump ship! 

Happy 30th Birthday, Troy!

We love you!!!

Tom, Angela 

and the boys!