It's Been A While! We've GOT To Catch Up!

I cannot believe that it's been since MARCH that I have posted! Oh my(!) where has time gone? So much has transpired between March and July...I will hit the high spots in this post, but know that there is so much more to tell! God has been faithful and has blessed me and my family and friends with so much fun and excitement this summer. Words nor pictures can tell the whole story.

Weddings are as common in the Sullivan family as eating and breathing. In my last post, I had just returned from Las Vegas from a business trip. During that trip, my cousin Savannah got married out there and I was able to attend. Small blessings. It just seems fitting to pick this post up in May at another Sullivan wedding. This wedding was magical and so beautiful! My cousin, Kendra, married Michael Paul Wallace on Orange Beach, AL on May 22. The WHOLE Sullivan family attended...thus, the "magical" element of the wedding. The one thing Kendra wanted was to be surrounded by ALL of her family and friends. God granted her wish. Below are a few snapshots from my camera.

Kendra & Michael Paul

Bubba & Kendra...look at the relaxed smiles. A beautiful bride and a beautiful day!

I love this picture because Leah's face just says it all...excitement! Bettye Hill (lady in coral dress) not only decorated, but directed the wedding. She is an amazing lady!

The boys...MP was a little nervous, I think.

I love this picture...it's one of my favorites. I was very fortunate to have my friend, Heather, at the beach with me. She currently lives in Germany, but was in the states for summer vacation. Her photography skills are incredible. She took this picture.

The ceremony setting...doesn't get any more perfect than God's scenery at the beach.

We have all laughed and enjoyed this picture so much! Emma is rocking the sunglasses and hat. We call her "Miss Hollywood" because her whole persona changed when Sarah put the sunglasses and hat on her. Callie is trying to make conversation and Emma is so stoic while she listens. Wonder if this picture indicates their personalities to come??? Such adorable and cute little girls!

As customary at every Sullivan function, there is a tailgate and BBQ grill somewhere nearby. I cannot tell you how long or how many men sat on this tailgate while Dad cooked ribs, hamburgers, steaks and whatever else anyone wanted...oh yeah, the "Uncle Leonard sausage"!

This is the first night on the beach. We ALL enjoyed just sitting and walking on the beach together. Even Chris was happy to be there :)

I love this picture of Stephanie and Callie.

Callie was a flower girl in the wedding. She will not wear anything on her head for more than 2 seconds...she thought it was funny that Elliott was wearing her flower halo...priceless.

Callie thought that the little birds that run up and down the beach were so funny. She wanted to ME to run and chase them while she "rode" along...

My sister says that the conversation transpiring between these two is going something like this:

Kale: Can you believe these people are our family??

Callie: No joke! They are crazy!

Kale: Reckon we ought to take this to the FloraBama?

Callie: Yes! At least we'll be around "normal" people...

The next family event happened in June when sweet Emma Claire was christened at Meadville UMC. The weekend together was so much fun and the babies enjoyed Barbie's pool...

Callie gets all crazy around water. She is literally trying to stand on her head here...

Callie loves to go under the water!

Miss Hollywood is taking in all the attention and commotion. She is such a laid back diva in the water.

Christening service for Emma Claire Stebbins...she is paying close attention!

The Sullivan/Joseph/Stebbins/Smith families

also including "Miss Mae" and her husband, Jamie

Callie is taking care of Emma

"Come on Emma, pull it together! We've got to pose and smile for all these cameras!"

July 4th weekend was a wonderful and sad weekend. It was lots of fun hanging out at the lake and grilling with friends. It was bittersweet in that it was the last time we'd get to hang out with John & Melissa Niegbruegge. The moving van arrived on July 5th and took them to Boca Raton, FL. Gosh, I miss them terribly!!!

Tonya & Shawn Beckwith, Steph, John & Melissa Niebrugge

The weekend after July 4th, Mom's Sunday School class hosted a Grandparents Shower for some very dear family/friends...Bob & Susie Kimbrough. Their oldest daughter, and one of my good lifelong friends, Holli is expecting the first grandchild...a boy. I am so glad that I was home this weekend and was able to enjoy the celebration!

Bob & Susie Kimbrough

Barbie - the "ice" cream queen...she takes her job seriously

Judy McGehee, Mom, Janet Spring

(3 of the hosts)

The best part about coming home to Meadville is the early morning "hang out." All of us usually drink our coffee on the back porch and we now watch the girls play. Callie did not come down this weekend, so I got to enjoy Emma with 100% attention. She is getting so big and such fun!

Emma LOVES the Little Tykes swing. It's been the best $15 investment!

This rainbow was such a welcomed sight! The storm that I drove through headed home to Arkansas was very tornadic with torrential downpours. It was raining so bad that I was forced to exit in Conway and wait out the storm. I saw this double rainbow...God's promises are faithful!

This past weekend, the Football Family celebrated summer birthdays. It was such a fun time together as we haven't seen much of each other over the summer. The added bonus was that one of my very best friends, Crystal, came for a visit. We had such fun hanging out and shopping. We also were able to hang out at the lake with Lori & Derek, 2 good friends here in Rogers.

Steph, Lori, & Crystal floating around in "Lori's Cove" on Beaver Lake.

Crystal & Steph at dinner at the River Grille in Bentonville

The Football Family! What laughs and good times were had by this crew!