Let's Get Together, Yah, Yah, Yah!

Our annual Poling Cousins' Reunion was held this past weekend at the Poling Ranch, near Fritch, Texas. We had a blast! Robert and Wendy worked their tails off getting ready for the big event. Wendy made the hilarious "Family. Beer. A shooting contest. What could possibly go wrong?" t-shirts and koozies. Robert did a ton of work to get a new sign ordered for the ranch entrance. (Someone had shot up the old one. Reward offered to find the culprit!) Walt cooked up some yummy burgers and hotdogs. Stan iced down lots of cold drinks. Linda and Jeff shopped for all the food. Monica and Bryon just showed up!

By some odd force of nature, the day started off with rain. Yes, in the Panhandle, where they get no rain EVER, it rained on us. There is nothing better than watching storm clouds in that great big sky. After it cleared up, we played with kites, guns, 4-wheelers, rocks, a horny toad, Crap Swap, and door prizes. We had a ball and can't wait until next year!

What a Year!

Has it really already been a year since Shelby made her grand appearance into our lives? How time flies! Since our number one priority is to spoil her rotten, she was thrown not one, but TWO parties. That lucky girl got to cover her face in icing twice. She also had about six different wardrobe changes into all the adorable birthday onesies created by Grandma Janice (the green one with the butterfly) and Aunt Wendy Lee (the one covered in icing and the cupcake one).

First, we had the family birthday party at our house. Bryon's parents, my mom and Jeff, and my sister Molly and her family came over. Shelby loved seeing her cousins Carly and Conrad. Carly informed me that Shelby was her favorite cousin "on this side of the family." I guess Shelby's conversation skills just weren't developed enough to get her the overall winner's spot! Conrad cracked us all up while swimming by insisting on wearing the "Special Agent Osso" jacket, a life jacket we had to convince him to wear. Once he got the idea that he could float in his special jacket, he had a blast. All the women took a break from the excitement and went to the shoe store. Afterall, we had worked so hard spoiling Miss June, and we deserved a little retail relaxation!

Shelby's second party was the friends' party at Chuck E. Cheese. This was my first experience with a full-out party at Up-Chucks, and it really wasn't near as bad as what others had made it out to be. The pizza was actually pretty tasty. Then again, I am six months pregnant and will eat just about anything! Noëlle brought a scrumptious cupcake cake with mounds of pink icing. All the games, noises, kids, and activities were Shelby's cup of tea. She had a blast! At the end of the day, we had worn her out.

Home Improvement

We've been working on our kitchen for at least a month now. New countertops and a new backsplash were the easy part. We also replaced the stove, oven, hood, and microwave. By "we", I really mean my handy-dandy hubby! We are having the walls painted this week and are still debating on what to do with the cabinets. Any suggestions are welcome.

Before (minus the old, nasty, white hood):
During (with a little help from his friend):After:
Wow! I love my new kitchen. We can't wait for Bryon's parents, my mom and step-dad, and the Morrises to all see the finished product this weekend for Shelby's birthday party. Has it already been a year??