j+k: AG Edition

John and I are pretty much the complete opposite of country folk, I grew up in St. Louis and John just was always more of a city boy.  Monday night we were invited to the Gold Buckle Gala at the Oasis, not having one clue about what it entailed, we said "what the heck".  We were completely out of our element but we had a blast.
Here is the lowdown: the Gala’s primary purpose is to recognize the efforts of Southwest Missouri District 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors who have qualified for the prestigious Gala Auction, and to award youth grants and scholarships...for more info click here

We learned a lot and I was definitely the black sheep of the table being the only non-red meat eater at the cattle auction but everyone was very sweet none-the-less.

We didn't get a lot of pictures but here are a few.

The Pre-Gala entertainment

Top Hog Auction

The Top Steer Auction

DIY: Old Patio Chairs

When my parents bought their house 3 years ago, they discovered a plethera of old patio chairs in the shed. A couple years back John and I adopted some for a bbq we were having and we decided these bad boys needed a face lift. My love of  yellow and chevron/strips were our inspiration. They certainly brighten up our front porch.

Chairs Before

John adding a base of white

the legs getting a new coat of bronze

All taped and ready

Finished product a chevron stripe mix

our new brightened porch

Arkansas Birthday gathering

Sunday John, Greg, Amie and me headed to Marble Falls Arkansas to help celebrate John's mom's 50th Birthday. Cindy and Rob also came down from Kimberling City. It was nice to get to visit with all of us there! Happy Birthday Donetta! Also as many of you know John's stepdad went in for surgery Monday for the cancer that was found in his hip. We are happy to say surgery went well and the doctor are confident they removed it all. He will go back in for radiation after he has healed. Please keep him in your prayers!

Birthday Girl

says it all

Rob, Donetta, Cindy, Amie and Greg

John and Cindy with their mom

John with Pretty Boy

He loves apples!

John and me with Donetta

Pretty Boy's Love Nips

Pretty Boy loves sweet tea

weekend fun

This weekend John and I did a little bit of everything and nothing all at the same time...we lounged at the pool, ate breakfast in bed, visited with new babies and friends and did some yard work. Random weekends are always the best

Saturday we got to see Dutch again and boy is he cute!

John didn't want to give him up

Dylan is a natural

We brought him a little owl hat

Added some color to our front porch

I finally repotted the Peace Lilly from the Johnson's

Sunday I surprised john with.....Nutella Pancakes, OMG!

They were a huge hit!

Elephant Ears

My Aunt Julie and Uncle Scott gave us some elephant ear bulbs a month ago and we have been patiently waiting for them to come up to say hello. They finally came up last week. They had told us they are fast growers but we didn't expect them to get so large so fast. They literally went from nothing to monsters. The heat has wilted a few of the leaves but most of them still look lush. I have always wanted elephant ears and am excited to keep added more to our landscape. Thanks Jules & Scott!!

These weren't there yesterday, they came up over night.

to the right of the large ear is a new bulb coming up.

Welcome Dutch!

Anna with her precious baby boy Dutch

John with Dutch and his proud Pop

We'd take him home if we could :)

Congratulations to Anna & Dylan Whitaker at the birth of their adorable new addition Dylan Chase Whitaker aka Dutch. We got to stop by and meet him on lunch today and couldn't be happier for them at this exciting time in their lives. We love you guys!

Rico comes home

Back in 2003,  John bought a little chihuahua puppy named Rico to keep with him at Mizzou. Rico lived with John and his roommate Bogie until we left Columbia in 2005. John brought him back to Springfield with him but when he moved into an apartment was forced to give Rico to his mom who lives in Arkansas. His mom, stepdad Derek and step grandma Deanna all became so attached John decided to leave him in their loving care and find a new dog....enter Bowie. Last week we learned John's stepdad had to have surgery due to a cancerous mass on his hip and we were more than happy to take in our good buddy Rico, now 8 years old. We aren't sure how long we will have him but we are sure enjoying every minute. Bowie and Faith love him too! And on another note, Derrick is doing great after his surgery.

These dogs never sit still, best pic I could get of all of them

John and Rico back together again

I find him sleeping like this every morning

Trying out the grandparents pool

Rico the swimmer

Sleepy heads

4th of July

This 4th we didn't even see one firework which was actually a-ok, we spent the first half of the day at the Johnson's for some pool time and then second half at the rents for dinner and friendship bracelet making (of course my random idea). Thanks to my sister Amie who was our own resident bracelet expert, couldn't have done a chevron with out you!

Lounging at the Johnsons with poolside snacks of course.

The healthy foil packs my mom and sis made with fruit

a little family craft time

my bracelet almost complete

Our Wedding Story

We are very please that 417 Magazine asked us to be featured in their Bride Magazine as one of their Real Wedding ours representing the Winter season. We finally got to see it and couldn't be happier, such a special day for us that we are honored to share.
Thanks!!!
j+k