Wednesday, May 27, 2015

With Freedom and Hodgepodge For All

It's Wednesday again, so it's time for the Hodgepodge. It has been a busy week and weekend, and it's nice to take time to look back on the fun, and answer the questions brought to us each week by Joyce, our Hodgepodge Hostess. Be sure to click on the button and pay her a visit. After you've enjoyed my answers, of course.

Here are her questions and my answers:
1.  Did you do anything 'memorable' this past weekend?

If 'memorable' means 'making memories', we did that. :) We kicked off the #sweetwater15 lake season with family and friends for the Memorial Day weekend.


Noah helped by sweeping the deck. #nevertooyoung

We had a deer who wandered down to the dock. I think she was lost.
Granny and Grandpa love taking the littles on a boat ride.
Noah loved the boat.
Piper Jayne's first ride.
Shylah and David making the buffalo chicken dip. Yum!
Sunday was a beautiful day, and we spent some time near the water. It was still pretty chilly IN the water.
Bryan and Noah did get on the water mat.
 Shylah and David, who will welcome their little boy in early September.
 Nana and Piper.
Another boat ride. Mackey giving Shylah a kiss. :)
 Shylah and David.
Kyle and Kristin, who will welcome their little girl in mid-June. Coco and Moda will have a little adjusting to do, I think. Lol.
Jay and Kylie came to hang out with Courtney and Adam (and us), and Jay even drove the boat for us. Jay knows boats. :)
MackApp loves the sofas at the lake. He was a tired puppy.
Bryan, Jennifer, Noah, Piper, and Bentley.
Noah and Gumbo. Everybody loves Gumbo.
 It was a fun weekend, and we look forward to a great summer at the lake.

 2. Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying-

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."  

Your thoughts? Do you somehow acknowledge and appreciate the freedoms you enjoy? Did your upbringing contribute to that sense of appreciation? If you're a parent, are there specific things you do to pass on this sense of responsibility and appreciation to your own children in regard to the freedoms they enjoy?

When I read this quote and the question, I immediately remembered the chorus of a song I learned in elementary school, 
Freedom isn't free. Freedom isn't free. 
You've got to pay a price, 
You've got to sacrifice, 
For your liberty.
I looked it up to see if I could find the rest of the lyrics, and the first verse is a simple reminder that freedom is not free, and must be appreciated, defended, and never taken for granted.
Freedom is a word often heard today,
But if you want to keep it there's a price to pay.
Each generation's got to win it anew,
'Cause it's not something handed down to you.
-Words and music by Paul and Ralph Colwell

3. Loudest noise you've ever heard?

Well, I'm sure it's not technically the loudest noise I've ever heard, but the first thing that came to mind was the gun signifying the lead swimmer on the last lap of the 500 free at a high school swim meet. From my spot in the timer's chair in lane six, that shot was right in my ear. Of course, veteran timers learned to cover our ears prior to the gun. :)


4. What was the last thing you ate that might be considered 'junk food'? Did you enjoy it?

Hmmmm….. Oreos? Twizzlers? Chips? I enjoyed all of them last weekend.


5. When was the last time you were somewhere the crowd felt 'packed in like sardines'?

After Adam and Courtney's wedding and reception, we headed over to a famous campus establishment for some fun and fellowship. We made our way upstairs at The Chocolate Shop, where it was standing room only. I think the young folks are used to that. :)

These photos were taken before the reception, when it wasn't crowded yet.


6. Are you organized when it comes to packing for a trip? Do you make a list weeks in advance or toss items in last minute? Are you a carry-on only sort of packer or do you need an entire suitcase for your shoes?

For as unorganized as I am at home sometimes, I am actually pretty organized when packing for a trip. We have been vacationing on Grand Cayman since our children were little, and I could pack all 7 of us for a week in 2 suitcases.  As the children grew, brought friends, married, and added grandchildren to the group, I put together a master packing list, mostly for the food that we take to feed the group for a week. While I'm good at getting it all in, I do have trouble keeping the bags under the 50 pound limit. I remember one year when a bag was 2 pounds over at check-in, so I grabbed a box of spaghetti out of the suitcase and stuffed it into one of the kids' backpacks.

I can pack for myself in a carry-on, but I prefer to check bags if possible to avoid the hoisting into the overhead bins. 

7. What was the last sporting event you attended in person? Did your team win? Did you care?

The last sporting event I attended in person was last football season. These pictures are from the game I attended in New Orleans to watch my team play.

They did win.
And of course I cared. Who Dat!! Is it football season yet??

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


I spent yesterday with these two cuties, as Jennifer went back to work for her first day since Piper was born. We got along just fine. I'm sure it was a change for their mama though!
Noah ate THREE hot dogs for lunch (all beef, of course) and enjoyed watching some of Uncle Andrew's cow videos on my phone. What he doesn't enjoy is when the video is all done. Heart. Broken.



7 comments:

Theresa said...

It looks like so much fun at the lake. I'm sure your kids and grandkids will have lots of happy memories from their time there. That is funny about taking a box of spaghetti out of your luggage to meet the weight limit! Have a great rest of the week :)

April said...

OK, you seriously have the most adorable family! Loved seeing all the photos!

Cathy said...

Your grandkids are so adorable and it always looks and sounds like you have a wonderful time at the lake.

Joyce said...

What a fun family you have! That little Piper all curled up is too adorable. I look forward to one day having grandkids on our lake : )

Terri D said...

You have such a wonderful family and such a wonderful place for all to gather!! That picture of Noah and Gumbo is beyond adorable.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Such cute pictures of your family and what a fun, fun time! And, more babies on the way. Enjoyable post!

Wendy said...

Oh it looks like you had a lovely memorable weekend. Great photos. Thanks for sharing.