The Rinehart Family: June 2009

FIRST DAY ON THE BEACH

Joe, Jackson and Bayley are cool beach dudes.

Joe and I at the water's edge. I couldn't go in too far because the waves were pretty strong and my balance isn't all that great right now.

The boys built this sand castle and Joe was sweet enough to get a photo for me.

Reagan is an adorable beach girl sporting her sun glasses and swimmies.

MORE OF ORANGE BEACH

From the time the boys were little we have a traditional photo of the jumping on the bed the first night. The older they get the higher the jump...this could be difficult one day.

Jacque with her little girl Reagan.

Enjoying our first night out to dinner at Live Bait. Super yummy and now on our list of places to visit on our next trip to the beach.

We enjoyed Orange Beach so much last year that we wanted to go again this year. Instead of going over spring break in April we thought we would wait until summer for "beach weather". Since Joe had not been on a family vacay since Jr. High we thought inviting his family would be nice. Everyone except his brother-in-law, Zac, were able to go with us. He had just started a new position with Emerson and unable to get the time off. So, Joe's parents and sister Jacque along with her two girls came to our home on Saturday and we all left together on Sunday.

Jackson and Bayley at the beach the first evening in Orange Beach.

Jackson enjoying the movies in the car...oh, to be a kid now. I would have loved movies to watch and I'm sure my parents would have appreciated the headphones as well.

Uncle Joe helping Reagan in the waves at the beach.

Our arrival at the Phoenix VI in Orange Beach. We were just so glad to be there.

GARDEN MEMORY STONES

We have had the kits to make the memory stones for a while, but we finally got around to making them. The weekend prior to leaving for vacation we had a great time creating some memory stones for the garden at the base of our deck.

Bay preparing the mix for his stone.

Jackson's finished product, complete with his hand print and name.

Bay's work of art with great designs.

Jackson and I pouring his mix into the mold.

ANJI MEIDEL IS MRS ILLINOIS AMERICA 2009

With my chosen sister Anji, the new Mrs. Illinois America 2009!!!! Isn't she gorgeous!

I couldn't wait to give her a big hug. I was soooo happy for her.

This photo is probably a little fuzzy because I could barely maintain my composure. I was more emotional when Anj won than when I took the crown. She has worked so hard and grown so much along her journey to the crown. She is a wonderful representative of married women through Illinois and America. Go get that Mrs. America title!!!

MRS. ILLINOIS AMERICA 2009

I made the journey from Alabama to northern Illinois for the annual Mrs. Illinois America pageant. It was full of flashbacks and memories as I watched the ladies compete and enjoy their weekend. A huge thanks to my mom for going with me. I was 26 weeks pregnant and she willing went with me so that I could make the trip. It was a trip well worth it...swollen feet and legs along with the 11 hours of travel. My best girl won!!!!

Being introduced as a returning Mrs. Illinois America.

Mrs. IL AM 06 (me), Kaili Harding Mrs. IL AM 05 and Hallie Thompson Mrs. IL Am 07. We enjoyed finals night together cheering for favs.

Preliminary night just before the start of the show with Dee Lane Mrs. IL AM 98. She is so supportive and a great friend, it was nice to see her again.

A LITTLE CUDDLE TIME WITH AUDREY

Ok, so maybe this isn't the most flattering photo of me, but look at that precious little girl sleeping in my arms. Oh my goodness, little miss Audrey is so cuddly and sweet. In my defense I was exhausted from a weekend at Mrs. IL America. I only got to see Wesley's family for a short visit and then back on the road to Alabama.

JOE THE BAKER

Not too long ago I had mentioned that I wished my mom was closer because a homemade cherry pie sounded really good. Yeah, I could have just made one for myself, but I didn't have the energy and that just sounded good. You know what my sweet husband did...he made me a cherry pie from scratch. It was really good and just what I wanted. Since then he has also made two pies and taken them to work for special meals. They couldn't believe he had made them. A man of many talents.

He even made the top crust fancy.

Joe was making more crust while Bay was putting the filling in the prepped pie crust. Joe says "it's just chemistry, not that hard".

END OF THE FOURTH GRADE FOR BAY

Just as the year went quickly for Jax, it flew for Bay...well, he didn't think it went so fast, but trust me...it did.

Bay at the 4th grade awards program just prior to the class picnic. Again such a great day with beautiful weather. A storm did blow up shortening the festivities, but all in all it was a great afternoon.

Bay with his 4th grade teacher, Mrs.Byrd.

END OF SECOND GRADE FOR JACKSON

Well, another school year has come and gone. I know it sounds crazy, but love having my kids home with me in the summer. Don't get me wrong, they enjoy school and most of the things that go with it, but like most other kids they like sleeping in and lazy summer days. Summer will be over all too quick!

Jackson playing with the hula-hoop at the second grade class picnic. It was held at Gatman Park, just down the road from our house. We couldn't have asked for better weather it was just beautiful.