That's What I Love... About The South...

Vacations always go by way too fast.... day after tomorrow and we're outta here and on our way to Branson. It seems like we just got here and already it's time to go. Pretty soon we'll be home and back to the same ol' routine again. Ugh!

Time has been well spent since we've been here. We got to celebrate two birthdays - Papa's 80th and Becca's 20th. It's been one big party around here! We've also been fishing a couple of times in the evenings, had a couple of fires in the firepit out back and roasted marshmallows after dark (it's been SO fun watching/catching fireflies and listening to the katydids screech and holler!), we've played cards quite frequently throughout the day and have taken naps pretty much every day as well. We went and bought "ladder golf" a few days ago and keep beating the pants off Brian and Becca, and we try to get in a game or two of that in the early evenings before or after dinner. We also went to the flea market and did some other fun shopping as well, but we didn't buy anything. Yesterday Brian and Gran got really sick, and today marks day 3 that they both have felt like poop. We think that cousin Beth gave everyone the crud while she was here. =) Dad and Papa both think they are getting something too - we just hope we can get outta here before WE get something! Today we headed out to Crowley's Ridge State Park and went on a little walk and did some pedal boating out on Walcott Lake..... but the weather was scorching hot, so we didn't stay over an hour and a half. (earlier this week it was a whopping 98 degrees out - wowza!) After we left the park, we drove around town and did some house "shopping." We found our house.... now all we need are jobs. Tonight the boys will probably go out and play ball for awhile and hopefully Gran will make her famous homemade hot fudge for some ice cream while we play cards before bed. She has made sure that we all got what we wanted (our favorite foods) while we were here, so we'll probably be fat by the time we get home. Tomorrow we'll be going out and doing some shopping and then packing up our cars and suitcases getting ready to go.

We've had THE best time out here this summer. We can't wait to see what next year will bring!

Below are a few pics to highlight our trip. We'll post the rest in our "Flickr" photo album.

Time well spent playing cards. Brian, Dad, Becca, Cousin Beth.

Fishing out at the lake.

Brian's big catch! lol Happy Birthday to Becca!
Pedal Boating out on Walcott Lake!
Me and my Brodie. Seriously, we tried to adopt him.
"Little Greggie" (as Gran calls him) and little Brodie.
Papa, Braxton, and Gran. We all love a good fire!
Cousin Ryan and sweet little Thomas.
Gran, Jen, Cousin Dan.... more time well spent.

Walker Family Reunion 2008

This morning the troops loaded up, all 18 of us, and caravaned 45 minutes out to Manila, Arkansas to meet the rest of the gang for our yearly family reunion. Papa has 11 brothers and sisters (only 4 of them are still alive though), so there's a lot of family that shows up for this yearly tradition. We get together while we still can! Not always can everyone make it, but it's fun to hang out/catch up with those who can. We had our traditional good ol' southern barbeque with "Wicker's Marinade" and all the other homemade goodies that everyone brings. We even got in a few good rounds of "ladder golf" before Gran told us it was time to go. We came home chock full at the end of the day and ready for a nap. But.... instead of a nap, we celebrated Papa's 80th birthday with cake and a little party, then the guys went out and played ball out in the street and while the girls stood by to watch and chat. After it got almost too dark to see, we all came inside and chatted (while we had a late night snack) and played cards.... we also discovered that Aunt Nancy left her camera in the dining room, so yep, you guessed it! We had to take some pretty crazy pictures before we went to bed. She'll find them eventually. =)

It was such a great day! Only 364 days until next year's reunion! =)

Those who came.... 43+ we think!

What Walkers do best.... eat! =)Ladder Golf!
Us beating Brian and Becca.
No wonder they couldn't win.... lol.
Jen and Cousin Sandra.
Greg and Brian playing catch.

Happy Birthday to Papa!

Destination: Tunica, Mississippi

(By Jen)

We had quite the enjoyable experience today - Gran and Papa took Mom and I to Tunica to shoot the wad. They always talk about how they sometimes go to Tunica for the day and have such a good time gambling and eating at the buffets, and today they finally took us to experience the fun ourselves!! (They also lived there about 50 years ago, so we got to see their old house as well.) We spent pretty much all day there, and it was such a beautiful day out - although we didn't spend much time outside. ;) Hopefully someday we'll get to go back!!

** Sorry it took so long to post pics.... once Greg and the rest of my family got here, it was too much fun catching up and playing with the babies. =)

Horseshoe Casino, Tunica

Gold Strike Casino, Tunica

Here we are! Let the fun begin!

Me and my Papa. =)

Harrah's at Tunica!

The casino's on the water.3 generations.
The house Gran and Papa lived in a looooooong time ago when they lived in Tunica. Cute!

I Made It!

(By Jen)

Well, I am finally here!! Actually, I have been here for a couple of days now.... Mom and I flew out around 6:30 Friday morning, and made it to the Memphis airport around 12:30 in the afternoon. (I love all of those Elvis gift shops!!) We were tired since we'd been up since 4 a.m., but it sure felt good to be here. I love it here!! Love the heat, love the humidity!! Call me crazy I guess. ;)

These past two days we've already been spoiled with quite a bit of that good ol' southern food too: barbeque, cornbread, bologna and tomato sandwich (with Arkansas tomatos), fried squash, homemade sourdough bread... and I KNOW it will keep getting better!! (Especially on the day of the Reunion.) We've also been sitting around and relaxing quite a bit since we've been here .... playing cards, taking naps, and sleeping in. We even ventured out to the dollar store once too. That's always fun. ;) Last night we went fishing... but Gran and I had to stop at Sonic for a milkshake first while Papa and Mom went on ahead. Hee hee. Such a nice night to fish - not too humid, not too cold.... well, I guess I always tend to get cold anyways though, come to think of it. The katydids were out making noise (I love that sound!), I got a bug up my nose (eeeewww, not used to bugs yet!), and we watched a snake swimming around in the lake, getting closer and closer. Needless to say, "it was time to go."

Today is Father's Day, and once again, I am not home with my Dad. I know Greg and Brian will take good care of him though. We're taking Papa to Jonesboro to a Mongolian Barbeque place. I am thinking it's somewhat like Benihana's, but I guess we'll find out later!! Tuesday we have Tunica, Mississippi on the calendar (maybe I'll win big!), and Wednesday afternoon Greg and my Uncle Glenn and some of my cousins get here. Thursday and Friday the rest of my family will drag in just in time for the Reunion in Manila on Saturday. It's gonna be an awesome week!! =)

Let The Games Begin!

Last night Greg FINALLY got to play softball. He’s been looking forward to that forever, and now that his test is over, he wants to play all the time! He plays with the church league again in the shortstop position, and Jen fills in if they need another female player. (Last night they didn’t need her, so she sat and chatted excitedly with Becca about wedding and bridesmaids dresses!) It was such a fun game last night, and they were trouncing the other team until the very end….. then somehow the other team scored enough runs to beat our team in extra innings. Maybe next week they’ll win…..

Greg up to bat...

Brian up to bat...

For anyone who lives in the Springs (or even semi-close), come out and watch a game or two! They are at Memorial Park on Monday nights. Times vary, so just ask - we’ll be happy to give those to you!

Finally, It's Over...

(By Greg)

Well, the test came and went! It's hard to believe that all my studying culminated in a 240-question, 6-hour exam this past Saturday!

Overall, I think the exam went well. The test was not nearly as difficult as I had anticipated; however, it wasn't easy by any means! I felt pretty confident after the AM session and was happy to be at least half-way through. The PM session was another story... It was more difficult; however, the 2nd half of the PM session went pretty well. I'd like to think I passed the test on Saturday, but I don't want to get cocky, so it is what it is--it's up to the graders now!

I came into this test very well prepared and used as many resources as I could! While talking to some other candidates during the lunch break, a lot of them were saying, "...I'll be taking this next year..." (I'm thinking to myself, "...not me, I'm moving on to Level II) and "...other resources, what else was there?..." So, a lot of people didn't seem prepared and didn't seem to dedicate as much time...

All in all, it went good, I'm glad to be done, and I can't wait until the results are posted in late-July. Until then, I will be doing absolutely nothing and enjoying my time off!!!!!

Lastly, THANK YOU for everyone's thoughts and prayers! I was at peace and was not nervous at all during the exam!

Carnival

Well, last night was our last night of VBS and it went off without a hitch. The carnival afterwards was a blast as well! Jen didn't get home until after 11, but Greg left early so he could get to bed at a decent time before his test. VBS is officially over now.....

Lannie, our "aloha balloon lady."

Jen and Jenn doing working the nacho (say cheese!) and popcorn booth.

Greg, Mike, and Q-Dawg - socializing and putting us in business. See the hot dog in Greg's cheek? =) Mike and Quentin probably have nachos and popcorn on them somewhere. =)

Bob and Cheryl taking charge of the sodas.

Jen and Brian - yes, they are eating up all the profits. ;)

The "snow cone lady" and the "cotton candy man."

The "cotton candy man" with cotton candy all over himself - it got all over Mom and Jen and Jenn too. ;) Brian looked like a monkey picking stuff off of us and eating it. LOL.