Family Fun at Murray Park

While Laurie & Jenny were still here, we thought we'd take full advantage of a family night at the park together....just like the good old days! :) Too bad Steve & Kerri had to get right back home. Just can't ever get enough family time!  :)

Glenn sure loves his sisters...ALL 6 of us! :)

...and aren't they looking patriotic tonight! :}

After the prior week, it was nice to have a relaxing night together to just chill & talk the night away!

Glad Aunt Toots could make it too...good to have her here from California!

It was so good for the cousin's to have all the quality time together! Especially when they live far away...gotta soak it all up! Fortunately Mary & Jon were such good sports!! :}

Nothing like cousins! :}

See that scowl on her face?! It MUST have been being forced to wear this shirt! Ha Ha :} If only she came home in 3 days, instead of sleeping over with her cousins, she might have had something else to wear! :} (kidding of course...thanks for taking care of her Annie! You can try all you want; but, not sure you'll convert her! :})

I LOVE MY SISTERS! (yes, all 6 of them! :})

Glenn thought maybe he'd lie down for the 1st time in, oh, a few days/week maybe? Peace Bro!

Getting in some silly time with the Eva & Joshua!

Of course we have to attempt the classic "Leach Squishy Face Pictures" :}

OK, so it broke the rules as far as "holding the camera & seeing how many faces you can get in it". But, can I just say, I LOVE this picture! :}

I know it's extra hard for Jen, as I know she is homesick anyway, and wants to be surrounded by her family at this difficult time. As long as she always knows we are always here for her! :)

Luckily Jen got to stay a few weeks (good timing I guess? :}). So, we snuck in one more before she left.

Bradon got to introduce Kyra to the family (oh, aren't they just cute?! :})

I'm sure I have the cutest nieces & nephews ever! :}

As well as the cutest Grandma(s)! :}

More squishy face photos! :}

Joshua is ready for some pie!

Silly Sam! :}

Of course brother had to follow...."Give me a big kiss Mom!" :}

Getting in a round of Phase Ten

I'm so glad the kids got to know their cousins a bit more! 

Dylan doing one of his poses he likes to do..yes, he's a little stud! :}

I wuv ya buddy! :}

Uncle Glenn seems to always get in a wrestling match with the little ones! (maybe because he's just a big kid himself? :})

Superboys!

Then we got our own sleepover before they left. The girls were busy painting nails & being little girls! :}

You can't go wrong with video games when boys are together, right?! :}

Oh, good times...have I told you I love my family today?! :}

Happy Birthday Mom!

We always knew how special Dad made birthdays & holidays, so we were a little worried how Mom's Birthday would go, being so recent to his loss & all. But, once again, the family stepped up. Between each of us, in our own way....it was a week full of games, lunches, dinners, performances, and good family fun. We got to have Mom & Grandma over the night of her birthday for dinner, which also allowed us to share in one of my niece, Mary's, beautiful cakes (she's getting so good at that! :}). 

My cute Mom was thrilled to have such great family moments, and of course to hear the traditional Leach Family Birthday song! :}

Yea for Happy Family Memories! 

Happy Birthday Mom...we sure do love you! :}

The beginning of a beautiful friendship

So...got to keep it real & not be in denial that my kid is now a High School student & ready to date! (oh for scary!! :)). Actually, the last thing any teenager would ever admit was that their Mom hooked them up; but, time to give some credit to the Cool Mama's here (that would be Tonya & I :}), who knew how cute these two would be together! :} We've known Kyra, and family, for a few years now, as they are part of the Dance Biz Family. Kaley will be sure to point out the fact she was HER friend 1st! (and her "Big Sister"! :})...as proven here: 

 

 

 Kyra is a sweetheart, a beautiful dancer, and a smart kid! And Bradon's not so bad either!! :} So, as the dance season came to an end, they had each other's #s & the friendship began! :} We all were sure to do the traditional night at Leatherby's after the final recital....

Then there was the BBQ at Diane's, where I believe we saw a few sparks going! :} (he's going to LOVE that I posted this by the way! :})

They both have had a busy summer with dance & basketball for her, football for Bradon. But, they've had a few chances to have some summer fun! She even got to meet the Leach Family for a picnic at Murray Park. Of course, they all approved! :}

You know you're doing all right at parenting, if your 15 year old offers to have her over, while he makes dinner for her! :}

As we got to meet a group of friends for a day at the pool, he was excited for an afternoon with "his girlfriend" :}

She also has older brothers, so she can certainly hold her own at sports (and I believe beat him, fair & square, in a game or two of Basketball! :})

OH, it's hard to watch your kids grow up! But, all you can do is just hope that you are teaching them well & they always treat everyone with respect!

OK, so...back to life....

Well, due to the last month of madness, I feel like I've gotten so behind on "the life & happenings of The Coleman Five". And now that I actually get a chance (due to sick girl today...sorry Boo-Boo! :(...but, she's doing much better tonight fortunately) to attempt to catch up, know it won't necessarily be in chronological order. One thing I can say about the last month is how proud I am, and will continue to be, of my beloved Leach Family! They have all stepped up in their own ways. Extra Kudos to my awesome brother, Glenn. Seriously...just so proud of him & how is is holding to his promise of making sure Mom was taken care of. He helped to clean out the storage unit Dad had & found old pictures & documents that we thought were either lost, or ruined. That means so much to all of us (though I joke, I NEVER thought the 2nd grade picture of me in a Prairie dress would be a treasure! Ha Ha :}). Thank you Dad for putting those away in a safe place! And thank you Glenn, Mom & Jenny, for taking care of the difficult task. 


Of course, I've thought of many fabulous memories the past month; but, I think one of my favorites was his 75th Birthday Party at none other, than Murray Park....our family picnic hang out! I look at those pictures & think how much better he felt, and how happy he was to be surrounded by his family. Crazy to think that was just 5 years ago! That's not that long ago! There just so happened to be fireworks that night for some event (though we told him we set it up for him! :}). Here's a few from that night. It's a simple memory; but, a traditional kind of moment we always treasured together! (and don't our kids look cute?! :})

Oh Dylan! :}

He always looked handsome in that hat! :}

It's funny how it just hits at different times, out of the blue. I was surprised I made it through that week without losing it (usually I'm an emotional wreck! :}). Then, it hits me on my way into work, or at the store....all part of the grieving process I know. I actually got to listen to a recording of the funeral today, that Glenn had put on CD. Though I knew it was inspirational, that day was still a blur & it's good to really hear what was said & again, know how proud he would have been. I just have one heck of a family! We've certainly had our trials, as a whole; but, together we represent exactly what my Mom & Dad have always installed in us: Love & Kindness. He was always so proud of us Crazy Leach's! :}