What I've Been Doing and a Birthday Recap

I feel like I've neglected you guys. Let's catch up!

At the beginning of August I was recovering from having two dental implants. On top of having surgery, I was nursing one of our two cats back to health. He was not in good shape... he had diabetes and heart disease. I syringe fed him three times a day for nearly eight weeks and checked on him multiple times throughout the course of the day/night but his disease ended up taking over. He passed a blood clot so we had to put him down on August 8th.

August was also a very busy month for us at work. We were working at a remote location so I was driving back-and-forth to our shop multiple times a day to retrieve parts and tools. We also had numerous meetings with our customer and we had to move one of our locations. It was absolute CHAOS.

Then smack dab in the middle of all of this, Tyson decided to go to New York to reclaim his title for the Bermuda Challenge. The weather was clear for them to go on August 21st... this weather window is very tight and they can not go until they get approval from the Coast Guard. August 21st just so happened to be the day that we had to have our friend's boat delivered to Lake of the Ozarks for the Shootout. This would normally be no-big-deal but this boat is not easy to haul. A good friend of mine ended up hauling it for us and everything worked out even though I was sweating bullets the whole 6 hour drive.

But in the end, Tyson and Chris got our record back! Woo hoo!

This kicked off my birthday celebration and the Shootout!

We had a blast at the lake and I can't wait until next year!

Tuesday the 27th was my actual birthday. We had dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Vallarta. It was low key and perfect!

The following weekend was Labor Day. My old boss from the gas dock asked me if I could fill in a few shifts for the holiday weekend. I couldn't say no! I missed the gas dock so much and loved every second of being back. It was so much fun!

And then the next weekend (I feel like a broken record) was Rachel's bachelorette party! Rachel and I were very good friends all throughout middle and high school and we have stayed in touch very well over the last seven years.

Friday night was our Girl's Night. We went to a winery and then to Shady Gators while the guys went to Frankie and Louie's. Later that night we all came together at Rachel's parents house where we set up camp! It was so much fun having everyone packed in to the house with their air mattresses and staying up late like high school again.

Saturday we went out on the boat. (Both guys and girls.)

The whole weekend was so much fun until I got news that some guys we know from Joplin died in a boat accident. I could not believe it. My heart stopped for what felt like the whole day.

The last few weeks have been a little more low-key. We went to Michigan to tour the Skater Powerboats factory which was very neat.

(That place is full of secrets so I couldn't take any other pictures.)

Then last weekend we celebrated Tyson's late father's 70th birthday party.

So that's what I've been doing for the last eight weeks. A lot of ups-and-downs but that's life... and I have to live it. Hopefully I will get back in to the groove with my blogging. I sure miss you all!

Summer is in Full Swing!

This summer has been so busy. I can't believe it's already July. Summer is flying by. I rarely know what day it is. Last time we talked was over two weeks ago! Let's catch up!

I went home to see my mom weekend before last. Good thing because I haven't seen her in almost two months. It was nice to get away from the office and be out in the middle-of-no-where for a few days. I also got our lawn mower running. Since my dad passed away in January, our "lawn" (weeds with rocks mixed in) has not been mowed. I got this sexy beast running and mowed the lawn!

On Saturday I went out on the boat with some friends.

I love this boat for a few reasons...

1. It's huge.

2. The owner is a HUGE Mizzou fan!

The day started out beautiful but in the afternoon we got caught in a rain storm. Afterwards, we were blessed with this rainbow!

Last weekend was 4th of July! Tyson and I hauled our boat up to the Lake of the Ozarks on Thursday for some fun in the sun!

We watched fireworks out on the water with our good friends from St. Louis.

Being goofy!

We might have had a little fun...

Here is a video of us jumping a cruiser wake. We got some good air!!

Saturday we went to Coconuts for lunch and some pool time.

Saturday afternoon was the famous "Rehydrate" party at Lazy Gators!

Sunday we came home... back to the daily grind!

Best. Birthday. Ever.

So my birthday weekend started last Wednesday when we went to the Lake of the Ozarks for the Shootout.

Wednesday night was the Shootout Street party where all of the boats park on the "Bagnell Dam Strip" for display. Everyone walks around and looks at all the amazing boats.

Here are the girls of Performance Boat Center!

Thursday we boated up to a pool party at Coconuts where I drank a lot...

of water and Diet Coke. Lol

Then Friday was the poker run to Big Dick's. Lol yes that is the name of the bar we went to.

Friday night we went to Dog Days for a dock party.

Saturday was the Shootout! We tied up to a houseboat and watched the boats race by us!

Working on Freedom... typical!

Saturday night I went to Shady Gator's.

Sunday we went back to the Shootout and unfortunately it rained most of the day. We ate dinner and then hopped back on the boat right as it stopped raining... just in time for the double rainbow.

Sunday night we went to my parents house for dinner. My mom and dad got me some awesome gifts!

My mom and I are obsessed with these "ermahgerd" jokes!

Gotta have fresh Mizzou gear!!

And a Tiffany Blue Pop phone!!!

We stayed the night at the hotel Sunday night so Monday morning (my actual birthday) we had to get up and bring the boat home.

And that's when I got this:

A BRAND NEW 2013 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Limited

We were walking out to my car and this beauty was sitting in her place.

I was soooo shocked. I had literally NO idea. I was bawling like a baby. Lol

And it's FAST. Turbo-charged, baby!

Monday evening, Tyson's sister, mom, and brother-in-law threw me a mini birthday party. Neely kept saying she had a HUGE surprise. I'm thinking "what the hell can beat a new car!?"

THIS

A Mizzou themed birthday-wedding cake.

Yes.

I'm obsessed with wedding cake and Neely knows that. So she asked for a wedding cake that was for my birthday.

His family got me so much stuff!!

a Pink POP phone

a Deep Waver

BCBG perfume

Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue perfume

set of 5 pearl earrings

Eos lip balms

a hot pink beach towel with my name embroidered on it

VS Pink "MIZZOU" leggings

and like a million other things

So basically, it was an awesome birthday!!

Reef Sandals are the best!

If you wear flip flops on the daily like me, you must get a pair of these. I bought my first pair about three years ago and it's all I wear anymore! Running around on a cement gas dock all day can really be painful on the feet... until I found these! They have great support and don't rub any blisters because the straps are neoprene, not rubber or leather.

I got these at Journey's but I have also bought them at Summer USA at the Lake. They run around $50 dollars so if you can find them anywhere south of that, grab them!

I have five pairs now. :-/

I'm addicted.

Reef Fanning

Happy Birthday America!

Hey ladies! I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July so far. It feels weird to me since it's on a Wednesday. I'm used to one crazy weekend dedicated to the 4th. This year we have two!

A few things to remember:

and

If you are traveling, drive safe!

If you are shooting off fireworks, be careful!

At Skaterfest last weekend, Ronnie put on an amazing fireworks display. Though the grand finale was a little more than what we expected!

Don't worry. No one was hurt!

Happy 4th!