Quick Update

It's a busy time for the Wades. Today we had the day off, and we relished it. Caldwell and Kate were down this weekend, so we had them and my parents over for dinner (smoked ribs, grilled chicken wings with Syberg's sauce, cheesy potato casserole, week-old baked beans - thanks, Mom - and "secret salad", followed by chocolate and peanut butter chip brownies with ice cream - delish). Matt cleaned the boat today - it's fixed, but we haven't put it back in the water yet. Maybe tomorrow evening after work. We're about to get super busy at the dock, so I don't think we'll be using it much until after the 4th anyway. Today marks our last day off for about the next 12 days. It will be exhausting, but I'm looking forward to it! I love it when the dock is hopping. And, I can't WAIT for the fireworks. July 4th has always been one of my very favorite holidays. If you don't have plans this Friday night, come to Pontiac to see the best Independence Day celebration on Bull Shoals Lake!

Spearfishing Weekend

We had a very busy weekend... PCM hosted the annual spearfishing tourney on Saturday. I coordinate the tournament each year, and Matt usually dives in it. This year we had 49 divers, which is about average. Saw a lot of big fish! Matt and Gabe dove together. They had a nice stringer of catfish, but nothing big enough to get in the money. After the weigh-in and awards and dinner, we took a little evening boat ride to cool off and watch Bobby wakeboard. (By the way, our boat is still out of commission. We're pulling it out of the water today. Work starts tomorrow.) Enjoy the pics!

Three down, One to go

My obsession is waning, but I still can't wait to read the fourth and final book in the Twilight series. I finally finished Eclipse, the third book. It took me a bit longer to read this one. I just haven't had as much time to read as I did with the first two. Personally, Twilight (the first one) is still my favorite. New Moon: second book, second fave. And Eclipse: third book, third fave. We'll see how it all wraps up with Breaking Dawn, the only book I do not have. Anyone near me own this book and willing to loan it out?

B.O.A.T.

Break
Out
Another
Thousand

If you've been around boats, you've likely heard that old adage. How about this one? "A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into."

Regardless, when you live on the lake... you've gotta have a boat. And ours is now temporarily out of commission.

We had company over the weekend - my girlfriends from college and their significant others visited from KC, Dallas and Chicago, and we had big plans to hit the lake. On Friday morning Matt took Jordan (Beth's husband) fishing, so I took Beth and Billie for a boat ride in the Four Winns. We cruised up to Spring Creek, then back down to Hollingsworth, where we found the guys. It was almost noon, and Hannah and Bobby were due to arrive around that time, so we decided to head in. That's when we heard the rattle in the engine. We were able to drive it in - despite the annoying noise, it still ran fine. A local mechanic met us at the dock and checked it over. He determined it most likely has a blown head gasket. I don't exactly know what that means, but I know it's not good. We'll be taking it out of the water this week for repair. I just hope, hope, HOPE it isn't worse than we already think and that it can be fixed sooner rather than... later. It's summertime, and we need a B.O.A.T.!

"Trouble on the Hill"

Did anyone see this story on Dateline last night? Matt and I only caught the tail end of it, so I read the full story online this morning. They played the 911 tape on Dateline, so you could actually hear that final argument and the gunshots. It's quite chilling. And disturbing. You're probably wondering why I would want to share something like this, but it's just really a crazy story. And so real. Like, these could be your neighbors... Read it if you have time.

Around the state in 5 days

Matt and I have kept Missouri roads hot the past five days... On Wednesday we headed to St. Louis for a couple Cardinals games to celebrate our anniversary. We got there mid-afternoon, met my new cousin, Chaney Luna Werner (she's a doll!), and got baseball tickets from Megan and Patrick. Went to the Cards game Wednesday night - it was freezing! I have never... I mean, NEVER... worn a sweater and jacket to a baseball game. Matt wore a long-sleeve tee, and it wasn't enough. We were hungry and thirsty, so we hit the concession stand, where 2 hot dogs + 2 beers + 1 order of nachos = $33.75. Ha! (Well worth it, though.) The Cards lost. Boo-hoo.

Here's the rest in a nutshell...

Thursday we had lunch at Zia's on the Hill, per Megan's recommendation. Delicious. Toasted ravioli, Italian sausage sandwich, pasta with "pink" sauce, salad. Yum. Toured the brewery. Stopped in a couple neat little shops. Ate two orders of wings at Syberg's and bought five bottles of sauce. (Meg and Patrick gave us a bottle of Syberg's wing sauce a while back, and we loved it. So, that's how we ended up there.) Went to the game that evening. Cards won. Hurray!

Home Friday. Work Saturday morning. Mountain Grove Saturday afternoon for our niece Madison's dance recital. Kansas City Saturday night for Billie and Woodsie's couples shower. Home Sunday afternoon. Work Sunday night.

Tired.

But, it was so much fun and well worth the craziness!

KC couples shower for Billie & Woodsie

Me, Billie and Beth at Billie and Woodsie's couples shower in KC on Saturday.


The future Mr. and Mrs. John Woods!


The cake. Yum.