Wingert Family: August and September-oops!!

Ok ok, those of you that have been anxiously awaiting my post can now rest easy...here it is! I've said it before and I have to say it again, I have NO idea where the time goes!!! WOW! Since I'll be covering 2 months, this might be sort of lengthy, but I'll try to get to the point, yet keep you up to date!

First of all, as you know, August is our birthday month. Mark's is the 14th, and mine is the 16th. Mom came into town during that week and hung out with us for a while, it was a nice visit. I took off work one day and Mom, Chase and I drove to Amish Country. Yes, there is a small Amish country in TN. They didn't let us take any pics, so we didn't get any, but trust us...they're there! they ride horses, make baskets, don't have electricity (or toilets-we know, because Chase had to use one of the out houses-gross!). We didn't see many people wearing shoes either. Their goal is to have at least 13 kids per family so they can all work the farm-CAN YOU IMAGINE? They only go to school through 8th grade, and all ages are in class together. They don't learn English until they're out of school...while in school and at home, they speak Dutch. Its amazing what is out there when you leave your own little nest! Somehow, we don't seem to get too many pics when mom is around. Below are a few that we took after we got back from the Amish at a restaurant near Adam's.

During that same week (Aug 10th to be exact), I hosted a baby shower for Leigh. I believe it turned out quite nice and she got some good loot. Also during that weekend, Aug 8th and 9th, 2 of my friends in Orlando had babies! I saw them in Sept, so pics will be posted later down the page!

Goodness, I'm already going backwards....we also went to the fair early in August. We went wtih Brent, Amanda and Emma Cate. We went together last year too. The pictures aren't much different from this year to last...oh well, familiarity isn't necessarily a bad thing!

After our bdays, we didn't really do much till September, then I went on a crazy travel spree. (oh yea, we did have Emma Cate's bday party to go to on Lday weekend)

Sept 6-9, I went to Pensacaola with Susan. We had a fantastic time. It was just the two of us (no kids) so we got to sleep in, relax, lay on the beach, eat, shop etc. We even saw a movie! It truly was wonderful!!! The weather was perfect, the beach was gorgeous, the water was bright blue-what more could you ask for? Allison was supposed to go with us, but unfortunately, her grandmother-in-law died the day before we left, so she needed to stay home and be with her husband and his family. I drove the 7hrs alone, but had a good 'chick book' on CD, so it wasn't bad at all.

The day after I got back from Pensacaola, Mark, Chase and I left for Atlanta. I had 2 client meetings in Atlanta, so they came with me because we had a wedding in Hilton Head that weekend. They hung at the hotel while I met with clients, then we were on our way to Savannah. We spent one night there and toured around the next day. That evening we drove to Hilton Head for the weekend. While in Savannah, we took a trolly ride around the city, ate at an old Pirate restaurant and took some pictures of the oldest building in GA. Supposedly there are ghosts there, but we didn't capture any on our camera.

The first day in HH, Mark played golf while Chase and I hung out at the beach. Of course, the night we got in, Chase immediately wanted to explore the beach, so we did as a family. We saw the craziest sandcastle of a lady and a crab! Meanwhile, the next day Chase and I hung out, had a blast, got some sun, ran on the beach, played in the waves and wore ourselves out. We left about noon, then went to explore the area. We had no idea where anythign was, so we just ended up going to an area on the water front with shops and restaurants. So...we ate and shopped. It was nice...came home to nap, so we could be prepared for the wedding.

Cliff and Judy's wedding was beautiful. It was outside at the Marriott overlooking the beach. The sun was setting, the weather was perfect...it really was a great setting. Chase did great during the ceremony. We got to play on the hammock during the 'cocktail hour', then there was a babysitter available during the reception. He did well and we went to bed about 11pm.

The next morning we decided to hang out at the beach till noon, then drive as far as we wanted to get home and spend the night overnight. well, we played and played and played. Chase literally ran for 3 hrs straight! We thought FOR SURE he'd sleep on the way home. After we left, we stopped to eat lunch in HH, then started heading West. This was the beginning of the gas shortage. We filled up for $4.49/gal-OUCH! In Atlanta area we ended up finding some for $3.99, but still, ouch! Chase wasn't the least bit interested in sleeping, he talked for 5 hrs straight! Who knew a 3 yr old had so much to say??? Anyway, once we made it to ATL, we decided to drive all the way home. After we stopped for dinner, Chase decided he'd go to sleep. He probably slept about an hour, but promptly went to sleep when we got home.

I took 1/2 day off on Monday to catch up, then left again on Thursday to head to Orlando. I had 2 client meetings in the area, then stayed till Saturday to visit with friends and family. I got to see the 2 new babies born in August! Cooper Johnson (aug 9) and Luke Baumberger (aug 8). I also got to have lunch with Paige and see her 2 1/2yr old Heath...and her pregnant self! Everyone looked GREAT! It was so good to see everyone! I'm now home, caught up on work and will actually be in town for about 2 weeks before I leave again-yahoo!

Jeff and Cooper...................... Paige and Heath