Rainy Day Blues

Last week, it rained almost everyday. Winny decided to take a little nap on the couch. Here she somehow sandwiched herself between the pillows and is just watching the rain outside.

Poor Buggy, she eventually got so depressed that she couldn't play with her ball outside, that she just passed out right by the back door.I even caught Lucy looking a little sad about all the rain.
Now, this week has been in the upper 90's. Looks like this summer is going to be a hot one!

Night Visitor

This is what decided to grace us with it's presence about 2 weeks ago.

Mom, just skip this blog.

We let the dogs out and Hunter heard them both making a fuss about something. He looked out and saw Lucy bristled from head to tail. He went out, saw the snake, and threw both dogs back in the house. Meanwhile, I haven't seen it, but I'm freaking out! Once he figured out what it was and that it wasn't poisonous, I hear, "Jess, get your camera." Really? I thought, "A gun or shovel sounds more useful to me!"

This was no small garden snake, and my first encounter. You can see how it was right up against our house near the back door. I never saw it and I kinda like it that way.

He must have been camera shy, because once Hunter took the picture he slithered away.

Needless to say, I didn't sleep very well that night.

More Birthday

On Mrs. Kim's side of the family, they do one big birthday dinner for all the cousins having birthdays that month.

Here are the Newman May babies:

Hunter, Austin, Lindsey, and William

Everyone waiting to blow out the candles on their cupcakes.

William just rather eat the cupcake then blow out the candle.

"Hey Austin, those colors look good on you!" Austin is a Clemson grad, but going to USCA right now and will transfer to USC. It's ok Austin, we see how far that degree from Clemson got you....we knew you'd end up in the right place eventually.

More presents! Two happy grandparents!

Haley's Graduation

Congratulations Haley!!!

Waiting for her name to be called and hoping they don't mess it up. Oh but they did...Haley Lauren Motel. It's graduation tradition to have it said wrong...Hope, you're next.

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

with a minor in

Advertising and Public Relations

Magna Cum Laude and member of two honor societies

Aunt Frances and Wendy with the graduate

Haley with Mike and his parents

One big proud family

After the ceremony we went and ate lunch at Kovachi's, one of our favorite restaurants in Lexington. Where the portions are so big that you eat as much as humanly possible and take more than what you ate home.

Our waitress told us she has one slice of cake left and that she would save it for us for dessert...so we decided that was fine and that Haley would have her own little dessert for herself. Little did we how just how big that "slice" would turn out to be....Here it is ladies and gentlemen. That's right, that is one "slice" of cake. It was EIGHT layers tall and came on this platter. Each of us had a layer of the "slice" and Haley took the rest home! Honestly the biggest cake in the world and the best tasting!

Hunter and I decided to get Haley a little something special to remember this day by...

Her first little blue box! I think she liked it!

The proud parents after lunch

I'm part of the gang

Showing off her new necklace
Her garnet ring from her parents

Congratulation Haley! We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished. We know you will do great in Law School!

Hunter's Birthday

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Here is Hunter with Mr. Penguin (the newest member of the Mottel family). He makes an appearance at each birthday, along with the joker hat. Hunter is just the only one willing to have his picture made wearing the hat (and holding the penguin).

We decided to celebrate a week early since Hunter's birthday was the same day as Mother's day this year. Also, for the second year in a row, his b'day has been sandwiched between graduations: me last year and Haley this year.

After dinner, it was time for presents!

Lowe's gift card from Haley and Hope

New spring clothes from the parents. Hunter finally got plaid shorts! Mrs. Kim and I picked these out when we were in HHI at the outlets! Now he's the cool kid at work on Bermuda shorts Friday! (Funny side note: one woman he works with told someone that his wife must dress him!)

Hunter with all his loot: bathing suite, shorts, pj's, fishing shirt and shorts, Master's shirt and hat, USC baseball t-shirt, cooking sauces and seasonings....I think he did pretty good!

He practically did get a new spring wardrobe. Hunter is in love with the wrinkle resistant shirts that you pull out of the dryer and put right on a hanger. He never has to iron and that's the part he REALLY loves! So Mom, Dad, and I gave him shirts. I also got him a charcoal grill he's been looking at. I forgot how much flavor that adds over gas. We've had several great meals on the charcoal grill since.

Hope you had a GREAT 25th Birthday!

Bend it like Sydney

Sydney is a great soccer player and is on a traveling team. We got to see her play at a tournament in Ballentine (about 30 min from our house).

I've never seen her play, but hear how skilled she is. She's a fast little thing!

Here she is going for a goal.

Here is Sydney waiting for the throw-in from Granger.

Great game, Syd. You did awesome and we were so excited to see you play!