Memorial Day Weekend 2012

 How did you spend your long weekend?  Did you spend it on vacation?  Did you spend it working around the house?  Did you spend it cooking out with friends?  Or did you spend a quiet weekend at home doing exactly what you wanted...nothing?

Well...Russ had his first day off in three weeks...and it was for the entire long weekend!  So we spent our weekend at the lake with friends and family!

Captain Leeroy

 Kristin, Lee, Russ, me, Dustin, and his girlfriend spent our long weekend at Lee's aunt and uncle's cabin and played on the water during the day.  As always...it was a fabulously fun weekend!

Party of Two

 I couldn't decide which pictures to use.  Trust me...I've narrowed them down!  But, every time I started to take some out, I remembered something fun or funny about that moment, and I didn't want to forget.  So...you may be on picture overload in a minute.  Bear with us!

Dream Team

Just like any time the Smithites get together with our crew, there was goofiness all around.  Fun times abounding!  And things that "happened at Pickwick that will stay at Pickwick!"  Ha!  

Sheila

Dustin and Sheila

 Any time these three guys are together, it can be scary.  You NEVER know what will happen, what dance moves will show up, or what stunt will be pulled.  The girls?  We are just around to take pictures, eat pizza, lay in the sun, and warn them of danger right before they do something crazy.

Not quite sure what this jump is called....  Hmmmm....

This one looks to be a swan dive...

 I LOVE how much fun our family can have together...originals and newcomers!  There aren't many of us who use our filters....it's all fair game!  We laugh together.  We act silly together.  We dance together.  We play together.  In fact...Russ, me, Kristin, and Lee actually even slept together in the same bed all weekend.

Is that too much information?  Ha!

Kristin and her favorite brother-in-law

 We are so thankful for Alisa and Richard for letting us...and all the others take over their cabin!  We had a blast!  NEVER a shortage of stories, laughter, and just plain FUN!

Lee and his grandmother

Kristin and Lee's Aunt Alisa...aka "Sissy"

We literally spent all day every day...as long as the sun was up...on the water!  We loaded up on whichever boat was available and basically just took over!  Ha!  When it was time for the sun to begin setting, we loaded up a few more for a "sunset cruise".  Quite heavenly!  Perfect time for  napping, visiting, swimming, or just admiring the view.

"The Skipper" and his wife!

Sheila, me, and Kristin

Russ and me

Dustin and Sheila

The whole crew

While the days were loads of fun, the nights carried their own category of fun times.  Russ and Jerry played a little...no, a lot...for all of us.  Russ actually ended up with pretty impressive blisters on his fingers.  But, it was oh so worth it!  Russ loves to play the guitar!  For those of you who haven't known us long...Russ was in a band in high school.  He enjoys "jamming out" and just playing around with it whenever he gets the chance.  When we lived in Jackson, he enjoyed playing at restaurants or bars every once in a while too.  He's very good, if I do say so myself!  Jerry played several songs he had written, and Russ just joined in like he knew them.  It amazes me how that can happen!

Yes, our nights were filled with THE GOOD...

THE BAD...

and THE UGLY!

While the guys made music at night, we let the new stereo make our music during the day.  We all relaxed and enjoyed the sun.  Some of us a little too much!  Ouch!  Nothing a little Aloe can't fix though.  We're just preparing for our upcoming family beach trip.

"Sisters"...me, Sheila, and Kristin

Lee taking a break from being our Cap'n!

Three beautiful ladies...inside and out!  (Lee's mom, grandmother, and aunt)

Yep.  Fun times at the lake never stop!

Sheila and Dustin

And the fun times didn't stop until the sun set on the final day. 

Me, Russ, and Kristin

Russ and I arrived back home to Southaven around 1 o'clock this morning.  Our alarm clocks went off at 7 a.m.  And we are officially back to reality!

But not for long!

Panama City Beach...we're coming!