family fun

This weekend, Jarrod and I were able to travel to Harrisonburg and spend time with his side of our extended family. We were able to celebrate Alisia's birthday... a celebration complete with intense games of 4-square and hide-and-go-seek in the dark! What fun!

All the girls The next day we had a delightful time at his parent's house as Jarrod introduced me to a new lawn game... I am still mastering my technique, but had a great time trying to toss the washers into the various holes. Thanks for some great memories!

A week of Lasts

This week was full of "lasts":

• Stephanie's last day of class at the University of Virginia School of Nursing
  
• Stephanie's last paper... 20 pages
  
• Stephanie's last day of clinical (280 hours completed in the CCU this summer)
• Jarrod's last time to watch Stephanie get up at 5:30 and spend 13 hours away without getting paid
• Jarrod's last time to drive Stephanie to the hospital as a student nurse!
• Jarrod's last softball game as the star pitcher
• Stephanie's last time to cheer for Jarrod in summer 2008 softball church league
  

It is hard to believe that the time has come to enter Stephanie's last week of school - and graduation is looming around the corner! Needless to say, we are BOTH excited!

Hershey Park

This past Saturday, the Puffenbarger clan hit Hershey Park! Who knew there was a place entirely devoted to chocolate?!! We had a fantastic time learning about the making of chocolate before hitting the rides at the park. It was a momentous occasion, as Alisia braved her first roller coaster! I was MUCH older before i enjoyed roller coasters! The day ended with fireworks and Jarrod and my trip up the kissing tower to look out at the night lights. It was such a fun day to play with our family and take a break from the busyness of life! Thanks, Joe & Teresa for initiating the trip! :)

Sisters...

My sister, Denise, and her son (Stephen) came to Charlottesville to spend the day with me while both of our husbands were working. I was honored to have my sister's undivided attention especially on this her birthday. Denise and I have not always lived close to one another - so I am relishing the time we do get to spend together. We had a special day and enjoyed going out to eat with Jarrod in the evening once he got off of work.
Irving Berlin's song as sung in the film White Christmas - makes me smile as I think of my sister:
Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters,
Never had to have a chaperone, no sir,
I'm there to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from rome
She wore the dress, and I stayed home
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain and sun
Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us

Know that not a thing could come between us...

Happy Birthday, Denise!

birthdays... an excuse to get together with family

The summer months hold many birthdays - and with Jarrod and my extended family having doubled this year- we have many excuses to get together and celebrate each other. :) Most recently, Jarrod's parents and sister, Brooke, came to Charlottesville to watch one of Jarrod's softball games and celebrate Jarrod's birthday a bit belated, and we had the opportunity to celebrate Jarrod's mother's birthday, as well. Additionally, my sister, Denise, came to visit a day earlier than initially planned (to celebrate her birthday) and joined the festivities of the evening. She brought along a fantastic birthday cake and her Nintendo Wii - which was a big hit in our little apartment when Jarrod's game got rained out!Needless to say, we had a full house - and we loved it! love the family silliness! :) "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God... for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8