Big Bad BBQ

This is special reporter Ryan writing in again about a fantastic activity that took place at the Hodges' house over the weekend. The back yard was filled with friends, food, and plenty of fun. Those in attendance were (in order of arrival): Kevin and Stephanie Woodward with their son Heigan and daughter Saylee; Jeremy and Morgan Johnson with their daughter Sadie (the twins, Brooklyn and Kate were M.I.A); Haley Meusborn with her children Josie, Sam, Ellie, and Eva (her husand Aaron arrived shortly after due to having to work; Blake and Lara Tanner with their children James and Bethany; and Christie Collier and her children Sam and Zoe (her husband Moses showed up a bit late also due to kicking some serious butt in his Kempo martial arts class. We also invited the Moores and the Hamiltons but the Hamiltons had a wedding to attend and the Moores just don't like us very much. (j/k, they went out of town)

In this picture: Lara, Haley, Blake, Kevin, Saylee and Stephanie

Jeremy, Morgan and Sadie Johnson

Festivities set off with some serious grilling by yours truly, involving hamburgers, about a million hot dogs, some chicken, and a baby hamburger the Johnsons brought for Sadie. There was a ton of great food there and we all ate until we were stuffed with goodness. The kids played on the swingset, jumped on the tramp and threw sand into each others' faces and hair while the parents sat and talked or played a mean game of volleyball (which the kids eventually took over also).

Sadie on the swing

Eva and Heigan playing

Sam and Sadie jumping on the trampoline

Sadi and Zoe embracing...(let's hear it...AWWW!)

Josie, Ellie, And Madi in the sandbox

Madisen

I learned some new interesting things about some of our friends during the party, like Blake Tanner went to Argentina on his mission (where Spanish sounds so beautiful), and Moses could kill me with his bare hands and some kempo skills. I hear he's pretty good with a bow staff. I learned that Kevin is a true Star Wars junkie at heart and that Jeremy could hold his own on the professional volleyball circuit. I also learned that Aaron Meusborn is a pickle connoisseur with a special place in his heart for scrumptious dill pickles.

Christy and I loved having everybody here and hope that we can do this again with all our friends!

(These pictures were taken by Morgan Johnson. Christy and I forgot to get our camera out, so not everyone is in these pictures... Sorry! Thanks to Morgan though, we have a few!)