He makes me laugh... :)
Derek then proceeded to tell us (again) how he was a 'hot dog' for Halloween one year in High School...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!!
Peek-a-boo...
Exposed...
Thankfully, he loves it when Dillon bathes him ~ which entitles him to continue burrowing...
He literally does not move until Dillon is finished and when dry, he fiendishly runs around the house as if he were rapidly yelling, 
So, every year we make enough for Derek to take to work to give to his co-workers. He typically takes 15-20 pints each year to pass out to the deputies, D.A.'s, probation dept., clerks, etc.
And every year after the holidays have passed they ask the same question...
On Labor Day, my mom and grandma came down and we made 9 batches of jam. As always, it was such a delightful day of making jam, talking, making jam, talking, making jam...you get the picture :) 
So...if you want some amazing, naturally homemade jam just give me a call or email...bigdawgranch@sbcglobal.net :) All jams are made with fresh berries, sugar and pectin. That's it! None of that high fructose corn syrup stuff....nope, no way!
Our very first game was in Lee Vining/Mono Lake! I had no idea where this place was...I only remember years ago there being bumper stickers everywhere saying, "Save Mono Lake". I have no idea what they were hoping to save it from but it must have worked because it is still there!
The rest of our team, as well as Coach Taylor and Derek (Defensive Coordinator)... :)
This picture bears good news...we scored the first touchdown and the boys were elated!
The bad news is that we lost the game by 11 points...sigh! The final score was 49-38. Nothing to be ashamed of with only 8 players the ENTIRE game, both ways! Oh yea, and Dalton got his first touchdown of the season! It was a beautiful catch in the end zone, unfortunately, no photo. It would have been helpful if the coachs had given me the heads up on the play...hehe!
Much prayer will be needed for this season...
The heart and dedication of this little team is amazing...
Dalton has a very forced smile here...he has pulled his quad and was in quite a bit of pain after the game. Hoping and praying for a quick recovery...the team needs him!
All in all, it was a great time away to see the boys finally play. We sure missed Dillon joining us, however, he enjoyed having the house to himself so he could get some school work done! Yep, his first sacrifice as a college student! :) 
The entire Sampley family was in our wedding: Mike officiated, DeAnn was my maid of honor, Nicole was my junior bridesmaid, and Kristen was my flower girl...so fun!!
Derek's parents...I am so fortunate to have the greatest in-laws!
The Bridal Party: Angela--Derek's sister, who is an incredible SIL!
Derek and Angela...siblings and friends :)
Three generations: Grandma Nonie, Me, and my Mom...
One of my favorites...
Let the party begin...I wish I could remember what made my dad and I laugh so hard here, maybe it was just the fun of dancing! Indeed, we all had sooooo much fun!!
Derek and his mom...
This one is for you Kristen...you were so proud that your two front teeth were missing :) It seems like yesterday...
Okay, I don't know how many of you will remember back to the 80's but PeeWee Herman was quite popular and here is Derek (on top of a table) doing his special dance to the PeeWee Herman theme song! A classic memory for many of us!! :)
The last picture of our amazing day...off to the honeymoon ;)
I Love You, Babe...thanks for an amazing 20 years!
The Welks Resorts sits on 600 acres including two golf courses, pools, rec. rooms, restaurants, theater and housing...below is where our two bedroom villa awaits...
We unpacked the car and off we go...
It's hard to believe that the last time we were here, Dillon was 2 and Dalton was 5 months old - now look at them, 18 & 16!
Right when we entered a peacock welcomed us...just walked right up to us, no problem! I was really impressed, while the boys didn't think much of it...I guess that's one difference between boys and girls! :)
I could have stayed and watched this mama monkey with her baby for hours! She was so loving and caring to her little one and he/she loved her right back! So incredibly sweet!
The story behind this picture is that when Dillon was little (about 2) we were at the Santa Barbara Zoo and I took a picture of him "kissing" a statue monkey, like the one below. When I saw these statues I told Dillon I would give him $5 if he would "kiss" the monkey. 
Boys will be boys, no matter how old they are...making a simple trip up the "escalator" into a lot of laughter...
Despite the warning, this was by far our favorite moment at the Zoo...seeing this majestic animal....
We were only 5 feet away from Mr. Lion and we must have stayed there staring in awe for 45 minutes...no kidding! It was something the boys will never forget!! 
He licked his paws, yawned, and made some mild roaring sounds which gave us all chills...absolutely incredible!
We left when the zoo closed...9 pm! We had achy feet from all that walking (I totally wore the wrong shoes...) but it was worth every minute of the time we spent there...so so memorable. :)
Next day...Sea World (insert happy dance here!)
The famous Shamu...awesome!
Checkin' out the flamingos...they really stink, literally...peeuuuuu!
Awaiting the dolphin show...it did not disappoint!
Dolly the Dolphin jumping incredibly high...
Our day at Sea World was perfect (one reason is that I wore more appropriate shoes - ha!)...we saw every single show and there was never any down time! We even touched the sea rays and was I ever surprised at how slimy they were! 
Sitting in Shamu Stadium awaiting the final show of the night...when Derek and I there 20 years ago...he proposed!! :)
My view each and every morning...ahhhh!
Derek brought me breakfast one morning... :)
Next day...Golf!
Photo by Dillon...check out the view in all these golf pix...gorgeous!!
My 3 golfers ready for 18 holes of fun...
My job :) Oh, how I loved driving that golf cart and being the official photographer...
Derek teeing off...
Putting time...
Dalton's long puts were great!
Okay, next hole...
Love them...
xoxo...
Quiet please...
Dillon teeing off...
My honey of 20 years on 9/9/09...
Me and my golfer boys...
This is it...
Derek let me putt in his ball at the 18th hole...I was so out of my element! Golfing is not for me but I will drive that cart any day and anywhere! :)
Yep, it took me two times but I made it in and was elated :)
Here are some shots of our 2 bedroom villa...view from the entrance...
The east wing...our quarters...
The west wing...the boy's quarters....
The kitchen...where I didn't have to cook in, you know, since we were on vacation. ;) Derek actually made a full-on breakfast on Saturday morning which included all the items the boys love...eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, fruit and oj!
The entrance to the Resort...
One very happy family...
Blessed, I tell you, Blessed!