hot summer days...

Are you sick of it yet? Yes, I know... we go to the lake alot. A whole lot... but how else do you keep them happy and cool and outside?

Relaxing...
exhausting...
This was the eighth trip to the potty seat for Daddy and Brysen. (Not the last either)
I am currently working on a really bright and fun quilt. I am not sure which girl it will belong to. I will have to see it finished to figure that one out. It is really fun looking at all of the bright colors. I have the patches sewn in strips. I don't have any pictures yet, but I will soon.

Yummy goodness...

Zucchini Bread.

Is there anything better than waking up to the smell of... well, almost anything being baked nice and hot in the oven? This zucchini bread is our latest yummy breakfast. It is oh so good and reminds us of fall. For any of you that have never had it, it is similar to banana bread. This particular recipe is very Autumn like and has a bit of pumpkin bread influence. If anyone wants the recipe, leave a comment and I will get it to you.

Still going strong...

It was twenty years ago today... Sgt. Pepper told the band to play...

Okay, I just so totally made myself look like an old timer. Anyway... It was twenty years ago today that my beloved and I took vows to love, honor and cherish... until death do us part.

We went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. This place is so cool and so private, which I love. Each table is like the back of a wagon. The center of the restaurant is like a prairie and each table is the back of a wagon. All of the wagons are backed up to the center where a fire burns and the scene is set with vegetation and animals. You don't see anyone and no one sees you. I love it and we go there often. The decor is very "old west" and comfortable.

After dinner we went for a walk along the river. It was a beautiful evening made all the more glorious by walking hand in hand with the man of my dreams.

Getting to know you...

5 things I want my kids to know before they grow up...

1. With God all things are possible. Never give up. You have the most important friend by yourside at all times.

2. No matter what you have done, where you have messed up... Christ's grace is sufficient. You can always come to the feet of the cross.

3. You are always loved more than you can ever imagine! Nothing and no one can change that. Someday you will hold your own little child in your hands and feel the most unbelievable swelling of love. This is just a flicker of the love your Heavenly Father has for you, and know that your own parents have felt this for you since holding you for the first time.

4. Your parents and siblings will always be there for you. No matter how much time since you last called, wrote, emailed, hung out together... family comes together to help, love and support family.

5. No matter how many times you fall, get up...get up...get up. Never give up!

Dinner and a haircut...

Nine cups all lined up...

Inside Out Manicotti

Salad

Buttered bread...

And Daddy needs a haircut... in a major way!

Looky, looky...

While we were bouncing this morning...

...we saw the apples growing in our trees. It looks like another bumper crop!

Weekend fun...

We usually get these completely blue skies with absolutely no white fluffly clouds. We sat out in the back yard for awhile enjoying the wonderful clouds float by.

We mowed both lawns. This is just the back. Then we raked and the girls loaded up the clippings and cleaned everything up.

Okay, this one is in here just for me. You don't have to look... but I will. Hmmm.
I saw this recipe on one of the blogs that I visit. I can't remember which one. It is bananas with marshmallows and chocolate chips and you wrap it in foil and put it on the grill.

Okay, so we tried it. It was gross. Sorry, but it was.

We tossed them and gave the kids icecream.

On sunday, after church, we headed out to some of the fruit stands and grabbed up some yummy stuff. I love to see the fresh fruit and veggies. The colors and smells... oh so good.
Aubrey was very interested in helping choose the tomatoes. She really did a great job.

We brought home some tomatoes, zucchini, watermelon, corn and peaches. I have helped can food before, but never on my own. This was our goal.

The minute we started the process, it brought back the good old days of smelling my grandmothers kitchen. OMG! I can't tell you how great my house smelled. Miranda jumped in, then the husband jumped in and we had such a blast.

We skinned the peaches and sliced them up. There is nothing so wonderful as peach juice running down your arms.

We cooked the peaches in a simple syrup and canned away. Mark gave me a pressure cooker for Mothers Day. I have wanted one for awhile and that good boy... well... he loves me.

Look at the beautiful result.

I am so proud of us. Even better, was hearing my fourteen year old daughter say that she thought it was so much fun to can food. --Me too, girlie. I had a wonderful time with you.

We cleaned up the mess from the peaches and I threw together a yummy dinner of meatballs, peaches, watermelon, sliced tomatoes and corn on the cob.

Summer is wonderful!

Fun... family... food... good times...

It was a Great Weekend!!

The touch of his hand...

Rough. Calloused. Strong. Hardworking. Gentle. Caring. Powerful. Loving.

Twenty years.

I have been carressed, calmed, sheltered, protected, helped, comforted, taught... the list could go on forever. The man who owns this hand, placed his hand in mine long ago and promised me forever. He has never failed me. He has been a friend, confidant, lover, mate, father, comforter, encourager. When we exchanged rings two decades ago, I never dreamed that the simple act of a touch from this hand could mean everything to me.

I love you. Now and Forever.

Is anyone else seeing this...

The Hannah Montana Concert in 3D.

Can you imagine the oodles and gobs of little girls that are hanging out in front of their televisions tonight? Or is that just at my house... Hmmm.

A girl after my own heart...

Bampa and Grandma knew the perfect gift... a gift certificate to a bookstore.

The first opportunity she had, we jumped in the car, driving the twenty miles, and spent over an hour gathering her goodies. She is in heaven. We will not see her again for days.

Pioneer Day...

In our state they have a holiday called pioneer day. We don't celebrate it except it is an excuse to take the kids to a parade (which I hate) and put off fireworks one more time before summer ends.
It was really windy last night. Hmm. Maybe not the best time to light something on fire.

In his element...

My man likes nothing more than making something. His favorite thing is to take something we already have and repurpose it into something his lovely wife would absolutely love to have. I am embarrassed to tell you about the most ugly headboard in the world. Infact, I refused to take a picture of it because it was so hideous. My wonderful man ripped that puppy apart yesterday and is making me a new headboard. (one I designed) I am giddy with anticipation. Three cheers for my man!!

Right now, it doesn't look like much, but just wait and see. He is a master when it comes to this kind of thing. I love the "rustic" look. I can't stand frills and unneccesary do dahs. For me, the frills and do dahs come in with the accessories. This will set off some new bedding really beautifully. I can't wait to show you the finished piece. Hmmmm... maybe this means I need to make a fantastic quilt to go along with it. Oh the silver lining... pure heaven.

vbs, growing up, and family time...

The girls on their way to VBS!

What... you are asking... are these crazy people doing? It is Vacation Bible School this week and the kids are having the best time. This year it is all about the power of Jesus. The kids are learning about God's power as well as the power they have through him. They come home talking about how they don't have to be afraid because God is with them and through him they have power. Amen!

Above is Sydnee rocking out to one of the songs that they sing at VBS.

I love how happy she looks here.
Now, below would be the vbs pick up crew and we were a little bored. Come on... it was about 100 degrees and we arrived a little early. What else were we supposed to do?!

We celebrated Chey's 17th birthday this week. I know that she looks really bored here, but that is mom's fault for taking a bad picture. She had a great time. We ate dinner out and then came home for cake and presents. I am blessed to have had this child in my life for the last 17 years. After almost losing her a couple of years ago, I don't ever want to forget what a blessing each one of the kids is to me.This was tonights dinner. (Bowties and Broccoli) Yummy!
This is dessert tonight. Brownies! It is still cooling on the counter right now. If I can keep the kids out of it for a few more minutes, that is.

Boys will be boys...

The kids were, once again, playing in the sprinklers. The little mans pants were getting heavier and heavier with the weight of the water. As I casually laughed at him and thought what a gorgeous little guy he is... it suddenly dawned on me that this is exactly what I intend to avoid as this young man becomes a teenager. Why, I ask you, do young men think this is attractive? If you have to walk with your knees five feet apart just to hold up your britches (as my mom always called them) then you need to pull them up and put on a belt! Okay, enough said. No, little man... You will never be able to get away with the crotch of your pants hanging down between your ankles! Amen and Amen!

By the way, I just noticed that elmo is waving goodbye!

Ouch!!

I have a major headache today. Therefore, I am not spending another moment worrying about pictures that I would love to post. See you when I am feeling better tomorrow.

By the way, Aunt Betty had her surgery today. The foot is gone. I have no words to express my sadness over that. Thank God that she came through the surgery. Now, on to the recovery.

Getting to know you...

Todays topics:List…

5 things you collect. Children (haha. We have eight.), fabric, my kids art work, photos, memories.

5 things about your hair. My hair is curly (frizzy), grows way to fast, brown, gives me headaches when I let it grow out because I have so so so much of it, starting to get grey (OMG!!).

5 random things about your pets. Raider farts every single night while the family watches television, he is almost 8 years old, I call him the vacuum cleaner since I let him clean up all of the kids dropped food, is deathly afraid of fireworks or any loud noise really, has a middle name given to him by the kids on the first night he came to live with us and continues to be called by that name when he is in trouble. (rufus, dufus, chocolate, cocoa, dog, frisbee) Don't ask why.

5 things in your junk drawer. tape, pens, paper, calculator, pushpins (I know... boring!)

5 of your favorite summer foods. Chef salad (with way to much dressing, sunflower seeds, croutons, and bacon bits), anything bbq, strawberry shortcake, pasta, grape tomatoes with sea salt and freshly ground pepper...so, very good!

Rodeo in the works...

While at the park yesterday, we saw so many cool things. Some of the horses from the rodeo that will be taking place this week were cooling off in the river. The kids were so in love.

Aubrey was enjoying the cool air coming off the river. Isn't that a pretty view?

As we walked down the path we came across an area set aside for local artist. Some of the art work was so beautiful.

Above: Daddy showing the little man how to skip rocks. (He really is good.)

Below: Mommy thinking she is going to show him up. (never gonna happen!)

The little man really posed himself. He posed and turned around and said, "Take my picture."What a ham!