Monday, May 31, 2010

Papa Kenny and Grandma Dorothy's House

When the weather is nice, a visit to my Grandpa's house is wonderful. We love getting the tractor out for rides, admiring Grandma Dorothy's flowers, and letting the kids run free outside.  It's just so pretty out there!
 






 We celebrated Grandpa's birthday this time! Grandma Dorothy always has wonderful cakes and delicious strawberries!

 (This was a wonderful day, but shortly after Grandpa had a massive heart attack. The rest of the summer, and really the next 2 years were touch and go. Lots of hospital and nursing home stays. There were many times we thought he wouldn't make it. However now, in June 2012, he's doing ok! My mother has been amazing for them, and takes them to all of Grandpa's doctors visits and Grandma Dorothy has been a wonderful caretaker.)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Red Carpet!

Ellie achieved her school testing goals this year, and got to walk the red carpet! She wore one of my old formal dresses!

 Yay Ellie! Love this pic of us!
 With Mrs. Stine!
 Sweet friend Kendra!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Everybody needs friends like these!

These are the people we call friends...

 We're a goofy bunch, but we sure do like each other! :)

Monday, May 24, 2010

The End of an Era...

Last week Annie finished her time at preschool. It is bittersweet for me...I know she's ready to move on, but that also means she is growing up. WAY too fast!

I got to be the parent helper in her class on Graduation Day. I was thrilled to get to spend that morning with her, and all her sweet classmates! Here's Annie with her show and tell...I love how she's got all the boys begging to be picked! Ha!


Our friend Shann came by and took some cool pictures of the kids outside on the playground. I can't wait to see how they turned out!


Annie and Mrs. B!


Annie and Aunt Michelle just before entering the Sanctuary for the big event!


Oh Mercy she is precious. You see why this is a bit hard for this mama?!


After Graduating we went downstairs for some cookies and pictures and to get a special folder full of sweet preschool memories. Annie was SO happy and excited! Here she is with Grandaddy and Grammie!


And with her friend AJ! These two crack me up! I can't wait to recreate this picture in high school! Okay, I CAN wait...don't grow up too fast girls!

And here she is...The Graduate! This is the "Lane" pose. Made famous by my sweet cousin Lane in many, MANY pictures! It seems to come pretty naturally to Annie too!


After Graduation we took Annie out to lunch and Grandaddy and Grammie gave her a Bible as a Graduation Gift!


Then we stopped by to see Papa and Nana! I know they're proud of their little Graduate too!


What a beautifully, wonderful day!

Congratulations Annie Grace! We are so proud of you! You are a precious, sweet, smart little girl, and you've grown so much over this past school year. I am blessed to be your mama each and every day. I know you will be amazing in Kindergarten! I love you!









Friday, May 21, 2010

Austin vs. The Dining Room Window

Austin + A Plastic Golf Club +


My Dining Room Window =


Yeah.


I wasn't too happy with my boy. Then after some discipline, when I went to lay him down for a much needed nap, he wrapped his little boy arms around my neck, and held me tightly. He squeezed me hard, pushed his little face around, and gave me a precious little boy kiss.

That is life with Austin. He drives me crazy and melts my heart. All in the same day.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Our Little Garden!

For several years Ellie has asked if we can grow some vegetables. Every year I've said "SURE HONEY!" and yet, it never quite happened. I blame it on many things, exhaustion..exhaustion...and exhaustion. Okay, so that's just one thing, but it's a Biggie! :-) Now, even though Austin is still the busiest child on earth, I seem to have a bit more energy, so this year it actually happened! We planted a garden!

We're starting with a container garden, and see how it goes. Our soil is very dense, with lots of rocks and clay, and therefore very hard for me to grow things. I don't have a very green thumb! So Sunday Jason took the girls vegetable shopping after church, and when they got home, we got to work!


What do you think? I have to say, I am pretty proud of us! And I'm very excited that (hopefully) later this summer we'll have some homegrown, organic, fresh veggies!

We planted strawberries, cucumbers, green bell peppers, basil, tomato's, peas, and sunflowers!

Our first baby strawberry! (Which is now sadly gone, thanks to Austin. I hope our plants survive him!)


And don't worry, the pots are screwed to the deck, so no one can "relocate" any of the plants! :-)