Up-Catch #2......

Still catching up. :)

 I love this man!!  Grandma and Papa watched the kids one evening, so we could go on a date...Thank you!!!

My dad was asked to preach a funeral of an older man and he had served in the military at one time.  Kristyn and Owen went to see what they did at the grave side.  They were quite impressed.

 Notice the last mans leg - I wonder if he lost it fighting for our freedom.

 We had a little party for Jeren at my parents.  

 Come on, Grandpa.  I'm ready to go. :)

 Yum!
We also went to the Kiddy Park, but unfortunately didn't take my camera.  We had a very fun week!

Up-Catch #1.....

The last four weeks have been a whirlwind of activities and traveling for us.  When we pulled back into our drive, Keith said we had traveled 1,380 miles since we left home

BUT we had a wonderful time with family.

Here are a few pictures.........

 The first weekend was my dad's side of the family getting together.  So much fun!!!!!

 Kristyn hopping in the sack race. :)

 Then we got together with Keith's family.  Had a GRAND time at the lake.  The kids loved tubing.

 Jeren turned TWO years old. :(

 He and Rachel share their birthday, so we had a party for them.

 My little man's growing so fast!!!

 We saw some very cool fireworks on the Fourth!!

 One day we went to the park with cousins - extremely fun and HOT!!  Megan and Ava - partners in crime! They are six weeks apart.

 Sweaty blessings!!

 The "cool" kids....

Nothing to do with the kids, just a cool dragon fly. :)

More posts coming.......  :)

Still learning.....

I've always heard that if you keep trying new things, your mind will keep sharp....is that true?  (My mind feels kind of dull these days. :D)

So with that in mind, (not really) I had a bridal shower for a friend and I had never had a shower for someone before.  Certainly an experience.

There were many firsts involved with the shower.

#1 ~ Chocolate Covered Strawberries
I thought they turned out beautifully - of course, I didn't LEAVE them in this pan for the shower (smirk)

#2 ~ Fondant
My very talented sister-in-law, introduced me to this great stuff.  I will be using it again. ;)
I am very sad that I didn't get a picture of the whole cake. :(

#3 ~ Cupcakes
Yes, I have made cupcakes before, but never decorated them for anything.  Stuck a fondant flower on them and Ta-da = Cuteness!!!

This was not made by me, but Keith took this cool picture of some pepper jelly, so I just threw it in so you could see. :D

 More shower food - now I'm hungry!

 Check out this very cool cake!  A friend baked it for me and then I decorated it for the shower.  She has a pan that will make it checked like this.  SO tasty!!

So, try something new this week and let me in on what it is.  I love hearing from my friends. ;)

Day at the creek #1

A few weeks ago, we went to our favorite spot ~ the creek.
We had such a fun time and the day was hot and perfect
for a swim.

First time for Ashlyn to be in the creek. :) Not the last, I'm sure.

 

There is a spring that empties into the creek, so we thought we'd find the beginning of the spring.  So we walked and walked and walked and STILL never found the beginning of it.  The water was FREEZING in that spring - reminded me of New Guinea (I'm pretty sure we have a picture like this of my dad with Jeremy and I on his back). The kids thought this was a very fun adventure, but they were ready to get back to warm water. :D

Fun, fun times..........

Kristyn 7 years old

I had been asking Kristyn what she wanted her birthday cake to be and said, "Surprise me"  :D    So I did!  She was quite surprised and happy with her castle cake.

*Lest you go thinking that I spent a good deal of my life working on this, I'll tell you, it was very simple.  Just make two cakes and stick some icing on them.  Place the pillars around and (the biggest part) put icing on the pillar tops (if you want) and around the windows and doors (again, if you want).  Not bad at all and the results are darling.

I have no idea what was up with the coloring in this picture.

 Her birthday shirt - thanks again, Janie, for the idea. :)

 Our neighbor always gets the kids one of those crazy singing cards for their birthday.  They LOVE them. He spoils them rotten.

Can't believe our precious little baby is already seven years old.  Kristyn is such a joy and a big helper around the house.  She is FULL of life.

She started piano lessons a few weeks ago and before she went to her first lesson, she asked if there was recess at piano lessons. :D