A Fun Weekend....

Last weekend Jeremy and his family and my parents were here for Kristyn's graduation.  They surprised Kristyn by bring Kaylee and Karissa with them.  We all had a fun time together.

My brother is the best uncle.  He brought a huge swing for the kids.  They swing higher than the trees (just don't tell my mom that. :) )

Trying to figure out how to get the rope up in the tree.

Perfect!

They also played a heated game of baseball in the yard. :)

Uncle Jeremy up to bat.

Owen told him that he's supposed to leave the bat at the base when he runs. :)

Kaylee's turn.

Run, Kaylee, Run!!

Owen.

These ladies were much too busy to be bothered with such things.

Kristyn, Karissa and Tori

Self-proclaimed Laura and Mary Ingalls.

Thank you everyone for coming.  We thoroughly enjoyed you being here!!!

(More pictures coming)

First Goal Met.....

I am so happy to announce that I have met my first goal in starting the Hair Bow Shop

A few weeks ago, I called up my lovely sister and said, "I need some money...any ideas?"  To my utter disbelief she didn't just offer me the money and say, "Since you are my favorite and I couldn't live without you, and you have always had a special place in my heart and I owe you money anyway....." well, she didn't say any of that, instead she said, "Why not sell hair bows."  Hmmmmmm!

So that is how the hair bow shop came to be.

But, like I said, I am so happy and amazed that I have already met my first goal and that was to buy a telescopic lens for our camera.

Here is an example:  See the bird nest in the picture?  Come on, move closer to the screen, it's right up there by the gutter.

Still can't see it?  Fine, I'll put my new lens on and stand in the very same place and take the picture again:

Now can you see it?  Isn't that amazing???  I'm SO excited!!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each of you that have bought bows from me and for those that still have orders out there, I'm working on them. ;)

So thank you for my camera lens!!!

This Makes Me Smile.....

....seeing this precious face....

.....hearing this silly giggle....

....smelling these....

....hearing these squeals....

....watching him grow....

....catching Lightening Bugs.....

.......watching their Daddy build shelves for the playhouse.....

...seeing the smile of this proud "helper"....

....hearing her sing "Jesus Wuvs Me".....

....Kissing these cheeks.....

...having her help me do dishes....

....watching a big sister that thoroughly adores her little brother......

....hearing her call, "Supper's Ready.....

That is why I smile! :)

Miss Amy...

I took this little Lady's pictures on her first birthday.  She is a cutie-pie and full of life.

I loved the violets that she was sitting in.

Okay, Lady, get me out of here!

Happy Birthday, Amy!!

Elise...

It was so nice to have Elise here for a very short visit.   We love it when she comes home!

Owen especially was thrilled to have her home because for some reason he has her tightly tied around his little finger and can seem to get her to do anything he wants. :)

These have nothing to do with Elise.  I just thought they were pretty. :)

We love you, Elise, and are SO proud of you!!!

The other day we were in a store and the clerk made a comment about how nice our children were and Kristyn said,  "Oh, I have an older sister, but she's 20 and she's in college."  She gave us some pretty "WOW"  looks...I didn't even try to explain. :)

Then and Now...

This was the boys last week:

These are the same boys that evening:

Ahhh, much better!