Just a swingin'

I think we found a way to keep an overly curious and active baby from climbing the walls!

Nooooo!!! We didn't tie him up!

The hammock swing was insant relaxation for Elijah! I don't think I have ever seen him so still!

Stormy Days

We had listened for a few days of the weather warnings that were coming our way.  I decided to play it safe and have my Grandma stay all night.  Julie and her family decided to also come and take advantage of our basement should the predictions come true!

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon.  We sat on the patio and my Grandma swung on the porchswing for hours!  She enjoyed getting fresh air and watching the kids be silly.

They girls filled up their time with games....

Elijah spent his time laughing at everything Sydnee said and done!

Just when we thought we dodged the bad weather...the storm moved in!

The sirens never went off, but we were listed as being under a tornado warning on the weather channels, so we decided to get the kiddos under the stairs in the basement just to be on the safe side.  Shortly after, the lights went off.  The kids actually enjoyed the excitement!

Now I get to spend the week putting everything BACK under the stairs!  At least we all were safe and things worked out for the best!

Birdie Oasis

Everyone needs a little "get-away" spot.  Somewhere still close enough to the house to hear the kids holler if they need you...but yet a little place to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and sigh.

My upper deck it mine.  The girls have their own patio below...its cute and shady but most likely cluttered with their stuff and the dogs!  The deck is where Mark and I can have a talk...I can read or listen and watch the birds.  Yes, the girls are allowed...but they make sure they come out empty handed because I refuse to have their clutter around on the deck.  They pretty much already made their marks throughout the rest of the house!

I have found that I love birds.  Real ones...decor ones...don't matter.  I even have named a few of my frequent visitors...and yes, I feed them. When did I turn old????

So here is a glimpse into my "Birdie Oasis"...

My little reading spot!

Girls love to lay and read!

Mothers Day gift from Mark and the girls!  The hummingbirds love it..and so do I!

Another hummingbird favorite!

More seating...need to find some pillows to add color to this area!

My favorite pillows....birds!

The best part of all is that I can enjoy this spot from inside my house also.  The big living room windows look right out to the deck and I can just step out from my bedroom or kitchen to enjoy, also!  Matter of fact, I think I will head out that way now...enjoy your day!

Flower Power

I went to Lowes the other day to buy some plants to spruce up the front yard.  I was happily suprised to see that they had a big table full of 50% off shrubs and flowering bushes.

So, I got some of these....

...and these....

these, too.....

...might as well get some of these!

So basically, I spend twice as much as I planned...all because of that sale!  Funny how that works!

I spent all day the next day digging holes!  Luckly, I had a helper.

It was hard, dirty, back-breaking work.

But very worth it!  I'll take some pics when they fill in a bit more!  In the meantime, I'm keeping my eye on this culprit, pretty sure she has guilty paws from last year when I found some shrubs dug up! 

Summertime!

School is out.  Summer Break begins.  We watch the calendar all year long for this time!  Even without the dates we have circled in bright red pen...there are signs all around that give us clues that we are indeed living the best days of our lives!!!

Kids:  Hair unbrushed, clothes unmatched, face unwashed, smiles galore!

Lawn: Bright green, fresh mow lines, smells "oh so good!"

Ballgames: mitts clutter sidewalks, schedules fill our days, uniforms are found, washed and ready for wear!

Dogs: lazy days in the sun, way over due for a cut, worn out from all the kids that are now home to play!

So if you see these signs...you know that it is indeed Summertime! 

Water Works

What is that I see lurking behind the trees?  Could it be?...could it be teenie boppers actually working????

Now that school it out...the  REAL work begins!  Silly kids, they only "thought" this was vacation!

One of the bigger chores that needed done was to set the pool up. It is 16x32 feet...not a simple task.  Madison and Cody got chosen for this job...lucky kids!

Cody actually suprised me...he stuck it out untill the end...sweaty, tired and a bit more of a man!  Grrrr! 

Madi lent a hand here and there...but managed a few more "rest breaks" than needed. Thats ok, I'm going to asign her as "pool cleaner" this year!  That will make up for lost work time!

Kiddie-Garten

Sydnee got to have a party at school to celebrate the last day of Kindergarten.  The party started off with a slideshow that featured each student and the fun things they do throughout the year.

Then we all lined up (its still school, you know!) and got a piece of cake!

Each student also recieved a "diploma" and a picture with Mrs. Dowell.

I am so proud of you Sydnee Grace!  You are a wonderful little lady that loves to learn!

Pitter-Patter

It has been a long dry winter.  When  you pump out your pond...pay to have it dug out and expanded...you really begin to realize just how dry it has been!  Nothing like looking out your window to stare at a dirt whole to brighten your mood!

And then....it happened.  Talk of some rain.  Dark clouds moved in.  We held our breath!

I began to get chills just thinking about the weeks to come.  I knew I had seen Mark throwing out some grass seed just a few days earlier.  Could it be?...could my dreams soon become reality?

All of a sudden, I began to panic and was horrified to see the sun peeking behind the clouds.  Noooo...I can't do another dusty, grass free summer!!!  So I quickly threw Sydnee outdoors, yelling at her to do some sort of Indian rain dance.  She does this weird monkey-dance that makes Elijah double over laughing...surely she can pull something out of her sleeve and save the day!

She did...and it worked!

Highschool Bound

I know it is such a cliche...BUT WHERE HAS ALL THE TIME WENT?!?!? Seriosly, I was just chasing around a little boy who liked to do weird Irish dances....adored Little Bear...and cried if you chased him with peanuts! Now, he is heading to high school.

We were very proud to watch Cody graduate from 8th grade...with all A's I might add!

As bittersweet as it is to see Cody morphing into a full grown MAN...it is just as heartwrenching to know that this little lady is just a hop-skip and jump behind! She will be walking onto this stage next year....walking right into the whirlwind of high school...walking toward a life that won't be so momma dependent....walking back and forth over my wounded heart...walking, OK...I gues you get the point by now! Not doing to well with all the "growing up" stuff!

And to add a little salt into all of my cousins wounded hearts...here are our babies all grown up! Seven cousins that all went to Junior High together this year...three are Freshman now!

I hope they forever stay just like this...shoulder to shoulder through life!

Wonderland

My mom works in the elementary and she made cupcakes for a party they had for the kids!


A rabbit with major ADD....a crazy man in a hat...a pipesmokin' insect...
...an evil queen who want to behead people ...a lurking cat with a creep smile...and a girl that has psychedelic trips!

Sound like the makings of an AMAZING time!!! All kidding aside...the cupcakes are awesome...good job mom!

All play...no work!

This is a day that the little kids look forward to all school year...Track and Field Day!
Sydnee done very well (as you can see from her ribbons!)...she ran, raced, threw and giggled the morning away!

Callie also did well...compitetion gets a little tougher the older you get! Poor Abbie had been to the foot doctor the day before, which left her sitting on the sidelines. She still got to enjoy sunshine and the fun!

Whew...that wore me out just hopping from event to event taking pics. Power to the little people!!!!