Fourth of July Twin Visit

This last week we had a wonderful visit with my niece and nephew. We got to enjoy the first week of Summer Reading as well as the Fourth of July with them.

We spent the 4th at the lake.

The kids had so much fun playing on the "beach." Dad wanted a picture of me with my patriotic headband.

Xander is quite the fish! He is such a good swimmer.

Selene even showed Pops how she could doggie paddle!

The kids loved playing on the big tube! Uncle Nick and Pops made it more fun by spinning it around!

The boys playing in the mud.

We took the twins for their first boat ride! Selene was enjoying it with Gram.

While they don't look it, the boys had fun too.

Uncle Nick drove the boat.

After a brief rest at the house (naptime), we came back out for dinner. Here is proof that Selene rode on the four wheeler! This is big because she wouldn't go near it last time they visited. She enjoyed it too!

Yummy eats!

Uncle Nick lit some fireworks for us!

"FIREWORKS!"

Ridin' the hot dog!

Fish! Or "shish" as Xander would say.

Let's touch the fish!

Uncle Nick and Pops caught fish to play with.

The next day we just played. Ryder and Xander loved jumping on the trampoline.

Xander already figured out how to swing on the swing!

That night, July 5, we got to see the fireworks show over the lake. Nick's Uncle George took us all out on the boat so we were right up to the fireworks on the water. The kids had so much fun seeing all the different fireworks and riding on the boat. They got enjoy a lot of neat experiences this time, and we can't wait to see them in September for the Feast!

Summer of Seuss: Cat In The Hat

It's that time again!

Summer Reading at our local library had been kicked off! We had a great first week with many kids showing up to read, create, eat and have fun!

The theme this year is "Summer of Seuss!" We're exploring the fun worlds created by Dr. Seuss. The first week was an introduction to Dr. Seuss' books, and therefore, Cat in the Hat!

 Entrance to the Children's Room.

The Cat in the Hat, the Lorax and Truffula Trees.

Gertrude McFuzz.

Lazy Miss Maisy and Horton Hatches the Egg.

The Dr. Seuss corner.

The pale green pants with nobody inside them from "What Was I Scared Of?"

Characters from the Sleep Book.

"I sat there with Sally, we sat there we two..."

"And to think that I saw it on..."

Cat in the Hat tablescape.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 strawberries.

Cat in the Hat jello cups.

It is almost 4th of July, you know.

Ryder in Gram's Cat hat.

Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3, and Gram!

Mom is doing an amazing job with Summer Reading, as always. There are 4 more weeks to go, and I'll be updating as they go by!

Frame Spruce Up

This project has been a long time coming, but yea! It's finally finished!

I have this beautiful painting my dear friend painted for me (along with some help from friends and relatives) for my husband and I when we got married. It's had a prominent spot in our living room since, but it looked a little naked. I've been wanting a frame for it, thinking Nick would have to custom build one, but one day I cam across one at a local thrift shop that was (mostly) the perfect size!

I got it for $5! It even came with a painting in it, but I didn't need it.

Close up of the original finish.

Primer coat.

I actually had plans to do a distressed look, but forgot that I shouldn't prime it to do that particular method.

So...

This is what I ended up with. Just plain orange. The picture makes it look more yellow-orange than it is in real life. It's the same color that I have painted in my kitchen.

Oh it looks so much better! My painting now looks complete!

Peach Orchard

On a whim, we woke up this morning and decided to drive up to a local-ish peach orchard. I've been wanting to get some good peaches for jam and drying purposes, so we made a little family outing of it.

They have all these cool tractors and other vehicles around for decoration. Ryder was so excited.

Efurd Orchards

http://www.efurdorchards.com/

Their place is like a large, fancy produce stand, with all kinds of things to buy and look at.

Lots of unique items, like this bug turned bench, make up the decor of this "stand."

They also sell homemade ice cream! Ryder's enjoying some with Daddy.

Peach flavor, of course.

We got a good deal on our peaches by buying the "overripe" ones. In reality, they're flavor is now perfect and they still are a little firm in the middle. This pictures ours and my mom's. We'll be drying some this week.

Looking for some good peach recipes? Here are a few from my blog that are excellent to use some tasty peaches.

Fresh Fruit Sauce

Fresh Fruit Crunch

Peach Jam

7 Months

Okay, so it's more like 7 1/2 months, but at least I'm here now! Things are going well, the baby continues to grow and so do I! I still have a ways to go, and everyone's letting me know it. I can't tell you how many people say, "Oh you must be getting close huh?" and I respond, "Um, no I still have 2 months (month and a half) to go," and they give me that, "Ohhh, wow."

Really? That makes me feel greeeat. The funny part is I've gained less weight this time and the baby is measuring smaller than Ryder did. My advice: if you can't say something nice to a pregnant woman, don't say anything at all.

Struttin' in my swimsuit at the lake.

We got to spend a lovely day out at the lake this weekend with family and friends. The kids had a blast tubing and swimming. Ryder got quite attached to the boat, loving to ride on it and play on it even when it wasn't running.

Ryder had to try on Uncle George's hat.

These pictures were from a couple of weeks ago on Memorial Day.

Our next boat driver.

This one was loving every place but the water. Go figure. Hopefully he'll get through this scaredy cat phase quickly.

On another note, my garden is yielding squash like crazy.

My first harvest of squash (believe me, I've had much more since. Those suckers can produce a lot).

My onions! This is the first time I've ever had onions bulb out at all. They're still curing on the porch.

My little garden helper. Well actually, he's been the opposite of help in the garden lately, but he's out there with me.

I finally got to harvest my spinach seeds.

Yea! Seeds for next year!

Ryder recently was given this tractor by Uncle George. He's in heaven.

Hangin' with Bruce.

There's only a little time left until the new baby comes! There's going to be a lot going on between now and then; canning, visit from the twins, Summer Reading, and Ryder's birthday. Well, we'll see if the baby makes it to Ryder's birthday. He might get a little brother or sister for a birthday gift. Looking forward to holding this baby outside of my tummy.