Tribute

This is Mitchie's tribute to you today Grampy. He thought your picture was so funny that we did one of him too. He is making a muscle in that first one just like you were.

Race Night

These are just some more race night pictures....especially for you Grammy! Go down 2 posts for the start of race coverage.

And the winner is....

We are also pleased to announce that Chris was the winner in the adult division cars!! Can you guess which one was his? Did you guess the Humvee? I am sure you all were totally shocked, so go ahead and pick yourselves right up off the floor and keep on reading.... He even got his own trophy for 1st place. He said he was surprised, he thought that he was going to get third not first. The two of them worked really hard and did a great job together making the cars. I was really pleased to see Avery carry it through to the end. She even took part in the building, painting, cutting and sanding. This picture of Avery was one Chris took when they called her name for the design award.

the Race is On!!!

These past few weeks Avery and Chris have been working on making cars for the Awana pine car derby. Awana is her sunday night "sunday school" class. The kids learn verses, play games, sing and participate in group activities like this one. The red one with the polly pocket is Avery's car. She designed it and decorated it and we think did a fantastic job. I thought that the rhinestones were a nice touch! She did so great. She won her first race, and then i think got second andthird in her subsequent races. She was so proud of herself, and we were proud too! The one shot with the 4 cars in a row was mid-race and they were in a complete dead heat right down to the finish line. She was so close to taking 3rd place overall...it was down to one point. But, she did get a 2nd place trophy for design. She was thrilled to get that little gold trophy. I don't think any picture really captures the look on her face. She skipped up to get the trophy and then she jumped up and down for about 5 minutes afterward. Very excited girl! It now resides on her bookshelf with her car and her participation ribbon.

Plastic-Schmastic

I am tired of using those plastic throw away produce bags at the grocery store. I have wanted to use something else for a long time, but sometimes i am a little too cheap to buy something like this....especially if i think i can make it myself. I searched around the internet a little and i found this. It is a crocheted produce bag. It can either be tied at the top or i am going to make little handles for it. It is not a perfect plan. It is going to take me a little time to make enough that i can use these only at the grocery store. It took me about 1 day to make this one. I think this size could hold a good 4-5 pieces of produce(ie apples, pears or something). This would be my next step, Colleen. As we have talked about many times...trying to be a little more green and earth-friendly, organic...whatever you want to call it, is a one step at a time process. I know for me, if i do more than one change at a time i get a little overwhelmed.

Isn't She Lovely

Behold!!! Meet the newest member of our kitchen family. She is a kitchen aid, tangerine orange blender! We were out doing a little window shopping this afternoon and saw her on the store shelf. Dee, isn't the orange the best!?!?!?! I have been looking for a new blender, not very hard, but mine is not doing it's job as well as i would like it to anymore. But this color called my name. I was prepared to walk away, because i figured i would get something some other time, but my nutty and wonderful husband asked the store clerk for it behind my back, and surprised me for no reason other than he likes to sometimes. I know that there is some crazy rule about not buying gifts for your wife that have a plug on them, but we threw that one to the wind. Some of the best gifts he has given me have had a plug(kitchen aid mixer, sewing machine and this beauty)! And honestly, i get really excited about new kitchen appliances. I can not wait to start using it, that is once i go to the grocery store and have food to use in it!

Yummy

What better way to start of the "pseudo summer" than by breaking out the BBQ and having a backyard picnic with the neighbors. Yesterday was lovely, although a little warm for my taste but my taste really does run toward the cold. The Neighbors had some steak to BBQ so she and I threw together some picnic food and had a really nice evening in the yard, letting the kids play and having a nice time together. We had steaks and potato salad, green salad, broccoli salad...and then this for dessert. It was so yummy and way richer than i thought it would be.

Pineapple Angel Food Lush

1 pkg. Instant Vanilla Pudding mix
1 can (20 oz.) crushed Pineapple, undrained
1 c. Cool Whip, thawed
1 prepared Angel Food Cake
1 c. seasonal Berries

MIX, dry pudding mix and pineapple in medium bowl. Gently fold in the whipped topping.
CUT, cake horizontally to make three even layers. Place bottom layer on serving plate, top with 1/3 of pudding and pineapple mixture. Repeat the layer three times.
REFRIGERATE, at least 1 hour. Top with berries just before serving. Store any leftovers in the fridge.

Serves 10

Letting it all hang out!

Tomorrow is Hang your wash out day. The weather today was beautiful...80 degrees out. Sorry Colleen, i really am not trying to rub it in. I have been dying to put out my line and get the laundry out there. Today was clothes and tomorrow is sheets. There is nothing better than the smell of fresh sheets off the line. Well i guess a little baby probably smells better but i digress. Check out this link. I am fortunate to live in a area that does not have some kind of ridiculous restriction on hanging my wash out in my own yard. That is the fight many are fighting. We at our house are trying to do what we can where we can, and make some changes. Using the clothesline is one of those changes for us. It is by no means a perfect system, i still do use the dryer for some stuff. So, those of you that can...use your solar dryer and save a little energy. Enjoy!!!

For Julia...

Here are the pictures you requested Julia. Avery and Kit got all dressed up this afternoon for a backyard photo shoot. Didn't they both look lovely? How do you think they look in their matching dresses and similar hats? Thanks again Grammy for the pretty party dress. Julia, i think Kit is Avery's new favorite thing. You did a super job picking her out for Avery. Thank you!

Family

I just thought that this one was nice to share. It is good to be close now and be able to share our lives with my parents. Mitch and his Grampy were enjoying a nice book about firetrucks, what else?! Don't they look cozy? Mom and Dad and Kate were here for the birthday party. Thanks for coming guys. We are glad to be nearby!!!

Birthday Memories

My 6th Birthday is one that i have strong memories about. I remember ones before that, but not in as great detail. Since Avery's was coming up I got out the "old" photos picture album and shared all of those memories with her. My wonderful husband, with the help of modern technology, helped me get these here with her birthday pictures so we could share them both. I remember that my party was a surprise at my neighbors house, Aunt Margaret. I got lots of school clothes, bummer. I remember being given some dolls from a neighbor that were hers. Avery and i both got special dolls for our 6th, again, go you!! Aunt Colleen. Do we look anything alike? I hope that Avery will have good memories of her birthday, this one and all the others before and after.

6 Things we Love about YOU!!!

Happy Birthday sweet Avery. In honor of your birthday we wanted to tell you how much we love you. Here are some things we love.
1. You are creative and full of lots of great ideas
2. You have a amazing imagination
3. You are a beautiful singer and music maker
4. You love your family more than anything else
5. You want to take care of everyone around you, we call you tiny mommy
6. You are excited about simple & beautiful things...rainbows, backyard birds, flowers, the sunset

There are so many more things that you are, but more than those things i can not wait to see who and what you become. You have lots of dreams and ambitions. You are sweet, loving and mild mannered and sensitive. You love to color and play outside and do crafts. We love you more than all the stars in the sky!

I asked you what were 6 favorite things about your day(these are her words), in honor of turning 6. These are what she told me
1. Getting Kit!!!!! (Go you Aunt Colleen!!)
2. the tea set from Aunt Deb
3. Peanut Butter Brownies
4. "I felt really big" (turning 6 made her feel really big)
5. "I was really happy when Daddy brought home flowers for me"(Daffodils)
6. Lot's of craft stuff(she got a lot and she did a lot!)