Autumn yum

Cute right? I saw it somewhere, I don't remember where exactly but I'm not original.


My helpers...they were allowed to lick some frosting when we finished.



Acorns...can you tell which ones E did?

Good night.

This fall Saturday was for...

holding kitties,

playing in the leaves (they ran in begging to take pics of each other),

not to be pictured...indoor scavenger hunt, sewing, and lunch with daddy as he was working just around the corner,

and cleaning out the garage.

They look so pleased because we were finished. I let J back the swagger wagon out of the garage...am I crazy? He did fine and I was in the car too. E was quite upset that she was not allowed to drive. I let her squeeze in my lap to pull it back in.

Also listening to....

Haven't listened to this in a while. It was interesting trying to explain the story to the kids when they asked "what's this?" A few songs were skipped in the children's presence, I'll let you guess which.

Family Rules

Ask me how long I've had this canvas...go on ask.

THREE YEARS. at least 3. I had a dark time of spending money and Michael's was a weak spot. It was on sale...I thought I'd paint...or something.

SIX MONTHS ago I found this fun paper that I thought I could decoupage onto the canvas and hang it as art. (Because let's be honest...I don't paint...at least not in the way that results in something worthy of a frame and a sincere compliment.)

ONE YEAR or so ago I saw somebody somewhere on the blogsosphere do something with a set of family rules to hang in their house.

SOMETIME in there I remembered all three of these moments and LAST WEEK I decided to finally do it.

I'm generally pleased. I keep thinking of things I wish I would of added...something about sharing, or putting others first, or serving your fellow man. However, I figure the first two rules blanket anything I missed.

Opening Day

It's that time of year where women all over the state become hunting widows. Actually, it's not that bad for me. It's definitely Dennis' favorite thing to do, but he doesn't go out everyday...in fact he was only out opening day so far. This year he decided to take each of the older two out to the tree stand with him. J went in the morning and E went in the evening. Surprisingly it was J who was able to be the most still and quiet for the two hours. Not our E who can play quietly on her own, or when we watch a movie actually sit and watch the movie...unlike my bouncing boy. The guys saw quite a few deer and I'm sure that helped. I wasn't there in the morning to get a picture of the boys, but I did get one of E and Den before they headed out


priceless.


I loved how her face and curls were peeking out, but she was not in the mood.


There was lots of enjoying the outdoors that day.

Visiting Thomas and Francis (they split the name between the two)

(j was there when they banded the bull and I said "oh they're castrating it today?" and J responded..."no mom, they're not killing it yet.")

Friday night was a farewell gathering for Michelle (blondie) who is moving to France. Chocolate, coffee, prayer and girly giggles = a good night.

Sunday was our annual outdoor church service and these girl ran around chasing kitties. I was a judge in the chili cook off. Food judge/critic would be my dream job.

Spent Monday with sister in law Gina and these boys spent some time getting used to each other. They actually did pretty well for a couple of 2 year old's in their prime.

V loved Misty.

Love this laugh.

Camping

Last weekend we went camping with the world's happiest baby.



Yes, we ALL slept in tents.



We all went for a hike.




Explored with cousins.



Grew from boy to warrior. (sadly i do not have a picture of when they painted their faces with purple poke berry juice)


Growled for mom's picture.






Did some sound of music re-enacting. (she just learned this in music class at school, w/ motions.)



Then it was time to pack up and head back.



Soccer game Sunday. (She's headed the right way in this picture, woo hoo!)



Monday night Bible study with world's happiest baby. Thank you Aunt Liz for the hat!

Happy Birthday!

Love this guy!!

Nephew @1yr

Cutie Man is one year!

Cutie man being my nephew. He's a year and I was able to see him open some presents via skype. Thank you Jesus for skype! Here is what I've been working on for him for a while. I think he'll have to grow into playing w/ it. Perhaps it will entertain him when he's not sleeping on their 9+ hour drive home. Love you Knox!


The swing moves and the airplane travels.


Oops. On its side. BUT those little animals in the barn are finger puppets! And the tools come out too.



Rocket Travels, fruit snaps on and off.



Had to include the ocean!



After making a crown for miss Mia I had to try a boy one. Not perfect...but cute IMO. I think he wore it for 1/2 a second. He's one. I'll give him some grace on that. :)

*inspiration for some of the pages and the template for the tree trunk, barn & finger puppets was found HERE
*Also some inspiration (tools) found HERE

I'd really like to do this one someday...maybe I'll make something for my own kid! ha!

"Mom! Callie is in the cemetery!"

I was just as confused as you are until he explained. For Easter we had made a garden tomb scene and the rocks are still in the flower pot for that.


This has been Callie's fave spot. (She been around w/ her kittens [tiger & brighty] since her brother Diddle passed away. These are farm cats that hunt and occasionally get scraps. Not official pets) I came home to find that J had taken several pics of her in the pot (w/ Den's permission) while I was at the store.




He isn't as upset as he looks. She LOVES him so much.




Went to the fair last weekend. Food, business booths and tractors. Though something important did happen there. The kids had their first funnel cake.




Now that the older 2 are back in school this guy and I are a team again. He's very 2 and the training of his little heart can be quite challenging. But for the most part we are having fun. Notice the middle. He LOVES his "piwoe 'nd binket".

My mid morning love....

a peek

So...she's not mine but she is pretty stinkin' cute huh? Really more of a beauty than just a cutie. Her mama gave me permission to put it on the blog because I made her crown. Do not be distracted by the amazing rainbow cake. Focus on cute crown. ha! A preview to some other sewing I've done for my nephew and MUST mail tomorrow.

Happy Birthday miss Mia! Thanks for wearing it :)

Here we go...

Soccer. Still on the fence about this. 3 days a week for 7 & 8 yr. old's, Sunday games....gimme a break.


But she seems to be having fun. I hope just enough to want to go and do well, but not enough to return. She told me that next year she will do basketball. what?

The kids had no school on Friday. We used their coupons to go bowling that they earned from the library summer reading program.

This is before bowling. Someone would rather just get to it than have his picture taken.



But that someone won the game. (He did use the ramp)


I could not get over his bowling shoes!



That evening we used the tickets they earned and went to Dutch Wonderland. J and Dennis had gone a couple years ago, but it was a first for the rest of us. Truly a fun family outing. Though I don't know if V will ever trust me again after putting him on some of those rides. Also, my daughter is so brave, she went on the "big" roller coaster with me :)




Saturday afternoon was a birthday party for my nephews who turned 10 & 12. Such a beautiful day. Here is an attempt at all of them w/ their Great Grandparents Krantz.


Did I mention it was a beautiful day?