My Honey, My Hero - Day 60 (July 30, 2013)

Killing time in town while the van has some work done.

Sitting in Dennis office enjoying the wifi (we have dial-up at home) 

There is just something about a man in uniform, even one with a goofy smile because he just realized his picture is about to be taken. 
♥

Dish Towels? - Day 59 (July 29, 2013)

Yup, even dishtowels can make me smile!

I have been needing to pick-up some new ones, but kept putting it off. When at Costco on our way home from Family Camp I decided it was time to just grab whatever and cross that need off my list. Then I saw THEM.... 

Happy, Happy! 

Heading Home - Day 58 (July 28, 2013)

Heading home with our very full van, and apparently very sleepy crew. 

It always makes a mama's heart happy to have all her ducks gathered together.

My Guys - Day 57 (July 27, 2013)

Saturday afternoon at family camp...

Abby opted for time with friends and a long nap, Joe and I spent time with friends at a swimming hole and everyone else went for a relaxed float down the river. 

Joe and I were walking back to our room (for naps!) just as those on the river were floating by, I was very happy to catch this picture of Dennis and Caleb.

Healthy Late Night Picnic - Day 56 (July 26, 2013)

After campfire and S'mores at family camp Caleb informed Dennis he needed a healthy,no-sugar, snack. So at 10:30 at night the little boys dug in the cooler of healthy snacks and had a late night picnic in our room.

Maybe some of our eating changes are having an effect?

Happy Boy - Day 55 (July 25, 2013)

Some pictures need no explanation ~

ZZzzzzzz - Day 54 (July 24, 2013)

I don't know that I would be smiling if I was sleeping in a tent with such a droopy ceiling. But these little guys are pretty happy. 

A tent full of blankets, pillows and books. 

They go to bed so easy when sleeping in a tent in the living room!

Little Boy Camp - Day 53 (July 23, 2013)

When the big kids are gone... 

those of us at home play, and call it Little Boy Camp.

Today we went and hung out with big sister Charlyn for the afternoon. 

She had several water activities planned. 

They loved it. 

"Mama's Angels"

This t-shirt makes me think the day was a success in the world of a 4-year old!

Yahtzee! - Day 52 (July 22, 2013)

Ok - this is an odd one for sure. But I really enjoy Triple Yahtzee.

Over the past couple of years I have kept my eyes open for some Triple Yahtzee cards, but nothing. Finally I had to admit to myself that they must not currently make them. 

So sad. 

I finally made the decision to track some down, and found a pack I was willing to pay for on e-bay.

Played a game with Dennis and Nicole this evening. 

Totally made me happy. 

Quilt Progress (again) - Day 51 (July 21, 2013)

On Day 31 I had a picture of lots (and lots, and lots...) of little triangles I had finally gotten all sewn together. 

As of today they are all part of a larger piece.
They are far from perfect, but I am pretty happy with how they are turning out.

Next step is to make the actual quilt blocks.

I love watching a quilt come together, 

especially one that has been in progress for so long (years!)

Purple Door - Day 50 (July 20, 2013)

Something I have wanted for a while is a front door that would make me smile.

Today Dennis painted my door a lovely plumy purple ~ I will smile at it often. 

Sometimes for the color I love, sometimes thinking about my hubby that was not only willing to let me have a purple front door, but was willing to paint it for me. 

(and he says it looks better then he thought it would)

I do look forward to the removing of the green tape...

Wa-Hoo! - Day 49 (July 19, 2013)

Wa-Hoo!

Today Caleb finished his 'Reading Lesson' book

Exciting day for us both. 

Handprint - Day 48 (July 18, 2013)

Downside of living in the country (off a gravel road), it is next to impossible to keep the van clean.

But finding this cute little handprint of Joey made me smile.

Often when I come home he runs out to the car to greet me (and to ask if I bought anything), I am thinking the handprint was left during one of those homecomings.

 (and no, it has not been *that* long since we washed the van)

Late Night Visitor - Day 47 (July 17, 2013)

Dennis and I were getting settled in for the night when we heard a sound at our bedroom door.

I found this little miss out there

 (thinking she was about to pull some stuff off the school shelves! But that is neither here nor there) 

...brought her in to see Gramps and she, uncharacteristically, settled right in.

 Not for long, but we were not timing.

 And then she moved in onto Grams pillows....

New Schoolbooks - Day 46 (July 16, 2013)

This was not set-up.

Seth was my last kiddo to order schoolbooks for, when UPS delivered this package he brought it in and told me he thought it was his schoolwork - I told him he could open the box if he wanted. 

Next thing I knew my bedroom floor was full of kids, curriculum, and packing supplies! 

Birthday Lunch - Day 45 (July 15, 2013)

Happy Birthday (a day early) to my friend Dawn!

We have a lovely lunch and then headed out to a favorite farm stand.

I feel very blessed to count her as a friend. 

Bonus Picture! - Day 44b (July 14, 2013)

This picture of Logan at the park was too cute not to share. 

First Birthday Party - Day 44 (July 14, 2013)

Happy 1st Birthday Ruby!

Ok, this was my favorite picture of the day. After a fun, but warm birthday party in the park she crashed on the way home. 

(actual birthday is July 15th)

Honey! - Day 43 (July 13, 2013)

Honey!

Fresh from our own hive! It does not photograph well. Isn't is amazingly how much darker the real deal is?! 

Wish there was a way to share a taste with you all.

 It is AMAZING! 

Miss Ruby - Day 42 (July 12, 2013)

Ok - this is actually from yesterday, but just way to cute to pass on. 

Happy Miss Ruby with a cookie her mama brought home from work at Serendipity

File Cabinet - Day 41 (July 11, 2013)

I have been in search of a file cabinet for my dining room. 
Not wanting something with too much of an 'office' looking it has taken a while to find one to fit the bill.

But, mission accomplished! Via FB I found an antique file cabinet that I love!

On the back is stamped 'Property - Air Force, United States Army'  (I never know the USAF used to be  part of the Army!) 

According to Wiki this title would have been any time from 1941-1947

Love having a piece of history! 

Jacob!!! - Day 40 (July 10, 2013)

On his 19th birthday Jacob also celebrated his high school graduation as well as the fact he is getting ready to to on a short term mission trip to India then in August is heading to college on the East coast. Lots of good things happening. 

Look at this face well, it won't be the last time you see it. 

He has great political aspirations. 

And I have no doubt that he will accomplish them!

I love this picture of my sister, Charlene with Jacob.

Butterfly Bush - Day 39 (July 9, 2013)

While chatting on the phone with a friend I found myself looking out the widow on my bedroom sitting room, I love looking at our butterfly bush in bloom. There were even a couple of butterflies flitting around, I just could not manage to get a picture of them. 

It was a lovely chat with my friend as well!

(and yes, there are actually 2 bushes here, 1 purple and 1 white)

Mary Kay Smile - Day 38 (July 8, 2013)

On a particularly gloomy day (don't remember why anymore) I received a surprise package in the mail. 

REAL MAIL!

At one point I had a MK lipstick/glass holder and at some point found it worked well to hold some hair accessories in my purse (bang growing out, never know when you will need a spare clippie) but sadly the zipper broke. When I asked my MK lady (also my Sister-In-Law) Sonja if she had any left she thought she did, but then could not find it.

A month or two later she found one tucked away! 

Funny the silly things that can make us smile.

Beka Reading - Day 37 (July 7, 2013)

I love that my kids will read anywhere!

Caleb - Day 36 (July 6, 2013)

As we were leaving a family reunion today Caleb could not resist looking over the side of a walking bridge. 

So cute, makes this mama smile.

Kitchen Tile - Day 35 (July 5, 2013)

Yay! My kitchen tile (backsplash) is DONE! All the grouting it complete. 

I love it! 

Now to decided what color to paint the small amount of wall that still shows...

4th of July - Day 34 (July 4, 2013)

Happy Birthday America!

Here is Grandbaby #1 up at our house watching our at home fireworks show. 

Hay Bales - Day 33 (July 3, 2013)

Freshly baled, bales of hay make me smile ~ 

they bring back happy childhood memories.

Road Sign - Day 32 (July 2, 2013)

We have never put a street # sign at the end of our driveway - just one of those things that get put off. 

Lately the FedEx guys have been getting snitty about that fact.

 (UPS has never had a problem...) 

Anyway - We now have one! 

Quilt Progress - Day 31 (July 1, 2013)

This may not look like much but each stack is 10 pieced squares. The stitching took FOREVER, and today I spent over 4 hours ironing. >.<  

But oh so happy to be making progress on this project. 

(tomorrow I trim these little fellas)

Picnic Table - Day 30 (June 30, 2013)

Ben and David decided to turn some of Dennis lumber hanging around into a picnic table. 

I am a very happy camper for 

1) getting a picnic table and 

2) it is fun watching our son-in-laws work together on a project

And yes, we are going to paint it! 

(I am thinking purple and yellow! Too much?)