A New Friend

Right above the kitchen sink is a window.  This is one of my favorite windows in our house.  I guess that is a good thing as it seems I find myself at this window a lot these days...a lot.  Now that it is summer, I feel like we are snacking or eating a meal all day long!  There are always dishes to do.  From this window I can see a great view of the farm behind us.  Spring is my favorite for watching all the baby calves emerge and explore the farm.  Then there are days that they chase after each other and play like I have never seen cows play before.

Here lately though, I've had something else to look at from my window. This spider has made the area between the screen and the window her home.  She keeps spinning her web and catching all kinds of bugs.  She hides out during the day and is very active in the morning and the evening.  I pointed her out to Jack a couple of months ago.  For some reason, I have not ever cleaned out the web and run her off.  I never thought I would say this, but it has been neat.  She has gotten so big!  She spins, and spins, and spins her web.  It is getting thick!  We call her Charlotte and keep waiting for a message in her web.  Those would make for some great pictures!

Butterfly Show

**Please note-Caroline is wearing the same outfit in the last several posts.  Yes, she does have other clothes, but this is her outfit of choice these days.  If it is clean and she finds it, then she is wearing it!  She thinks it looks like a bathing suit.  I need to go back to JCPenneys and buy a couple more!**

We made it to the butterfly show.  It has quite a story to go with it, but let's just say, we finally made it.  The kids love going to this each year.  The only downside this year is that it was like 90 something degrees outside.  Inside the show, it is so hot and humid as well!  We weren't able to just sit and enjoy as we were dripping with sweat and all sticky.  Poor Caroline kept looking for an exit to sneak out into the cooler air!

Such forced smiles.  This is up at pretty Eden Park overlooking Cincinnati.

I don't really see a resemblance in these two, but this picture is a different story!

Jack was so excited this butterfly landed on his paper.

Caroline trying so hard, probably too hard, to get one!

Having fun though

Here comes the sweaty hair and red face

Little butterfly on his fingers

And one like we always get!  Let's see how it compares to a couple of years ago.

June 2010

Knoxville Fun

We spent this past week in Knoxville visiting with my parents and brother.  It was also neat because Jack got to attend VBS at my parents' church.  It is a huge production there.  Jack was really enjoying it and taking it all in.  Since Mom works there, Caroline also got to enjoy the perks of watching each morning and seeing her part.  Jack's been asking a lot of questions about Bible School and he is really wrestling with some neat concepts.  The concept of the size of God is definitely a tough one for us, but especially for a 5 year old!

Anyways, here are some fun pics of our day of fishing and cooking hotdogs and smores in the backyard of their house.

She didn't want help!!

Grammy helping her catch the first and only fish of the day!

Reeling the big fish in!

When I told her to hold it, I meant the line.  I was surprised when she actually grabbed the fish!

So fun

Grandpa and Jack trying hard to get one too!

She loves to put her face against mine for pictures.  I can't say I mind!

Proud of her marshmellows

Jack kept putting his against the wood...I don't think it was an accident

He loved this part

Can't believe this is my "little brother"

Some things don't change though

Again, face to face pose

And with Grammy

Thanks for a great visit!

Fun with YouTube

Thank you, Ashley, for showing me how easy YouTube is to load and share videos!  I am loving it.  Videos are hard to load to a blog, but I'm hoping now that they are on YouTube, I can just pass them over.  Let's give it a try!

Here is Jack showing us his outfield dance.  So focused!

Caroline loves to sing...all the time!

She also loves to dance...all the time!  She often turns the radio on herself.

Here is Jack going from 1st to 2nd base.  A bit of  a delay running and then an interesting path!

Last Day of Swim Class

These guys LOVED swim class this month.  I can't believe the progress they made.  I'm really excited that we joined the Y and will be able to keep practicing.  I was able to find these backpack floats online, so we will have those to work with.  That makes me feel better too.  I don't know if I will ever be able to relax with them around the water.  I guess my days of reading a book while they swim  are still several years away!

This one takes a comment.  See Jack there on the left of the picture?  Caroline is right behind the 2 girls at the front...

Where did Jack go and why does Caroline have such a big grin?  She dunked him!

Memorial Day

**Warning**I actually posted several things tonight!  I know, shocking!

We were so excited to have Tommy home for the long weekend.  We had fun with fireworks, water balloons and the parade.  Tommy and I even got to have a nice date!!  Here are some of my favorite moments of the weekend.

Batting water balloons...definitely a Tommy idea

love this smile!

such concentration

The garden is coming along nicely.  Have to keep the rabbits out with the fence!

Tommy needed a turn too!

Getting ready for the parade.  Chairs, drinks, shades, snacks...got it all!

Getting the clapping and waving down

Waving and hoping for candy.

What a ham!

Caroline had become "Caroline grouchy" just moments before.  I told her "don't smile" and we get this.  So fun!

Such a sweet, sweet girl

Finally, candy!

Something about this shot that I love

Working hard to get that sucker open.  What a hot day!