Harvesting

This is a sample of what we harvested regularly for a few weeks from the garden. It was so nice! and rewarding!

I also made these dishes with the zucchinis.

You Miss This!!!

 I tried sushi. I did not like it. But I tried it. all of the above.

The following pictures are to remind those of you who dont get to spend much time with Matt anymore what you are missing!

 Yes that is an octopus, and yes he ate it, actually several of them!

I may never kiss him again.....

Pool Party

One of the Dr.s  Aaron works with was out of town and Aaron and Rachel were house sitting. The Dr told them to feel welcome to use the pool. So we did! The Minis LOVE to swim!

The Fourth Of July

Well, actually these pictures were taken on the 3rd. The fireworks at our ballfield were on the third not the fourth. We just went over to the parking lot and watched.  Then on the 4th we had dinner with the gang. It was a nice day.

 This is how my kids watch fireworks. We are a relativly quiet household, cause no one likes noise!

Violin Practice

I have a confession to make. I did not give enough appreciation in the past for parents who had very young kids in violin lessons. Especially those that obviously worked with them a lot. It is not easy. Not easy to 1) make the time 2) spend a constructive amount of time 3) in my unique case, not be the teacher at ever "practice".  So, Matt has taken over violin practice, though we are currently on a break June and July were too crazy. Because of Matt's schedule this practice often happens at odd times, therefore the boy in his bedtime pull-ups. But I wanted to capture this interaction. It makes me uber thankful for this great guy who is a great husband and OUTSTANDING Dad. And what about my little genius!! I might be partial, but I think he might be prodigy!

The Knee Saga week 3

3 weeks after Ben got hurt and 1 week after he had the stitches removed he fell and blew the whole dang thing open again!! Oh it was terrible! We had been SOOOO careful! Then one after noon he came into my bedroom at quiet time to talk to me and tripped over a piece of their penny bank they had taken apart that I had not picked up yet!! Just fell on that knee. I thought he was going to have to have it restitched. Dr Blake looked at it and decided the thick/deep part of the cut was still entacted so there would not be anything to gain from stitching the edges. But we had to keep STILL again for a few days while it resealed!

I have been trying to convince Mom that we need her here! But alas, Quattro has dibs. I guess that is fair!

This is a couple days after he tore it open the second time. See how wide the gap between the edges is? UGH!

Auntie Mugs turns....

Just kidding! We won't reveal ages here! Well, at least not any but Ben and Clara. ;) But the kids had some messages for one of their most favorite Aunties! Enjoy!

Vogue

 How could I NOT post these? It was a good morning what can I say? they were showing off their hair and striking poses!

Pete and her ice addiction. She munches ice all day long! And she just happens to be super cute doing it! This of course started when she was teething. She finished that a couple months ago, but continues with the ice!

By the way, this hair style is known as Mini Mouse Ears and those happen to be Mini Mouse Glasses. She wears them alot on MME days!

Drama, Drama, Drama!

Pete is a bit of a drama queen. This is often the sight when she reprimanded in ANY way or is not allowed something she wants, or just generally feels slighted. It is a flop of disgust! and pretty funny!

Friday Nights

Most weekends find us with the Raabs, aka Unkin and Ray Ray. We have recently discovered a new favorite restaurant, Cheddars. It is very very good, well priced and good service.

 After dinner, which is sometimes a special treat out and sometimes at one home or the other, we head out to do a little window shopping. This is outside Kohl's, on of our frequent haunts.

 And this is out side DQ much later. Two additional members of our "most Favorite people" group joined us, Uncle Brandon and his girlfriend Heidi.  Heidi loves on the minis just like the rest of us and had brought them some gifts this night. New color wonder sets and a super cute dress for Clara. It is green gingham and has monkeys embroidered on the neck. Clara hugs it and asks if she can wear her monkey dress every time she sees it!

                                                

Same restaurant, different night. This time we had Uncle Billy along and Aunt Linda joined us shortly after these pictures. Clara was playing peek-a-boo with Unkin. Super Cute.

Good times, people, these are the good times!