Wordless Wednesday- The Cousins Havin' A Ball

I have to bend the rules of being wordless today-( I'm never really very good at being quiet anyway:).
These pictures were taken by our DIL's Lisa and Jess of the three cousins ( our grands!:) last month when Daniel, Jess and the boys went to Pittsburgh and spent a week with Ben, Lisa and Sophia.

Some of these pics can't go without a caption from Grammy:)

Three cutie pies- all looking the same direction.

I understand that Sophie kept trying to get the ball to stay under her chin...

...Still trying...

Okay--almost got it...

TA-DA!  Love her smiling eyes here:)

It looks like Sam is...

growing a little weary of picture-taking time...

...but is being so patient to continue:)

Love Eli's smile here.

I love this whole next series of pics of Sophie and Eli-- I wonder what she is saying?:)

It's so nice for the cousins to spend time together and I know they had a wonderful time!

I hope you are getting some this wonderful cooler (and lower humidity!:) weather where you are.
Amanda and I are in the middle of some housekeeping projects before she starts classes next week, so I'm not sure when I will be posting again. But I hope to come visit.
Happy Summer!

Lots to Share / Technical Difficulties

I was away for a few days and promised pictures.  The trouble is I've had a combination of our internet slowing to a c- r -a -w -l, difficulty downloading photos, and now the camera is misplaced.  Triple wammy!:)

So please be patient and I promise to get it worked out soon.

I hope you all are able to keep from melting in these hot, hot temps!  Looking forward to Sunday up here, when they say things will cool off a bit.  Hope you get some relief, too!:)

Here is a hint of things to come:

Photos of hubby and I, taken by our sweet DIL, Brooke for our 35th anniversary- that was fun.:)   (Brooke and Tim also have since moved to Grand Rapids to work in ministry there.  Are sure missing them.

Sharing with you pics and a story about my new bird feeder/ hanging flower station.  Also pics of our newly painted deck railing. Yay!:)

Then, pictures of our trip to Door County for a long weekend of time spent with Daniel, Jess, little Sam and Eli, and Nathan and Kristen!  Amanda and I had such a wonderful time there at Jess' family's lake home.

Even typing this is proving to have it's problems.   So as soon and my computer savvy hubby or one of our sons has the time to take a look at my computer (and we find the camera;), I'll be back to tell you all about our summer happenings here in Wisconsin!

Stay cool!:)

What's Up?

I really haven't been in blogland much lately...

First there was the end of June when my hubby and I celebrated our 35th anniversary painting this...

The railings on our deck were in desperate need of paint.  This pic was taken over a year ago and they looked much worse than this.   
 
We decided that we wanted to tackle this job while the weather was not too hot- in the 70's- and the humidity was low those days that he had taken off work.   Have you ever done something kinda crazy like that on your anniversary?:)   What I love about that is after 35 years, we feel that comfortable with each other and know how each other thinks that we could have fun painting together and reminiscing on a very special day.

We just have the stair railings left- so far high humidity and rain have kept us from finishing that up.
More photos to come!

 Guess what?  We still haven't gone out to eat for our anniversary yet.  Now that hubby is back to work, he is being offered overtime, so we'll wait for a better time.

Then on Saturday we got an impromptu visit  from my sister Missy and her littlest one, Shiloh! (Missy's Isaac and Hannah were on vacation with their dad.)  They drove up from Illinois on Saturday and were here for the 4th.  Tim and Brooke were also here along with Jonathan ( who is living at home this summer- and we are loving that!:)  and Amanda.  We grilled hamburgers, turkey burgers brats and hotdogs and had a great time together!:)

This is not a current pic, but I'm having some trouble downloading pics right now.

On Tuesday, Missy, Shiloh and I drove over to Milwaukee to visit Daniel, Jess, Sam and Eli.
Jess' 15 year old sister, Rachel was spending some time with them, so we got to visit with her too! This was Missy's first time meeting little Eli.   ( Again, downloading problems- so no photos)   We ate dinner with them and enjoyed how Sam and Shiloh became best friends, laughing and playing  together from the minute we walked in!:)   And Eli was his sweet smiling self:)  He leaned over to Grammy at dinner, pulling on my sleeve and melting my heart with his wanting to snuggle...sigh...

Missy and Shiloh left for home on Wednesday evening.  So glad they were able to come and spend that time with us!

Look what arrived at my door the next day!

Only, it didn't arrive looking like this--it is in a rather small box- which makes me think that there's MORE than just "SOME assembly required"!:)

So with the newly painted deck railings, newly planted flower pots and  my new bird feeder/flower station to put together and fill- I am looking forward to seeing the results and sharing them with you soon!


Meanwhile, I am having fun imagining what fun Daniel and Jess and the boys

are having on their vacation to Ben and Lisa's in Pittsburgh and seeing this precious girl who is apparently RUNNING now!   Go Sophie!

And then---Nathan and Kristen, who are on vacation at Kristen's family's home in Ohio, are going on over to Pittsburgh and join the fun for a few days!  I am so excited that they could all coordinate their vacation times for a visit to Ben and Lisa's!   What a blessing to know that not only do our sons like spending time together, but our wonderful DILs truly feel like sisters, too, and love to be together!
I know that if Tim and Brooke weren't in the middle of packing for their move to Grand Rapids next week, they would probably be in Pittsburgh this week, too!:)

So that's what I been up to lately--and I look forward to stopping by for a visit and catching up with what you've been up to!

Photos also by Brooke C, Lisa C, Missy K., & FourCorners.com

Celebrating America!

You've heard it said all your life.   "As American as....

the flag...

Mom...

and apple pie."

Celebrating our country and it's traditions, in gratitude for all those who have come before, and are today protecting our liberty.   God bless America!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here. Join in any day of the week,--link up beginning on Tuesday each week.



For Today...June 30, 2010


Outside my window...We are having AMAZING weather this week! Today is sunny with a high temp of 76 degrees, tomorrow-sunny and 80. The humidity is low... just wonderful!:)


I am thinking...and praying for our little granddaughter Sophie who is recovering from a virus that sent her to the hospital Sunday night after a fever induced seizure. Sophie is feeling much better as of yesterday- just hoping her mommy and daddy will be catching up on their rest, too. If you have an extra minute, would you please remember them in prayer? Thanks so much!


I am thankful for...my wonderful husband. We are celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary today! We are so blessed with our marriage and a wonderful family. Thank you Lord!


From the kitchen... I am not worrying about dinner tonight;)--- I'm thinking Red Lobster...:)


I am wearing...yup, still in my jammies.


I am hoping...this stretch of beautiful weather repeats itself all summer!

I am hearing...Street construction vehicles working on our side street- Yesterday our water was turned off all day. We had water in many containers sitting on the counter- today many are still there...but so thankful for water coming out of the faucets now!:)


I am remembering... the last 35 years and how far we have come and the seasons of our lives we have gone through over the years. I have enjoyed each one so far...and am loving this new grandparent thing we have going on!



I am praying... for Sophie, her mommy and daddy, and my mom's continued healing from her surgery


Around the house... I'll be painting the deck railings today- hopefully recruiting some help from hubby and the kids... but hubby has his own list of outdoor jobs. We are working around the house today and then going out for dinner tonight. Last evening I potted flowers that Amanda and I scoped out on Monday after my haircut (I've had a fun week so far!:) -- The flowers were at close-out prices, but still very healthy- I have several flats to plant for pots on the deck (after it's paint job, won't it be "purty"? :)-- and some around front of the house and front entrance.


On my mind...I'm looking forward to hubby being off the rest of the week and the beautiful weather, too!



One of my favorite things... Scallops, grilled salmon, cheese bread...can you tell where I want to go to dinner tonight?:)  Haven't been there in a long time...



A few plans for the rest of the week...I'm looking forward to hubby being off the rest of the week and the beautiful weather, too! We don't have "big plans", just slow and steady getting some things around the house done.  And then I think Tim and Brooke are coming over on the 4th. 


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*

My finch feeder was destroyed by our rascal squirrels last fall.  I found this for about double the price of one finch feeder.  So I am ordering this for our deck.   It has a solar powered lamp, multiple bird feeders, and hanging flower baskets.   I love birds and flowers, so what a great combination!:)
Happy Wednesday!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is the gracious host here.  Join in any day of the week,--link up beginning on Tuesday each week.



For Today...June 22, 2010

Outside my window...Enjoying the sunshine today after being in the basement most of the evening last night with tornado warnings.  Some areas west and north had damage.
Right now it's 85 and breezey.

I am thinking...and praying for those people who I saw on tv who had damage to their homes and vehicles last night. 

I am thankful for...for our severe weather warning systems and the great meteorologists on our local tv channels who give us warning and news as these storms come through--saving many lives.

From the kitchen... Baking off a package of chicken thighs- may debone and make casserole or just serve with mashed potatoes and garden salad...hmmm...what to do...:)

I am wearing...pink striped shirt, blue capris.

I am hoping...Daniel and Jess didn't have any damage as the storms moved on to Milwaukee last night.

I am hearing...Street construction vehicles working on our side street - the reverse "beep, beep, beeps"...  Our little grandson, Sam, loves trucks and cars-- he would have loved seeing the crane moving big round concrete forms being put underground.

I am remembering...what a great day we had on Sunday when five of our six kids and families were able to come to celebrate Father's Day with their Dad.  (Missed Ben, Lisa and Sophie-sending love to them:)   The carving knife was passed down to the youngest son, Jonathan, as he learned from the master ( his dad) how to carve the delicious rotisserie chickens we had.     All of our sons have been taught some carving skills by their dad. 

I am praying... that the rain and storms that in the forecast for late tonight and tomorrow will be mild.

Around the house... still trying to find time (with no rain every other day) to paint the deck railings.

On my mind...this verse that a friend posted on Facebook over the weekend--"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."
I Peter 5:7 

One of my favorite things... blackberry cobbler...I'm just sayin'...:)

A few plans for the rest of the week...working on some projects around the house.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...*


This is a Father's Day video that one of our local churches posted.  It is a spoof of the
Swagger Wagon youtube commercials for Toyota minivans.  I thought they did a great job!:)



(If you can't see the whole width of the video, go here to see it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATSbUT5diAA

Wordless Wednesday-- I'm Speechless:)

Sophie arriving home and her daddy seeing her walk across the floor for the first time.
(also Grammy's first time seeing her walk on video:)




Join Tanya over at The Miller Racing Family for Wordless Wednesday.