3 months

Three months ago today my Mom passed away. I called and talked to my Dad last night and he sounded good. He tries to keep busy, but I know he's lonely. When people ask how my Dad is doing, or when I talk to him I do OK. When someone asks me about my Mom I get all choked up. If I don't change the subject the tears start to flow. I miss her...

My Mom loved needlework. She often would order a pattern and all the yarn at once. When she decided to start something new she would have everything she needed.

With all her kids, and in-laws, Brian is the only one that crochets. I was touched when my Dad suggested that we take home her most recent order, it was still sitting in the box.

This pattern was probably the most challenging one for Brian so far. He had to start over 3 or 4 times. (He often starts over at least twice.) Brian finished this on the 30th of June. Since he worked on it most evenings he has become a little bored. I guess I need to buy more yarn. We both love how this afghan turned out. He just might have to make more like this for Christmas gifts. I get to put my name on it too because I get to choose the colors...he's a little challenged in that department. ;0)

I think my Mom would be pleased at how well it turned out. Thanks for stepping up to the challenge Brian. I know you are extremely busy, yet you took time to make this. It's beautiful!! I love you!!

boys turn

With Karlee having C4K for three weeks, I've been wanting to do something fun just for the boys while she was gone. Today is Karlee's last day and yesterday was the first chance I had that was just for the boys. We went to Colleyville and went to this very cool jump place, "Jump For Fun".

I knew who owned it and hoped their DIL Veronica would be there. We walked in the door and there she was! What a great surprise. When I went to pay her husband helped us and told me we got a discount because we know Veronica. Another surprise!! She is an amazing woman and now we get a discount just because of our relationship. Yea!!

They even had an area for toddlers, they have to be under 38". Carson was disappointed he couldn't play there too.

They must of had fun. They both asked this morning if we could go back. :0)

three times a charm

Yes, we went to the midnight showing of Eclipse. Wow!! We loved it. Karlee came with us this time. Which she loved. Bailee is still at high adventure so I guess I get to take her next week. Yes, it's worth going again.

Karlee really struggled with the flash...this is as good as it got. I really can't think of any downside to the movie (other than climbing in bed at 3 AM!). It was funny, action packed with many scenes of "steamy" kissing. Jacob was...WOW!! He seemed to have a hard time finding his shirt. I don't think anyone minded one bit. Each movie keeps getting better. We already can't wait for the next one. I'm sure we'll see that one at midnight too. :0)

unexpected guest

This past week, from Sunday - Friday, K was able to stay with us. Her Mom and brothers went up to Idaho and she was able to stay to go to C4K. Both these girls had soo much fun. They painted nails two or three times, swam, spent money at the gas station, watched movies, played with the boys, stayed up late talking, and loved how grown up they felt going to C4K together.

See, we don't do sleepovers anymore and it is a huge treat when someone stays over, special occasions only. Bailee was a little upset that K was here and she couldn't have a friend stay.

At the end of the school year Karlee had a friend stay the night that had moved a year ago, a special occasion then too. Carson started asking if he had a friend that had moved away that could have a sleepover. :( I do feel bad, just a little bit, that Mason and Carson won't experience sleepovers and have the all night fun with friends that the girls have had. We feel good about this decision. We only wish we had started it sooner... like 10 years sooner.

bobcat badge

Thursday Mason had a pack meeting and he received his Bobcat badge. Yeah!!

Then I got a pin. Soo cool!

All the boys loved archery at day camp so they got to try it again. The boy behind Mason is his friend Ben from school. He's going to join Cub Scouts too. They both are very excited.

We all gave the archery a try. We found out that I'm the hunter. Of the five arrows three of mine hit the board, not necessarily the target. Brian had two arrows that hit and Bailee one. Karlee and K also tried, not so good. We definitely would starve if we had to hunt for our food. Thank goodness we live in these times of electricity and grocery stores. Whew!

bailee

Bailee finished her project last night. For dinner she made pot pie. It was her first time making a pie crust. She got very frustrated with it. It tasted great. Even Karlee, who doesn't usually like it, said it was good. For her big finish for dessert she made...

...chocolate covered bacon! Yes I said bacon. We were all concerned about it eating this, except Mason. He told me that he loves chocolate and bacon. So after dinner we all have a stick in hand, then we bite. Not bad. In fact I think most of us liked the white chocolate better. After two, because we had to try both, it was too much. I don't know if we'll have it again. We can say we tried it, and that's something. :0)

Bailee is leaving for her high adventure trip with her venturing crew today. They are going to Virginia. She is soo excited. She doesn't need to be there until 8am. At 7 she was all ready and antsy. I love you Bailee!! Be safe!

project

Bailee is working on a YW project this week, which is a huge help for me. She is doing the cooking! Breakfast Tuesday - Thursday, and dinner Monday - Thursday. She planned the meals and helped with the shopping. I mentioned to her to make it fun and think about doing a dessert every night. The meals have been regulars for us, but the desserts are new. Tonight she made these Black 'n' White Cheesecake Bars. Super easy and waay yummy!! Since she made breakfast this morning, I decided to wash the Suburban before it got hot. At 8:30 it was already 90 degrees. I think the high for today was 101. HOT!!


I have a friend that I cut and color her hair. Recently I found out that she does massages. I suggested we trade. She agreed!! I just got home from having a back massage. WOW!!! It was great. I now need to hurry off to bed since I'm already half asleep.

bailee sandwich

We missed you Bailee.

adam crawling

Wednesday he finally got the hang of it.

what a week

This week has been super busy and super fun. Karlee started C4K at TCC on Monday. She is loving every minute of it. Tuesday night we had friends over to swim, very last minute but it was fun for all. Wednesday morning Bailee left for girls camp, she'll be home Saturday. Karlee's friend Becca came over while her brother was at a golf camp. Thursday we had these three girls over, their Mom was at girls camp and Dad of course worked during the day. They had fun swimming, running around the house playing hide and seek/freeze tag and playing all kinds of pretend.

Baylee sat here for such a long time. Trying to fill up the bucket with a little shovel takes a long time.

These girls tied up their legs to be mermaids. They actually swam very well.


Then this morning I got a wild hair and called a friend to play at the park. I picked up donuts and sausage rolls. YUM!! I didn't tell the kids where we were going. I just told them to hurry and get dressed. We are going somewhere fun. They kept trying to guess. They had some really good ideas that would be fun. But they couldn't figure it out. And guess what? WE had fun!!

This evening Brian has been invited up to girls camp for dinner. I get to go too!!


Kinzie is going to have the three little ones over to her house for a sleepover.

This week has been good. Life is good!!