Spooktacular

Saturday was Dad's birthday. We decided to celebrate by taking him out to eat and taking Matthew to the nearby zoo to trick or treat.

Walking up.

Angry puss in boots or I have the sun in my eyes.

Watching the sloth bear.



He had a really good time. By time we got home it was supper time and we were all exhausted. I haven't felt good for a month, so I went to lay down for half an hour. About 30 minutes later,
I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and decided I better get up and take care of the boy, cause he was probably into something. My jaw dropped because who I found in the hall was...

...Phil! He flew in just to surprise us and be here for Halloween. He even had a friend pick him up at the airport and made them swear not to tell, so we were all surprised. He was supposed to get in by noon, so he would have been able to be a the zoo with us, but the plane had problems. It was such a great surprise. It's been a quick trip, but wonderful!

kinderGARDEN Thursday: week 10

Well, we are almost a week late posting this week. It's been so hot out lately, we've been hiding out inside tackling projects. Chiggers have been out in full force causing me to avoid grass like the plague. I never had a single chigger bite until I was pregnant.
We do sneak out to the garden in the evening, after I've doused myself in bug spray from head to toe. This week we discovered some of our small squash plants have grown and are starting to flower.

Last week was my Mom's birthday. Our family bought her 2 kinds of morning glories and some beautiful dwarf zinnas. Matthew helped dig their holes.

This is my one closeup for the week. My camera was not cooperating.

So here is what it looks like now. The yard long beans are flowering. We harvested 7 purple green beans this week. The volunteer tomatoes are flowering. Matthew's tomato bush has over 17 green tomatoes on it. The peppers are flowering and have increased in number. The basil is big. The carrots are still crowded. Some of the radishes are nearing 5 ft tall. I had to pull and burn 5 radish plants because they were covered with little baby bugs. I've seen 2 squash bugs and both times they were on the radish plant (and then squished.) Since the squash all seems to be free of pests I guess the radishes are working out! I discovered I let some radishes go so long they set seed this week as well. Marigolds and nasturtiums are beginning to put on a color show. And last but not least, the sunflowers were 69" and are now taller then me!

It's a boy!

Well, back in 19...lets just say it was a few years ago.

He went from being so little...

To a beloved husband and dad.

And a few more years down the road, a very cherished Poppa. Happy Birthday Dad! We love you!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday dear Phil, happy birthday to you. Your son sure enjoyed blowing out your birthday candle.

Birthday parties

Last night we met our friend Stacie for dinner, to celebrate her birthday. Matthew got to wear her cowboy hat.

Stacie and I

Michael entertained us by busting some moves! He is really breaking out of his shell with music.

Then while waiting to go to Michael's birthday celebration, I noticed that 1 Iran pumpkin has sprouted! I also planted irises and weeded flower beds. BTW, Matthew and I did manage to get the pots, soil, and 2 more pots planted.

All the kids at Michael's party. Matthew had such a good time playing with the girls he didn't want to go home. He just wants to be as big as the rest of them.

Happy Birthday Great MaMaw!!!

Today is my Grandmom's birthday. She was amazed to discover that she's still 92, instead of the 93 she thought she was turning. Time flies when your having fun, maybe she's had an extra lot of fun. Since Matthew and I are the only ones in the family without full time jobs, we were able to attend her birthday party. It was quite lovely. She had a good turn out of people and the cake was wonderful. I was wishing I had a piece to eat tonight! Matthew enjoyed talking to all the party goers and then having a rousing game of balloon volleyball with his "Great MaMaw." Happy Birthday Grandmom! Matthew and I are looking forward to next year's cake. :)

Happy Birthday Daddy/Phil!!!!

You started out life 32 years ago as this cute this little guy. (What happened to you? Hehe.)

Then 2 years ago you had your very own cute cute look alike and had a reason to not have to have your picture taken anymore, at least nothing more than a profile.

Anyway, Matthew and I hope that you have an excellent birthday! As soon as we can get you on the phone, Matthew is ready to sing you Happy Birthday. We love you.

The last week in pictures

Daylilies blooming.

Matthew checking out the new truck.

Dad and Matthew with his new truck.

Matthew approves of the bed.

Going for a ride.

Very excited.

Isabelle's favorite sleeping position.

At daddy's this last weekend it got real quiet. When I went in the bedroom this is what I found.

He just loves that Gameboy.

The first cake Matthew and I ever co-decorated. He insisted it be yellow icing and dictated the placement of the bugs.

Happy Birthday Angela! Hope it was a great one!

This bird was very entertaining with all his warbling.

Auntie wrote us a letter and we were very excited about it.

In fact we didn't want to let it go and Scamp started trying to eat it.

2 days before the 4th of July all 5 babies were lined up. After I took the picture they all flew. Notice the nice nest condition.

This is a picture of inside the nest. At the bottom you see the tips of 2 of the 3 eggs within.

Yesterday the demolition crew came in to dismantle the nest. They did not realize there were 3 warm little eggs in it. So after pulling it down, discovering eggs, it was hastily stuck back up. It's not looking so hot now. But that blur of a mother bird flying on the bottom left, insists on raising these eggs into adults. As soon as they fly off, the nest is coming down so we don't have this problem again.

The moon rising.

Swim lesson recap (a week late)

I would have posted pics of Matthew swimming earlier, but every time I brought the camera he'd have a nervous breakdown and start crying and we would get nowhere. Finally the last day of lessons we were happy and doing cute stuff and I didn't have the camera. I'd left it at home. I attach it to my hip and the one time it isn't, something film worthy happens. Like Tuesday was Mom's birthday and she accepted a chocolate chip cookie and balloons from a sandwich at Subway. Why do I not just store the camera in my purse? So on this day all I had was Phil's phone to record the memories. And as such it took a good week to have him send the pics to my email. Argh. Enjoy!

Age of Why

This is Matthew after I told him it hurt when he hit me in the head with a hanger. I'd also taken it away from him. In his defense, he didn't mean to hit me, he was just waving it around.


More hats on parade.


You have heard of the Age of Aquarius, but I'm hear to tell you about the Age of Why and What's That. I hear "why" alot now, although I don't think it is used the same as 3 year olds and older. I also hear alot of "what's that?" As we ride down the road, in the car, for a stretch all I hear is "what's that, what's that, what's that, what's that, what's that" and see in the rear view mirror a little finger gesturing wildly. I can tell the Age of Why and What's That is beginning and probably won't leave for several years.

Matthew and I went to see Great Grandmom today. He was the star of the nursing home. People stopped by just to talk to him. The nurse in charge of the snack cart gave him a package of crackers and a cup of peach juice. He snarfed them down like I never feed him. Great Grandmom was in rare form today and the 2 of them played for an hour and 1/2!

The best part of today was that Phil came home tonight and brought CAKE! I am now on a sugar high and will drift off happily. Ahhh...and it might happen to be my birthday, Bye!