Bird Feeder

Joel has been asking for a bird feeder.  I finally gave in and decided to go the cheap way...make our own.  

We found some pine cones and tied fishing line around them.  

Slathered on some peanut butter (and had to eat some too!) 

Covered them in sunflower seeds (thanks, Tom, for unknowingly contributing this important part!) and hung them in our tiny trees.  We have yet to see a bird....

Here are some more random pictures of our day!

Josiah helping me vacuum the floor after breakfast (a never-ending job around here!)

The boys working on their letters on their "puters."

A Full House

My WHOLE family came to visit last week.  6 adults and 7 children.  All in our 3 bedroom duplex.  

It was fun, loud, crazy, and busy!  

We went to Deanna Rose, Kaleidescope, Fritz's, and spent 2 days at the Great Wolf Lodge.  

We, of course, attempted to get a picture of all the kids together.  Not sure why we continue to be disappointed when we are unable to get 100% smiling, attentive faces.

My mom and sis (with her 4 kiddos) drove here from Texas and arrived late Monday night.  

We girls spent the evenings going through strange questions and finding out new things about each other.

We talk so often, I didn't realize that was possible! 

Caleb caught his first fish on our visit to Deanna Rose.

Josiah and Ellie bonded together as they were carted around in strollers.  

Fritz's is always a big hit for the kids.  I finally figured that to actually enjoy the food, I have to go all out and add hash browns to my burgers.  No point in attempting health at this place.  

We all loved Great Wolf Lodge!  The kids swam, and swam, and swam.  

The boys were able to do everything but one of the slides.  Along with the craft room, arcades, and the Legends close by, we kept everyone entertained and happy.

We are already planning our week long adventure to Houston next year.  Love my family!

Construction

Tim and our boys (along with some neighbors) fixed our mailbox recently.  Like all good construction sites, there are 2 actually working while the others oversee and direct the process....

Weekend Date

This is a bit overdue and out of order, but better late than never!  My parents kept all 3 boys for us while Tim and I spent a weekend alone over Memorial Day.  We have had a night here and there without the kiddos, but never 2 whole nights. It makes a difference - having an entire day smushed between TWO full nights of sleep without interruptions.  :)

The kids had a blast and were well taken care of.    They went on walks, played in the water, went out to eat, were spoiled rotten...

After the long drive to Dallas and getting the kids settled in at my parent's, we stayed our first night at a hotel in Dallas.  Wow - a FULL night of sleep without anyone tapping me on the arm to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.  :)  Tim and I feel very spoiled when we stay at hotels - watching movies in bed is quite a luxury.  We hardly watch any TV at home (and it is down in the basement), so we take advantage of it when we can.  

Anyways, the next morning we headed out to Lake Granbury.  We stayed in a beautiful bed and breakfast on the lake.  We walked to town to eat, jet skied, swam, and spent a lot of time just out on the swing or our porch looking over the lake and talking.  We kind of felt like lazy, old people but it was a nice change of pace :)

We also made a trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park and did a little hiking.  Whew!  I forgot how hot it could be in Texas!  We took the below pics for the kids.....

I am so thankful we had this time away together.  It was restful and nice to have uninterrupted conversations.  It made me appreciate my husband and boys even more!

Josiah is ONE

I can't believe we are already celebrating Josiah's 1st birthday.  He was just born.  At least it feels that way.  

Following in my family's tradition, he awoke to streamers hanging on his door and balloons on his chair.  

He ate many pancakes for breakfast and then headed to the Old Shawnee Days Parade.  

He was completely fascinated by it all.

And cheerios always add endless entertainment....  

During naptime, I made some homemade carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

We had Tim's family over for a picnic outside.

Josiah covered himself with baked ziti.

Then washed himself off with a swim.

Then it was time for cupcakes!  He was tentative at first, but warmed up to the idea in no time.

       

Happy Birthday my sweet Josiah!

Strawberries!

The boys and I went to pick strawberries this morning at a farm nearby.
 They smelled delicious and were ripe and red!

Joel got the hang of it in no time.

Caleb went straight for the whitest strawberry he could find. 

I designated him the "keeper of the strawberry box".  

Josiah ate cheerios and oversaw the process in the comfort of his movable throne.

In about 20 minutes, we collected 6 pounds worth!  

We will definitely be doing this again! :)