Finally summer arrived.

Although I was perfectly happy with temps in the 70's, it wouldn't be summer without oppressive humidity and heat! Summer finally arrived this week. Along with 2 tornado (ok, one tornado and one Gustnado....who ever heard of such a thing? )

Becca has enjoyed the pool at Wendy and Xavier's house lately, and is actually having fun running through the hose at our own house. We have decided not to put up the pool this year. Thinking ahead and still hoping to put the house on the market within the next month or so. Figured it would show better without the pool up.

An old friend from high school passed away last week. It was quick. Just plain old heat exhaustion, which they believe ended up as a heat stroke. Travis was a great guy. Full of life, full of energy, very dare devilish, would try anything, loved to laugh and was very caring of others. Its just amazing that things happen and change so quickly. Out of the blue. We take wayyyy too much for granted. Travis was the 2nd classmate of mine that we've lost in the last 6 months or so.
Hug someone, tell them you love them.

Happy Father's Day!

Tim, you are an amazingly compassionate Daddy. It is obvious to everyone we know, that you love being a Dad and have fun doing it. You are creating beautiful memories that make me smile and thank God daily for a wonderful husband!



Steve, You have made lasting impressions and imprints on Tim's heart, that has made him the Daddy he is today. He has had a great model to follow after and I thank you for being the Dad you where, are and will continue to be to him. Through life's up and downs, he knows has you to go to for support and knows that you are the best source for it! Thank you!


Dad, Thank you. All that you have done through the years to provide for us. Working long, hot hours in the factory, cold hours plowing and shoveling snow, and countless hours making our house a home. You are the best. You have taught work ethics, the love of God and showing others that same love by giving a helping hand. It is clear that you love your family and are a constant in our lives and so many others. You now are teaching the same things to your grandchildren, who obviously adore you tremendously. Thank you for being the man, the father and ol' grandpa that you are!

Great weekend!

We had another great weekend!
As always, it begins with Becca waking me up, turning my head towards the window and saying " Hey Momma, its morning! See! Look outside! "

We never rush around on a Saturday morning. This particular Saturday morning it was full of Becca showing me her latest gifts from Grandma Kathy & Grandpa Joe. They dropped in for a visit Friday night while I was working, but had a nice time with Tim and Becca. Becca received a new Elmo game for her computer, 3 story books and a Busy Hands Kids Craft Book, full of ideas for us to keep us busy!
As everyone knows, we love to do art projects! We're deciding which projects to get supplies for to take on vacation with us!

Becca did awesome at Gymnastics on Saturday also! She's doing her Spin the Cat forward and can pull herself back through, great on her beam and awesome well on her mini routine. At the end of class, she received compliments from two of her teachers! One said " Becca you rock! " and the other said, " You did awesome girl! Keep it up! " Becca just beamed after that!

Becca ent to Wendy and Xavier's to swim...but decided the water was too cold. Tim and I took that time to go out for dinner by ourselves. That was nice. We don't get that chance much at all, especially by ourselves since my shift change. We devoured Chinese food at China Wok! Our fave! After dinner, we joined the rest of the family at Wendy's for a campfire! Can't have a beautiful Saturday night without a campfire!

Sunday we worked on the boat, played outside, then Daddy decided that he wanted to take us girls to Hickory Hills and fish from shore! However, the fish had another idea. Tim was the only one trying to catch, Becca and I played on the playground. After about 15 minutes, Tim decided he did't want to ruin her taste for fishing with not catching any, so we decided to go look at the animals instead. That was fun!
We spent the rest of the night hanging out at home, and had burgers on the grill and strawberry shortcake for dessert! YUMMMM!

Walk on the wildside

Today Xavier, Becca and I went to Hartman Reserve for Nature Time story hour. Xavier had been there on a school field trip previously, so knew what to expect..however Becca was only 1 when I took her there last, so was completely unaware of what this was going to be all about. When I told Hartman Reserve was a forest, with walking paths, her immediate question was " But...there aren't any Lions there...right? "
I reassured her that " No...Lions don't live in Iowa. I promise we will not see any lions. " And she said, " Not even little baby lions? "
This time I told her only little animals and maybe a deer live in this forest. But we probably wouldn't see much for animals except the pretend animals at the center. She was completely ok with that!

The kids looking at the THOUSANDS of tadpoles in the shallow pond.

After hearing a story and looking at the pretend animals, the kids decided the would rather go on a walk in the forest, than play the game they were going to do next. We took the long trail. It was a great work out for sure!


Walking back up the stairs on the bluff. This was the part with the good workout!
Plus, it made a good picture!

Between things....

I'll make a quick post. I know its been a while. We've been super busy lately with a lot of different projects.

Garage. Done. Clean. Organized.

Boat. Bought. Definitely Sea Worthy. Becca loves to "try out the boat" in the garage.

Closets...3/5 cleaned and empty. Yay Me.

3 trips to the dump. More coming.

Becca. Is doing "skin the cat" again at Gymnastics after a 3 month refusal. Yay Becca!

Becca. Is WRITING!!!! Thats right. On her own, without help, she can spell: Mom, Cody, Dad, Becca, Momma, Daddy, Dog, Ball.

Becca is SPELLING!!!! When we sound out words, she will spell them with very little help! She rocks!

Auggie. Still naughty. Still annoying. Still have zero patience for him. But thats just me *wink*

Vacation. 2 1/2 weeks away! Can't wait!

Ok, tator tot casserol is almost done. I will give more details later!

New month, New background

3 years of changes!

This weekend Daddy took Becca and I's annual picture in front of our false indigo! I look forward to its bloom every year!

This shrub is and always will be my favorite. It will go with anytime we move. Forever. This shrub is from an original shrub that my Grandma Smith had at the house they built in Cedar Falls. Mom took a division, and when Tim and I got married and moved to our first house, I took a division, we then brought it to this house, and it will go with us on our next move as well.

2007


2008


2009
So yeah, its kind of an "antique"..if there is such a thing in the horticultural world. But most importantly, Grandma Smith passed away shortly before I was born, and besides my eyes( so I hear ) its the only thing that I have of hers.