Okay, so I didn't make it back yesterday

It's been a busy weekend. Sauerkraut, out-of-town guests, church, birthday party.

Tonight I ordered another 600+ photos from Snapfish, so between this order and the last I have almost 1300 photos to scrapbook from the last year. Of course, almost half of those are wedding.

I think it's a good thing that I have two scrapbooking retreats coming up. I can't wait. I hope my pictures make it in time for the first one!

What we've been up to

We've been busy with preparations to move into our new house and with wedding preparations, but most of all right now we've been getting our current house ready to sell. Why do we always finally do the things we've wanted to do to the house just in time to sell?

Jonathan and Andrew stripping the border in the master bath...

and Bethany painting it.

Bethany and Evan working on the hall bathroom.

Friends at Christmas

I really like this picture. It's not that it's great photography, it's the people and the place. This is in our church basement on the afternoon of Christmas Day. It's a combination of  family, old friends, and newer friends. It really feels to me like it captured a moment. Something important.

My grandparents

I was loading some photos that Patrick scanned from my grandma's slides a couple of years ago, after she died. I came across several of my grandparents that reminded me why they always were--and always will be--who I think of when I think of a happy marriage.

They were married for a little over 70 years, and there was a look that I remember Grandpa giving Grandma when I was five, that I was still seeing him give her when I was 40.

Tricks, no treats

Picture: Halloween, 2008

This is our first year with no Halloween costumes. I suppose with a house full of teens and adults that isn't so unusual, but our kids always dress up and we usually have friends over. This year we had the usual plans, and the pirates were set to reappear, but Andrew is sick. Having the youngest down kind of took the wind out of the crew's sails.

I think next year we'll need to plan a costume party. I haven't dressed up for a long time. For this year I'll have to content myself with giving candy to the neighbor kids.

Birthday girl

Today is the 23rd anniversary of the day my life changed permanently. I was a reluctant mother, but the minute I held that beautiful brown-eyed tiny person for the first time it was as if a switched flipped into "On" position and I was smitten!

So happy birthday, Bethany! I can't imagine what our lives would have been like without you.

Bethany with her girl cousins:

We need some manly aprons

My sons are great about helping me in the kitchen. Patrick and Jonathan are great prep cooks and they are all three fabulous dishwashers. The problem is the aprons. They have learned from me that it makes a lot of sense to put on an apron to protect their clothes while they work in the kitchen. But with one exception--my indestructible denim apron--all of our aprons are pretty. Really, really pretty.

Ruffles on teen-aged guys just aren't a good look. And although I like the pretty aprons in theory, I'm not giving up my sturdy denim apron to anybody.
Looks like it's time for the cleanup crew!

Parkview Field

Last Saturday night we went with a big group of our friends and family to Parkview Field to see the Tin Caps play. Jonathan sang the national anthem, which got us all there, but we will definitely go back. It was a blast!

The stadium is beautiful and designed so that when you go to get concessions, or walk around, you can still see what's going on. You don't go into some dark concourse to get a snack. There was lots of other entertainment during the game, keeping the little kids happy. And the baseball itself was really enjoyable.

I love being downtown and I love being able to see downtown from the stadium. After the game two of the boys were hungry--having so much fun that they didn't ask for food at the game--so we went to King Gyros.

I've been to lots of ball games at pretty much every level, but this is the first time in a long time I've been ready to go back soon. It's a great value for good family entertainment. (Cheaper than a movie!) I'm even looking at getting partial season tickets next year.

The boys and Winston.

A few pictures, just because

In the midst of cleaning, organizing, and trying to get ready for the next big scrapbooking retreat, I thought I'd share some pictures.

Another teen!

Some birthdays are harder for a mother to believe than others. This is one of the hard ones. My baby is 13! Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Saturday Photo Hunt: Lazy

Jonathan relaxing with the cat. As you can see in the background, there's work to be done!

Photo Hunt: Sad

I have missed taking part in the Saturday Photo Hunt and have decided it's time to rejoin the hunt!

Today's theme is sad.

This is a cannoli from Buca di Beppo, swimming in a lovely sea of sambuca-laced chocolate. It is a sad picture because this particular cannolo is almost gone. It is doubly sad because Buca no longer serves the cannoli, so this was my last one. Wish I'd know in at the time. I might have eaten it a bit more slowly!




PhotoHunt

Wild snappies

My snapdragons are wild. Really wild. I planted one yellow snapdragon about five years ago. From that we have gotten these:


As you can see in the center photo, they are coming up all over, even between the flagstones in the path.

An extra side note: Am I crazy that I can't pull the snappies that are coming up in the path and in the crevice between the patio and the house? Anything else would be treated as a weed, but these are soooo gorgeous!

You can tell those homeschoolers...

My three boys waiting for the food before the symphony:


I'm especially loving seeing Andrew, my youngest, reading like this. He hasn't been quite as interested as his siblings in reading for pleasure. In this picture he was reading Cheaper by the Dozen, and I was delighted to have him ask for the sequel the next day.

For the Curious: Patrick was reading an Anne Perry William Monk mystery and Jonathan was reading Pride and Prejudice. Their grandfather thought they should have been girl-watching. I prefer this pastime.

What a weekend!

The time around July fourth is always a big deal for our family. We have attended the Indianapolis Symphony concert at Conner Prairie Farm every year except one for 22 years. My mom always brings her excellent fried chicken and we have a variety of other goodies like cheese, red peppers, bing cherries....This year was a bit different than usual, because my brother and the girls weren't with us. We hope they won't make that mistake again!

The fireworks were incredible and so was the chicken!

On Saturday we drove about 60 miles west to Colin's parents' house. His brother Sean is here visiting from Australia with his wife Anne. We had a nice day with them and with Colin's sister and her adorable children, including my newest nephew, Caleb. It is always such a treat to see Sean and Anne, and we never get enough time.



Today after church Patrick and I ran back over there to pick up Bethany, who stayed last night to get in some extra visiting. We had a lovely drive back through the country, smelling clover and spying calves, sunflowers, sheep, and horses.

Tomorrow VBS starts.






UPDATE: Do to the threat in my comments I have replaced the chicken-eating picture of the laundry elf with one of his little brother.

Don't expect much

I stayed out too late last night playing dominos with a couple of friends. Then I overslept. My brain is fried.

Today is to be devoted to Andrew while his two big brothers are still away. We're going out for sushi, and then he's getting impressions for his braces.

Maybe I'll have something worthwhile to say later.

And flowers

Garden update

It's looking like a garden! We're now trying to figure out how to keep the bunnies away.

...And Bethany

I had a difficult time finding a picture of Bethany for her fan/Grandma. I finally found this one. It's not in the blue dress, but she is with her adorable cousins.

One more boy

Since I left Patrick out last night, here's a picture today. He's not as goofy as the other two, although he is quite funny.
And yes, Susan, we do joke about Andrew being his mini me.