Our Amazing Sunday at the Park

Okay, it may be hot and muggy in this Texas town, but on Sunday we opted for the great outdoors and God rewarded us with nature and joy and fun and flowers and fish and family time that was out of this world! Here are some of the highlights ...

If you look closely, you can see a momma deer and her three fawns ...

Hiking down to the river ...

Lovely oldest daughter ...

Lovely youngest daughter ...

Oh the blessing of lives entwined with the Father like the roots and branches of this tree.

Lone egret ...

Alligator gar ...

Climbing back up ... no photo's of pregnant mama climbing up that, thank you very much! Although, I am proud to say that I did it! :)

Heading to the marshy bottom ...

Isn't it amazing ... just beautiful!

Happy, hot family at the end of an amazing day!

20 Weeks last Saturday

The first "tummy" picture for my friends who don't live near enough to see me grow! What a blessing to be a part of God's amazing creation!

For Miss Sharilyn ...

Creativity At It's Yummiest!

This summer we've been watching our fair share of cooking shows. Among the fav's in the house are "Ace of Cakes," "Good Eats," "Paula's Home Cooking," "Diners, Drive-In's and Dives," and "Throw-Down with Bobby Flay." So, baking has been right on top of the list of fun things to do. We made some pretty yummy pretzels and were all amazed at how easy it was, and the girls have made oodles of banana bread. With these cupcakes they really showed off their creativity and piping skills. Yum!

After A Long Hot Summer Day ...

... a girl needs her beauty rest! :)

Barely awake ... precious!

Daddy's shoulder is the best place to nest ...


Even the dogs get in on the action!

Dog Days of Summer

The "dog days of summer" make for some stinky dogs (and kids, but that's another story)! So, Daddy and Madison jumped on making those little mutts, I mean sweet puppies, smell yummy ... or at least not so sweaty doggish. As you can see, bath time is NOT Cocoa's favorite activity at all. He likes to be in charge and bathtime does not equate to in charge. Gilbert is a good sport, probably because he's afraid of the "alpha male" in our house ... who is even more alpha since there is another girl on the way! :)

Cocoa:

Oh the pain of bathing ....

Does this face look happy to you?

Gilbert:

Discussing bath time with the "alpha male."

Oh the things a doggie has to endure for beauty!

FOUR Chicks and A Magnet ...

Yes friends ... we are expecting baby girl #3!

What an awesome blessing! Thank you Lord!

A Good Word ...

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Seamstresses ... Yes, ma'am!

They've been asking and asking and so we plunged in together to learn some simple sewing! Yes sirree, my little ones, with a little training and practice, figured it right out. We covered all the basics ... making and cutting out the pattern, pinning, sewing straight lines and sharp corners, ironing down seams and the basics of running the sewing machine. The girls produced some sweet doll pillows and blankets! Love this precious time with them ... watching them grow and learn and be creative. Such a precious gift from God!

The machine (thank you to "Big Grannie")!

Pinning it just right!

Now, sewing it together ... watching those lines carefully!

Very proud of my girls and their finished products! Great job!

Fireworks!

This year we packed up the popcorn and lawn chairs and watched fireworks in a cool breeze at a park near our house. Our neighborhood put on a sweet display.

I believe it is so very important for our children to understand why we celebrate Independence Day and what our forefathers intended for this country. We studied several of these great men this year. Those who sacrificed everything for our freedom as Americans. And, we remember those in the armed services who sacrifice daily for our freedom and safety. The most important thing that we remember is the truth that our country was founded on Christian values. May we never more take for granted what was sacrificed for our freedom so many years ago. GOD bless America!

Anticipation!

Yep, that's the handsome hubby and I!

Gymnastic action to pass the time until the fireworks start.

Fireworks!

GOD bless America!

Water Fight!

In this Texas heat, we find creative ways to stay cool .... i.e., water fights. And, this water fight, not surprisingly, was instigated by Grandma! Her temperature gage runs warm (abnormally warm if you ask me ... must be where hubby gets it)! What great fun!

"I'm going to get you .... "

"Gotcha back!"

"Ah coolness!"

"Get Grandma!"