Surprise

Sarah picking prettys

"this one is a keeper!"

"Aunt Norma, I have a pretty flower for you"

Picking Prettys

PawPaw and Sarah returning from a little walk down the road outside of Aunt Norma's.

Just in time to join Mary in picking prettys.

"O.K. Mom, I'll smile for you, but I am still picking!"

Mail Call

While at Aunt Norma's house visiting; Dad and Sarah decided to get the mail for her.
Got it!

"PawPaw, I'm faster than you!" -Sarah

"Can't catch me...I have springs in my feet!" -Sarah

"Since I beat you, can you lift me up to ring that door bell?" -Sarah

Great-Aunts & PawPaw

PawPaw and Bee...good buddies

Great Grandma Mary, Sarah, Great Aunt Ruth and little Mary.

PawPaw Roger, Mary and Great Aunt Norma

We had to coax Sarah to join the picture, but finally managed.

We had a nice trip to Clearfield to visit a few of our Great Aunts...they all looked great, and really seemed to enjoy the visit.

Going Green

I have never had a green thumb, but am hoping that maybe I can do something right reagrding plants. So, my newest hobby has become planting. Probably 85% of the plants around my house have been started by seed...by me! (and the girls-they help some)

Here is step 1...little peat pellets and seed packets. I let the girls pick the flowers, so we have quite a hodge podge. (these are just a few of the ones I have)

Step 2: you wet the pellets with warm water, and they expand to look like these, then you plant the seeds.
(ignore the little sprouts on the side rows, this picture wasn't taken at this step...just a day or two later)

Step 3: you put the lid on, creating a greenhouse effect, sit it in your windowsill (preferrably a sunny side) and wait for these little sprouts...I love this step..getting to watch them slowly pop through and grow.

And here is the reward...nice little starts to your flowers. (mental note...make sure to make note of what you plant in what windowsill box, or you will have no clue what you are planting where)...not that I would know from experience! (And in case you are wandering I do know what these are)

I have actually become "addicted" to these windowsill boxes...they are the greatest things. I am having so much with them. I have even started a garden. I can't wait to see if we get anything. If not, at least I am learning a lot, and doing my part to "GO GREEN"!

More Ark

Jason was instigating the girls...so they were trying to kick him while swinging.

(Mary) Stretch...and legs straight

(Mary) Pull back and bend knees

A true Kodak Moment...Jason nicely pushing Alex on the swing.

We had a great time, Jude and Jason put together some of our new porch furniture, while Michelle and I had the kids in the playground. Then we concluded our time together (before Jude had to leave for youth) with some Sterns ice cream...imagine that!

Play time at the Ark

The Sunday after Mother's Day, Creekside Church had a puppet ministry team for worship. We invited Jason and the gang. It was a very cool puppet presentation that the kids LOVED!!

Then we had to spend the afternoon in the Ark. Here Michelle is pushing my girls (they are too lazy to learn to pump), while Ashley was pumping away.

And now it is Jason Jr, and Alex's turn to swing with Ashley. Who can swing the highest??

Here Michelle was "talking" her through the motions of pumping. She can do it, just usually chooses not to, or won't do it for very long.

Jason being goofy

Our friends

Clayton...enjoying his stickers

James and Joseph...James trying to "plant" his sippy.

Joseph enjoying the Ark

James being a big helper gathering the shovel and bucket

I missed getting a picture of Little Dominic and Baby???; but they spent the day with us as well!!

Lunch..friends...flowers

Our yummy lunch from the May play date!
Laura brought the pb & j sandwhiches cut like flowers...and made with the tastiest homemade grape jelly! I'm hungry just writing about it.

Here's the gang...Marianne and her 3 sons; Laura and her son + son/daughter??; and my 2 girls.

And the kids loved decorating their little pots with stickers. Thanks Laura and Marianne for everything..the girls had a blast!

And the finished products...one flower for instant enjoyment, and one pot with a seed planted to be able to watch.

May Play date

We recently got together for our monthly kids play date...we played on the Ark, planted flowers and enjoyed a yummy lunch. Thanks to Marianne and Laura for such a fun time!

Playing

Planting

Pouting

(Sarah claimed a chair for lunch...on the other side of the room from everyone else, and she was pouting b/c no one sat with her...but her friends; Cherry, Onion and Lambie. We finally convinced her to join the group...but coulnd't pass up on the picture)

Just the girls

Bee at food distribution

Mary at food distribution...ready to head off to school

You can't see me!

Posing on the Hippo