Happy Birthday Ryanne!

Well, our firstborn is now eleven years old! How strange it is to be leaving the world of kids and entering the world of a teen! Ryanne is really changing . . not only is she getting taller and smarter, she is also developing self-control, compassion, and selflessness. It is so cool to see a girl start thinking about others first and then control what she says or does-- finding ways to make others around her happy. She's also found she has a knack for imitating voices and gets everyone around her laughing!
Well, she insisted on me taking these pictures and reminds me everyday of just how tall she is getting . . . it won't be long now 'till she passes me up! Of course, Elias, who snuck into this picture, will pass both of us up in the end!

Happy GrandMOTHER'S DAY Gramma Andrews!!!

Well, we can't come visit you and tell you how much we love you, Gramma, so here is all our love via camera! Hope you know how grateful we are for the wonderful boy who is now the leader and protector of our family; he is so good to us! Thanks for being a loving, supportive and selfless Mom. And thanks for being such a fun, giving, and caring Gramma to these babes! We love you!

Kicken' 'em out!

Ever have trouble getting your kids outside? I do. Okay, granted, it's often waaaay too hot down here and I can't blame them. But when it's not-- off they must go. I'm a firm believer in kids being kids and running around outside. But that's hard in a city with nowhere to explore and few kids to play with in the nieghborhood. I often find myself bribing, pleading or threatening lives just to get them to step out the door. Sigh. The draw of electronics is all-consuming. And we barely even have any!
Okay, enough lamenting. Here are some fun pictures of when I actually got Mckay outside (sad, I had to document this moment, just to prove to him that he did go out). Elias is tagging along while Mckay plays ball with Mike, the next door neighbor, and David, a friend from church. Mike's dad bought a basketball hoop and it draws in boys like frogs to their lilly pads!

Elias, Mike, David, Mckay

They like to play "Around the World"

Judging the shot.

Eying the rim.

He shoots!

That's all. I just love these boys!

The Backyard

So, we've lived here a year and a half and finally put sod in the backyard. I am so happy to have more grass clippings and less mud coming in the house. I'm especially happy to have all the drip system in for my vegetable and flower gardens! Hooray! I love being outside--my balm! Here are some before and after pictures. Wes had some good friends help with the sod.

(Thanks good friends)! Before the grass came.

The Hard Workers.

It involves dirt? YES! I'll help.

This is how we level the dirt.

1. Throw the rake out.

2. Heave-Ho! Pull the rake in.

3. Level that dirt! (This kid is way too excited).

4. All the way back to the edge.

5. Survey the job.



6. Tell mom you did a great job helping Dad.


Look at all that work!

All the kids watching the Dads work.

Leah, Elias, Devin, Analise, Ryanne, Mckay.

What does Elias have in mind? Is he up to mischief?

"Mom, can't we keep him?"

That looks better!

Now, on to some things planted in the garden . . .

Fuschia, one of my favorites.

Lavender!

My dear friend Ellen gave me this dwarf apple tree--look at those apples!

Elias picked this one out.

Tomatos!