Cool :)

I was able to talk with my dad over the web last night (I had a bit of insomnia from the medicine I am taking (Dad it is your favorite medicine:)).  That was fun since our time zones are off by a 1/2 of a day.  Dad was getting ready to start the day and I should have been fast asleep.  Anyhow, his click on the blog showed up from Japan!!  I think it's pretty cool!!!  (We should see it in the clustermap tomorrow.)

What a Beauty

This was my favorite shot (in sepia tones) from today's garden walk.

I love the simplicity of the cosmo.

Can you see God's fingerprint on this beautiful bloom?

Good Eats

Grilled Chicken, Avocado, Cucumber, and Lettuce from the garden(ftg).

Spicy Tacos with tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, lettuce(ftg), cilantro(ftg), homemade guacamole, cucumber, and salsa.

Corn tortillas prepared on the griddle pan of the new stove!

T-Ball Time

Well, with Spring/Summer comes sports and im so excited that Faith gets a chance to participate in T-Ball this year! Doesn't she look like a pro right before her first practice? Faith and her new friends getting ready to run

Look at that arm! She sure tried so hard and really paid attention to what everyone was saying.

Getting ready to bat and was listening to me telling her how to stand. LOL

Look at that hit!!! (Can you tell im a proud mom! he he)

Running out on the field to get some grounders. I am couldn't believe how great she did. She ran after the ball to get it when someone hit it and even used her glove on the ground to get it, many times, i even had to tell her to let someone else try and get it. Oh what an exciting summer it will be!!

Camping at VanRiper

Faith posing by a tree at our campsite

The view from our campsite

The beach

My little fish! She just ran right into the water like she new what she was doing! Looks like the breast stroke to me! LOL

Our campsite with my cutie pies!!!! We got a screened in tent on Friday before we left, since there was a chance of rain everyday we were suppost to be there. Luckly it only rained on Friday when we were setting up.

Faith had her own clothes line, and she had a blast hanging things up!!

Faith, Joe and I were playing war on Friday since it was raining and she caught on so fast! She liked to sit by Joe it was so cute!

I had a wonderful time camping!

Another quiet moment doing puzzles when the rain was falling. It was such a reminder of Grandpa like he was there with us. I really enjoyed listening to the rain at night it was so soothing and put us all to sleep. It was a great weekend to spend with Faith and Joe and we all loved every min. of it! We can't wait to do it again and are excited for July's Family Camping!!!!

Be Still My Beating Heart

As many of you know, my favorite color still is pink. I never seemed to grow out of loving it.
Last fall I bought this Foxglove Digitalis to add to my perennial garden. The previous one was demolished by a severe winter. Much to my surprise and delight the new plant is a GORGEOUS shade of pink.
Aren't the inner polka dots just so fun and unexpected?

The Foxglove Digitalis has a very unique name. The Foxglove is believed to have come "Folk's Glove" which means "Fairy's Glove". There are a lot of variations on the story from there including lore about fairies living in the blooms and foxes wearing the blooms to sneakily raid chicken coops. The Digitalis part of the name means "fingers" and the blooms do look like fingers or at least invite little kids to put their fingers inside to feel the polka dots. And for the moniker of this post, the leaves of the plant are used for a common heart medication called Digoxin. The medicine is used to treat arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and other heart ailments.

Alaina's 2nd Birthday Party

Just a quick note:
We are having Alaina's birthday party on June 19th at our new house. I know that the trip is too long for most of you for the day, but I wanted to make sure everyone knew they were invited and always welcome! If you would like more details, let me know.
Emily Ann

Oak Apple Run

Cara and I before the race - 7:15 am!

Myself, Cara, and Natalie after the race!

My trusty old shoes.  They are ready for retirement. 

I have worn holes right through the soles on both feet.

Cara and I sporting our Oak Apple Run T-Shirts.  I'm posting this picture even though you can see my belly.  I'm still losing weight but this year I confidently ordered a Large instead of an XL ;) 

The Oak Apple Run is a certified course.  Once again, I think they were crazy for making the last quarter of a mile an uphill run to the finish!

Jenna (my weight lifting trainer from LA Fitness).  She ran the 2 mile race to encourage her friend who works the front desk!  She is a great trainer - always cheerful, knowledgeable, and always attentive.  We always have a great time!

This year's bib!

Here is a link to my official time

(just a few seconds different than my heart rate monitor!)

10K in 1:10:47

It's Heating Up In Here

Gas Stove/Convection Oven Installed Today

Wishy Washy

We swapped out last week's dishwasher (right), with its huge and bulky handle that blocked my drawer with the sleeker and even cooler - ultra high functioning dishwasher shown on the left. It even has "smart dispense" which allows me to dump the whole bottle of cascade into the door of the dishwasher instead of storing it under the sink. The dishwasher then dispenses the soap as needed. Inside it has several nice features such as the china clips and flaps for all of the silverware baskets.

(double click to enlarge)

Big News!

After lots of thought and dreaming we began considering moving to a bigger home earlier this spring. We knew we wanted more space for the boys and also room for family and friends visiting. Our home on Nagle Ave has been wonderful but after 11 years we feel we've outgrown it. We've decided it's time to move on and we found a wonderful home! We're moving! This past week we made an offer on a beautiful ranch style home and our offer was accepted. Here's just a hint of what it's like ... the pictures were taken by a realtor and aren't the greatest so you'll have to come and visit us and see for yourself!

It's located on a quiet cul de sac with lots of trees. It has a fenced in backyard and seems so quiet and peaceful.

Here's the kitchen! I can't wait to have the boys sitting at the counter while I whip up something great for them!

I don't have any other decent photos that do the home justice. We are all so excited and looking forward to our move. I told the kids it would be lots of hard work and they said they think it seems like an adventure. They have their rooms picked out and have big plans for all the space in the basement. It's huge!!!

That's the big news! We hope to have lots of visitors. We'll be closing sometime mid-July.

Love to all!

Joy

Memorial Day Fun In the LP

Faiths Fish

Faiths first fish! We went to a pond that Joes uncle had made and put the fish in it for all of his grandkids to enjoy to fish! It was so nice that Faiths first fishing experience was so great! 5 fish in all and plenty of smiles!!

We went for a ride on the property it was such a great time! Faith got to drive while sitting on my lap and Joes nephew sat on his lap so he could steer

I love this picture of my 2 little sweeties

We went to the races and it was soooo much fin

Joe and I it was so HOT and we both got red even with lots of sunscreen on.

I planned some fun for the kids and we did water balloons and i got just as wet as the kids!

Faith, Joe, and skippy hanging by the pool

Faiths first night in the camper

This is the water going over the bridge on the way down. It was so beautiful and Joe was taking the pictures, just in case you were worried! LOL

We had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! Joe's Family was great and it was like we had been family forever, they really did take Faith and I in! It was so great! Hope everyone will be here for the 4th so Joe can meet you! Hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend. We love and miss you all! Addy and Faith