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

May Garden

Welcome. . .

English Cucumbers

Pinks (a miniature form of carnation)

Looking north to my deck (mini deck really)

My dirty legs

Pale pink cosmopolitan and lavender buds

More of the peonies

I sprayed myself with SPF 30 but I think I may have missed a spot

My version of row planting.  Trying to keep the weeding down to a minimum.

Simple Things

Sometimes I don't appreciate the simple things until they are gone.  Right now, for me, it is ice.  It's simple - just water at or below 0 degrees Celsius and yet I can't wait to have it all the time.  It is a simple pleasure to have ice in my cup on a hot day of gardening.  I rode my bike down to Jim's Ice Cream today just to buy a cherry slush laden with little bits and pieces of ice.  It was delicious and refreshing.  In Haiti this past February I remember feeling the same way; what a pleasure it would be to have ice.  The street vendors sold glace (ice) at a few of the market places but not knowing where the water had come from I refrained.  Even in Haiti, just a month after a devastating earthquake, people understood the simple pleasure.  So this afternoon I rifled through my kitchen boxes in the basement and found an ice cube tray (I have an ice maker in my old fridge in the garage but the water hose isn't hooked up) and I filled it with water so that tomorrow I can indulge in this simple wonder. 

Memorial Weekend in Indianapolis

(Alaina's monkey cupcake) 

This just in from the news desk.  Pete, Emily Ann, Alaina, and Addison are having a great time this weekend in Indianapolis with Emily's Parents.  Pete and Paul (Donnelson) are at the races and the ladies are at home whipping up some of their own fun.  Here are some pictures of the girls!