CAMPING

Over the weekend, Pete & I took the big boys on a camping trip.

I absolutely LOVE my two little ones, but, oh my it was SOOOOO nice just being with my big two!

What a relaxing weekend!!

We went to a lake. 

This year it was too cold to go swimming so we just enjoyed watching all that

was going on around us.

Ben made his own fishing pole. 

 A branch, paper, tape, twine, the metal part of a twist tie, a rock and a shriveled up half dead worm. 

And even though he didn't catch anything, he had a great time trying!!

The younger two kids in our family LOVE to talk and are VERY active. 

I think because of that I don't get a lot of time with the big boys to just hang out and enjoy

being together.

This past weekend, that was all we did!  



I think this will forever be one of my favorite weekends of all time! 

We had to leave a night early because of rain.

However, the boys weren't quite done camping and we set the tent up in the living room!



Bowling

My dad always says, "Don't get me anything for birthdays/Father's Day."

Meaning "Don't spend any $."

So I have to get creative. 

I saved coupons for free bowling off the back of pizza boxes for months.

 

So for my Dad's Father's Day present, the kids and I treated him to a game of bowling.

 

This little cutie was the star of the evening.

 

 

Seriously, how can anyone be so cute in bowling shoes! 



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! I love you!

Parade

Friday night, my mom and I took the kids to a local parade.

The parade was to kick off an Air Show.

(This picture is for you Grandpa F.! )

 You gotta love a parade where they pass out candy cigarettes to the kids!

Our favorite float! (My dad's company)

The kids excited to see Grandpa walking in the parade!



I am loving all these summer activities with my kiddos! 

I smile. . .

when I look down the row at church and see these 3 boys all drawing.

I smile when I see this beautiful growing girl

and this handsome boy strong enough to mow the grass now!

 

And I can't help but light up as this little guy helps me plant more green beans.

Even if he did dump 20 beans into 1 hole. :) 



Art Show

A few weeks ago, Pete filled a gallery with his art.

Only his art.

His first solo show.

What a wonderful opportunity!

Amazing to think that he picked up a paint brush seriously only 5 years ago!

 

We hosted an opening reception.

Next to many of the paintings, Pete wrote out a little bit of the inspiration of the piece.

 

This is the only picture I was able to take while people roamed among the paintings.

We were very blessed by the turn out!

The gallery is in an old church downtown. 

And the weekend of the reception, Pete had an article written about him in the local paper!!

Bathing Beauty

 

It was finally warm enough to go to the pool this week!!

Lilly's Room

When we moved into our house, Peter was just 3 months old.

We decided to turn the 3rd bedroom into an office for Pete.

 

BEFORE

(there was carpet in this room too - I forget the color -but it was GROSS!)



Pete scraping away the layers of wallpaper! 

I don't have any pictures of the office but these are the colors we painted it.

When Ben was born, Pete moved his office out back and this became a bedroom.

We kept the color all the way until Lilly was born.  I couldn't have my girl in a room with those colors!! :)   My dad came over and helped me paint.  I was THRILLED to buy pink paint!!

 

A friend passed on a beautiful light and my sister hung it up for us.

 

 The things I love most about this Sweet Angels room are all the gifts that fill it. 

 

 My friend who gave us the chandelier also gave many other things to fill the room. Her daughter passed away when she was only 4 months old.  I feel like it is a way to cherish her little life by looking at these things every day and knowing my own little girl is blessed by them.  

 

Another good friend gave us the cabinet. 

I remember her love and generosity each time I put toys away in there.

 

 

The chest is from my Grandma.  When I look at it I am grateful for the love she gave to me.

 

My Grandpa made Lilly the cradle and my Grandma sewed a

blanket & pillow(not pictured). That the Lord has allowed them to be a part of my children's life, is a tremendous blessing. 

 

My Grandpa also made this dollhouse for me when I was a girl.  What a gift that now my pretty little angel plays with it each day.  

 

My sister painted these  words on the wall. I am thankful for this time we have had to live so close to each other.  The memories we are making are unforgettable.

 

 

My sister-in-law made the fairy pictures.  I love to look at them and think of the creative talent passed on from generation to generation in the family.

 

 

BEFORE 

 

AFTER