Rachel likes to play that they are getting ready to go to school. So she dressed Tommy and put the backpack on him. They'll miss her when she goes! (Once again Jenny - there's my shadow)


This is Tommy "dwivin". When we inherited the tractor it already had holes in the wheels, but it's still going strong today.

Is it a goner?

Amanda warned me about ordering plants through the mail. I get lots of catalogs full of gorgeous glossy pictures of plants that I long to see in my garden. So I went out on a limb and ordered a few. I have really wanted some phlox (that's what's in the picture). When I opened the package, this is what I saw. I just hope it makes it through the winter.

Busy Boy

Hey guys, what are you doing over there?


Wow, look at that concentration. Adam is chiseling to get to the nut in the center. And he won't give up till he gets there.


I would like you to know that this does not come off. After his bath tonight they still look like this. Who knew it would stain so bad?


Our neighbors have a gazillion bird feeders, Adam just wanted a close up view.

Random Abby Pics

Here's our precious little pumpkin, she is such a good baby. Rachel has been happy to have Abby as a roomie, she doesn't even budge when Abby cries in the night. Abby is crawling all over the grass now, so I really have to watch her with the bugs and bits of sticks and whatnot. Everything goes in her mouth, can't wait til she is out of that stage.

Dahlias

The prettiest flowers blooming now are these dahlias. I will be sure to dig up the tubers and save them so I can plant them again next year!

A little redecorating

So here it is- the BEFORE shot of the room- faded curtains, dirty shag carpet, peach walls with crayon marks... and I don't know what Adam is doing here, but it makes the photo interesting.


And here is the new and improved pink room for the girls! Casey goes right to town with whatever task I lay in front of him. He did a very nice job on the taping between the walls and the ceiling, Ben would be impressed. I love to pick out paint and have him do all the work. You can see the original peach color on the inside of the closet doors. :)


Tommy sinking his tootsies into the new carpet. It is light green, kind of hard to tell in the picture. Carpet came at 7:30 this morning!


Here is a cute little wall hanging with pegs that I picked up at a garage sale for $5.oo. Rachel loved it, and it went perfectly with the paint I had already picked out!

Orientation

So Rachel and I just went to her school for kindergarten orientation. There were maybe 2 cars in the parking lot. Bad sign. A woman saw me in the parking lot and said, "Are you here for the orientation?" I said yes. She said, "Didn't you hear it was cancelled? It was on the news. There was a fire and there is no power in the school." So now I am home, and hopefully it will be rescheduled next week (so the lady said). Can you tell I'm getting a little nervous about the whole school thing???

Deckerville

I took the kids to my parents yesterday and spent the night. We had a great time, I love to go there in the summer time. I took Adam and Rachel on a walk today, back to the creek where we would watch for frogs (I wasn't into catching them). We visited with my grandma Boice and grandma Decker, and even went to my brothers farm to play for a bit today. I sometimes wish summer wouldn't end. But then I would really miss Christmas.

Get Well Wishes

We had many well wishers stop in today- Phil bearing popsicles and ice cream bars, Aunt Laurie had a new Hello Kitty backpack for Rachel (school starts Sept. 4!), and the Delong girls stopped in with a gift and cards as well. Here are the kids all coloring together- the #1 activity in this house. Rachel was supposed to be laying low, so that was an acceptable activity. Mackenzie wanted to have a pillow fight, but I said no.

Rachel

Here is Rachel around 7:30 this morning- all ready for her adenoidectomy! She was a little worried about getting a shot, but was assured she would be asleep before she even got one. Surgery was at 8:30, it went very fast, and she is doing great now, she said she's not sore at all.


Rachel and her new coloring books- thank you Cathy and Judy!


We had to wear hairnets at the pickle factory, but I didn't look nearly this cute in one.


Here is Rachel getting a little loopy before surgery. THey gave her a medicine before totally knocking her out that made her a little silly and very relaxed.


After surgery, Rachel was treated to a popsicle. We only had to stay an hour after surgery. Right now Rachel is watching cartoons and playing with her new coloring books. Thank you all who prayed for our daughter, it is great having such a supportive church family!

If I were crafty...

This picture came from someone that blogs in Texas.
A few weeks ago I told Amanda that I found a wooden chair at a garage sale, but I didn't know what to do with it. She said, "You could paint it red and put flowers in the seat part!" And then I found this picture today. Why does everyone have cute ideas but me??? I love this chair.

More visitors!

The star of my summer flowers- the butterfly bush!


Our friend Emma is always ready with a smile.


Andrew and Abby



Adam and Rachel having a "picnic" by the swingset. It will be strange when she is off to school for the day.


Tommy checking out the baby belly. Aunt Sarah is really starting to pop out now!


Are'nt they photogenic?


Chris came over Tuesday night and taught us a new game. I don't know how to spell it, but it was really fun!


A rare cudding moment with Rachel.

Special Visitors

What a great weekend! Amanda cut my hair Saturday morn (yes again, I think I'm addicted to it), Saturday afternoon I received a phone call from my favorite little missionary- Robyn Lenz! They stopped in for a bit and brought with them hot and ready pizza. I know Josh will be jealous about that one. Little Michael is getting so big, and he really liked Abby. Who doesn't?! This morning Pastor Matt played his trumpet with us. Wow what a difference that made. :) While we were practicing, who walked in? None other than Angie M, back from China. So glad you're back, Angie, can't wait to see some pictures! A friend of Casey's -his name is Mike- showed up for church today. Always nice to meet some of the people he works with. THere was a pot-luck after church. YUM! THen I saw pregnant Pam for a moment while on my way to Heather's to get my back tweaked a bit. SO that's my weekend in a nutshell.

For Jenny and Josh

So I have stumbled onto some cool blogs where women talk about gardening. (Yes, Amanda, I'll let you know what those are :)
In one the lady had this cool picture posted of the Grand Canyon because she was from Arizona originally and is in love with the Grand Canyon. So I thought J and J would get a kick out of it. It is beautiful.

And I just remembered that Jenny and Josh's internet is down for a couple days. :( I guess you'll see this at work Monday.

Thursday

I think Tommy finally got his toes calloused up so they don't bleed every time he uses his favorite car.


Abby, you're still a little small for the tricycle.


The boys are getting along better every day! I couldn't believe when I saw them SHARING a tablet of paper and drawing stick people together. Beautiful.

We love watching the butterflies that come to the butterfly bush! There is a monarch that visits frequently (I honestly don't know if it's the same one or not), but this was the first time we've seen this guy.


I like how fluffy Abby's hair is after her bath.



Rachel likes to hoist Abby up onto things now. They were sharing the chair while watching some cartoons today.