WOWZA!! Has it really been a month since I last posted?
Nah!
Wait....it has?
Sorry about that. I guess when your computer has been infected by a virus and it has to go to the 'shop' it makes posting a little difficult.
Oh well...we got it back and now I can catch everyone up on what the 'happs' of our little family.
Let's start with one of the funniest pictures of Miss A EVER! This is the result of a face painting job gone wrong at the neighbors. I was gone the night before when Jas put her to bed...so imagine my surprise with Groucho Marx came downstairs this morning with a case of some serious brows. She's still pretty cute though, huh?
DO YOU LOVE HYDRANGEAS LIKE I DO? Oh my goodness. Our 'wall-o-drangeas' are on their way to making their full summer performance. This stage of them are my favorite. I love how the blue tips do such a wonderful job of accenting the gorgeous green centers.
God does good work!!
Our Fourth of July weekend was crazy busy. We had two extra kiddos stay with us (and we loved it); especially since one of them is 11 and she loves my girls. Whit is at the perfect mother's helpers stage and was a great big help to me. And my girls adore her as well. We loved having a full house of kiddos. Made me think for a second that we should have another baby...and then the thought of sleepless nights, more diapers, etc kicked in and I was over it! However, if I could give birth to an 11-year old...I would strongly reconsider.
On Friday, July 2, we made the 3 hour drive to visit Jas' mom and dad. A great group of family and friends were getting together on Saturday for a BBQ. Here is a picture of Miss Had getting her first taste of the 'motorcycle boat.' She loved it beached on the sand and didn't love the ride that J gave her shortly after this pic was taken. Let's just say, it didn't go over as well as we thought.
Prior to this pic being taken J took me for a loop around the lake to show me his favorite duck hunting spots growing up. I love the memories that he has of his dear friends, Ben, Matt, Stuart and Brian and the hours they've logged sitting in duck blinds.
After some great stories and Jas' reminiscing, we proceeded back to the dock where he promptly 'dumped my butt' in the lake. Was so funny!!
These are the cupcakes that Whit and I made for the BBQ. I look for any reason to bake up some yummy treats. The 'red's were yummy white cupcakes with strawberry frosting, the 'whites' were a delicious and dense banana cupcake with cream cheese frosting and the 'blues' were lemon cupcakes with blueberry frosting (they were the crowd favorite).
After the BBQ on Saturday night, we headed back home so that we could join our dear friends on their farm for a potluck and fireworks.
Isn't this picture cute? I loved her pig tails and the hands in the pockets...looks so serious.
The following weekend, our neighbor and A's dear friend, Z, had a birthday. Her only request was that I made her cupcakes. Her momma refers to her as 'monkey,' so what could be more fitting than monkey cupcakes? The brown monkeys were an amazing dense chocolate cupcake, the yellow monkey were lemon cupcakes (did I mention they are my favorite?) and the banana tree's were my yummy banana cupcakes. Fitting?
And when I haven't been baking, I've been staying busy sewing some custom ordered aprons. I do love this one. It's for a gal that works at a children's hospital. I think the bright colors and polka dots are sure to brighten the days of some sick kiddo's.
These little lovelies are my newest fun thing to sew. They make a great little 'wristlet.' I've been using mine as a wallet. I've never been a fan of carrying a big bag, especially when I've got Had on my hip...throws out my neck...but these are the perfect size for me.
Please be sure and leave a comment if you 'need' one. They are only $10 (plus s&h). And if you don't see the color you'd like, let me know what you're looking for and I'll be sure and create it for you special.
A and I made this one for our favorite Starbuck's barista. She recently went to Japan for a month to study abroad and brought my girls home gifts. (May be a sign we go there too much?)
NAH!!!
My girls are just lovable!
Right?
OK, maybe we do go there too much...after all A can order my grande non-fat stirred caramel macchiato without any help and 9 times out of 10, the person taking her order recognizes her voice...my neighbor even went one day and told them she wanted to get what Tinell gets...and they knew exactly what she wanted.
YIKES!!!
OK...I'll start the 12-step program soon.
I have also been making a few personalized wedding presents for a friend who has a million weddings to attend this summer.
Do you have a wedding coming up? Want to get the bride and groom something extra special (don't get me wrong matching bath towels are special, but not so personal)?
Again, let me know, these beauties are only $18 (plus s&h).
A great friend of mine is preggo with twins and is scheduled to find out their gender next Thursday...can't wait! I'll be making them each a personalized sign for their nursery. (I think it's a boy and a girl...and am thinking that Tinell and Jas sure have a nice ring?)
In our back yard we have an incredible apricot tree.
Isn't she glorious? It is the 'bones' of our backyard. Unfortunately, we had an arborist out a few years ago and he told us our beloved tree is sick with a disease that results in 'tree death.' So needless to say...we've been enjoying every moment with it.
And look up there....it even produced an apricot for us. My only hope is that we are able to get it before our pupps after it falls...they're known to love apricots.
Here is one of our cheerful zinnias that line our back driveway. I can't help but smile when I see them. The only conflict is that the more you clip them, the more they produce...but I have a hard time clipping our flowers...I love them in our backyard. And they don't last as long once cut.
I know...GROW UP TINELL...they are after all just flowers.
This gorgeous rose has a special place in our hearts.
Jas had the most incredible Grandma EVER...Grandma Emily! After moving to an assisted living home with Grandpa Elmer, she expressed how much she missed her favorite rose that she had had back home (in a home they lived in for 50+ years). Well, I did some research and found one. We gifted it to her for Mother's day one year.
After her passing last fall, Jas family agreed that the rose should take home in our garden. I LOVE IT!!! A is always very quick to point out to me when 'Grandma's rose' has a new bloom.
HEY!!! How did this picture sneak in here...Oh yeah...I love these hydrangeas so much that I thought I would share another with you. Hope it brightens your day!!
And as you can see...I made an exception and clipped a few 'mop heads' for this table display!
If you grew near us...chances are you have strong memories of Faith Dairy Drive-In.
They had the MOST DELICIOUS chocolate milk EVER; not to mention their pumpkin ice cream.
OH how I miss the dairy...but at least I salvaged this lovely treasure from a garage sale recently; 4 milk jars included!!
So there you have it! Our last month in a quick (or not so quick) overview. I'll be sure and update again soon. I was inspired by my dear neighbor, Bri's' blog. She posted about some of the goodies that she has scooped up recently. You should definitely take a peek!
Gotta run, Had is sleeping and I promised A that we would go play in the pool.
Happy Summer to you ALL!!
The girls kept themselves VERY ENTERTAINED for the 40 minute drive.
Getting warmer!
TA DA!!! WE ARE HERE!!
These eagles are flightless due to some sort of trauma that they have endured...sad for them...but a great teaching experience for us.
Had kept herself very busy trying to pick up leaves off of the path...I guess if college doesn't pan out, she can always get a job here.
This log had some very significant dates and occurances labeled on it.
For some reason, I was intrigued by this big old log round.
Aren't these barn owls kind of cute?
A BIG OLE grizzly bear enjoying a early afternoon snack.
This bobcat was VERY HARD to find...until we looked up.
I totally get creeped out by cougars...truth be told, they are the one thing that REALLY scare me when Jas is out hunting. They see you long before you see them.
Had couldn't see them...so she started calling, 'kitty-kitty.'
A getting about as hands on with 'Cougar Parts' as you can safely.
Looks so familiar to our kitties at home...but on a MUCH LARGER SCALE...and with MUCH LARGER CLAWS!!
Getting ready to board the tram and let the real adventure begin.
He's practicing his hide and seek skills...see him?
Now you know exactly while I titled this post as I did :-)
Another boy lounging!
L.A.Z.Y.
This was Had upset that I wouldn't hand over the camera for her to play with...go figure!
These two young boys were 'squaring off' with each other..SHOW OFFS!
As we passed this tall girl...she was within arms reach.
Thanks goodness he was on the side with the doors...cause as cute and docile as they look...apparently, they can get pretty feisty at times!
Look at this handsome buck.
A baby big horned sheep. Cute lil thing.
A mountain goat out for a late morning snack. Don't they look cozy? Minus the horns, of course!
This sneaky little varmint was trying to get the bison's left overs.
DANG!!! These things are HUGE!!
Cute little baby bison..and his VERY protective momma...I think when you weigh over 500 lbs the term 'momma' has a whole new meaning!
Just like Junior High...girls on one side...
bulls...I mean boys on the other. It's not until they begin to 'rutt' that they begin to 'mingle.'
HOLY COW!!! Actually it's a big bull elk. A couldn't wait to show her dad this picture.
A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E! Two 4 week old twin fawns.
Look closely...in the tall grass...a male caribou! He was nibbling moss off of a stump.
On the way home...They are so sweet when they are asleep. 
