date tonight

Aunt Fran is coming over again to babysit so Rob and I can go out. If you have any good date ideas...

creative friends

I happen to have a lot of artistic friends. I consider myself lucky. I am so proud of the work they produce. This paper collage was done by my friend, Gabby, and given to me for a birthday gift. I absolutely love it. It has a dominant place in the main hallway right next to the antique cupboard. We call it Gabby's cupboard, well, because it is Gabby's cupboard. Someday, she may ask for it back.
And to all my non-artsy friends (you know who you are), I love you too.

"is it too much?"

Seriously. This is what she asked when I accused her of putting on my lipstick.
After I covered up (quite poorly) the fact that I found humor in her question, I said, " You need to ask before you put on my lipstick."
"Can I put on your lipstick?"
Why don't I ever see that one coming? It gets me every time.

crisscross applesauce

dirt bike sunday

Pop got a couple of the old dirt bikes up and running. These are from when the boys were young. Rob has many fond memories of riding trails on these bikes.

here kitty kitty

Petunia chased a cat up a tree in our backyard. After I put Petunia in the house the cat made it's way down and quickly became friends with Irene.


Kitty Cat doesn't stand a chance.

garage sales

After a morning of garaging, we stopped at Panera Bread for lunch (left to right: Reeny, my mother-in-law, my sister, and my mom). The two grandmas then ditched us and went out for pedicures.
Granny wasn't sure about this outfit at first, but with a face like this...

family and friends

My family left today. It's always hard and sad the day they leave. We spent the day catching up on little things like laundry.

Rob and I were just offered tickets to see 'The Police' with some friends on Mother's Day. If our friends are reading this, "Thank you, we can't wait!

today at the beach

I love this picture!

yesterday at the beach

our first dinner together

Saturday night. We are so happy to have them for the whole week.

healthy competion

I heard all about the bedroom at my brother and sister-in-law's from my mom on her most recent visit to their home. She went on to explain the decor and the comfort of their luxurious bed. I'm pretty sure she has never raved about her sleeping arrangements at our house. Actually, I didn't know it meant so much. It was all I needed to finally spruce up the guest room. Granted there is the issue of the water bed, but I am pleased at how it turned out. And you must know the bed is loaded with feather stuffed bedding. As soon as they leave I may have to give it a try myself.

family from minnesota

My mom, dad and sister arrived on Saturday. I've been neglecting the blog, but for good reason. We have plans to head to the beach today and the kids played hooky from school. Hopefully we'll come home with pictures.

i know it's late

but I had to post this. I made a doggie bed for Petunia this evening. Actually, I bought a wicker basket and made a cover for the cushion inside. Tunie usually sleeps in bed with one of the girls, but we decided she needed her own bed. The girls were so excited to put it in their room for her first night in her new bed. They put it at the foot of Izzy's bed. We did tuck-ins. Petunia was all snuggled up in her new bed and all was well when I left. I went to finish a pillow I was sewing. After finishing, I checked on the girls one more time before turning in. I think this is enough background for these photos and you now understand why I had to come down and immediately post these!



Dramatic Pause.....

hilton head

Did I mention we would go back in a minute?

return from south carolina

We are home. We spent a week at Hilton Head, South Carolina. I think my favorite day was Friday, our last day. We were supposed to leave Friday morning, but after hearing the weather forecast, decided to stay. Our change in plan meant that we would leave after a day in the sun and drive through the night until we got home. It was a good decision. It was such a beautiful day, the best all week. We ended up staying on the beach until 6 pm. No one wanted to leave.
Two big bummers. One is that Rob got really sick. The first night. And I mean the first night in the hotel on the way down. Burning with fever, the chills, literally wiped out. This lasted for much of our vacation. He ventured down to the beach on Monday and lasted for maybe a half hour before heading back up to get back into bed. He did perk up a bit at the end of the week. Suffice it to say, I had to remind myself that 1.) he did not get sick to make our vacation miserable and 2.) we, the ones who were not feeling like crap, at least could get out of bed. This revelation came only after I already blurted out some non-loving things between cooking dinner, cleaning up dinner and getting four really tired kids ready for bed.
The second bummer is that we came home to a refrigerator not refrigerating.

spring break coming soon

News Flash!!! I will be in South Carolina for a week...vacationing from the blog.

spring dinner on the porch

Rob was not with us last night. He had conferences. The girls decided it would be nice to eat our dinner out on the porch. It was raining, but pretty warm. Actually, it was perfect.

gracie

I meant to get this picture of Gracie posted in March. Gracie died 2 years ago on March 23. She was 3 1/2 months old. I am reminded of that place of grieving this time of year, although it must be so much more for Eric and Holly. How hard it must be to think back on that time of unspeakable pain.

Eric and Holly are enjoying new life this year. And it is my opinion that big brother, Cooper, looks a lot like his sis.

We miss you, Gracie.