Computer problems

I haven't added anything to the blog in a while...this is due to my computer being down for almost 2 weeks. It still isn't working properly so it may be a while before I get some more pictures up. Just an update though...we are all alive and looking forward to spending time together this weekend. My cousin who has been stationed in Germany for a while is home while her husband is deployed to Romania. We are hoping to see her and the kids sometime this weekend.

Time for big boys

Here is Gavin sporting his new "big boy underwear". He chose, what else, but Cars. Now the fun starts with the potty training. I cannot believe that my son is ready for this. Where has my little baby gone?

A day on the farm

For those of you who don't know... Gifford's parents have a ranch complete with hay fields, cows, horses and chickens. What fun it is to gather the eggs, and pet the horses.


We had just finished shucking corn and having corn on the cob. The kids thought it was great to feed the leftovers to the chickens.


Ashlyn has been learning the fine art of gathering eggs. DON'T THROW THEM IN THE BOWL. LOL!


There are also horses at grandma and grandpa's house. Here the kids are petting Thumper, a colt that they are in the process of training. I guess if you don't keep an eye on him, he tends to bite. Aunt Sam is the voice you are hearing in the background...

What a diva my daughter is!

In cleaning out the bathroom the other day, Ashlyn discovered a bag of sponge rollers and wanted to try them out. So, we took a bath and mom put her hair up in rollers.

Here is Ashlyn after getting the rollers put in.

Here is a back view.

Here we are ... ready for church.

What a princess. She looks absolutely gorgeous. I should take her teacher's advice and enter her in some pageants...no. I don't think so.

Corn on the cobb...

What is it about corn on the cob that makes summer so great? And of course, if you get it all over your face, it makes it that much better.


Don't interrupt me...I am eating.

Canning time

Ashlyn and Gavin decided to help mommy make some dilly beans. For those of you who are not familiar with this...it is essentially making pickles out of green beans. First we "snap the beans". Taking all the stems off and such...then we measure them to fit the pint size jars and break them accordingly. We then stuff the jars, put in a clove of garlic, some dill weed and then pour scalding hot vinegar and salt solution over them. Put the lids on and wait about 6 weeks to eat...they are YUMMY!

Ashlyn snapping the beans.

Gavin posing for the camera. Playing cards and snapping beans at the same time...who says boys cannot multi-task? LOL!


The kids seemed to have so much fun doing this... it always amazes me how kids seem to take such and interest in things that adults are doing...