Thoughts of Bama and the 4th

Things I forgot I loved about Alabama:
1.  People acknowledge you.  At gas stations, in waiting rooms... they don't just talk to you, but really want to know you.  It's quite shocking when I visit.
2.  Rick and Bubba www.rickandbubba.com  LOVE THEM!
3.  I love the way Alabamians say the days of the week.  Tooz dee for Tuesday.

We went to a parade yesterday.  I thought I didn't like parades and now I know I don't like parades.  There ya have it...but I do like people waving and saying "happy 4th" to me.

Here is the rat pack with Zeke enjoying kicking his sister in the back.  She didn't enjoy that so much.

Where's the candy and horses I've heard tale of?

Meanwhile, the second born is smelling the flowers.

She wants only her daddy at the moment.  It took a lot of convincing to get her to stand by me.  Three years old is such a fickle age!

I'm in the shade.. yay!

This is how Zeke eats corn.

At home later the kids got nude and went down the slide in a cardboard box.  Good times...

My latest silhouettes.  These are neighborhood kids that come around my house a lot.  If any of you want me to do a silhouette of anyone I'll do it.  I'm currently looking for someone with a beard.  I'd like to do a silhouette of a beard.  (I know, I'm weird)

Guess who's next....?

Silhouettes

This is the finished product of some silhouettes I've been working on.  Here are Zeke and Gwen.

My niece and nephew- Chloe and Clay.

Going To Bama

You know you aren't in Kansas anymore when you see bologna on sale by the pound.  Also... I thought it was interesting that they are selling bags for $4.99.  Hum... those better be good bags.

I bought a teeny box of these.  Love them, but they aren't the best for you.

Here are some pictures of the tornado damage in Cullman, Alabama two months after the tornado.

I felt kind of bad passing by this house that reads "quit looking, start helping" and backing up to take a picture and then driving away.  :)

Sweet Violets

Today Ben's Grandma and Grandpa celebrated 60 years of marriage.  Grandma's sister, Aunt Jo, sang this clever song.  I'd never heard it before.  She accompanied herself on ukulele.

Blobfish

Gwen got an oceans book for her birthday and I've been reading it.  OK... I'm traumatized by this fish.  The blobfish.  Have you ever seen this thing?  YUCK!  HAD to share that.

Also, baby whales gain 9 lbs every HOUR on their mother's milk.  Yowzer!

Take a look at these Nomura's jellyfish... They get up to 450lbs!

Look at this guy.  The devilfish.

Peep Hole Frame

Weeds and Silhouettes

Gwen likes her tortillas plain.  I though it was funny seeing her eat it like that.

Even a weed can be pretty in a little bud vase.

So last night I took some books I was given to the local used book store.  They gave me the cash to get this kit for free.  I can't get this picture to sit the right way, so you'll have to turn your head, but it is a silhouettes kit.  You know, cutting out a silhouette of someone for decoration.  I thought it would make interesting Christmas presents.  I took some profile pictures of the kids this morning.  Wish me luck.

Picture of the Day- Yesterday

I came around the corner to see Zeke on top of the table covered in milk. 

Moments in Our Day

Gwen and Zeke playing peek-a-boo together.

Wearing sunglasses together and running around.

My new "my hands can not be idle" project.  I found this for free at a yard sale.  I am currently stripping it. 

This is a flower on a plant Ben got for me.  I believe it is called Columbine. 

Gwen ready for church on Sunday morning.

Zeke Talking

Zeke saying "peek-a-boo"



This is a good sampling of Zeke's emerging speech.  I once thought he might be a quiet guy.  I was mistaken I think.  I love his little gravely voice... and Gwen is imaginative as usual.

Garden Update

Here are my tomatoes.  The Goliath plants have tomatoes on them, but the rest just have blooms. 

Ben's bamboo.  It is really lovely and looked wonderful in flower arrangements.

My, um, wildflower patch.  It looks pretty "wild" to you doesn't it?

Cucumbers are blooming and spreading out nicely and my pepper plants have blooms.

Ben's bamboo again.

Gwen's 3rd Birthday

We had an eventful day!  My baby girl turned three yesterday.  This first photo is a birthday gift from Uncle Preston.  This peacock grew feathers when you sat it in water.  It's fabulous!

My kitchen funnels turned into trumpets.

Ah... the face of an angel.

Running in the sprinkler.

My sweetie peetie.

Taking a swing at the pinata.

after Gwen threw a fit at seeing the other kids get turns at hitting the pinata we all decided we'd better pull the ribbons and fast.

Opening presents.

and after everyone had left and naps were over... the kids went out again to enjoy the water again... except this time, in their birthday suits.