dumpster people

We were driving past a big parking lot and I glanced over to see what I thought were people just sitting in a dumpster. I told Tim and Eric about it, and so on the way home we drove back. Sure enough, they were still there. We decided to investigate further! We got about ten feet away and finally realized that they were made of cardboard! Someone had arranged them so they looked lifelike. We kept expecting them to move because they looked so real. We got a kick out of it!

just chillin

Sam climbed up on top of the playhouse to just hang out. Here he is watching the sky.

fishing

After WOW, Eric's favorite activity is fishing. Tim and I took him fishing, and then we had a picnic. It was really fun sharing this together.

Everyone needs alittle support

I saw this tree while walking with Owen, and it just spoke to me. It's nice to have support!

Owen taking me for a walk

Even though we frequently go for walks, it seems every single one is a new adventure for Owen. He gets so excited no matter how many walks we take!

yummy m&m's

We love our m&m's.

chopping garlic

Sam loves watching cooking shows, and he loves for us to make things together in the kitchen. We both agree that raw garlic is the best smell in the world! He loves chopping garlic. He learned how to smash the head of garlic to make it easier to peel.

Time to eat!

After the chopping and cooking was done, here is what we came up with. Pasta, with tomatoes, shrimp, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Bon Appetit! Yummy stuff!

hamster training

Eric is trying to train Freddy his hamster to sit on his shoulder. He says he would love to have her sit on his shoulder while he is playing on the computer. She has the greatest personality of any hamster we have ever had. We joke around that she is actually a cat in a hamster's body. She lays on her side to sleep, and we catch her just sitting there watching Eric while he plays on the computer. It is a very unique relationship they have!

spidey

We watched this spider climbing up it's web in our bathtub. It really looked like it was suspended in mid air because we couldn't see the web against the white bathtub.

Eric's favorite game

Eric doesn't like King's Island very much, so he wanted to stay home to play his favorite game, World of Warcraft. He really loves playing WOW!

King's Island

Sam has been waiting anxiously for King's island to open. He got a season pass for a Christmas present. We have been there three times already! He really loves riding the Racer. Racer

(by Eric)

Eric found an abandoned bird nest laying on the ground today.

It's raining again

I really do love the rain, but lately we have had quite a bit! I thought the raindrops on my van looked pretty neat though.

where our milk comes from

We went to the local farm today to pick up our milk. It feels so good to see exactly where our milk is coming from, and to talk to the farmer that milks the cows. The cows are so happy and well cared for, and we are grateful to have this wonderful resource for healthy milk!

Owen busted!

Owen came downstairs with a sticky note stuck on his face. He had gotten into the trash, and was walking around with the evidence on his face!

Eric's gift to Sam

Eric decided that he wanted to buy a remote control airplane to fly around in the house. His Nana and Bepa (thank you Nana and Bepa!) sent him money for his birthday, so off we went to the store. When we got there, he decided that it would be more fun if Sam had one too, so he used his birthday money to buy two airplanes, one for Sam and one for him. I loved watching them and hearing them laugh together when the plane would crash, or one of the planes got really close to someone's head! I feel so blessed that they have a Nana and Bepa that love them so much, and that their generosity has helped my kids to be generous as well.

Birthday gift

Sam and his new airplane.

Happy 11th Birthday Eric and Sam

I can't believe my boys are 11 years old! WOW!

Two cakes

I always bake a cake for Sam, and a cake for Eric. I want them to be able to have their own cake since they share a birthday. We have been talking about each of them having their own special day another time during the year. They are deciding when those days will be. I can't figure out how to turn the picture!

Eric and Sam as babies

And them now

empty nest

We have had this birdhouse that we made from a gourd hanging in the backyard for about three years now. Each spring we watch as the fledglings learn to fly. They all flew away.

baseball

Sam is really into baseball right now. So, this is a picture of his gear.

clouds taken by Sam

bunny

This is a mama bunny that has been in our yard alot lately. She let us get pretty close to her before she ran away through a hole in the fence.

Eric finding a warm place to hide

Eric loves to find small warm places to hide. He is in the van hiding under the seats.

basketball with a friend

Sam and his friend Quinn playing a game of horse.

My garden

This sits in the middle of the garden that I am in the process of creating to honor my brother who died last March. It feels very peaceful when I go out there. Sometimes I just sit and talk to him.

Eric is feeling so much better!

Eric and Owen playing. I love this picture, because it means that my sweet boy is feeling better. He was so sick for almost two weeks, and I am so grateful that he is back.

We love Owen!

We just love our sweet doggy!

Time for a tattoo

This is Sam giving me a cool new tattoo with his new iTattoo pen.

Owen's eye by Eric

Eric took this close up of Owen's eye.

Eric caught a puffer fish!

We went to Siesta Key, Florida, and Eric spent alot of time fishing. This is a puffer fish that we didn't realize what it was until it puffed up. We released him back to the ocean.