The ones that got away!!!

OK here are some of the pics that didn't make the cut... The first one Lily is really workin' the camera. And during this pose another photgrapher walked over and was trying to get the girls to say, "pickle". Lily was game, but Rose kept looking at me and shaking her head. She was honestly at a total loss on why they should be saying that. She's getting to be a little to old for that stuff I guess.

These other pictures of Evie show that getting a picture of her not moving was a greater challenge than would have been thought. And yes that's my arm. She would not stay in the tub. Shocker.

Wanted to share some cute pics

I finally was able to get up enough gumption to get the girls in dresses and get pictures. I love how Portrait Innovations gives you all of your pictures on disc. Now I can share them in cyber space. Well, here are some of the cute cute ones. Evie did a great job. Rose and Lily survived the ordeal... I really don't know why photo places have all those crazy props. First, they never use them. And second, it just provides a series of me telling Rose and Lily not to touch them. Over. And Over. Again. Until Rose pleads so much that I agree for the photographer to put Evie in a tub with a rubber duckie. I didn't purchase any. I was totally limiting my budget. But had to add it for posterity.

I Love My Hubby

They look great don't they? I have planting beds for a little garden! Something I have desperately wanted. And this Mother's Day I was able to fill them up with yummy tomatoes, squash, peppers, and herbs. But, let's rewind four weeks ago when I asked my husband if I could have a small garden down the fence line. He very quickly agreed and thus this simple project began. I had visioned a simple framed garden with tilled soil; but my husband felt that raised planting beds would really be better. I agree. Totally. But, I didn't want him to go through a hassle.

So, he did some quick research on how to make a level bed on a hillside, went and purchased the lumber, and the digging began. About an hour into the project he hits the underground irrigation system... hmmm. I didn't overreact and he headed back to the store to get a repair kit. And then the fun really began. He tried his first idea. It still leaked. He went back to the store and tried his second idea. It still leaked. I think you are getting my drift. Finally, two weeks later the leak was fixed and their was joy in our house once again. But, then honestly the rest of the job went pretty smoothly. Our next door neighbor walked over to the fence and even boasted to Jack about his work. He asked Jack if he was a carpenter by trade. (Perhaps a good fall back career considering the banking industry right now....)

These pictures I posted show him doing his final bit of work. Of course he had to saw rebar in half to keep the lumber sturdy. One thing that I have learned from Jack over the years is he never does a project half way. He ALWAYS commits to do his best to each job he starts. Many times he makes a mistake along the way, but he will take his time (and yes get extremely frustrated) until the mistake is fixed correctly. He really does this with everything in life... whether it's a household fix it job, going to work, cooking a rack of ribs, buying a TV, rooting for the Steelers, or relaxing with a margarita. You'll be he does nothing half-ass.

And so that is one of the many reasons I love love my hubby!

Going Tropical

We brought coconuts home from Florida; the girls wanted to taste the milk inside. They waited two weeks not so patiently until Jack would crack one open.

As you can see by their reactions they were not instant lovers of the milk. In fact, well they hated it. "Mommy, it really is gross."

OK this last picture is how Jack first tried to crack the coconut.... I just saw so many potential bad things happening. But no band aids were needed! As you can see even the dog was interested in what was going on.

After this failure ... Jack got a drill and made the hole for the straw. I don't think this is how the islanders do it, but it was effective.

My only hope is that our family never gets stranded on a deserted island....we would have no drill and if by some miracle we could ever open a coconut I'm sure we would be told, "Mommy it is really gross,"