Lady Bug, Lady Bug Fly Away Home

Here is the tap version of Lily's recital! There also is a cameo of Rose, Nathan, and Evie!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

This took forever to download..... But, here's Lily in the ballet part of the recital

Lily's Ballet Performance

Here are a few pictures I snapped from Lily's ballet performance. Parents can only take pictures during the rehearsal... which is really better. There are way to many people and the recital is sooooooooooooooooo long. The first picture is the class waiting not so patiently backstage. The second picture is Lily and Chloe. It was awesome having a special day for the girls to have together (especially during the early months of Evie & Tripp when carpooling was essential).

My goal is to post her performance on video...wish me luck!

Strawberry Picking 2009 Edition

As most of you know the girls and I go strawberry pickin' every year. Honestly, this is one of my favorite spring activities to do... especially since I get to reap the benefits of strawberry jam, strawberry smoothies, strawberry shortcake, strawberry cookies, and so on.

This was Evie's first year and somehow we managed. I had her baby bjorned. She was a quick hand though, sometimes grabbing the strawberries from me before they made it into the basket. I would be lying if one didn't make it in her mouth. Joining us on our adventure were some of my favorite people, the Hoods. Ava is now 2 and a half and totally enjoyed eating as many berries as she could. Brigg is 7 (he and Rose played soccer and went to preschool together) and enjoyed throwing the "rotten" ones. The picture above is a pretty good action shot of Ava spilling her basket and Evie getting ready to sneak one of Lily's strawberries. Don't forget to click on it to get the full detailed shot!!

We were blessed with a warm sunny day that called for yummy ice cream from the farmer's market before we left. Good good times.

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!