Welcome Home--Computer

I can't believe how awful life is without a computer. During the past two weeks, our computer was in getting a tune-up. I never realized how much I have relied on it for everyday things. The good news is--our computer was thoroughly cleansed of it's viral infection and it's home safe and sound.

I do not doubt a conspiracy exists among the many viruses and the anti virus companies and a couple weeks ago I would have embarked on a holy tirade on the subject--but today the energy has left me. The fire is gone. And so it should be. All that I have left is a grand "Thank Heavens" for a healthy computer.

More good news--our house received it's first coat of paint on the eaves and trim, we have a new garage door, and in a few weeks the new siding will be in place. I can't wait to post my after pictures.

I don't really have much else to say. I'm so out of the habit of spilling my guts that it may take a while for me to know what is noteworthy.

Scott's 31

Happy Birthday Scott!

Happy Father's Day

I found this photo of Scott and Kate on a forgotten memory card and decided to label it differently. This is no longer a picture of Kate and Scott. This is my new way to translate the word Dad.

Reunion at the Park

This is the Second Annual Family reunion for Scott's Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncle, and cousins etc. on his mother's side.

We couldn't have asked for better weather for this outdoor fun. We had a great time and really enjoyed the park. The play area was just perfect for the little ones and we shared a great meal.

Here's Scott trying his swing at one of our many family reunion-esque games. We played wiffle baseball, wiffle golf, water-balloon volleyball, and a few gave the good old stick-pull a try. The highlight was the put-a-cracker-in-your-mouth-and-see-who-can-whistle-first game. The kids played all those games and also had a bean bag toss, a cake walk, cookie decorating, and a pinata.


Wouldn't it have been easier for them just to move the bench?

From left to right: Grandpa's friend, Grandpa, Becki, Todd, and Gary

Here's the cake walk-or more literally a circular run on place mats for all-a-dollar prizes. Who wants to walk on cakes anyway? Cakes are to eat.

The cookie decorating went well. Anna smartly handed each child a big-t-shirt to protect their clothes.

We had the kids engaged in this so the adults could go run around like kids.

Zac and Hailey

Katie

Yummy

This one's for Lisa. Here she is looking lovely with her little ones, Hailey and Carly.

Memorial Day

Scott and I finally got up the nerve to take Kate to spend the night at Scott's family cabin. Kate is a good sleeper but this was a whole new situation and I was worried that Scott's family wouldn't appreciate how chipper she is at 6:00 am. But, at least she's happy. No one likes a grumpy-gills that early in the morning.

Kate was asleep before we even pulled out of our driveway and she didn't wake up until we took our exit--the second her eyes opened, she said, "Going to the cabin!" I still remember the days when 4-hour drives felt like 10 minutes and 10-minute drives felt like 4 hours.

Along with enjoying a weekend in the woods, we celebrated Scott's mom's birthday. She keeps my brain from falling out. She is such a wonderful mother-in-law. While we stayed at the cabin she played with Kate so Scott and I could watch a movie. That was peaceful. I only felt guilty for a few minutes, after that I was just grateful for the break.

Here's Nana adorned with the most beautiful jewelry ever. Who needs diamonds when you have Whitney, Ashlee, Hailey, Jessica, Zac, and Kate?

Kate's uncle Jason learned that the way to get Kate to come within a foot of him was to read her a story. She's apprehensive with all men--but when it comes to young boys, she loves them all, even her first cousins.
Zac is Kate's current love affair. Here they are playing 'ring-around-the-rosie' with the look on her face you'd think he just asked her to marry him.

I fear the day when I have to explain to Kate about first cousins and how she can't marry any of them.

Papa took the little girls for rides in the Ranger. They had so much fun. Kate still talks about going for rides in the Ranger to look for moose, elk, and deer.

So, at what point do I need to worry about Kate's love affair with her first cousin?