Full Bloom

Just a couple of shots of the flowers out back when they were in their prime. These days they are looking really tired. Have enjoyed them this summer. The blackeyed susans have nearly taken over. Anybody want some? We have plenty to share.

Sporting some new specs....

Since it has been awhile since Luke got his first glasses & his prescription changed a bit we decided it was time for some new ones. I, of course, am way more excited about his new specs than he is. The first day he would have nothing to do with them, you know, change is hard. The second day he was happy as a clam in them. I think he figured out he could see better & they are very light weight. These things are amazing. They are completely flexible, sidebars, nose bridge, pads all plastic. The side bars have no screws to tighten, they actually pop off. Another cool thing about them is that we can change the colors if we get tired of the look (well, me mostly, Luke could care less). They also grow with him. The line is called T2, made by a company in California.

Yes, I took most of these photos while he was watching PBS.

Now he's all aready to go back to school.

Trip to the beach

When my family was here we drove up to Kenosha to the waterfront. There's a nice beach area next to a park on lake michigan. It was well worth the drive. It's always amazing to me to look at Lake Michigan. It really looks like the ocean. Below, me & my sister Sherry. Bet you wouldn't guess we were sisters-ha!!

Luke had the best time playing along the shoreline.


Quinn had a great time with the rubber mallet (we used it to hammer the umbrellas into the sand, we don't typically take tools to the beach with us :)

Brent, Mason & Quinn playing in the sand

All in all it was a lovely day. Especially since Brent took all the children home & let us stop at the outlet mall & go shopping. What a great dad he is!

Cardboard Clubhouse

My husband is an engineering genius, at least I think so. He's so great at taking simple things & making them into something useful. For months we have had big cardboard boxes in our basement (taking up a ton of room btw). Well, our neighbors put out a big weber grill box & Brent snatched it up. One weekend he & the boys created one of his "leftover" masterpieces. The kids have been having a blast in the cardboard clubhouse. Now, this is no ordinary cardboard creation. It has wooden supports, ladders, doors, windows & is actually very sturdy.

This was phase #2. We were out biking in a nearby neighborhood & this nice green slide was on the curb. Of course, Brent had to go back & get it. I thought "what in the world are we going to do with that thing?" Well, he added it to the clubhouse & now it has a super fast slide!

Save up your boxes & maybe you can persuade him to build one for your basement :)

The family is visiting...

You are probably wondering after 6 months, why all the posts?n Well, I have taken a break from couponing, my other time consuming hobby. My Mom, sister, niece, nephew and aunt from TN are visiting. It's been so great having them here. I feel like I've had a break and some extra time to catch up. The kids are playing great together!

Been having a fabulous time playing in the pool out back.

Quinn loves the water

Mason is doing a good job watering the flowers

Maddy wants to go snorkeling

All BOY!

Cycling adventures

So, I took a 6 month vacation from blogging. I'm back (again) and excited to share some of the things we have been doing this summer. I'm thrilled because I was recently blessed with a new camera. Hopefully the pics will be sharper & better. I sure have alot to learn about this camera. It does way more than I will ever figure out i'm sure.

We've been biking as a family some. When it's hot we can usually bear it b/c there's typically some breeze. Luke is thrilled to ride his new "pull" or tag along, at least that's what I call it. He is having a great time with it. I'm hoping he will get motivated to lose the training wheels in the next year. Oh, these photo are with my point & shoot camera. New camera photos are coming soon.

Love these boys!

Lovely...

This is our perennial garden out back. It is filled with flowers from mothers day, gifts from friends & a few transplants from neighbors. It looks awesome because my sweet husband totally reworked the soil & moved all the plants around. I think it's just Lovely.