A Newborn Butterfly

This summer we had the chance to hatch 10 crysallis' in our front yard when a friend went out of town and wasn't going to be here to do it herself. What a fun job that was! Better than taking care of a dog any old day! Braden got to help it dry off it's wings just after it came out before it flew away....it was BEAUTIFUL!

We're Back!

Well, after a very fun 3.5 week vacation we have finally come home to what should seem like normal life. I wish I could say I was feeling normal, however, after waking up at 10:30 a.m. and not even realizing how late it was until I looked at the clock, I realized that it's going to take a day or two to get back on a regular time schedule.

We had such a good time while we were away! I can't think of anything that I wish I'd done that we didn't. I hope that those we stayed with are able to get back to "normal" quicker than we are. We want to say thanks to everyone that took us places, entertained and fed us. Yes, it sounds like I'm a mooch...but I'd do the same for them if they ever came out EAST! We'll keep working on that.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Watch out Myrtle Beach...Here We Come!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Braden Tree Climbing (or descending)

Okay, so there was a little "wait time" to also play in the sand.
Do a close up on this picture and you'll see a great smile...just hoping the teeth will work themselves out!

Don't worry, he doesn't hit her in the head...it does look fun though, doesn't it?

From Boy to Bobcat

Braden was pretty excited to get his first Cub Scout badge....he has made it to Bobcat. He was kindof embarassed up there in front of everyone, but there is a good group of boys in our den and it was pretty fun for him.

I didn't know they gave pins to the moms. Boy is there a lot to learn about this stuff! I am liking this program more and more. I know it doesn't look like much, but one day I will look back at this and just wish he'd want to pin something on me!

This was his first pack meeting and he got to be the "announcer" that did the flag ceremony ....with help... and he did great! I just wish I could find someone that would sew on these badges for me! It ALMOST makes me want to move to Utah where they have the lady that does a dollar a badge!

The Seven Year Snow!

WHAT A FUN SNOW WEEK!

So here in Virginia we don't get much snow....it's been seven years since the last big snowfall and last Sunday was our big chance! It was GREAT! There was beautiful white packing snow to the tune of 8 inches. The kids have been out of school for 3 days and are finally going back tomorrow, albeit 2 hours late...what is that all about? All the trees do help to make it more beautiful. But my Azalea bushes that were weighted down to the ground didn't like it much, and we'll see how the dogwood and tulips do...there were due to come out soon.

This is Crackers. He was bigger than Parker, but not quite as tall as Braden. When I told Braden to put a banana on for a mouth I didn't think he'd PEEL it first! Boy did that make it easy for the neighborhood animals to enjoy! **Items of note would be the strawberry Nesquick that we sprinkled on his top to give him the tie-dyed t-shirt effect.

Other items of note could be the "cup of Joe" that he has on the end of his stick. That's what Parker called it. You might also notice the beautiful green hair coming out the top, that too was Parker's portion.

Don't ask me how I got this flipped around, but I guess this is how our house would look if it was backwards. You'll note that we took the banana out and put in peppercorns for the teeth...we tried raisins, but they were gone too fast. I think the peppercorns weren't much of a hit with the neighborhood animals....indigestion city! Maybe we should have done Tums for eyes.