Post Crossing-my very first postcard!

Most of my friends and family know that I love postcards so I was so excited to find this website www.postcrossing.com It's a random postcard exchange with people all over the world. This is my very first postcard to receive through postcrossing and I'm delighted. It's a fun and interesting way to get a glimpse of the world outside your neighborhood. Check it out!

Happy 6th Birthday Andrew!

Andrew turned six years old and wanted a Pokemon birthday party. So, I mixed up some cake mix and some frosting with lots of red food coloring and this is the cake we came up with. James contributed the Pokemon figures and Andrew was delighted.


He received lots and lots of Pokemon cards and spent quite a bit of time putting them into a collector's album.



Then as a special added surprise, Cinderella stopped by the party with balloon animals and face paints. Andrew got in on the hugs from Cinderella and was thrilled to see her.


Even Uncle Jimmy was happy to take a photo op with the beautiful Cinderella!Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Red Rock

The boy scouts went on another fabulous trip, this time out to the desert where they set up a huge shooting range and practiced their newly learned shooting skills.
Those boys can cook. Car camping allows for packing in some pretty nice meals which they prepare themselves. Great life skills for these boys.
Surprise! There was a natural spring stocked with goldfish. Apparently someone released some goldfish in the 1940's and they have continued to thrive and reproduce in a natual spring in the middle of the desert. Crazy stuff!
Seems like a walk in the park until you realize that they were climbing like little mountain goats all over these rocks. Nothing like a long week-end camping trip to get your exercise done.
Beautiful scenery, good friends, fabulous food and shooting sports! Great trip!

Lego Contest for February

Andrew really wants to enter the contest for Legos again. This month the theme is flying creatures so this is his idea of a great flying dragon!

Trains on the Brain. . . .

Trains, trains and more trains were on the brain today.

Lowe's had a Build and Grow Clinic this a.m. and the boys were delighted to make wooden trains.

Thanks to their big brothers they were able to work through the process and build their projects. The building area was pretty crowded so these two chose to work on the floor.


These two found a corner to build their project and got right to work. After the trains were completed we headed over to the local museum and visited the model train exhibit on display for Christmas.
This gentleman was kind enough to show Thomas how to work the controls for the entire layout. He must have the patience of a saint. Thomas was delighted and could barely keep from grabbing the controls.
He was delighted to watch the trains go around and around the layout. It really held his attention and interest.
Andrew barely tolerated having his photo taken but he loved watching the trains. Maybe we should build one like this at home! I think I know just the place in the house for it.

Christmas is Coming!

Gary brought home the Christmas tree and started in on decorating. First thing you need is a couple of really good helpers.

Then you gather around the tree for a post decorating photo. You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to get everyone around the tree for a photo. What a crazy bunch!
A few soap bubbles and a Santa hat add to the festivities.

Beautiful Cousin

At Thanksgiving time, my beautiful cousin came for a visit from her home in Washington. She is such a pleasure to be around. When we heard she would be in town for a few days, we hurried over to see her and just hang out for a while.

Everyone wanted in the photos with Michelle and we cherish our time together. She is an inspiration to my teens as they sort through some of life challenges.
Just check out those happy faces. We love you, Michelle!