Summer Projects 101

Summer consisted of A LOT of projects...some inside the house, some outside....some 

of the projects involved paint, others didn't....WE GOT many projects done but there

are still many more to do, we just ran out of summer months and the time to WORK. 

We painted the cement wall in our yard. It went from the dingy old yellowish color 

to a bright vibrant white!

THE FINISHED project!! It looks great!!

Then we started painted the stairs up to the loft in our house. I didn't get a "before" 

picture...but imagine the bare wood with plaster and food stains all over them...yep, its an 

ugly thought and thats why we decided to paint them. It took an entire day as the paint

kept peeling up, finally I tried a few tricks and they worked....the paint is perfect now and 

we love the new WHITE stairs!

I got this table for FREE last year along with 4 chairs. I always new what I wanted to do with

it but never got around to it. FINALLY, I found an afternoon to be creative and this is what

I did! I LOVE IT. The "year" on the table has significant meaning to me, its the year my grandpa was born....50 years before me! He was a special man in my life and I've always thought it was neat that 

we were born exactly 50 years and 1 day apart! 

Another project we took on was painting out shed. We have always "oiled" it, but it needed

something more...a little paint! THIS project turned into MUCH MORE than we thought it would.

It was very tedious and time consuming....ended up taking MUCH more paint than we anticipated and alot more man power than we thought. 

 But the finished project was well worth it.....we love it!!!!

NOW if we just had another 3 months of summer...actually I would go for year round

warm summer temps and sunshine.....I would THRIVE in those kinds of conditions....AND I could conquer all my projects!

Camera Practice #1

I got a camera awhile back and still can't use it the way I KNOW it can be used...

SOOOOOOOOOOOO I thought I would practice, I got these two handsome fellows 

for the morning and thought I would take some photo's of them....I have to admit, that 

I can't capture half of their cuteness in the poor photo's that I take...BUT with practice, I hope to 

be able to do better! They are adorable and such fun little boys!

"Awe Grandma....not MORE pictures, I'm so done with them!".....what funny kids!

Yep, Kayson had enough of the "smiling"....he crashed and fell sound asleep!

I got a lot of pictures, and a lot of practice, BUT I need more before I feel confident in using my 

BIG camera (because I have a small camera that I love, but it can't quite take the COOL pictures that the BIG one will eventually be able to take....with the owner learning how to do it).

Here's to one day being able to take AWESOME pictures!

Summer Hiking...Headed To The Top

There is a hill/mountain (depends on your perspective of what a hill or mountain is) behind my house. Its quite a jont to the top, but I wanted to climb it this summer as part of my "Summer Bucket List". 

One sunny Saturday morning, Halle and I ventured out to make this happen. 

Every step you take, you can see more and more of the neighborhood and the town below......

The pictures just don't do the view justice...its a bit breathtaking and crazy beautiful. You can see 

where the town begins and ends...its gorgeous!

As we walked farther up the mountain, we looked off into the distant to see this "make shift potty"...

Didn't know for sure what to think about it....interesting for sure!

Finally made it to the VERY top and could see the entire town......I love this little place I live!

The cactus were in bloom, something that comes and goes so quickly that you don't often see

the beautiful flowers that the ugly cactus produce.

On TOP of the mountain with  the cell towers and other "towers" that keep our electronic 

devices going............

We hiked for about 2 hours....ventured home and ate homemade Baklava, something that 

I ADORE!

It was a great trip and a fun day!......I am glad I live in a place where I have "adventures" 

right out my door!!

In Honor Of....the ones I love~

Memorial Day is one of those times that cause us to reflect on our loved ones

that have passed...at least it does me. I wasn't able to visit the graves of all those that have gone, but

I was able to visit one the cemetery where a few of them are buried. 

I have been lucky enough to have many wonderful people in my life, as a child as well as an adult. My grandparents on both sides of my family have always played an important, and special part of my life. 

Not too long after I was married, we moved to a city that was very close to my dad's parents. I got 

to spend alot more time with them. Grandpa and Grandma were always there for me. It didn't matter

whether I needed a recipe, a babysitter, a friend or just a hug...I knew that I could call or visit them any time

and they would be there for me. I miss them terribly and can't wait for the day when I get to see them again. Dayna, Halle and I were able to pay a visit to the cemetery where they are buried, along with one of my dear cousins who just passed last year, a very special uncle and my sister, 

who was born, and also died before I entered the world.   

Some may not feel that it "appropriate" to take pictures at the graveside of someone that you love, 

but I feel its a great comfort to be where their body lay to rest and feel like in a small way I can still be with them. As I sat there looking at the headstones I had many wonderful memories come to mind of these special people and am grateful for the time I was able to spend with them on earth. 

As we sat by my sisters headstone, I couldn't help but wish that I knew her, that she could have known my children. I think she would have loved them so much and been such a fun, special aunt. I imagine her taking them places and spending time with us....I miss her, even though I didn't know her!.....Someday, I have faith, that I will see her again!

Till we meet again!!! I love you all!

Little Floaters

We have a river that runs very close to our house. Ever since my older children were 

teenagers, it has become a favorite summer activity for the kids to float down it. It brings a little

anticipation as well as excitement as they prepare for the several hour journey down the cold and swift

water. The older kids always had a sibling to float with them....or a pile of friends.....Halle on the other hand, being the youngest in the family,  is sort of an "only child" at home. She doesn't have siblings to hang out 

with or to do things with. She has asked me a few times to float down the river, but I'm not as 

brave (or crazy) as I once was. Her cousin, Brittley, was over one weekend so she

jumped at the chance to have someone to be able to float tubes down the river with.   

After having a plate full of veggie pizza, they jumped in the car and I took them to the "starting point" of their
river floating journey. As they crossed the fence and started creeping into the water, they discovered how miserable cold it was. I was almost sure they would back out and change their mind....but much to my amazement...they persevered and got right in...for a "supposedly LONG ride".

I left them to have an afternoon of fun, went home and carried on with my daily chores....only to see them show up shortly thereafter.....wondering what happened, I asked....come to find out, their tubes got snagged up with a mean old Russian Olive tree, therefore popping their tubes.....SO MUCH for floating the river.
Oh well....they made some fun memories and were able to laugh about their experience. Cousins are awesome.... and Halle has the best ones around!

The BIG 17

I remember when I turned 17...in fact it was just a few short years ago (*wink, wink*). Our 

youngest munchkin turned 17 (okay, it was 3 months ago, but I'm playing "catch up"). I can't believe how

the time has flown. Her birthday is alway momentous for me because of the things

that surrounded her birth. She was born 2 months early and had a rough start. Each month, each year, was a milestone....so reaching age 17 seems like a little miracle in and of itself. 

Halle has overcome many obstacles in her life and continues to be a fighter. Her 

favorite things include playing with her nephews, enjoying yummy food, good belly laughs and watching movies. She isn't anxious for graduation in a year as she will be starting a new chapter in her life....BUT

she has many goals and aspirations as she looks toward her future~

We try to make birthday's a HUGE thing in our family....after all, everyone's life is a reason

to celebrate....every birthday signifies another year of a fabulous person!!!

Happy Birthday to this beautiful girl! She is a sweet young lady and 

has much to offer the world as she ventures into becoming a grown up!!

We love you Ms. Halle!!!

AKA "Mary Ellen" ;)