what she does at night...

There are so many nights after we tuck the kids in that Sunshine gets out of bed and draws.  I had to take pictures of these because they touched my heart.  I hope they do the same to you.

buddy takes some pictures...

Buddy is still working on several belt loops for Cub Scouts.  One of the ones he chose to do is photographer.  And since I LOVE taking pictures, he naturally asked me to help.  I let him use our good camera (it's not a DSLR and if anyone wants to get me one, feel free - I'm up for donations) and I taught him a few things about macro, zoom and lighting.  I think Buddy did a really good job taking pictures.

 These are by our front door and they are more of a purple color.  Like I said, we were working on lighting and this was in the shade.

ten years...

Dad and I are taking a parenting class at church during Sunday School time.  The first Sunday we had the class, we had to write down in a notebook things that we are grateful for, admire or appreciate about each other.  We took this assignment to heart.  Sometimes we go through life only with negative thoughts about people, this exercise makes you do the opposite.  We both filled up pages of things in our notebooks.  Our teachers were impressed. 

Well, Dad took it a step further.  Every day for a month he displayed in one way or another those qualities that he likes about me.  I'm sharing with you some of the ones I snapped pictures of and I'll keep the more private ones to myself, as they were meant for me only!

These little loves notes wrapped up on our 10th wedding anniversary.  Those last 10 years flew by so fast!  I am so glad that I said yes to marrying my best friend and love of my life.  Sweetheart, you are so wonderful and I LOVE YOU!!!  (I'll keep the mushiness to a minimum on this, just so you won't get embarrassed.  You're welcome.)

iced purple...

Yellow is not a very good color for a little girl.  Especially where there are lines the color of butternut squash running down them.  Ew.  So for Sunshine's last birthday present we painted her room iced purple.  You can see the process (however, we still have about four feet of trim left to go).  The previous occupants were not very careful and let yellow paint get all over the unfinished wooden trim and even on the carpet in some spots!  We tried to be careful.  The most important part is that Sunshine is so much happier with the color.

weather balloon launch...

Dad will post the details on this later (we hope).

world book night...

Turn off the TV week is difficult.  However, the kids school did something different this year.  Every night there was a something fun to do, including gardening at the school's community garden, a nature walk and square dancing (we weren't able to attend all of them).  Monday happened to be "World Book Night."  We decided to make that our FHE activity because they wanted families, and not just kids, included.  We got to school and every kid got a new book, as well as one adult per family.  The gym was set up with little reading areas everywhere.  We shared our spots with our good friends, the Olsen's.  It was fun and something different to do.

Here are the kids with their librarian, Mrs. Jones.

blossoms and a bug...

Our trees are blossoming!  These little pretty white ones are on our plum tree.  The pretty not yet open ones are on one of the apple trees.  I found tulips!  They are just beginning to blossom and this was the first.  The others are pink, peach, orange and I'm not sure because they are still opening.  And the ladybug was an attempt at macro that wasn't great because the kids made it fly away before I could get any closer.

sunbathing...

We got a lovely day of sunshine and so I sent the kids outside to enjoy it.  They didn't want to play, they only wanted to soak up some lovely vitamin D.  I don't blame them at all.