Uncle Josh's Exciting Visit

Elaina was curious...
















I really want to touch it...
















Ok. I'll pretend to be brave...















I might decide to enjoy this...















Hey! Cool!

















Claire had no problem getting up close and personal with the deer.
















Audrey. Wilderness Woman.















Brave Claire
















My favorite.
It's as if he's thinking to himself,"Hey, I'm kind of a celebrity!"

Miss Potato Head

Tea, anyone?

And yes, it was my laundry day.

*smile*

Turning Point

Somthing new happened today. Something that pushed Elaina over the line that seperates kids from children.

Audrey asked if Elaina could spend the afternoon with her between church services. (All right, it was really Adam and Ashlie that asked but on Audrey's behalf.) And of course Elaina wanted to go. So she eagerly switched vans and never looked back once. It's not the first time she's been gone from us by any means. She and Claire have been a whole state away for over a week before. But this was different. It was the first time that someone ASKED to keep her. Not me asking them. And really, although Elaina won't seem little at all any more, it was great(!!!) to have her go somewhere and not feel one teeny-tiny ounce of guilt about it. I mean, she can feed herself, go to the bathroom by herself (someone does have to wipe) and really, is easily entertained. Especially if she's with Audrey. I slept peacefully all afternoon.

Photo shoot of Eily at the park

A Day at Charleston Park

Cousins Michael, Jacob, Allison and Audrey came with us to the park.

Michael holding Eily, Elaina explaining something to Allison.















Jason, Audrey and Sue Sarah, Jacob and Claire
















Daddy and Claire Bear















Right when we had finished eating and were just about to play on the super cool new playground, a school bus full of children pulled up and took over. So we went to the other side of the park and played with the old park toys. It was still fun.
















Michael, Alli, Claire and Audrey

Messing Around and Misc.

We have had a lot of recent joinings in the churches in this area. This was the "game of the day" last week. Renee is baptizing "Sis. Elaina."

















This was the next game they invented. The wanted to wear ALL of Elaina's undwewear. I know Renee had on 12 pairs!















Just playing together.















Eily loves to relax on Daddy.

First Time Finger Painting

Mmmmmm... (with eyes closed)

Today is wonderful!

I have the windows open and the sky just finished giving a delicious albeit short fall rain that was wonderful to listen to. I have 2 girls asleep, 2 thinking that I think they are asleep but really I am quite aware that they are sitting on their floor reading books, and one little munchkin belly-down in front of the front glass door enjoying all the colors outside and demonstrating it by kicking the floor as ferociously as she can and squealing occasionally.

I just made refried beans for the first time and they turned out quite delicious if I do say so myself. In a few minutes I am going to fire up the grill and get the chicken cooked so that I can chop it for tonight's dinner (which is burritos and brown rice.)

Currently, the house is all picked up. It will cease to be that way once all 5 girls are up and playing again. But that's ok. It feels nice for the moment.

I almost have all the laundry done. This is a GREAT feeling for me. I hate doing laundry.

My nose is tickled by the Dewberry Dreams Scented Oil Candle that's burning on the bar.

There is wonderful classical music in the background. Mixed with Eily's gurgling it is the best sound my ears could be hearing- I think. (And I'm sure if you were here you would agree.)

What's for Supper Tonight

Quick Chicken Stew


2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken and cook about 1 minute. Mix in garlic and onion; cook until tender. Stir in carrot, zucchini, and red bell pepper. Pour in tomatoes with juice. Season with red pepper flakes, basil, and bay leaf, and continue cooking 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chicken juices run clear. Stir in the butter until melted, and season with salt and pepper just before serving.

It says this is great served over pasta or with mashed potatoes. Yum!

Cleanliness

Here's a fast and easy way to disinfect your dish sponge, which you should do as often as every other day. Simply wash your sponge with hot water and soap, rinse it, and put it wet into your microwave. Microwave at 100% power (High Setting) for 1 to 2 minutes.

Trash

I wonder when the word "trash" actually became the word we know today. Even in the early 1900's they didn't have trash. Everything came in crates or barrels and they reused everything until it just died. It's an interesting thought.