Thanks for the memories

The civic came to an unexpected and untimely death today. The insurance company is totaling it and Mark will be on the hunt for new transportation. So sad to see it go. It was our first nice car and has taken us lots of places. 

And pretty sad that our kids won't be driving it around when they turn 16. 

We'll have to keep our eyes open for a little beater for them to get around in and joke about when they grow up.  Too bad I don't still have Grandpa Wadley's old Ford Fairmont!

Partners

When you spend this much time together....

you are bound to need a little rest.

A laugher

Megan and I went to Women's Conference together tonight. She's a great little note taker. She reminds me of myself at the age. She's a striver and earnest believer. 

There were refreshments after the Conference, but we couldn't resist going through Freddy's for shakes and fries. She was talking and giggling as she told me stories. 

And I couldn't help snapping a few pictures of her funny personality. These capture her so well.

She's a joy to be with and next time we'll have a newly baptized Laney!

We'll just dip our toes in....

Summer is coming to and end. We've been in school for over a month and we are back in the swing of our routine: early morning seminary, after school sports, co op, preschool, homework. 

And driving!!!

Driving myself anywhere I want to go. 

So we drove on out to Lake Olathe to enjoy the sand and have a picnic. We brought our digging tools, but no suits or towels because we wouldn't be getting in the water.

Holy smokes. She's a beauty. 

Anna enjoyed her sandwich with a healthy sprinkling of sand.

They settled in to soak up the sun. We've been indoors a lot, due to the broken arm thing on top of the school everyday thing. You can only walk around the block so many times.

Pretty soon they had their shoes off and their pants rolls up.

And in no time at all they were:

Oh well, who are we kidding?

Might as well go for it.

Good friends...winning the pennant

Mark got 4 free Royals tickets from his boss at work and so we rustled up a babysitter and invited Mike and Julia McCauley to go to the game with us. 

As you can see, they are legitimate fans. They had their Royals shirts on and the best we could rustle up was a camo shirt and Mark's Panama City Beach souvenir tee. He has blue shirts, but they're all covered in Cubs.

And wouldn't you know it...the starts aligned and because somewhere out there, the right team lost their game and we won ours, the Royals took the pennant for the first time in 30 years.  In a cool twist of fate, Mike was there in 1985 to see it and again today. Cool!

The Royals are going to the World Series!!

A pair

We are made for each other.

Not pleased

I honestly can't remember what I did to make her mad, but tonight Anna stomped off in a huff and returned about 15 minutes later with this portrait of me. 

I think she was going for a devil-chicken. 

Pot Roast

I think if I had to choose a favorite tradition, a Sunday pot roast would win out over all the holidays and other special occasions. 

There is something so warm and comforting about coming home from church and smelling a roast cooking the minute you open the door. And all the side dishes and setting the table. 

It's my favorite.

Mom's away and Dad will play

One of the things I love about Mark is the way he does fun things with the kids and then texts me about it while I'm away. He took Anna on a walk to the park and sent me this cute photo.  He knows how to make a girl feel special....

Never too late to apologize

We have this thing we do when one of us has really been a total jerk. 

It's an apology dance and it starts with a chirp and one hand on top of your head and a wiggle waggle of the hips. 

Then the the other hand is up and your jumping and chirping and there is no possible way that the offender has any pride left and there is even less of a chance that the other person isn't laughing and in a mood to forgive.

This apology dance can be done anytime. Anywhere.

Even over Facetime. While camping. 

You can decide you was the jerk.

I'll never tell.

Cuteness trumps disease

We have a bit of a bunny problem. Not just us. Everyone in Kansas has a bunny problem. The are everywhere and they're very hungry for my plants. 

I've finally learned how to keep them out of my gardens, but the still enjoy a nibble on the lilies and unfortunately the babies get excited and get stuck in the window well.  Once we catch them, the kids like to hold them for awhile before they set them free. 

I can't say I blame them. They are so adorbable. Look at those feeties!

Boxwood and an old window

I bought this old window from Julia's garage sale and put together a boxwood wreath from the trimmings of our bushes.  And I love it! It's exactly what I hoped for!

Mark's 38th Birthday and the return of independence

It's was a big day. 

Mark is turning 38 and I have my long-awaited follow up with the Orthopedic Doctor. Will my bones be healed? Will I be free from my strangling double-slings? Will I be able to take care of myself and feed myself and DRIVE myself???

YES!!!!!!

Everything looked healed in the right places and now I can start using my arms and trying to rotate my wrists to get some of my mobility back. I am so relieved.

And so we celebrate with Freddies!

And a we have a yummy chinese food dinner for Mark's Birthday.

He chose a German Chocolate cake and we lit it on fire with 39 candles....

And he led us in our birthday song....

He didn't hold anything back...

He was really feeling the music...

Show us the muscles!

It's getting a little smokey in here.  *cough*cough*

He got them all out in one breath.

Happy Birthday, Mark. For your presents, I got you:

• A wife that can use both of her arms
• Home cooked meals
• Clean laundry!
• Not doing the work of two people
• Not having to brush my teeth
• Not having to cut up my food, and feed it to me
• So much gratitude for the way you took care of me everyday with love, kindness and a sense of humor.