New Family Member

I know...it's been a long time.

Just a quick post to show off our little black, spunky, mischevious, obnoxious and totally lovable kitten, Oliver.

Our other cat, Annie tolerates him. And Buddy, our 95 lb black lab, is afraid of him. :)

T e n + O n e =

Lizzie is Eleven!

We had a small birthday bash...a couple friends spent the night. Pink and orange (currently Elizabeth's favorite color combo) was the theme this year. I even attempted a fondant cake! Not nearly as cool as I wanted - too many cracks...but my adoring daughter loved it....kids are so good for the ego. :)

Elizabeth Nicodemus, Grade 5

Miss Elizabeth started 5th grade

at Kent Prarie Elementary School today.

Yes, I shed a tear as the bus drove away this morning. Every September it hits home that my baby is growing up. Every September, I load my baby onto a bus and watch it drive off to a world that is hers to navigate without me (for the most part). Every September I hope and pray that she finds a good place in her world and will have a year filled with the joy of learning and the joy of friendship. And, every September, I realize it's nice to be alone to get my work done, but it's nicer to have my summertime pal around to distract me.

September Sunday

Me, Elizabeth and Meagan (Elizabeth's friend from age 3) took some time off yesterday! After church, we finished up our school supply shopping @ the new Office Depot (Arlington is getting to be quite the shopping mecca!), got hot dogs at Costco and headed for the lake! Took a "nap" under a tree... Admired the beginning of fall.... Rolled down a hill....... Rough-housed a bit....

And hammed it up for the camera....

Hope you had a great Sunday too!

We're In!

Well, we finally moved into our "new" house. Things have been busy, I'll see how quick I can make this! Mostly this will just be pictures...

Munching on sugar snap peas at the new house.

Our pumpkins!

Some sort of squash...we got them mixed up, so it's either zuchini or yellow squash (?!)

Pretty lavender - I can't take credit for that one - it was here when we bought the place.

How we ever found the time to grow a garden from seed, I'll never know, but they sure are yummy!

Buddy eating his peanut butter container (organic, of course) in the driveway of the new house.

One more more motorcycle ride in the backyard of our old house.

Well...when I find my camera, I'll show you what the "new" house looks like with all our STUFF in it - sure makes if feel more like home to have a couch in the living room instead of a ladder and paint cans!

Hope you all had a great 4th...Happy Friday!

An Update? Or a new beginning?

We've been busy, but here I am. Elizabeth got out of school last week. I am now the mother of a 5th grader. Whoa! She had a great year and leaves with many happy memories and a love of Lewis and Clark history. Thank her teacher for that 'cuz she doesn't get it from me! Let's see, what else...not too much new with Paul and I. Well, a lot new, I guess, but it's all house related....(ooh...a new toilet, a new sink drain, a new doorknob...you get the picture, I won't bore you with more!) We've also been at war with paint...trying to get that elusive "perfect paint job" on our walls. My step-dad had some good advice: "if a friend comes over and comments on one of your flaws...hand them a paintbrush and tell them to fix it". So, if you come over, you better gush over what a good paint job we did 'cuz I still remember which box I put the paintbrushes in! Ready for some pictures? Here is my peony crop this year. I swear, they KNOW we are moving...this is the best batch of peonies I've ever had. Usually I don't cut them, but it has been raining so much that they were laying on the ground anyway....so chop chop and now they are in my dining room (in a mason jar because all the vases have been packed)

Here are the last of the Easter eggs this year....don't worry this picture IS old...we don't still have them!

On the house front, we got our kitchen cabinets built. Here is one wall...

And here is a view of the kitchen (and Elizabeth's knee) from the dining room...

Here is the faucet we agonized over for a month....

All for now....off to bed...will post again at the end of summer...just kidding - will try to get back more often. Hopefully I will remember my log-in and it won't take 10 minutes and 2 "retrieve lost password" emails! Maria

It Happened Again

Another 5 inches...

Another "Snow Day" for Elizabeth

What a difference 48 hours makes!