Zoo

Gage in the red tunnel at the playground.



Ashlynn, Gage and I. (Ryder took this photo!)




The kids watching the giraffe eat leaves from a tree.


We headed over to the zoo on this beautiful day. The kids had a blast and the animals were all out enjoying the day as well. Thanks again to mom for the gift of the zoo membership, we'll be using it a lot more in the next couple of weeks :-)!


We had a great trip down south and I will post some pics tomorrow.

Headin' south

Paula, the kids and I are headed south today. Our cousin Aaron is home from Iraq for a few days and we wanted to spend some time with him. He and his wife welcomed their baby girl (Aaron was still in Iraq at the time of birth) on Labor Day (how crazy is that!) and we can't wait to meet her. From all accounts she is the most beautiful baby ever, so the anticipation has been growing!

Aaron does have to head back to Iraq next week to finish out his tour, so I ask that you would keep he and his family in your prayers until they are safely reunited again. I am so grateful to Aaron and the brave Americans that serve our country, what a gift!

The speech....

Saturday I spoke on fitness and nutrition at our young women's conference through church. It was my first true public speaking engagement and I was a bit nervous. Partially due to the topic (not the fave of most people) and also just wanting to get the good info out there without fumbling about. Thankfully I didn't get flushed and remembered most everything I wanted to share. Having two very broad topics and only a half an hour made it a good thing I talk fast :-)! Paula helped me big time with my hand-outs and Power Point slideshow, I so owe her!! Thanks again to Colie for all of her help!!

On another note, our next festival is in two weeks, so back to the sewing room I go. Mom finished an adorable full apron this week. Also, we are adding purses to our line and as soon as I finish the one I am working on will post it to lizzie M.. Check back this week!

50 things I love...

I stole this from Jenn, thanks for the idea!

1. Chocolate chip cookies
2. Love songs
3. Quiet time
4. Reader's Digest
5. No car payments
6. Grocery shopping
7. Ripe peaches
8. Walking
9. Swinging
10. Coloring
11. Watching a movie w/ Ran
12. Watching my kids play together
13. Reading my families blogs
14. Talking on the phone
15. Sewing
16. Making up patterns
17. Improvising
18. Golfing
19. Ryder
20. Ashlynn
21. Gage
22. Randy
23. A clean house
24. Something I need is on sale
25. My past
26. My present
27. My future
28. Good sermons
29. Teaching Ashlynn
30. Funny things the kids say
31. Pictures
32. Time to read a good book
33. Hearing my kids sing to Jesus
34. Having my picture taken
35. Riding bikes
36. Going to the movies
37. Visiting my family
38. My mom & dad
39. Fishing w/ Ran
40. Swimming
41. Washing my hair only 2x a week
42. Dreaming
43. Field Trips
44. New clothes
45. Finishing a project
46. Ran's hugs & kisses
47. my mother-in law & father-in-law
48. Catching a bigger fish than Ran
49. Trying new things
50. My life

Too busy, again.

Well the craziness of festival #1 is behind us. This week I need to focus on preparing my 1/2 HOUR speech to our young women's group on Saturday. Thanks to Colie for getting lots of good info and "writing" my speech for me :-). Hey, even President Bush has his peeps.

Will try to post more this week and not be so CRAZY BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!