Thursday, August 23, 2007

Swimming, combine fires and more!











Aunt Brenda's combine caught on fire yesterday, burning a small part of a corn field. Luckily, no one was hurt, the fire was put out right way and it did not get any of the corn that hadn't been harvested yet. Best case scenario, really, but I'm sure it was not any fun for Aunt Brenda! Quite scary! The problem was a return fuel line had gotten a hole in it and spurted diesel all over the motor. Uncle Jim went out and got new parts - fortunately the John Deere mechanic was already out on their farm fixing one of the tractors' air condiditoners! Aunt Brenda's combine should be up and running in no time!

Meanwhile, the kids are quite busy, swimming like fish and playing. Will swims across the entire length of Aunt Brenda's pool now - front and back stroke! Xan is exploring EVERYTHING, including the ketchup Grandma Peggy put on his lunch plate. Will is pictured sitting on the concrete pig bench the family got Aunt Brenda as a thank you for letting them all use her pool over the summer. Aunt Brenda has a thing for pigs. I must remember to contribute to the bench fund since it is clear my boys had a blast in it.... Plus, as an added bonus, I have included a beauty shot of Uncle Jim's new semi truck for hauling grain. As you can see, it was parked safely far away from where the fire broke out!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

My favorite photo right now


I love this picture of "my boys!"

Some photos from Abby's big day(s)




















Not much time to write, but here are some photos from Abby and Joe's rehearsal dinner and wedding this weekend!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Kids Continue to Enjoy Their Summer Fun ...















The kids are still in Illinois, having a blast. Will has become quite the swimmer, swimming to the bottom of the pool to grab stuff and swimming across the pool without a problem. Xan loves to go feed Grandpa Bill's "moos" in the morning and No. 21 lets him pet her. Both boys enjoy chasing the kittens around Grandma Peggy's house. Rodney and I are looking forward to seeing them soon!

More pics of Brandon - awake!





August 8: Brandon spends every Wednesday night and Grandma Nancy's so his parents can get some sleep. I happened to stop by and, for once, Brandon was awake and happy when I was there. At least for a few minutes ... so I snapped some photos of him gazing around and "talking" to Grandma. He'll be two months old on the 18th.

Friday, August 03, 2007

www.Kits2Remember.com


Since being laid off three weeks ago, I have put my nose to the grindstone and my fingers to the laptop to create a scrap site: www.Kits2Remember.com. I invite you to cruise around and take a peek at what I have been up to. It just went live today!

Jessica's Cousin Marianne and family visit!


One of my cousins on my Dad's side of the family, Marianne, was vacationing from her home in South Carolina, visitng family, Disneyland, etc. and stopped by our house. She was accompanied by her husband, John, and daughters, Alyssa and Amanda. It was great to see them, since the last time we saw each other was at Rodney's and my wedding in 2000. Amdanda, pictured here trying to eat corn with no top front teeth, was just a baby then. Rodney and I are already making plans to visit, maybe next spring, so we can check out the 35-acre ranch they just bought to train and board horses on!

Brandon is 6 Weeks old ...


and is giving his parents a run for their money! He doesn;t rwally like to sleep through the night yet, so no one around him is getting enough sleep. Aunt Jessica loves seeing him during visits, but is truly enjoying the restful nights of sleep with Will and Xan kicking up their heels in Illinois!