Vacation.

Ok, so here is the official vacation post. I have narrowed my 1000+ photos down to a mere 16. It's pretty much one of those vacation slide show experiences where your dang neighbors/family/friends/whoever, drag you over and pour you a lemonade and make you look through all of their snap shots from their recent trip to the Grand Canyon in an RV and it takes four hours. Except I have no lemonade, there are only sixteen pictures, and you can leave whenever you want and I won't be offended. I won't even know.

First of all. The best way to start a day at the lake is pancakes. This is my plate. Don't even think about stealing one of my pancakes.

We pack lunch before heading to the beach. PBandJ taste even more awesomer at the lake.

A typical day might include a little snorkeling,

some hunting for "crawdaddies",

definitely some jumping off the dock,

some jet skiing, (I am now a self declared "jet ski enthusiast")

a little bit of fishing (a lot more if you are one of the guys),

some swimming, reading in the sun, minnow catching, and then watching a gorgeous sunset.

This year we celbrated the 4th of July while at the lake. A couple highlights:

We also celebrated a certain someone's 5th birthday. This is his second birthday while on a vacation. Poor kid. I hope The Hulk cupcakes for breakfast made up for it.

We did a little bit of touristy shopping. My brother Luke bought a fabulous little lute type thingy that he proceeded to serenade us with.

And also a deer slingshot. Because it is the awesome.

And also, a coonskin hat is a must have.

On the way home we had to make a stop at Cracker Barrel for supper. Can't resist the rocking chairs for a family pic.

And we also stopped at Treasure City. But it deserves it's own post. Here is a teaser.

The suspense is killer isn't it?

Truely The Laundry Lady

When I said I was avoiding the unpacking process, I wasn't kidding. I did most of the suitcases but quit part way through, choosing the pool instead.

We have gone the past two days.

In an attempt to simplify the take-the-troop-to-the-public-pool ordeal, I packed all of our stuff in a big laundry basket. I rolled up all the towels, threw in all the rest of the junk (snacks, sunscreen, phone, keys, etc) and we took off. While standing around, talking to a friend while the kids played, she told me what her 9 year old son had said when he saw us walking across the parking lot. "That Heather, she's pretty smart. She just brings her laundry to the pool!"

The kid is a genius. Next time I'm bringing along a load of whites and a jug of detergent.

Vacation Is Over

We are home from the lake. Man, was that great.

Final photo total? 1081

It's going to take me awhile to wade through all of them. I have some favorites, here is one of them. Makes me wish I was still sitting on that dock instead of avoiding the unpacking process.

Prepare Yourselves

We have been on vacation at the lake for almost a week.

I have taken 853 photos.

Make Mine A Caramel Frapp with Whipped Cream

Another reason I love The Great White. More than one cup holder. *ding*

Marathon Training: Day Twenty Seven

Double Digits.

This morning's run was an 11 miler and I was solo. My training partner, Kelsey, is out of town and I was on my own. Some observations from the road:

1. I love my Ipod. I don't know what I am going to do on race day without it. The race rules say no tunes. Waaaah. Nothing picks you up like the right song at the right time. Today, I smiled when I listened to "Gary Come Home" off of the Spongebob album. (don't ask). There were a couple other more normal songs that made me pick up my feet a little faster.
2. Rain feels good. It rained a little bit around mile 9. Washed all the salt right off.
   
3. My knees complain after about 8 miles. Not a lot, just a little. I started taking glucosamine this week and I'm hoping it kicks in soon. I felt a little bit like an old lady, standing in the "joint health" section of Walmart, looking for the stuff. Whatever.
4. Reeses Peanut Butter Cups are a good post run fuel. I'm just sayin.

It's a bit daunting to think that race day will be over twice the distance that I just ran, but I'm trusting the plan. There are still 15 more weeks to get me to where I need to be.

Baby Froggies

Dude.

Check out these baby frogs. Keep in mind, that is the hand of a six and a half year old. Look at how many they caught.

An Important Letter

Dear Family,

I would like to apologize for buying the cheap toilet paper. It was a momentary lapse in judgment. Once these 8 double rolls are gone I'll pick up something a little...fluffier. We can get through this together.

Love, Mom

Another "I'm Not Dead" Post

I'm alive, just not blogging.

I've been up to my eyeballs in Vacation Bible School decor and painting my head off. I love every minute of it, this is my one chance to be artsy fartsy. I've got paint under my fingernails, in my hair, and unbeknownst to me (until a look in the mirror), on my face.

I'll be back soon, I promise. And not in my painting clothes. I promise.

Wheeeeeee!

Yesterday Was Gemma's Day

She's three! I love this age. Every emotion is felt with abandon. As each birthday gift was opened, it was welcomed with a squeal, or a giggle, or even a little dance. She had two cupcakes before dinner. Pink princess cupcakes. And a birthday perk? You don't have to share the beaters.

Father's Day

What?! You don't have a Father's Day gift for that special Dad in your life? Never fear. Just buy him a Mandle.

Kathy Stopped By

Look what she brought me.
Try not to be jealous.

I'm Here. Really I Am.

Oh yeah, that's right, I have a blog. I guess it might be a good idea to update it once in awhile. Preferably more than once a week. No one wants to hear excuses of how busy it's been, blah, blah, blah. School's out. Vacation Bible School is getting closer by the day. (I'm decorations so we've been painting away). And now our town is flooded.

We are high, dry, and safe but so many of our friends have been affected. Basements are full of yicky, sludgy, river water. The water is starting to recede and it won't be long and people will be able to get back into their homes to see what kind of clean up is going to be needed. I feel so helpless to do anything. I want to throw on a pair or rubber gloves and grab a bottle (or seven) of bleach and get in there and start scrubbing.

Oh yeah, the kids.

So I've been doing what I can, letting my friends' kiddos come play here so they can take care of business without dragging their little ones through flood water. What a mess. It ended up being worse than they predicted so most people weren't quite as ready as they needed to be, but I keep hearing stories upon stories of the water being "this close" to the main floor but peaking just in time and not damaging more than the basement.

Watching the flooding was surreal and scary. You can't stop an angry river and it raged and crashed out of it's banks worse than it ever has before. This is the bike trail bridge. A little freaky.

If you look closely in this next photo, you can see the top of a back stop right in front of that building. No baseball games for awhile unless you brought scuba gear.


This next one isa shot down main street. We have movies rented from Family Video, the brick building on the left. I hope they forgive our late fees. I'm not wading through that mess just to return The Land Before Time. I put a little yellow arrow to point out where the river usually lives. It's almost a half a mile out of it's banks.

You can see that the water is receding, even in this photo. As I stood at the edge, I felt an overwhelming desire to release a dove. What we need now is a big old rainbow.

An Introduction

We weighed our options. The Beast was beginning to make some noises that weren't characteristic of the old boy (girl?). I guess I never really had a gender in mind for our vehicle. We decided that it was better to be proactive on the transportation front than to wait until the big red clunker kicked the bucket and left us stranded. So we made another strategic Ebay move.

I give you The Great White.


Eight years newer than The Beast, The Great White rides so much smoother than I knew was possible. It is identical to our previous van, another airport shuttle, but now with improvements. We moved up from a Ramada to an Embassy Suites. Why does that crack me up so much?

So until we get rid of, *ahem* I mean find a loving home for The Beast, we have enough vehicle power parked in front of our house to transport 24 people. I take that back. The Beast has two broken seat belts, so 22 people. But if we include the XB in the fleet, technically we have space for 27 people.

Now that is something right there.

And our neighbors must love us for taking up all the street space on the block because obviously these things don't fit in a garage. But you should see me maneuver it though the bank drive thru. Skills. That right there is skills.

Marathon Training: Day One

It begins.

I didn't get off to the best start. Our family is in the middle of fighting the War On Terror, the terror of a nasty stomach bug that leaves you moaning on the couch for days. I just came off of a four day battle, surviving solely on toast. Toast is not necessarily the best nutrition for running. The schedule called for 6 miles this morning. I ran the first three with Kelsey, then peetered out to a walk for mile 4, sending her on to finish strong. A well placed porta potty saved my life, then I ran the rest of the six. I foresee spending the rest of the day caring for a sweet baby who is spending the first few days as a one year old, sick. This motherhood gig is quite a marathon itself.

One

What a difference a year makes.
Happy First Birthday Toby.

Disregard the Toad

It's a makeover, Laundry Pile style. This morning before school we decided to take the plunge. Summer is almost here, it's time for the hair to go. Let me introduce you to the new six year old living in our house.

Before, and with his buddy:



After:

Iris

If the flower bed had a wedding, the iris would be the bridesmaid dress.
Two words: purple chiffon.

Hot Topics On a Thursday

Let's get controversial.

This is a hot topic at our house. Baby Bear.

He is lovable and cute and has a bit of a speech issue. We have discussions at our house about this character who "dwahs" (draws). A couple of our kids have had issues with their r's themselves. Do you think seeing and hearing someone who speaks like them on Sesame Street perpetuates the problem or makes kids feel better about themselves? Discuss.

Auntie Heth

I have a new little nephew, I got to meet him today. Let me tell you about him.

He's very punctual, he arrived right on his due date.

He's very handsome.

He's destined to be an A's fan. He pretty much has no choice.

He's completely adored.

Let me introduce you to Austin Mark.

Austin, you have seven cousins who are anxious to meet you.

Blooms

I don't pretend to know or have any idea what heaven will look like, but one thing I imagine is that the trees will bloom continuously, not just for a week or two in the spring.

For the past 25 days I have climbed up on my deck railing, sometimes in my robe to the dismay of my neighbors, to take a picture of the same branch. Watching the changes that happen day to day has shown me what a miracle a single blossom is. God must have had so much fun planning the opening of a bloom. The tree in it's full splendor is more stunning than the most beautiful bride clothed in white. If only I could have captured the scent.

Day 1

Day4

Day 8

Day 12

Day 13

Day 15

Day 19


Day 22

Day 25

Mom

There are so many things I want to say about you. I could write page after page and still never capture how I feel.

You are mom, friend, grandma, mentor, confidant, gum passer-outer, Sunday dinner hostess, the queen of perennials. You are beautiful, gracious, solid in your faith, compassionate, faithful, and have a true servant's heart.

I am blessed, blessed, blessed to call you mom.

I love you.

Muffins

The answer to the question, "What's for breakfast?" for the next month.

A Trip To The Park, In Photos

Inspired by Gretchen and a swing photo I fell in love with.

He said he saw a squid. Um, yeah....


The mulch can be so impeding.

Learning to let go.

A Bunch Of Stuff On a Tuesday Night

I long all winter for summer to come. I pine for sunny days, green grass, and bare feet. When it finally shows, I am faced with the same decision year after year. Housework or yard work? I much prefer yard work. I would rather mow, garden, or clean out the garage. Every year I plan that I will get ahead of the inside chores on those long winter days. My house will sparkle and by the time warm weather rolls around I will be able to sit and read on the deck in the sun, guilt free. It has yet to happen. And the balancing act begins. Do just enough inside so that I can do as much as possible outside. I am sporting the first signs of color on my shoulders after a day of being out in the yard. The pile of dirty laundry almost makes me want to pray for a cloudy rainy day to force myself back in. And reading blogs? That has taken a backseat. I'm so far behind, so sorry everyone.

In unrelated news, I found a recipe for a dish that everyone in the Laundry Pile Family enjoyed. It's far from the vegetable smorgasboard that they all rejected in February. No, this is right up their alley. A little something I like to call "Log 'O Cholesterol". It's that bad.

Let me tell you how to make it so that you can clog your family's veins. First brown up a pound of hamburger, some chopped onions, and some chopped bacon. Next, add 1/2 pound of Velveeta and stir until melted. Then grab a refrigerated pizza crust and unroll it on a cookie sheet. Spread the beef/cheese/bacon mixture on the dough. Roll it up forming a log of cholesterol. Bake it for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Eat it and then prepare for the heart attacks.

One last thing. Quisp. I headed back to the store that I found it in and couldn't find anymore. So I asked the clerk. She said, "It's the weirdest thing, a lady came in just a few days ago and asked about it and bought 4 or 5 boxes. She said you have to order it on the internet."

Curious.

Luckily, she had one last box in the back and it was half price, bringing it to a whopping 50 cents. I'm not even kidding. Nate and I finished off the whole box tonight. I just want to know one thing. Who was it? Who cleaned out our little Dollar General store of all the Quisp? You don't have to embarrass yourself publicly, just send me an email and confess. I promise, I will forgive you.

New Favorite Ceeyo

People. Don't even try to tell me that this isn't the awesomest thing you have seen all day. I almost died laughing when I saw this on the shelf at the grocery store. The words "You have got to be kidding me," escaped my lips. Best marketing ever.