There's Nothing Like This ~~~~

~~~~ to set your nerves on EDGE!!!! My gosh, I was laying out by the pool taking pictures of the children, when all of a sudden, I snapped a picture of this!!! "This" happens to be Hunter, who is doing a twisty back-flip, onto a raft!! Through my camera lens, it looked like he was about to break his back! Scary!!!

Latch Hook Kit ~ Emily's New Project!

After ice skating lessons last night, we ran into Ben Franklin's to look at some of their latch hook kits. I remember doing them when I was a child and thought that Emily would really enjoy one. She picked out a "rainbow heart" and has really gotten into it. She did four rows last night. Here's evidence this morning, on how much she has enjoyed this new project. I was coming around the corner and saw her all "set-up" with her kit. She didn't even look for me, like she usually does, in the morning. She just went right to work!!

I made her stop working, and pose, with the picture of what her latch hook kit will look like, once it's finished!

Ryan-isms!!

Well, since I was on a roll earlier this morning, with a conversation I had with Emily. I thought that since Ryan said something so cute, the other day, I would share that, too!

Rob's employers bought him a Blackberry the other day, so that he can always be connected to his staff! I'm still not so sure about that one. I'll have to let you know how much I like that concept, after he's had it a little longer. ha/ha/ha! I can tell you right now that they don't have ANY problem hunting him down at all already. I can't imagine how it's going to be to add all the other features, that come with having a Blackberry! It's pretty sweet, though, I must admit!!

Anyway, when he got home the first night to show it off. Ryan comes around the corner and says, "Is that your Blueberry?" Oh my gosh, how cute!! Rob responded with, "Yes, this is my Blueberry!"

Gosh, I love my children!

Emily-isms!!

I've always jotted down things that my children have said, so that I can remember them. Here's our conversation, just minutes ago.

Mommy: "Emily, what would you like for breakfast, angel?"

Emily: "I don't know."

Mommy: "Would you like waffles, pancakes, cereal, eggs?"

Emily: "No, thanks. I just want you to cook me a salad, please. With Italian dressing. I'll get my own chocolate milk!"


So, I'm off to "cook" my precious girl a salad, because that's how I make salads in my home!! he/he/he!! And, I'm hoping the combination of Italian dressing and chocolate milk will sit well in her tummy! Sounds like a yucky combination to me!! LOL!!

Rainy Days = Craft Time!

What do WE do on a rainy day???? CRAFTS!!!!


Joshy showing off the lion that I helped him make. Ryan showing off the puppy that he made. These were only $1.00, at Michael's. They were made of foam. What an easy and fun project!

Emily showing off the monkey that she made!

Caitlynn showing off the mouse that she made!

Brandon showing off the lion that he made ALL by himself!

Hunter showing off the puppy that he made!

Joshy's and Brandon's picture frames that they painted! We bought the sports balls already pre-painted!

Ryan's and Emily's picture frames that they painted! Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Caitlynn's and Hunter's, before they went home.


The girls did some sand bottles, with lots of different colors of sand, while Ryan and Hunter did a peg project. During this time, the little boys (Brandon and Joshy) were watching a movie ("quiet time").

We are still working on some pom-pom projects. Emily is working on a monkey, Caitlynn is actually finished with a fluffy dog, and Ryan and Hunter will be working on sharks. I'll post pictures, once those projects are completed!

TEN THINGS TUESDAY!!!

It's that time again! A time when I reflect upon the blessings in my life! I love this part of the week. It really helps to write down all that I am thankful for. This week, I am thankful for:


1. The Farrell Family Fourth of July Reunion Weekend. It was so much fun and such a blessing to be able to listen to my father-in-law and his brothers reminisce about their childhood. I heard the best stories of their father (Rob's grandfather) that I had never heard before. What a remarkable history lesson, from Rob's side of the family. Since his brothers both live in different states, from each other and from all of us, it was even more special that they were here together. We met a cousin (Chris, Uncle Dennis's son) who I had never met before and it was wonderful. It was a very special weekend, filled with memories that we will never forget!

2. For my Mom taking Emily, Caitlynn, and I to see the Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery movie, on Sunday. It was nice to share our love for American Girls with my Mom. The girls enjoyed it and loved spending time with Nana. Then, she treated us to lunch after the movie. What a fun day!


3. For summer days and children playing!

4. We are so blessed to be able to enjoy a beautiful pool, at my in-law's house, whenever we feel like swimming! We all enjoy it so much. With the rising cost of gas, it's a lot easier on the budget to go to Nana and Poppy's house, instead of driving to Water Country. Nana got into the pool today and enjoyed some time with all the children! They all loved it!


5. For the love between a Daddy and daughter! Oh, how it warms my heart to catch Emily and Rob together!


6. For Joshy's sweet face, while he put goggles on all by himself!


7. For Ryan and Hunter, finally staying on their make-shift floats! They worked on them for so long -- fall, after fall, after fall! They never gave up --- and, voila! Here's the finished results!


8. For a fun day of bowling, which was a nice break from the heat! It was so much fun!

9. For the rain that we've been having the past couple of days. We have really needed it. My flower gardens are so thankful!

10. For my precious family -- Rob, Emily, and Ryan -- only the Lord truly knows how much I wanted EACH of you! Rob, thank you for being the best husband in the world. The unselfish and loving ways that you care for us is far more than I could have ever hoped for. Thank you for all that you do! My beautiful Emily and Ryan, my sweet miracles -- thank you for bringing such joy to my life! I thank the Lord for you all every single day!!

Bowling!!

Today, we went bowling with Nana! She treated us to lunch, at the bowling alley, some video games, and three games of bowling! The children had a blast! This was the first time that we had been bowling in a LONG time. Before we left her house, she added some pink hair pieces to Emily and Sarah's hair. They looked so cute and the girls loved them. Caitlynn was spending the night with her friends, in Virginia Beach, so that's why she is not in any pictures. Luckily, Poppy dropped by, after work and went home to get his camera. I didn't know where mine was, because Rob had used it last night. He had actually put it in Emily's skate bag, but I thought he had left it in his car. So, I didn't have any pictures. Poppy drove all the way home and got his camera for us -- he's so sweet! The first two games, were played with the bumpers. The third game, was played without them. They did wonderfully without the bumpers! Enjoy the pictures!

I'm not sure about Emily's "pouting" in this picture. I think she may have just gotten a "gutter" ball and Sarah was comforting her! LOL!!

Emily and Sarah ~ such sweet cousins! You can really see their hair pieces in this pictures!

Hunter did a great job. As you can see in this picture, he knocked down all but one pin, on his first ball!

This was Sarah's second ball and she only left one pin!! Great job!

Ryan's turn!!

He's getting there!!

Emily setting her ball up!

Umm, I'm not sure what went wrong with her technique! LOL! It's right in the gutter. At least she's smiling!! he/he/he!!