Princess Tea

Riley with Cinderella.

Riley looking like Aunt Jane when she had curlers in her hair.

Every Spring Grandma Judy takes Deb and Riley to a Princess Tea in Denmark, Iowa. This is the 4th year that they have went. Riley gets curlers in her hair on Friday night!

This little girl is Jasmine. She is a great niece of Grandma Judy's and goes every year with Riley. They have become really good friends.
A close up of the little princesses. Deb says they get along really good. Too bad Jasmine lives an hour away from us.

Brandon took this picture of Princess Riley and my queen.

Usually only the Disney princesses show up. This year Prince Charming also was available to come.

I think everybody.....

has a bad case of Spring fever around here. I love four distinct seasons, but we have been spoiled with some mild winters for awhile. I am ready for some gardening and fishing. I want to stay out to 9:30 and still see each others faces. I love our weekend sit around the campfires that we have. The look of a freshly mowed lawn. I miss baseball. Impromptu wiener roasts with the in-laws. Freshly turned dirt by the farmers around here. MUSHROOMS! I can't wait for sweet corn and tomatos. Did I mention baseball. Windows open for a breeze. Bluebirds and yellow finches.

Listening to Riley giggle outside while chasing fireflies. Coming home to find that Deb and Brandon have already mowed the yard and she is waiting for me with an iced cold beer. Picnics at the "Bozarths" in Quincy. I love everything about Spring. New life and new attitudes. New beginnings.

Happy 'belated' birthday celebration for Jen

Jen and Josh were home this weekend. So we got to see them Sunday for lunch, visiting, gifts, games and cake and ice cream! Great to see you guys again. Looking forward to seeing you more in the months to come. Love you.

Snow-covered farm

I went out with the camera on Tuesday; the sun was shining bright and beautiful...just wanted to show how much snow accumulated. (the date was messed up on camera)

This is the snow ice mixture that came off the chicken coop roof.

Champ loves playing in the snow.

You can't really see it in this picture...but the untouched snow looked as if God placed little diamond-chips all over the top. Just Gorgeous!

Our goat herd soaking up the sun rays.

What a drive home

As we were leaving Quincy, it was barely starting to snow. By Mendon it was a blizzard. The drive to Macomb to take Emma home was not good. As I type, we have 6-7" of new snow on the ground.

Brandon loves it when mom says "Stop what your doing so I can take a picture". Thanks for the help B. It will be a lot easier leaving for Quincy with the snow scooped out of the driveway.

Riley did her part by building a snowman. He's lazy but at least he's quiet. Per the weather forecast, he might stick around a little bit.

Dance, dance, dance...

It's that time of year again... Brandon and the rest of the student council helped set up for the dance, after school yesterday. I cut his hair when he got home, Jeff helped with the tie...and boy did he look handsome!

He went 'stag' this year and had a blast! He said most everyone danced and was totally pumped when he got home at almost eleven last night. (He, and Jeff, helped clean up a little afterwards)

It's Official

Well, he did it! Brandon is the Hancock County Spelling Bee Champion. He beat out 8 other students from LaHarpe, Dallas City, Hamilton, and Carthage. This is the pose where Deb says "Smile nice".

This is the pose where he says " Cool C-O-O-L Cool.

Happy Birthday Jenna!

The many faces of Jenna. You have grown into such a beautiful young woman. I am so proud of you. Be safe coming back from New Orleans. Have an awesome birthday.

Pray for Brandon

Brandon noticed a lump in his upper, inner left thigh last night. He brought it to my attention this morning. We have been to the doctor and to the hospital for an ultrasound. ...the doctor called it a 'reactive' lymph node. Dr Jane...can you explain? He will be on antibiotics for 7 days and then we will check with the doctor again. Keep us all close in prayer. Thanks.

I wanted to thank you....

for marrying me. I love you so much!

At last, my love has come along. My lonely days are over, and life is but a song.

Very unusual snowfall Saturday

Very pretty but unusual. Super big flakes, but not many of them.

Stuck to the trees like it was ice, but they were snowflakes.

This is the chicken coop fence. It was so cool.

On one hand we are getting tired of winter. Then today we got 3-4 more inches and we were out playing in it. I guess if you get lemons, you make lemonade.

What on earth is going on?

Birthday party explosion! No, actually girls and makeup and silliness combined.

This birthday girl likes her icing.
I even got into the picture. With Jenna's help, I helped the girls make cootie catchers.

Brandon and his harem. He was having fun as well.

Riley loved her big green fluffy pillow.

Well, I got nothing. Why Brandon insisted on wearing his robe underneath his chore clothes to feed the goats, I will never know.

After she designed a futuristic building, the architect got a little silly.

Happy 7th Birthday Riley Jo!

Happy Birthday Riley! It is hard for your daddy and me to realize that you are a big 7-year old already! (This is Riley on her Christmas concert night; with her teacher)

Riley with Tucker-boy...

Remember when she was so shy around you, Uncle Joe...

...on a make-shift teeter-totter...daddy was running the opposite end...

Working on the house...

Chees'in It Up...

Riley and Tucker again; this picture taken right after flooring was installed...

Have a wonderful Birthday today (tomorrow the 11th) Riley...we love you all the way to the moon...and back! :)

last night you reminded me of my mom

When you fell on the ice last night, you scared me so much. As I ran to you, all I could think about was my concussion and how I did not want you to go through that. It took you awhile to get up, with Brandon and I anxiously looking on. That is when Elaine kicked in. You were more worried about the 4 eggs that you dropped than yourself. That is what mom would have worried about as well. I know that you are hurting today, but know that I love you.

I am praying that you feel better today.