WHY...HOW?...

I had to share this shot, because it is a strange thing to me. I told the kids to smile...and Gayle quickly "posed" for this shot...It is times like these that I have to wonder "what in the world"....and I have to be honest...I *think* that this was a reaction that she had and not something she was *trying* to do...she is just so unaware...and yet...look...ACK!

ENJOYMENT...

We were fortunate enough to be able to take some time to spend as a family....some of us...(Asher) spent it snoozing.

I love to take pictures at the zoo...they have so many picturesque places to pose by.

They had free face painting that day...

FAMILY TIME...

We actually started out the day before with a picnic....and some fun at a park.

We barely got anywhere....for the locals..we were just where they have the swans...and it started to pour....buckets. I can't remember the last time I ever got caught in rain like that...and I loved it...and was thoroughly soaked!

Look how bright it is in the above picture...not 2 min after this....the downpour. Below is day #2 at the Zoo.

36 YEARS YOUNG...

Happy 36th Birthday to my best friend in the entire world!

Blessed Indeed!

BEAUTY SHOP...

It was rather rainy today...so the girls and I amused ourselves by playing what Gayle likes to call Beauty Shop. I will not lie...I enjoy this game. I love make-up...sparkles, and anything girly. I usually let them apply make-up on me, but not this time.

Sometimes I get nervous....I can see what is to come, and feel like it is too close. I have always wished I had brown eyes like Esthers....

....Of course....Gayle has beautiful eyes as well..both of them....gorgeous and stunning without paint! Of course I am partial to my beauties :-)

DR of THINKOLOGY...

This guy is taking it day by day...he is realizing his next "break" (if you could call it that)..is right before Christmas. He has a full plate, and it would be great if you would say a few prayers on his behalf...I am really proud of him and his dedication--it is a labor of love for sure!

GOOD BYE PUMPKINS!....

I feel sad....We had a beautiful pumpkin patch...at least 5 or 6 Pumpkins...of which were to be jack-o-lanterns for Fall....one day I noticed that the leaves on one stalk began wilting...then I noticed some leaves turning yellow...so I thought...maybe we should cut some of the dead leaves...stalks off so that growth would go straight to the pumpkins. I noticed the roots were brown and rotting...so I did a little research and found out that we were vistited by the Squash Vine Borer. So Cory and I went out to perform surgery. We carefully scraped off the "yuck" and then made an incision inside the stalk and killed any "borer" that we found...which incidently look like little maggots...ack!" Then we washed it out, and wrapped up the wound in nylons, and covered it with dirt. The next day...we pulled it all out! I was thinking about trying to start another patch, but it is most likely too late. pumpkins are expensive and they grow so easily...this was troublesome. At any rate...next year...I am going to plant them later in the year before they lay their eggs...which...incidently look like a smashed raspberry on your leaves.... I have also been told to coat my seeds in sulfur, and to add it to the soil during the season. I will try again next year. Everything else seems to be going fine...tomatoes seem late in ripening...but lots of green ones! The burgandy beans are growing SO fast...and the watermelon are getting bigger...hooray! Today I have to go out and pick off the yellowed leaves of my Rose of sharon...it seems that I have been watering it too much and now it has mold spores on the leaves...it will spread to the other plants if I dont take care of it now...on another note...I have a nasty chipmunk who dug up one of my bulbs....the nerve!