{July 29, 2007}

Hope all of you had a great weekend! Wanted to give a recap of what we've been doing lately! As I wrote in my last post, we celebrated Matthew's 7th birthday beginning on Tuesday, which was his actual birthday. He wanted a party at the Discovery Playhouse in the mall with his classmates from school so that's what we did! The kids all had a great morning...especially Matthew!

On Wednesday my friend, Shelly, and I took her 2 boys and mine to the Bootheel Youth Museum in Malden. It was such a neat place for the kids. We spent about 2 hours there and then we ate and started to head back home. We stopped at 2 scrapbook stores...the boys actual did great in the play areas!...one in Dexter & one at the Sikeston Outlet Mall. It was a fun day!

Thursday we spent picking up the house because we had family over that evening for Matthew's birthday. We did just kind of an open house from 6-8 where people could come and visit and help celebrate his birthday. It was fun!

On Friday I took my Dad to the oral surgeon to have 4 teeth pulled...my Mom doesn't drive so she stayed home with the boys. We sat in the doctor's office from 10:00 - 12:00...my Dad was finally called back at 12:00 and was done by 1:00. I got a LOT of Harry Potter read! The boys' and I then headed to Jayne's pool...it ended up raining and we only got to stay about an hour. Since we weren't doing anything Friday evening I invited a couple friends over to scrapbook...we got our kits out from Rona's and got 2 done! I was so glad...thanks Julie & Shelly!

Saturday Rob & the boys spent most of the day out at the farm. I went out around 4:00 and we rode 4-wheelers for about an hour. It was so much fun. Rob's Dad has trails all thru their woods for us to ride in. Jacob & I rode with Rob and Matthew took his own. We had a blast!

Today we went to Sunday School & church and then Rob suggested we go to Lamberts! So, we headed that way...Home of the Famous Throwed Rolls! The wait was about an hour & 15 minutes so we got our name on the wait list and then headed to the outlet mall. The time goes by really fast when you not just sitting there! We came home then and just chilled and watched a couple of movies with the boys...ahhhhhh...gotta love these lazy, family days!

It's only 8:30...Rob's watching a little t.v., the boys are in bed, I'm gonna try and finish our Disney album from 2006! Only 1 page left since I did one layout yesterday!!!!! WaHoo!

Matthew Turned 7 Today!

Our oldest, Matthew, turned 7 today! It is just so hard to believe. I've just pulled out a scrapbook of the day he was born. He was born 7-24-00 at 6:25 pm. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19 inches long. I remember that day as if it were yesterday...I just couldn't believe that he had finally arrived...he was so beautiful and so precious...truly a gift from God! We have been so blessed over these past 7 years by having him in our lives. We love him so much and we just can't imagine what the future holds for this special little boy. Here is a picture of him today....he always knows that I want to take his photo by the same tree that I always do! What a sweetheart!

Jacob's New Ride!

Check out Jacob's new wheels! We bought him a bike yesterday...goodbye tricycle!! Matthew, Jacob & I went to pick it out. Rob promised that he would put it together when he got home from baling hay. It was 10:00 pm...but that bike was put together. Jacob just HAD to test it out...in pajamas! He did great. He's had a few crashes today...where there is a bump in the concrete he just kind of tips his bike over.

Couple of Photos

A Hot Air Balloon?

Jacob & Matthew were playing outside this evening when they both started yelling...."Mommy, come look!" I ran outside and there was a huge hot air balloon going right over our house. I RAN in and grabbed the camera...it's just not something you see everyday!

Yesterday was our last day of Bible School...it had been a long, but fun week. We were all pretty wore out! We had around 200 kids this year...what a blessing! After B.S. we went swimming for a couple of hours and then we headed to the Muny in St. Louis to see Peter Pan. It was AWESOME...and the weather...OMG! We took blankets along for the boys...the show didn't start until 8:15 and it was already pretty cool. Cool, in July???? It sure was. The show was so fun to watch. My brother and his wife, Kristi, went along also. It was definitely worth going!

Both boys are now in bed...I'm waiting for Rob to come home after a long day of moving hay bales and mowing grass. He's had a long day...and, we didn't get home until 1:00 am last night...so, I'm sure he's tired.

Better get going...I'm working on trying to get my kitchen finished. I've been putting stuff above my shelves and just trying to get a a little more "homey" feeling!

Shooting the Cows....

at the farm this evening. Yes...you read right. I was at home trying to get my scrap area cleaned up when I got a phone call from Rob. He and the boys had left earlier to go move some haybales and "doctor" some of our cow's eyes. He needed me to come get the boys...they apparently weren't "getting along"! When I arrived, Matthew was riding his 4-wheeler and Jacob was in the tractor with Rob. They ate their sandwiches which I had brought them for supper. Rob's says..."I need your help". I say, "okay...doing what?". Well, I drove the truck thru the fields where the cows were...our cows are really quite "tame" so we drive right up close to them. Rob gets his "bow and arrow" out and "shoots" the medicine in the cow's behind! Evidently the arrow has a little tip on the end that has the medicine in it for pink eye....the medicine goes in and then the arrow falls to the ground. Pretty cool, actually, how it all worked! Matthew & Jacob thought it was so cool! That was my evening!

I've included a few photos of this past Sunday. Rob & the boys went with my brother, Markus, to Clearwater Lake with his new fishing boat. They had a great time...swimming

Hey...Just took a few minutes to come downstairs and post a quick update! Rob & I are busy laying our tile backsplash in the kitchen. It's about 10:30 pm and we're about half way done! I think it looks great! I'll post some pics as soon as we're completely finished.

Bible School started today and the boys had a great morning. The theme this year is "Avalanche Ranch". I am helping out in crafts this year...we had about 25 kids in each class...that's quite a few!

Got to go...Rob is calling.......

Fun Day!

Today was Matthew's last day of soccer camp. The weather was AWESOME this week...being a Mom I was a little concerned that it would be too hot. But, it wasn't! He had a great week and learned a bunch.

This afternoon we went to a friend's house to swim in their pool. Shelly and her boys went also...we had a great, relaxing afternoon. I forgot my camera, :( , maybe Shelly will share her photos with me!

{July 11, 2007}

What a GORGEOUS day God has given us today! It is just beautiful out there...hope you all get to enjoy some part of it!

I snapped a photo of my gerbera daisy that is blooming out front. In early summer I planted two pots of daisy's and they have been doing awesome...except that I only get a bloom every now and then! That's okay though...it gives me something to look forward to and enjoy!

{July 9, 2007}

Hey Everybody!

Just wanted to share a few photos of our trip to Columbia this past Saturday to celebrate our newphew's Noah & Ira's 5th birthday! We had an awesome time...my sister and her husband just moved in to this gorgeous home in the country...trees everywhere...great place for their boys to just be boys and play outside! And WOW...my sister has done an AWESOME job in making her home feel comfortable and welcoming...great job, Elizabeth!

Matthew started soccer camp this morning for a couple of hours...he had a great time. When Jacob & I walked up to the soccer fields to pick him up he was drenched wet with sweat! I ended up pouring the rest of his water bottle over his head and we walked home and jumped in the pool!

Have a great Monday!

Becky

Happy 4th!...a LITTLE late!

{July 5, 2007}

Hope you all enjoyed a fun & safe 4th of July! We sure did...and the weather...absolutely gorgeous...it was even a little chilly watching the firewords!

We went out to Rob's parents for a late lunch and had some very yummy pork chops and hotdogs. Stayed out there for a while and then we headed to our farm to bale hay...the boys just love hanging out there - the purchase of the 4-wheelers was one of the best things we ever did! Along with doing that...Matthew loves to ride on the hay wagon and Jacob loves to ride the tractor. Rob's Dad helped by driving the tractor so I got to eventually go home and start supper.

When they eventually got home we ate a quick supper and then headed to the fireworks stand. Thankfully, Matthew & Jacob love all of the little stuff like the snakes, snaps, and the little cars/tractors/rocket ships, etc. that don't cost too much! We then went over to some friend's house for strawberry shortcakes and to watch the big Jackson fireworks. I believe that we have found THE SPOT for watching the fireworks. We've had awesome places in the past to watch them...but I think our friend's backyard topped them all! They're yard backs up to the park that is behind Wib's Barbecue. It was a fantastic view! When we got home we did our fireworks with the boys...even though it was about 10:30...we had promised...and by the way, it's 9:30 am and their BOTH still in bed!

Lovin' the Summertime!
Have a Great Day!

Lazy Days of Summer...{July 2, 2007}

As I was catching up on some blog reading this morning, I came across one that shared that today was the half-way point in the year. Wow...already? It got me to thinking about some of the goals/plans that Rob & I had talked about at the beginning of the year and where we were in accomplishing those goals. Some things we've been doing great at and other things, well...there's still half the year left! LOL!

Woke up this morning to another beautiful, sun-shiny day! I made French toast for breakfast and I always wonder why I don't make that more often...everyone in our family loves it! We spent the morning cleaning bedrooms...picking up, de-cluttering, dusting, cleaning windows. It always amazes me how many "special" things Matthew has that he just can't part with! He has like 4 or 5 different containers just filled with "stuff" that is meaningful to him...at least now, after cleaning, we have all of this "stuff" contained...and not just sitting around on dressers and bookshelves!!! Thank goodness Jacob hasn't gotten to that stage yet where he wants to keep everything! Well, not sure if it's a childhood "stage" or just a "Matthew" thing!!!

After a few episodes of Scooby Doo, we headed to our backyard pool and spent the afternoon there. This evening was spent playing t-ball in the front yard.

Love these lazy days of summer!