Cute, random shots

Hayes was 14 months yesterday. He's growing up so fast!
Lolee has a knack for dressing up that reminds me of her aunt Tricia:)
Hayes likes to take bites out of as many apples as he can get his hands on. Then he spits the peel out all over the floor, leaving a trail behind him as he zips around.
Thank heavens for this birthday present!

Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain

These umbrellas have definitely come in handy over the last few days!
We enjoyed wading in our quickly filling reservoir.


We just recently added this water feature to our front yard. We're thinking of installing a water fall and a water slide next, depending on how long this lasts.

Autum Labors

I love canning! My friend Nisha has joined me in my endeavors this year, and though she has never done it before, we have cranked the stuff out. My sun porch has become my canning headquarters. To date, we have done 70 pints of salsa, with 28 more left for tomorrow, and 63 quarts of peaches. Not a bad weeks work! The apples in the bags are next week's project.
Lolee is learning how to rescue Princess Peach from Ethan, Nisha's little boy.
I made a fresh peach pie today. We'll just say Wow! It was so good David made us take a picture. I think I've found a new favorite.

Birthday Party

Our friends the Rawlings and the Herrmans came over for a "families" celebration of Elyzabeth's birthday. Ethan, Heath, Priscilla, Samantha and Natasha are who are girls are referring to as their "new cousins." We are grateful to have made good friends here so quickly.
Blowing out the candles--oh all but one. Who made up that rule about only using one breath anyway?
Elyzabeth looks very cute in her new clothes from her grandparents. Thank you so very much!

Elyzabeth's 5th Birthday

The birthday atmosphere requires a litte extra--the balloons are a must:)














Mom surprised Elyzabeth with a castle cake. We were both very proud of it.

Thanks, Grandma Teeples, for the movie and the books!

Thank you to all for your love and kindness in remembering Elyzabeth. We have been blessed with such a wonderful family.
Elyzabeth loved the presents and the cards from everyone. Debra, you're an angel to send pictures! We all love those!

Elyzabeth sits at the Red Star table.
Her teacher is Mrs. Ziehmer, and their aids are Mrs. Sowls and Mrs. Michem.

Elyzabeth was so excited to ride the bus. She rides the butterfly bus and the lion bus to get to school. She transfers from one to the other at another elementary school. Mom has a harder time with that fact than she does. My baby is too little to transfer school buses.


The first ride on the butterfly bus. They use animal icons so the kids don't have to remember four different bus numbers, because they don't take the same buses to and from school, plus they transfer. Insane!

First Day of School

Elyzabeth was so excited for school she could hardly stand it.


Of course, something this big has to involve everyone!

This is Alaiedon Elementary school. (pronounced Aladan, emphasis on the first syllable)

Labor Day

This is our wonderful friend Mark Farrell. I've told many of you about him and how good he is to us. He makes sure we are taken care of, and we try to do the same for him.

We celebrated Labor Day a little differently this year. Our friend Mark Farrell joined us for a BBQ at noon. Never ones to let tradition go easily, we still had two parties. Our friends, the Herrmans, came over for an evening BBQ. It made the day a holiday and kept us from pining too much for home.

This wagon was our supreme yard sale find of the week. The kids love it, and so does the mom.