~Sugar Twist Cakery~

A friend of mine just started her own business... Sugar Twist Cakery

Her sweet treats are not only beautiful...

But they taste delicious as well..

If you are local, I highly recommend her!

 (I was able to do a little photo shoot with her and her cupcakes... I'm telling you, delicious!)

~Arlington~

My grandmother passed away a few months ago.  We had a memorial service at the time, but had to wait to get into Arlington National Cemetery for her interment. 

Fifty some family and friends boarded a bus to Washington on December 6, 2014.  It was an overcast, drizzly day, but we had a nice service and a good time with family.

I did not take this photo... I stole it from a relative on facebook.  It is my favorite photo from the day!

While we were waiting for our service, our family went for a walk around Arlington.  This is the grave site of John Kennedy and his family.

Looking out over Washington from JFK grave site.  

Many thanks to the stranger that added the very photogenic umbrella!

Sobering & Reflective

We did not make it to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier... maybe next time. 

This carving, right outside the building, was beautiful!

At some point, my grandmother's name will be added... but they are not here.  Their eternal resting place isn't this little, cold, dark cement box in the midst of thousands of others.  It is in a place of light, beauty, color, health, peace... a place made for the children of God!

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Most importantly, they are with Him!

~Picture Day~

Just check out this line of pure cuteness and handsome young men!

Grizz ~ 11 months

Grizz is hard to photograph, being all black.  I love this photo!

Kiersten ~ age 5

Jordan ~ age 16

Jared ~ age 14

Nathan ~ age 7

Eric ~ age 9

Aaron ~ age 12

~Flowers~

I took a few minutes to play with my camera again.  I really hope to get some real focused time with it this summer.

Bleeding Hearts from my boys last Mother's Day.  Aren't they just AMAZING!

I never mind seeing these "weeds" in my yard.

Ornamental Cherry... I think!??!!?

Lilac bush.  I never got it trimmed this year (or last year) so there were not many blooms.  Bummer.

~A Visitor~

I have been hearing the distinct sound of a carnal for a few days.  I finally saw my feathered friend this morning!  Isn't she lovely!

Lest you think I am well learned in the sounds and sights of birds... The cardinal and the woodpecker are the only birds I know the sound of ☺  I only know a few more by sight.  Regardless, I find myself amazed with Gods creativity.  All for us to enjoy!

For the beauty of the earth For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies. Refrain Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise. For the beauty of each hour, Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light.

~Snow Day~

I have several posts in my drafts... but have been too busy for the menial task of blogging :-(

But now... I knew I had to get to get online and post these from today!  I just purchased a new camera and had to go outside to play with it a little.

I watched 8+ birds fight at the feeder this morning.  I was able to watch this one feed quietly after the others left.  Telescopic lens = happiness!

Our neighbors dog "Blue"... She is adorable and boy did she want to play!

Our dog Bullet... she loves to be outside with us.  River was sleeping on the couch.

I took about 30 photos trying to figure out how to blur the background and I was also playing with the aperture.  I don't totally understand it, but am learning!

Eric was "sledding"

Sledding is serious business...

and crashes are just too fun!

my girl ♥

A pretty afternoon moon

my Nathan

My neighbor's house with a regular lens...

...and now with the telescopic lens

I was skip happy when the sheep came out!!!

I certainly don't need another hobby... but this is going to be fun!

~Boys will be Boys~

My boys have a little more time on their hands now that racing is done for the year. Last month was a busy time of inventing for my guys.

They "accidentally" blew up a soda bottle with an air compressor. I gave them some rules after the first big bang... First, tell mom before you do this! Second, wear ear protection. Third, make sure there are no horses coming down the road!

They tried again two days later and had a harder time sealing the bottles. They persevered and had a bunch of fun.

The next week, we were cleaning the living room... cleaning carpets, dusting, washing all blankets and slip covers... and they decided the sleeper sofa would be fun. Four of the boys tried to get in under the bed but it would not close up all the way. Aaron is claustrophobic so he never tried. Jordan got the idea to climb under the couch, have the mattress pushed in a little, climb onto the mattress and ride up into the back of the sofa. Only two boys tried this... neither of them fit. They were very disappointed they did not think of this while they could still fit:-)

The last thing they tried was to removed the mattress and climbed in. Jordan was first. If you have ever worked a sleeper sofa you know you need to lift way up before pushing in. Well, Jared lifted way up and totally dropped Jordan into the couch. It closed! Now we had a big problem. Jared could not lift Jordan out of the couch. Jared and Aaron could not pull him out together. I was laughing so hard I was no help either! I finally pulled myself together long enough to get him out of the couch... he weighs almost as much as me so it was no easy task! It was truly funny. I tend to lean toward caution in these adventures and often tell them to stop fooling around. I'm glad I just watched and laughed this time!

Another day a squirrel got caught between the glass door and sliding screen door. The boys all rain for their BB and pellet guns. They "took care of it" for me. How kind... I would have let the poor little thing find the hole to get back out.

As often as they fight and pick on one another they certainly miss each other. Even if one boy is missing they all mope around. Jared had to get his school physical last month and they couldn't wait for him to get home.

Three of the boys got "new" bikes this week. I never realized how many bikes you have to grow out of! It is so much fun to watching them race around. They could literally race in a circle for hours... must be a boy thing. Eric is learning how to shift and Nathan has a break on his handle bar!

These photos were taken yesterday in our back yard. I never got their "school" pictures taken this year and was so happy to have a sunny warm day to do it. They are not our best photos (several boys don't know how to smile) but they are certainly my guys!

~Family Photo~

I've been wanting a new family photo and this time of year is just great for those! We did not all match well but it was a beautiful day so I drug the family across the street after we got home from church for a photo shoot... this was before lunch so we had to work fast!

I saw this idea and though it would work great since it is hard to take our own picture!

Then our neighbor came out and offered to take a family photo... didn't it turn out great!

Nathan had so many funny faces in all of the pictures that I will just chalk him up to being silly!

So, do I go with the "traditional" or the photo shop photo??!?!?!

~Peeps - One Week~

One week old! Look at those feathers coming in! Look at the dog in the background! LOL!Aren't they cute!
They are stinky too... hoping to move them outside soon!

~Coming to a Mega Store Near You~

Gregg found one of these while out shopping...I think I'll take one! How about you?!??!

~A Daily Walk~

Now that the weather is cooler I don't even step foot outside. That is terrible! I am such a wimp when it comes to being cold. I know that I feel better getting some fresh air... even if it is cold. I always kick the boys out after lunch and I normally get some chores done inside but this week I've been going out after lunch for a short walk. The sun was beautiful today and it felt so good! Now I'm off to play catch up!

Kiersten enjoys the walk too! Before walk...

After walk

~The Oldest~

I can't imagine being the oldest child of a "large" family. Jordan is certainly the typical responsible first born who tends to lead. He is my right hand around the house and Gregg's in the garage.He enjoys racing and food... in no particular order.He can't wait to drive and be done with school but does well in the here and now.