D.I.Y. Sally Style ~

Sally is the proud owner of a sweet 70s pad. Not that we don't love the flash back to the disco age, her new home needs a makeover.

Sally always is helping me out. I'm so glad she has a home of her own now, so I can repay her for all the help she has given me at my home.

The new pad has popcorn ceiling -- everywhere!

Once Sally got the carpet ripped out, a scrapping we a-go. Now, I have scrapped popcorn before. This is Sally's first time, so she was patiently waiting for me to show up and do the damage. Once she saw that no real damage could be done...we became scrapping fools!

I can't wait to see the house all done. Thoughts and designs were flowing all night. Who knows what will happen!

We are the scrapping team, should anyone need our expertise!

Scrapping Away

More Scrapping

The late arrival helper

All that work surely worked off the 64 calorie beer...right?

My Growing Boys ~

Why do they continue to play in or on toys that they are so obviously too big for?!?!?!

Levi riding Alex's fire truck.

Levi instigating Alex riding in the infant swing.

Alex's feet almost touching the ground in the infant swing.

I guess it is hard to give up your favorite toys!

I sure do love these boys :)

The Garden's Bounty

Mom's garden is thriving, and today (despite the rain) I went out and harvested some of the bounty.
We got some yummy green beans, peppers, summer squash, onions, and a weird zucchini/squash type vegetable.

We proceeded to make 7 cans of the green beans, this is where I discovered  just how great of a kitchen helper Levi is. Levi and I also shredded and froze 16 cups of zucchini! Yum, we will have some zucchini bread this winter.



   More harvesting tomorrow - rain or shine!

Obsessed with shoes ~

Alex's new obsession is his brother's shoes...well really anyone's shoes!

He walks around going "shooos, shooos" and trying on everyone's shoes!

It must be a phase, Levi did the same thing.

Making Pizza

Lately Levi has been wanting to spend "alone" time with me. I think he gets tired of the baby being all over me all the time. So on Labor Day, while Duncan and Alex were napping, Levi and I made homemade pizza. Levi had a great time helping me spread out the dough.

He also helped pick out the toppings - Pineapple on his half, Pineapple/Chicken/Mushrooms on the other half. We had a good time making and baking the pizza, and I now have a kitchen helper!

The First Day of Kindergarten ~

Levi started his 1st day of school with the traditional front porch picture:

He is sporting new shoes (not dirty or torn up...yet), new jeans (no holes in the knees...yet), and bringing his 1st snack (thank goodness for Costco!).

I was allowed to drive him to school today, only because of the above mentioned snack box.

He was the 1st to arrive at school, so I was again allowed to take a few more pictures (because no one was there to see!!!).

Levi's spot - he was so excited about the super cool name tag.

And finally, Levi was so excited to see the computers. His teacher is so nice, she turned it on & showed him the reading program that they will be using in class.

I am so proud of my boy. He road the bus home with no problems, and said he had a great day with his new friends.

I am also so proud of myself --- I succeeded in not crying or embarrassing my 1st born child.

When did he get so big? Did I blink and miss it? Okay, I'll cry now, in the privacy on my bedroom.

I love you Levi, and I look forward to 12 more years of sending you off to your first day of school.

Quinault

I am ever so thankful for the three things that make this post possible...

1. The Wilson Family - who each year are so generous and invite my family camping with them.
2. The new camera that took the pictures of the camping trip.
3. My cousin Sally who watched the boys play in the dirt & took them for long walks in the forest, while my husband laid in the tent sick all weekend.

We all look forward to this camping trip each year. Last year was a rainy mess, so we figured that it couldn't get any worse than the monsoon that hit us last year. We packed up & headed out & hoped for good weather.

Surprise #1 - I got to drive the truck and trailer...with hubby out for the count, I was FINALLY trusted to drive the whole 3 hours!

Surprise #2 - we had FABULOUS weather. Not a rain drop in site from Friday Night to Sunday Afternoon.

Wyatt and Levi had a great time digging in the dirt, Alex had a blast wandering from campsite to campsite being cute, I enjoyed the quite and technology free weekend. We have decided one thing though...no more tent. I'm now on the hunt for a travel trailer!

Again & AGAIN & AGAIN - Thank you Wilson Family!!!

Here are some pictures from our trip: