Chicks Dig Me!

Is Everything Made in China?

Megan asked me the other day, "Is everything made in China?" This shirt is for Megan!!

The Sprite Melon

We like to try new foods -- especially in the produce section. Sometimes we like them, and some don't become our favorite foods. I like to encourage the girls to try new foods. Last week they asked to try a sprite melon, which I had never tried before, that they saw at HyVee. We bought that produce beauty, and brought it home to try. 


After cutting it open, the girls each took a half to clean out. I could tell right away that this would not become one of their favorite foods because they kept commenting on how it smelled, and not in a good way! We all tried it, and only Matthew thought it tasted good enough to eat a half of it. Kudos to the girls for trying something new. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it finds its way to the compost pile!!

The sprite melon

Cleaning out the seeds

Emily thought it stunk!

Reading with Emily

The girls LOVE to read to their little brother. It is fun to watch them be so gentle with him, making sure he has ample time to see each illustration before turning the page. It is special time for them -- and great for him too! Here is Emily reading one of our many library favorites!!

Reading Mr. Muddle

"Mom, could you please put my shorts on before taking photos?? How embarrassing!"

MACHO -- just like Daddy!

Summer Tea Party

The girls had a tea party and practiced being "proper" and having table manners. Well, they had good table manners until things got silly!!

Loving on Eli

I wish I'd put make-up on and paid more attention to my hair. Didn't know Emily was going to snap photos.

The Delicate Dragonfly

Emily found this beautiful dragonfly outside. Amazingly, the wings were intact.

Happy Birthday, America!!

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. We take for granted the lives that were given years ago so we could enjoy freedoms that citizens of many other countries still don't enjoy. 

This year we celebrated with my family. On Sunday afternoon we drove to my parent's house and stayed overnight with my parents and sister and family. Early Monday morning, Matthew and I got up early to drive into Jacksonville for a 5k race at Nichols Park. Eli and I cheered while Matthew ran and had a great finish. Matthew had a good run despite the heat.

Dad grilled hot dogs, burgers and steaks for lunch. After lunch we visited my grandparents before meeting up with my sister and her family for fireworks. It has probably been 15 years since I watched Jacksonville fireworks and I had forgotten what a great fireworks display they always have. Amazingly, Eli slept through the entire display! It was fun to listen to Emily, Megan and Josiah "ooh" and "aah" at the fireworks, the way my siblings and I did when we were young. This long, fun day ended with a long drive home, and three exhausted children! 

We dipped patriotic strawberries!! Very easy, fun and delicious!

This is the start of the 5k race that Matthew ran at Nichols park in Macomb. There were over 280 participants and it was great to see so many people out having fun and getting exercise! 

Here is Matthew finishing the first lap. The race was 2 laps around the park.

Matthew finished 5th overall and won his age division. Way to go, Matthew!

Our patriotic Eli

Megan's patriotic pedicure!

One Month of Snapshots

Day Camp 2011

This year Megan was old enough to go to church camp with Emily. Here they are with a few friends before the fun-filled day began. They had a great time and learned all about the Fruits of the Spirit, which we are going to study at school this year. The highlights of the day were swimming and canteen, although I was impressed with how much information they retained about the missionary!! 

Megan and a new friend she met

Cootie Time!!

Yesterday, Megan took a tractor trip with Matthew, which left Emily at home with me while Eli was napping. We both LOVE to play games so we decided to take advantage of this rare one-on-one time for a few games. First we played "Sorry." It was the closest finish to that game that I have EVER seen. We both had 3 pawns safely in Home and one pawn left. Emily was 2 spaces away from home with her last pawn; I was 3 spaces away. We drew card after card, racing to get the card we needed to finish the game. Finally, Emily drew a "2" card for the win! Then, curiously, she peeked at the next card in the draw pile; it was a "3," which was exactly what I needed! Although I love to win games, I am always secretly glad when she wins.

After Sorry, we played 2 rounds of every child's favorite game -- Cootie! We each took one round, which means that tonight we are obligated to play a third round to determine the "Queen of Cootie!"

Someone -- quick -- call the exterminator! We've got a bug problem here!

Emily took this photo. It appears they are square dancing. 

Hanging Out With Daddy

John Bliven Race in Macomb

Matthew has run a few local races this summer. One was the John Bliven race in Macomb. One thing that made the race memorable is that he had such a great cheering section for such a small race. Of course, Emily, Megan, Eli and I were there to cheer him on to the finish. Also, Kathy, Julie, Jeremy, Grant, Garrett, Jered, Rhett and Rachel showed up for the early morning start. Matthew had another great run. He had to come home to work on tile in the field while Emily, Megan, Eli and I stayed in Macomb for the Heritage Days parade (although I didn't get any photos of the parade).


Way to go, Matthew! (Matthew's next race is the Blandinsville Farmer's Picnic 4-mile run on August 13.)

One Month of Snapshots