Max Our Best Friend!

Maxwell our special dog!
Born June 12, 1998 went to doggie heaven December 14, 2010

Last week we had to put our beagle to sleep! Wow that was very hard for our family.

He was 12.5 years old. His body began to shut down. We will miss his presence in our house!

Prairie Time!

Hannah's Liberty Belle Book Club spent the afternoon learning about a one room school house and what it would be like to live the prairie life. She recited a poem. Did her work on a chalk slate and worked on a patchwork quilt. It was great fun! Hannah really enjoyed her experience!

Mrs. Kostyn helped the girls learn how to make a square. She was very patient!

Concentrating on the quilt square.

Halloween Fun!

Kylee and Hannah went to the pumpkin patch. We went to my friend Anna's for a fun party. Mitch and Kylee dressed like nerds. Hannah was a sailor. I was a bunny.

Giggles Cooking Club in October

We made scarecrow cookies and painted the first letter of their name in fall colors. I really enjoy spending time with these girls.

When Life gives you Lemons Make Lemonade!

This past May I was Blessed with a new part time job at Dream Dinners. It is a fun place where families can come in and make meals and place them in their freezer. The goal is to help people make healthy home cooked meals and sit down and enjoy dinner with their family.

I was given a case of lemons from my work. So Hannah and I used my juicer and made Lemonade. I am very thankful for my job! At first I was unsure about working and how it would affect my family and lifestyle. But, I truly believe that the job has been a blessing for all of us! God is good at providing. I love my job!

Happy "18th" Birthday Aaron !!

Went out to lunch with Aaron and had Ice cream cake for dessert! I made it with Oreo cookie crust layered with mint ice cream, fudge, nuts, and whip cream on top! It was delicious!

Happy Fall Y'all

We have been enjoying cooler temps. in the morning and evening! Whipped up some pumpkin muffins with a favorite recipe from the St. James cookbook. Umm so moist! Hannah made a beautiful fall t-shirt with fall colors and leaves.

She is a cutie about to begin her work of art!

She will wear her shirt to church this week... We love this time of year!

Kylee & Mitch

Kylee & Mitch have been dating for a year now. They are cute together and they have a lot of fun! Saturday they went out to dinner at Oregano's Italian Restaurant. Kylee won a gift certificate from her work. They went to the Phoenix Symphony too. We had to stop them and take a picure because they looked so nice!

Hurrah for Aaron

Aaron had quite a week! He got his drivers license and started a new job! He is working at Spinatos Pizzaria. The best bonus is he gets to eat pizza all the time! But, wait I have to share my car. He turns "18" on October 15. He is a fine young man!

Weighing In at 112 pounds......Murphy Lowe

We took Murphy to the Vet Clinic to have his shots and he stepped on the scale! He weighs 112 pounds. I could not believe it. His nose weighs 5 pounds alone. HE is a Gentle Giant!

He got his hair cut today too! We like him Fluffy but, I think he feels better with the short hair.

Apple Pie for Aaron

Aaron asked me to make him an apple pie yesterday! He had a paper due for his college class so, I thought fuel for the brain. He finished his paper and he did a great job. Who knew that all it took was an apple pie to motivate his creative writing juices.

Giggles Cooking Club

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

We had our cooking club at the park this month. I was thinking it is September we should have cooler temps. Ha Ha It was 103. We are still in three digits. WE stayed in the shade. The girls made mini cookie hamburgers and hamburger key chains. They were very tasty!

A New Bathroom

My Handyman is at it again!! Mike painted the bathroom walls with peanut butter. No not with Jiff, with paint of course.... I love the color! He put a new vanity and mirror. The color is java brown. He does Great Work!!!

The picture on the wall says "Make time for the quiet moments as God whispers and the world is loud.

Chocolate Shower curtain and I love the hanging towel rack. The floor is desert tones. I do like Reese's peanut butter cups. Hmmmmm!! If only the walls and curtain were scented!

School Fun

First week of school at the Lowe's was fun. Trying to get back in a routine. We made Zhu Zhu pet hamsters for a fun cooking craft. My friend Pam sent me the recipe. Hannah loved making them. She is studying the Little House books and learning about pioneer life. Aaron started classes at the Community College this week. It is great because he is getting highschool credit and college credit at the same time. He said there was a lot of familiar faces walking around campus. I can't believe Hannah is in 3rd grade and Aaron is taking college classes and a senior this year. Where does the time go?

We always start out fresh at the beginning of the school year with a clean room. We Changed some things around in Hannah's room. She has a unique situation. Her bedroom is divided by the family room. Her friends come over and think it is cool. She can't wait to have a room of her own with a door. But, for now she is happy to have a space of her own and I think she does a pretty good job of keeping it picked up.

This week we had to memorize a poem... Welcome good attitudes let them stay... Ask God to take the bad ones away!

Big Sis gave Hannah a Facial

Hannah loves that her sister is a cosmetologist! She reaps the benefits! Well we all do really. We can get a hair cut when ever we want. Hannah enjoys the facials and getting her nails done the best!! She is ready for Halloween. Oh wait, that is in a couple of months!

Our Kitty "Whiskers"

On August 2 "Whiskers" our kitty turned 15 years old. She has added much spice to our home! She likes to go on walks like a dog. I have caught her tip toeing behind us! On her first birthday she went camping with us. No, we did not plan it. She climbed in our tent trailer when we were busy packing and did not see her. She bounced all the way to Yosemite and when we arrived to set up camp out came a dizzy kitty! She lived on tuna for 4 days and was a great foot heater in the sleeping bags . She is very mischievous!

Happy Birthday Kylee "21"

Our Beautiful daughter turned "21" on July 29. Our lives have not been the same since she was born. We are so proud of her. She is truly a Gift from God! She requested home made cupcakes from scatch!

Singing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!

Opening presents.
Say Cheese!!!

Hannah made a jewelry box for Kylee out of Popsicle sticks. A work of art for big sis.

Mitch gave Kylee a beautiful picture that he made. The frame is made out of wood. He carved the names too. He worked on it for 2 months!

She was surprised!

Fun Days in California

We took the Ferry to San Francisco one day. Drove to Santa Cruz on another. Both days were beautiful and warm in the sun but, chilly enough to need a jacket. What a treat to wear a jacket in July Ha Ha! I love the windy breeze and the smell of the sea. Had clam chowder in a sour dough bowl and a hot fudge sundae at Ghirardelli Square. Yummy!!
Picked up a stick in the sand and wrote a note to my hubby!

Windy !! Oh boy!! Windy!!

I froze after I ate this! But it was worth it!!

This is Chocolate Heaven!

WE rode on this Ferry from Oakland to San Francisco!

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Hannah played in the ocean. She did not want to leave.

Walked the Pier and enjoyed the lazy Sea Lions!

Took a picture from the ferry.

This fellow sang his heart out!