Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Father's Day Weekend

We had a great Father's Day weekend. Everyone came over for hamburgers, hot dogs, hot wings and great company.  We did have a pleasant surprise that afternoon.  I hate the circumstance, but our Louisiana cousins dropped by for a visit.  They were on their way to a funeral.  Their best friend's father passed away.  We had the joy of having Alise stay with us overnight.  The girls had a lot of catching up to do.  I got so tickled at the kids being silly that night.  They all decided to camp out in the Living Room with a homemade tent.  They tried for awhile to construct it, but could never get it big enough.  Finally, the girls took the couch and Colton lay on a pallet on the floor.  They didn't stay up too late because they were out like a light.  The next day, I took the kids to the pool for a little swim and fun.  I think they had a good time.  I enjoyed watching them playing.  Hopefully, we can get together again soon minus the bad circumstances.

The kids painted their daddy a special fish under the sea portrait.  I think it turned out so cute!  Katie's is rainbow colored and Colton's is blue and green (his favorite colors).  I LOVE IT!

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Because I LOVED the Mother's Day cards so much, I had the kids make one for their daddy.  He loved it.  They are definitely keepsakes.  I got the questionnaire and front cover printable from Lil' Luna.  The website has tons of great Father's Day ideas and printable from other bloggers.  It had several cute ideas.  

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We used plain scrapbook paper for a thicker paper quality.  Once the kids finished their questionnaire about their daddy, I just glued it in their cards.  I added a tissue paper flower on the front cover.  

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Our Dads

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We celebrated Millard's 70th birthday with him.  Peggy brought him a cake and ice cream.  It was so good.

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HAPPY 70TH BIRTHDAY MILLARD!


Do you remember the story from yesterday about Colton and Lulu trying to capture the turtle?  Well, here are the pictures to go with that story.  I didn't get them uploaded until tonight.  I tried to get a good picture of the kids, cat and turtle.  I just couldn't get all them together and the picture look nice.  Oh well.  I did get some cute pictures of Lulu trying to figure out what this creature was with it's hard shell.  

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Lulu standing guard

  Mirya

Monday, June 24, 2013

Boys . . .

Boys 

What more can I say,        BOYS

When mama gets them all nice and clean, ready for church, outside dirt or chocolate calls their name. They can't help it. It's in their DNA. I believe they get dirty faster when you remind them to stay clean.

I'm always amazed how, at a young age, they are not suppose to like girly cartoons or the color pink. My little flash will not watch a show or cartoon that he knows his sissy loves to watch.  "Katie watches that, I not like it"  or "boys don't watch that!."

 If it smells good, they want NO part of it. That's all I'm saying about that.  He would rather play outside with his cat, if it doesn't scratch him, than play LPS with his sister.

They live a peaceful life making funny faces or being silly just to make their mommas laugh. It's a must to walk around the house with just their underwear and shirt. Of course, their little hands must make sure the goods are in tack. {wink} My little man loves to talk about gross stuff and if he feels that we haven't talked about it enough, he will start it back. It's rather humorous and I'm not sharing because it's a family secret  {SHH!!!}  LOL!!

Only my son can make me change my expression more than twice within a minute. I'll frown, roll my eyes and laugh within seconds from each other.

I may not fully understand my little guy and what makes him tick.  Every time he smiles at me, makes me laugh, or tells me that he loves me, he steals my heart.

Colton Story
My child loves to watch the show "The Call of the Wildman."  The wildman is a back woods guy called Turtleman that lives in Kentucky.  He is basically the state's pest control.  If you are still lost and don't know what I'm talking about, well you're out of luck following this story.  I find the show humorous and one of few suitable for children to watch.  Of course, I'm easily amused.

The other day Colton came up to me with a bucket in his hand, "I'm Turtleman mom and I'm gonna catch me a cat."  When I finally stopped giggling over the thought of Colton being Turtleman, he's chasing the cat saying "here kitty, kitty, kitty."  Fortunately for the cat, he never caught him because according to Colton, he wouldn't stay still.

Yesterday, he came running in the house yelling "mom, mom!"  His eyes big, "there's a turtle in the yard."  Oh me, here we go looking for the turtle.  It's Live Action!  {yeee yeee}  He didn't like the idea of me telling him NOT to touch the turtle.  So, he grabbed a stick for the turtle to bite down on.  It's what Turtleman does to get the "critters" captured and bagged.  Our little box turtle just stuck his feet and head inside his shell.  Well, that's no fun thought Colton and his trusty sidekick, Lulu.  They finally left the poor turtle alone.  A couple of hours later, Colton remembered the turtle.  He was stunned to find the turtle was no where to be found.  He cried and cried.  This little Turtleman will just have to save a critter another day.  {yeee yeee yeee!}  LOL!!

  Mirya

Monday, June 10, 2013

A New Addition to the Family & VBS 2013

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The day after Memorial Day, the kids and I went to my niece's house to pick up our new member of the family.  My niece, Leslie, said she found a kitten at her front door one morning and it wasn't her cat.  He had a cut above her lip and a missing tooth.  This precious little kitty needed a forever home.  I told Leslie that it didn't matter what he looked like, we needed a cat just like he needed a family.  It's been a perfect fit.  The kids fell in love with him immediately and I think he likes us as well.

At first, we didn't know if he was a boy or girl.  We took him straight to the Vet for his first shots and check up.  That is when we found out that our LuLu is really a Louie.  When I told the children, Colton said that he still wanted to call him LuLu.  Katie thought it was silly to call a boy cat "LuLu," a girl name.  She said that she would call him Lou or Louie.

We love our LuLu.  He is such a sweet little boy and loves our attention.  His cut has healed on his lip and we don't worry about his missing baby tooth.  Katie has a new friend to stay outside with her and keep her company.  LuLu loves chasing after Colton's fishing lures.  Colton has a little fishing pole with a rubber fish at the end.  When he cases out the lure, LuLu goes running after it.  I got so tickled at Colton and LuLu the other day.  Colton cased out the lure.  As soon as LuLu jumped after it, Colton went running away, the lure bouncing behind and LuLu at it tail.  Both Colton and LuLu were running all over the yard.  Colton LOVED it, giggling and laughing at LuLu chasing him.  LOL!  I will have to video this event, if it happens again.

Saturday, we were gone to an open house at Doug's work.  When we got back, LuLu had us a reward laid out in our carport.  He caught his first mouse.  It was a baby mouse, but a mouse nonetheless.  I was so thrilled to know that we had a great little mouser in our family.  We all praised him and let him know this was very good.  Oh he was so proud of himself, getting our attention and going to the died mouse and meowing.

VBS 2013 - Colossal Coaster World 

This year was Colton's first year at Vacation Bible School.  The first couple of days was not his favorite because we had to get up so early.  By the end of the week, he had so much fun and couldn't wait to go back.  He still didn't like getting up early, but couldn't wait to go play games.  Because Colton got to be a part of VBS, I volunteered to be Katie's Crew Leader.  We had 8 children in our little group.  They were all 1st and 2nd graders.  I had a great little group and pray God will be with them on their life journey.  

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The children love going up on stage with Miss Erica, singing the theme song.

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Recess time - the kids loved getting outside and just running around.  We had a few teenage boys outside, getting the kids involved. It was fun watching them. 

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Colton & Katie with their Children's Director, Erica.  They love her so much.  She is awesome with the kids.  



HAPPY 18TH ANNIVERSARY!!

On this day 18 years ago, Doug and I joined hands and became one  with a covenant with God in matrimony.  Our marriage has been a roller coaster.  Lots of ups and downs, turns and scary moments.  We have survived every moment, good and bad by the grace of God.  Doug is my best friend and my rock.  Some one to hear me, love me and give me good advice.  With age and years under our marriage, God has allowed me to love Doug more today than yesterday.  I ask God to allow us many many more happy years together as one.  

I love you Doug!


  Mirya

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

First week of Summer Break

During the last week of school, Katie had awards and field day at school. Her ballet recital was the following Saturday, while my sister, Sandy, and her husband were in town visiting. We were blessed to spend every day with them as they stayed with my parents. Unfortunately, they left the day after Memorial Day.
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Wade and Sandy with our parents - The photo with Katie holding something, it is actually a very well beaten orange.  Wade and Sandy played catch with the kids using one of their oranges that they brought on along their trip.  This orange didn't make it.  The kids were loving it because this mama doesn't allow fruit being throwing around.  A lot of giggles went on this day. 

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Wade and Sandy played the same tick on Colton as they did on me around this age.  When Wade and Sandy first got married, I was about 5 years old.  They lived across the street from our house at the time and I loved bugging them.  I remember one day, I would follow Wade around as he was mowing the grass.  I thought it was harmless enough.  Didn't understand the danger too much.  Wade and Sandy finally told me that if I made a really big nest out of the fresh grass blades; place a potato in the nest and sat on it for a very long time that a monkey would hatch out of it.  I LOVED monkeys and I think they knew that at the time.  I did it!  I waited and waited for a very long time, it seemed like to me.  I was disappointed when I couldn't hatch the monkey.  

This time with Colton, they told him there were monkeys in the trees and if he would be still and cover his eyes with his hands, the monkeys would come down out of the trees.  Needless to say, this trick didn't last very long.  The kids got a kick out of it though. 

Memorial Day, we all met up at mom and dad's house for a cookout.  Tim and Susan supplied the meat, pork.  Everyone else brought the sides.  Doug and I brought the corn hole game for the entertainment.  

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Here is our cheer section - their not too excited.  LOL!  

It's been 4 years since I've seen Sandy and Wade.  I hope our little family will find a way to make it to their house one day.  Hopefully, it won't be 4 more years before we can see each other again.  

DINOSAURS ARE AT THE ZOO

The Birmingham Zoo currently has a limited time exhibit dedicated to just dinosaurs.  All of the life like replicas are animated.  This exhibit will be extinct after July 21st.  The cost is separate from regular zoo admission and is well worth it, if you have a dinosaur fan in the family like ours.  

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We made sure to get there a few minutes after the park opened.  It just seems like the animals are a little more active and you get to see them eat and interact more.  

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This peacock was acting out and giving everyone with cameras a perfect opportunity for a good shot.  He is so beautiful! 

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The same pretty guy was walking around.  I began making some noise.  He instantly began looking around like "what was that crazy noise?  Who is that?"  It gave me another great shot.  Thank you peacock! 

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One of Katie's favorite birds is the flamingo.  I think it's because their pink, but she thinks they are so beautiful.  I have to agree.  Unfortunately, I believe this flock just got through eating.  Katie couldn't believe how awful they smelled.  LOL!  Trust me, we didn't stick around too long admiring the flamingos like we would have planned.  

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This pretty bird was in a cage full of young Lorikeets.  He was being so good and minding his manners, while all these lunatic Lorikeets were going crazy.  The most important part I forgot to tell you was it was a cage that we could go inside and actually try to hold and feed the birds.  At first, I thought it was a good idea.  I think too many people came in behind us to experience the same thing.  The young Lorikeets began to fight and as I'm taking a photo of one of the birds, another bird came flying past me, nearly knocking my camera out of my hands.  Katie and I couldn't get out of there fast enough.    

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Young Lorikeet - They are so pretty, but watch out! 

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This anaconda was being still and motionless, while Colton and Katie were trying to figure out where his head was at.  When I pointed it out to them, Colton was right by his head.  Katie saw it instantly when I pointed it out.  Colton it took a little while for him to figure out where the head was exactly.  I thought he would jump because the snake was looking straight at him as if, "yes, lunch is here."  Yuck!  To my surprise, Colton just smiled and looked at me.  I would hate to find this guy in my back yard.  Gives me cold chills! 

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Katie playing the bongos in the African Safari area.   They have a nice playground for the kids to play and cool off.  

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We waited a while to see the baby orangutan.  The mommy was holding him and hiding her eyes with this small tire.  Right when we were moving to the next exhibit, I noticed the baby moving around.  I yelled for the kids to come back and see.  I'm so glad they got to see him.    

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Here is my little monkey

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Finally, we get to see the dinosaurs.  Colton and Katie asked us all the way through the park "when are we going to see the dinosaurs?"  I'm glad we chose to explore the Dino Discovery last.  

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Watch out for the water spitting dinosaurs!  It actually felt good after a hot day.

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Colton gets hit by the spitting dino.  Daddy laughs in the background. 

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It's a picture moment at the entrance to the Paleontology center.  The center is a room that shows fossils, tools that Paleontologist use in order to find dinosaur bones.  It was pretty interesting.  

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Watch out Colton!  Dinosaur is going to get you. 

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Katie and Colton on a dino dig.  They get to find a few dinosaur bones.  What is it with kids and sand? It's like a magnet for my children. 

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WOW!!!  Colton has waited the whole exhibit to finally meet his most favorite dinosaur in the whole world.  The Tyrannosaurus Rex or T-Rex!  This event was like candy sprinkles on top of a bowl full of ice cream.  It was great that the dinosaurs moved and made their noises.  It was awesome!  Colton wishes we could go back to "Jurassic Park" as he calls it.  If you're interested in visiting this exhibit, don't waste too much time because it's gone after July 21st.  
  Mirya

Monday, June 3, 2013

La Bayadere Ballet Recital 2013

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Presenting my little Indian girl from India, "La Bayadere" Ballet 


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Here a few of her classmates, waiting to be lined up

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We are not allowed to take pictures during the recital because the flashes distract the dancers, so I'm only allowed to take pictures of Katie during the final dress rehearsal.  

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I've been an emotional basket case for the past few months, so of course I cried just about all through the ballet.  What am I going to do with myself?  I cry because I think she looks so pretty up on the big stage.  I cry because she didn't have to look at her instructor to know what the next step was coming up.  I cry because she is beginning to find her form.  I cry because she is growing up.  Honestly, I don't know where the tears are coming from because I have been so emotion this year.

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I thought the performance was GREAT!  All the dancers did so good.  I was so happy that Katie had a row of family supporters cheering her on, which makes me cry.  You'll just have to over look the tears. I was glad my sister from Wyoming got to see her dance.  I think she liked the performance as well.    Katie loves her ballet and I think we'll be here for a long time or until she tells me that she's had enough.  For some reason, I don't think I'll hear.  

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I wore the ballet company t-shirt because I volunteered to work during the recital

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Cousins

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Our little princess

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Katie and her aunties

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My mother would die, if she knew what she looked like in this photo.  Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have of the grandparents.  


  Mirya