The fruits of my labors!

We put it up close to the house so that the animals wouldn't get it. You can see behind the garden all the plants Brian just finished planting. We bought about 70 plants in all and he has been working so hard. It looks so good. I love that he takes such pride in our yard even though he works so much!
The lettuce is a little bit out of control! The pale green ones are broccoli (or trees in my kids terms)
Peppers! Hooray. I grew red and yellow!
Roma Tomatoes and I have Cherry Tomatoes growing like crazy too!

Brianna is in the Friend

Check out page 37 of August's Friend magazine. After waiting about a year she got her picture in the Friend. We had stopped looking for it because we sent it in so long ago. Then on Sunday one of her friends told her they saw her picture. We hurried home to look and sure enough! Very fun!

Four year olds!

Brian Jr has been especially funny lately. His little personality is just bursting and we are constantly being entertained by him. We love his sweet little prayers where he says thanks for hot dogs, Lingle Park and other such details! The other day I was laying with him in his bed (his all time favorite) and I told him I had to go and he was begging for me not to go. I then explained to him that I needed to go lay down with Daddy and that when he was married he would have a wife to lay down with him. That was that and it was over. Then a few days later I kissed him goodnight and I was walking down the hall and I hear him yelling (he is always yelling, he only has one volume and it is LOUD)...anyway I hear him yelling "I want a wife, I want a wife, I want a wife." We will have to remember this one so that we can someday tell his wife about it! This little guys is going to need a lot of refining. Today he was all the way down the street riding his bike to the neighbors IN HIS UNDERWEAR!!! Of course, all the neighbors were out there laughing! Then when we were at a picnic he pulled his pants down and starting peeing about 15 feet from where we were all gathered. About 10 minutes later I look over and he is scarfing down a hot dog from someone's plate! I think he has the wrong mother! Oh speaking of mothers...get this: A few days ago we are at the pool and apparently he jumped in and splashed this lady and she jokingly said "where is your mother." He turned to her and loudly replied "I don't have a mother" and swam off!

Ben is One!

We had such a fun little Birthday Party for Ben. I must admit I was a little hesitant. I think since we have three, I am way too relaxed. Brianna and Brian had appetizers and punch bowls at their one year old parties! Poor Ben! Mary and Brian both agreed he had to have a party. I TRIED to keep it really simple. Brianna did the decorating, which she throughly enjoyed. I made a little duck cake for Ben and a REALLY yummy ice cream cake (first time making one of these). We had a few snacks like deviled eggs, chips and salsa and pigs (actually turkey since I am dieting) in a blanket. Ben got two presents on his Birthday which was the perfect amount. He got a little fire engine to ride on that he loves and his very own wagon from Mary and Jim. We had to be very specific about the rules of the wagon. I can just see Mary rocking on her front porch and watching Brian push Ben down the driveway in his new little wagon...YIKES! I can't believe how this year has flown by. Ben has been such a joy to our family. He is so sweet and quiet and we all adore him. What a blessing he is to our family! I can't imagine my life without this sweet little guy! P.S. It looks like Ben is going to like football!

Posts to come...

Ben's first Birthday
My garden (it grew like crazy while I was gone)
Pictures of our Bedroom all completed

Home Sweet Home

OK I have to tell you that I seriously am so crazy about this husband of mine. I missed him SOOOO much! I feel like I am still a silly teenager in love with her high school crush. I couldn't stop thinking about him the whole time I was there. I even cried one night because I missed him so much. We ALL missed him. The kids were super excited to see him, even Ben. Brian was all worried that Ben wouldn't recognize him, of course he did. Just like I always do after a LONG flight alone with three kids I say I am not going back for awhile! I am going to try to make it till next summer or maybe just the winter, we'll see! But I dont' know if I can make it that long again without my husband!