Our Garden "Friend"

It was only a matter of time before we saw one of these in our yard and garden.  I am hoping he helps take care of some of the bugs that would otherwise eat my tomatoes.  But he will hide in the drain holes and emerge when I fill the buckets with water.  Since there are a few oak leaves in the bottom and he's the color of the leaves, he has a perfect hiding spot so birds won't come eat him.  Welcome to Texas!

Who's Been Playing With the Camera?

I have been finding multiple photos of ceilings, faces, beds, blankets, desks, etc on my camera.  It isn't too hard to figure out who is the culprit.  Especially when he takes self-photos in a close up!

Hello, Joe!

Happy Birthday, Kelsey!

It has been eight years since we welcomed our Kelsey home!  The best Father's Day present Shawn has ever gotten!  And to celebrate her special day, we all went out for a picnic before the local baseball game at the Round Rock Express!

Kelsey had originally wanted Gondolas from an Avanti bread recipe (local Peoria, Illinois sandwich...which is so tasty!) but Linda ran out of time trying to get everything done in the day.  She settled for sub sandwiches and Cheetos with a cookie cake for her birthday cake.

And I have enjoyed the panoramic feature of my new camera!

The kids loved sitting on the green grass that the said, "Is actual grass!"  They had a great time rolling down the hill before the game even started and even got up on the jumbo tron a couple of times.

It was a great evening with a gentle breeze blowing and sitting in the shade!  We had some great memories from the game!  Happy Birthday, Kelsey!

Wilton Cake Continues

For Mother's Day I received a Wilton Cake decorating kit with the course materials to learn some basic buttercream skills.  This has been something I'd been wanting to do for several years!  And boy have I learned some simple lessons that make a big difference.  First, too much water can make your frosting droop.  But, it still tastes great!

The kids have been asking whose birthday it is when I break out the cakes and frosting.  I guess since we're not much of cake eaters around here (we prefer pie!), that only truly special occasions merit frosting skills.  Not anymore!  Now, we can have pretty cakes without a reason...Mommy needs to practice!

Day Camp 2014

Although this was our second experience with Cub Scout Day Camp, this was the first time either Shawn or Linda got to attend with John.  But we had a fun time spending the day with some fun boys!  Linda volunteered early in the week as a den walker (you get to keep the boys in line as they go from activity to activity).

Shawn got to help out at the BB gun range!  John stayed to help Daddy set up water balloons so the other boys could shoot them down!  The family showed up in the evening for an early campfire ceremony and a picnic.  The kids loved the huge pavilion and seeing where John had spent his days all week.

To help Shawn keep from getting sunburned and for a Father's Day gift, we got him an awesome Stetson straw hat!  Now with boots and a hat, he looks like he was born in Texas!