My latest project

Those of us opposed to the term "redneck" for our inventions call it "rural engineering". We are working on a little project in the bathroom; the hole in the wall was too unsightly. Now we have the hole fixed and something I think I could claim as modern art on the wall of my bathroom. Probably not up to code.

April

April was ... eventful. First, our seedlings were growing out of their pots and ready to go to the ground. Definitely our best plants yet. So green and healthy. We fixed the beds up with some horse manure and made them a cozy nutrient rich place to live.

We planted 15 tomato plants in three beds. One of the beds was newly dug to expand our garden empire.

General conference was loved by all. Here is Hannah during one of the prayers during one of the sessions.

Brian and Joe crashed together in a "man nap"

Hannah the princess is sitting on the tailgate of Joe's tow truck. We were pulling her around with the jump rope while she rode and laughed.

Spring weather in Oklahoma...

You've seen our beautiful plants, now see what else mother nature had in store for us in springtime. Sure spring brings a thriving garden and occasionally, some serious wind. Watch what happens when they compete!

Limbs from the neighbor's tree everywhere!

We managed to save our wee little tomatoes with a clever Teepee before the hail hit.

The small divits in the ground? Hail. Fairly big. Think quarters.

This is the carnage from our oak tree. It broke off and fell in a very strong wind (about 90 mph) and we hear the thud just outside our bedroom window. It was a big branch!

The neighbor's tree didn't do so well either.

This neighbor's tree had a hard time too.

The backyard neighbor's fence wasn't feeling to up to it the next day...

Our garbage can got a bit knocked around.

Our greenhouse suffered a large gash and several smaller gashes from the hail but its still standing! YAY!

Lots of people lost pieces of roof.

The neighbor across the street had the misfortune of having far too many old cedar trees near her yard. One took out the corner of her shed and the nextdoor neighbor's fence. Another took out her beautiful glass greenhouse. Another broke in half and hangs suspended above her backyard gate. I'm glad her house was ok.

By the way, the neighbor next door is not too happy about the cedar in her yard which destroyed her fence.

The shed got a little bumped around.

We were just so happy we were all ok. Everything got cleaned up after a few weeks and life has gone on.

Piano Performance by Aubrey Jean

Today Aubrey performed at the local Composer's Workshop meeting playing two original compositions by her piano teacher.

She sounded as beautiful as she looked.

Just pictures and a special treat too!

Annddd.... a little treat for all you Joe lovers out there - This is the young man during a lecturing exercise during family home evening in January. ENJOY!

So Much to be Thankful For!

We were able to spend Thanksgiving with good friends who recently moved just a little closer to us, making a relatively short trip possible. My friend Lisa and I got together on the phone a few times in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving to coordinate the feast. We envisioned a different, healthier, less glutonizing kind of feast... But when the husbands heard about it, they rebelled and we ended up with a pretty traditional Thanksgiving only moderately simplified - and it was wonderful! It doesn't matter so much what is sitting on the table when across the table from you are many people who warm your heart!

Yes, between the two families we do have 10 children. It was great!

Aubrey's Brithday

Aubrey turned 7 Monday, and had a wonderful day. I brought cookies, a brother and a sister to her class. We played with the fun play balls at home after school. Had her favorite (plain spaghetti and sauce) for dinner, opened presents and ate cake. I think she loved her day. I sure love her. I am so glad I have an Aubrey.

Aubrey wanted a carrot cake with a bunny on it for her cake.

I was super excited for Aubrey to get the presents I worked so hard on for her. She was super excited to get them. She loved them! Ohhhhh! I was so happy.

The first is a soft bristle brush - Aubrey has a tender head and we keep losing the other brush...

I put Aubrey's name on the front of her first "big girl" journal. She loves it.

This one is the best. I was so excited for Aubrey to get it.

YAY! She loves it as much as I do!

Pretty presents don't last too long - better take a picture while they're still pretty.

I think Hannah is too yummy. I love that girl too.