Our Weekend

This weekend was all too short but a special gift! Everything we had 'scheduled' fell through for a variety of reasons and we found ourselves planted at home. We like being at home and shared some special moments together.

Jess took Michael out for ice cream and let him order a large! It was 5 scoops of ice cream on a waffle cone...He tried to finish but brought some home anyway. There were lots of smiles and giggles together!

Mom worked on changing out the seasonal clothes....there is still a mountain of summer things to weed through but the kiddos have what they need for now. Only a few needs for the youngest and oldest of boys and it's minimal...what a blessing!

The kids relished their time with their big sister....today I enjoyed their giggles as they sat on her bed winding yarn into balls for her to knit in the next week...many hands make light he work. She also took all 7 of the, and the dog for a hike...Darrell and I were given the gift of a quiet house....I took a short rest and them started dinner while Darrell matched socks...one of. Y least favorite jobs! We them scooted,to the grocery store to grab a few items for the family dinner with dessert....yum.  good food and family ...what a treat.

We also enjoyed some horse time before the realization that our fences needing mending which Darrell and Jason were quick to fix. We finished our evening sharing some popcorn after showers and watching a sing along together....

It is the simple joys in life that seem to bring so much pleasure ...unexpected gifts!

The Pool, Snakes and Alligators

Last August a tree took out our pool. We had long discussions as to whether we would replace it but after a long process and many days of building the new deck around all the spring rains we have had -----the project was finished today! We are enjoying the bigger deck and new pool!

Earlier today while I was running errands with some of the littles, the boys were putting the finishing touches on the deck. When I arrived home and started unloading the few things I bought Harmony ran around back to check out what the boys were doing...she was barefoot as usual. She ran under the deck and ignored the boys telling her to stop! A large snake was under the deck and was running over the wagon ad other toys. She screamed and ran to tell me about the big snake! I dislike snakes very much---eww. Dad and the boys went on a search for it and cleaned out underneath....moving all the wood! I am excited about that part! I kept asking if the basement door had been closed. Harmony and Brandon assured me the door was closed and the snake disappeared. We still don't know where the snake went but alligators have now been sighted in the area!

Kiara, the Alligator wrestler

Harmony the star

Michael

Dad 'helping' Jason in

Brandon trying to relive his baby days



Jess the Seal tamer

Family Lunch

Yeah! We got everyone together for lunch today...a wonderful thing for this mom's heart! We don't get to see Michaela very often so it was good to see her with her siblings. Extra special to have dad home today and Jess home too! We found out just yesterday that we would have her today which is always a treat...we sat up last night chatting and knitting together...well ripping out a bunch of our knitting:).

We then stopped at Toys R Us to spend the kids gift card from Christmas...look at the goodies they found!