46 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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My family was all the way over by the pond.  I had to cross the tall grass, which I can just imagine has snakes slithering in {shudder}.  maybe I should add.. I tend to wear flip-flops around the house/yard..

Then I got me an idea!!  {insert happy face here}

I'll wear his cowboy boots.  Tall. Tough leather.  Clear up to my knees.  No snake can get me now.  Or at least the bottom half of my legs are safe.

And for those squirming in your chairs (like my mother, m-i-l, my sis-in-laws) we haven't actually seen a snake in the yard or by the pond.  But we have seen a dead one on the road, just in front of the field...that the pond is in.  We know they are down here, so we keep a close eye out.  But I have a feeling, the snakes keep a close eye on those four things we call our children.  Since they infest our yard with loud chaos from dawn until dark! :)

Contentment

I can remember like it was yesterday the moment this picture was taken.  It was during our honeymoon, at Seeley Lake, northwestern Montana.  We were newlyweds, life was... perfect!  The person that mattered most to me was by my side.  Him.  We were madly in love.  (Still are)  And we were surrounded by the greatest place on earth.  Montana.

At this lake, we stopped for a picnic lunch.  I can remember sitting on the beach rocks, watching him skip rocks into the lake, staring at his backside, looking out across the lake to the breathtaking views.  It was here, and other places on our honeymoon that we talked about our life together.  Things we wanted to do together as husband and wife.  Our hopes and dreams.  So much excitment and anticipation as we started our journey together.  I remember feeling content.  Having no clue what may lie ahead for us, but knowing that with him by my side, I would be content, happy and satisfied.

Here we are, nearly 8 years later.  Life has taken us up and down many roads.  We've been thru many experiences.  Yet, I am content, satisfied and happy.  The one I love is still by my side, as our 4 kids, who have brought so much joy and happiness (among other things) into our lives, run about.  I will admit, I never thought I'd be in the place I am today, or doing certain things I am doing.  But I could not imagine life any other way.  Nor do I want it to be any other way.


Contentment is a great feeling.

Another great blog, another giveaway..

There's alot of blogger people that I'd love to meet in real life.  This gal.. is near the top of the list.  She's starting another great blog, that I know will be as fabulous as her last.  To start it off.. she's having a giveaway... go check it out!!

45 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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Katie's classic grin... and.... Benji goofing around in the background!

Even though I got mostly cut off on this picture, for some reason I happen to love this picture of my 2 girls.

** to those who have asked.... these 2 are not twins.  There is approx. 14-1/2 mos between them! :)

44 of 52

********************52 Weeks*******************
52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are glad you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Oh, you can just jump in now with 1 of 52, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture!

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For nearly a week we enjoyed the company of Boppa, Gma, Jacob and Emily. It was sure hard to say goodbye yesterday morning. I never dreamt that the house could be so quiet and lonely with just four kids. But it is. We had a great time while they were here. Here are some pictures that Gma L captured on her camera...

Our family Sunday a.m. (Katie-bug's 4th bday!) Mommy and John (we were at a little railroad museum) If you know John you know he likes loves trains. While we were looking at the museum, 2 trains rolled thru on the track beside it. John was in his glory!! We are waiting for train #2 to roll by us.. John is telling Gma about the train! :)
We took a road trip down to Chattanooga. It ended up being rainy, cloudy, foggy when we got to Lookout Mtn. But we enjoyed a picnic lunch anyways.

Happy Birthday Katie!

Happy 4th Birthday Katie bug!!
I cannot believe it's been four years ago that we waited and waited and waited and waited for you. (She was a week late, but Carolyn was 2 wks early, so we thought... maybe...) You've changed so much over the past 4 years. Each day is full of laughter, smiles, adventure and excitement because of you. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!! Hurray!! The day you've been waiting for is finally here! You're FOUR!!

I Love You,

Mommy

Have you ever?

Put one of these things together?It came in a million boxes. All inside one giant box.
We love to grill out. Especially now that it seems like summer time down here, it gave us the itch for grilling. Having family coming for the weekend put the spur under the saddle. Naturally I procrastinated and bought it Thurs. morning. Company was coming... Thurs. nite. That meant.. Thurs. afternoon... I had to put it together.

It was a long, hot afternoon on the deck. Reading directions. Finding pieces. Figuring out the left side vs. the right side (after I was over 1/2 way finished I realized there was a difference and had to take it all apart and start over). But the important thing is.. I.put.this.grill.together.all.by.myself. And it worked! mmm.. those hamburgers and brats were extra delicious on the grill (that I put together!) :)

I am woman. Hear me roar.