June 2011 at a Glance

Helping Momma

I love having ferns hanging on our porch each summer.  Lindsey loves watering them.  I'm sure it has something to do with the water.

Painting Project

We have four rocking chairs on our porch that were painted white and they were looking pretty bad.  So I decided to paint them green to go with the roof and shutters.  I love how they turned out!  Next is the table.

Fun with Cousins

We went to visit my sister Cathy and my nieces, Mandy and Crissy.  Mandy had her kids with her and Lindsey had a blast playing with them.  Crissy is expecting her first baby.  We are excited for baby boy to arrive in the fall.

Lindsey and Dalton had a blast in the pool.

Morgan just hung out in her chair and watched.

Talk in Primary

Lindsey was asked to give a talk in Primary at church about temples.  She wanted to plan it by herself.  So we sat down and she listed all the things she wanted to talk about.  Then I put them together without too much editing.  This is what we came up with.

"The temple is a special place.  It is Heavenly Father's house.  It is white and feels smooth when I touch it.  I think the temple is pretty.  I feel good and happy when I go there.  I like to go on an adventure to the temple and walk around the pretty garden and look inside.  We always wear Sunday clothes to visit the temple.  People inside wear all white.  You can get baptized and sealed inside.  Right now we go to the Louisville, Kentucky temple, but I am excited to have a temple in Indiana."

Sitting out front after church.

Happy Father's Day

Lindsey made Daddy a tie today at church.  Jeremy put it on immediately after she gave it to him.  She was so proud.

A Special Treat

Lindsey's favorite place to go for a special treat is Coldstone Creamery.  She loves the mint chocolate chip and cotton candy ice cream.

Doe a Deer

This doe was standing right in the midde of our driveway one day.  We had to wait for her to move before we could pull up to the house.  She was enjoying herself.

More Wildlife Fun at Home

As I was out mowing one day I came across a rabbit nest.  There were bunnies jumping all over the place.  Lindsey was squealing with delight as she and Jeremy tried to catch one.  They were finally successful and Lindsey just had to hold it.  She was ready to adopt it.

Ballpark Fun

We went to an Indianapolis Indians baseball game with our friends, the Pendleton's.  We had a great time.

The girls

Can't forget Joshua

Our Fashion Designer

Late one night Lindsey was upstairs playing while Jeremy and I were in the den chatting.  Lindsey came down the stairs and announced that she is a fashion designer.  This is the look she created.

We did a little photo shoot.

You Don't See This Everyday

I looked out back and saw a deer watching a turkey from the edge of the woods.  In the picture I think the deer is actually looking at me.

The Chicken Coop

We were blessed to receive a green house/garden shed from our dear friend Michele.  We turned it into a very cute home for our chickens.

Before we started.

Me from Lindey's point of view.

These are my beautiful daisies.  Daisy is one of my favorite flowers (and Lindsey knows it).  So while we were working she was busy filling my hat with the pretty flowers.  I must admit I love this photo.  She was so happy to pick something for me.  (I am pleased to say that I kept my response under control.  She was so excited that I just couldn't be mad.)

This is another one of my favorite photos.  Lindsey is holding one of her favorite chickens, Janet.

May 2011 at a Glance

In the Backyard

I wish you could see how close they are to our home.

The Children's Museum with Daddy

Today Daddy got to go to the Children's Museum with us.  It was a treat!  Lindsey had a great time taking him around and showing him all of her favorite things to do.  She even let us do one new activity.  It focused on costumes from movies.  It was even equipped with many dress up clothes, which Lindsey fell in love with.  Here are a few of her favorites...

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

Jasmine

We also hung out in the Science and Wellness area.  Here Lindsey is walking on cups.  She really liked this.

15th Wedding Anniversary

It is hard to believe Jeremy and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.  It feels like it was just yesterday we were newlyweds...my how time flies!  I am so grateful for my dear hubby.  He is a wonderful man with many talents.  I am grateful for our eternal marriage and look forward to our time not only on earth, but into the eternities.  Life isn't perfect, but together we are committed to trying a little harder each day to make the next day better.  It is a blessing to be his eternal companion and friend. 

A cute photo of our little girl.

She hung out with Grandma and Grandpa while we went out.

We spent the day doing things we enjoy.  We started with a stop at "Not Just Popcorn", which neither of us had visited before.  They make over 300 flavors of popcorn.  We bought a few treats then headed north to Indianapolis.  We ate at my favorite restaurant, Stir Krazy, then walked around the mall.  We drove the long way home through the hills of beautiful Brown County.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and we wanted to soak in all the beauty around us.  On the way home, Jeremy suggested we look into going to a movie.  We looked to see what was playing and...decided to share our day with our little one, so we stopped by Mom and Dad's to pick up Lindsey.

We went to see "Hoodwinked Too".  (Hoodwinked is one of our family favorites.)  It was a wonderful day of one on one with Jeremy  as well as family time.  I couldn't have asked for more.  I am immensely blessed with the family Heavenly Father has given me.

Happy Mother's Day

I could never put into the words the joy I feel from being a mother.  I LOVE being a mom!  Everyday I am grateful to Lindsey's birthmother for giving me the most amazing gift.  I pray that Heavenly Father is blessing her and expressing my gratitude in ways that only he can.

My precious little girl.

(Notice my beautiful flower she made me in Primary)

Planting

Planting my 2 tomato plants I received for Mother's Day

The Chickens

It is important to note that our chickens are not typical chickens.  Sure, they are the normal dirty birds who will eventually provide tasty brown eggs.  However, they are not the normal farm birds you typically see.  These birds are Lindsey's pets.  She loves these things as much as she loved our dog, Rex.  It is funny to watch her play with these chickens.  They like her too.  We read when we first got the chickens that the more you play with them and handle them, the more they will be used to people.  So Lindsey has taken that to heart.  (Now a comment from the current time...February 2012...the comment these birds are pets is really an understatement.  It is really comical.  They will come to the front and back door looking for Lindsey.  We'll hear them clucking and go to find they are sitting by the door.  A couple of times they have actually "flown" up to hit the door.  Then there is the topic carrying the chickens.  When they see Lindsey coming their way they do not run away.  No...rather they squat down so she can reach down to pick them up.  It's great!  They also do pretty well with other kids too.  I feel blessed because I've heard horror stories, mostly from my mom, about how she was pecked a lot when she was younger.  Mom still can't believe how Lindsey is with these chickens.)

Lindsey and Skipper

Miss Lindsey playing in the front yard with the chickens. 

This is one of my favorite pictures of Lindsey.

Chicken names:

Buff Orpington:  Barbie, Skipper

Isa Brown:  Janet (1st favorite), Kelly (2nd favorite)

Black Australorp:  Stacey, Teresa

Our Little One

Camping Fun

It has become a tradition for us to go camping with the Dill Family.  Daddy and Bryan met at work and we've formed a great friendship with them.  This year was a little different in that we had some friends from Daddy's work join us.  We had a great time.

Tigger's family, Kenson and Nami, Daddy (with the really short hair in the middle back), and the Dill family (Mila, Bryce, Katelyn (holding Lindsey) and Bryan

Our camping trips always include fishing...so this year I decided to be a big girl and...

take my fish off the hook.

These ladies love Lindsey sooooo much!

Water Balloon Fight

Kenson joined the game to even out the numbers.  They all got soaked!



Our new tent.  Seriously, this thing is HUGE.  I love it!

Take a look inside...

This is Lindsey's half of the tent.  See the closet to the right (that is one of two).  It's amazing!

The kids love riding their bikes around the campground.  There are lots of hills, which makes Lindsey nervous, but she didn't give up.

Who Turned Out the Lights?

We tend to lose power quit a bit around here.  Thankfully we are equipped to camp so it doesn't cramp our style too much.  Today Lindsey and I cooked ravioli on the camp stove and played outside.

Garage Sale and Cousin Fun

We planned a garage sale and it was huge!  We got rid of tons of stuff.  Melissa and Madison came down to help.  The girls spent the night with Papaw the night before.  Lindsey and Madison had a great time having a sleepover. 

 They didn't want to get dressed right away in the morning so they could wear their matching nightgowns.

Having fun with some stuff before it was gone.

A baby bird found in the middle of the road.

Taking the stuff that didn't sell to Goodwill.  We had a van and truck load.  I have to admit it was so "freeing" to get rid of all that stuff.

April 2011 at a Glance

Wow!  As I look back upon April 2011 I am reminded of the busy month and good times we had with family.

Warning...there are a lot of pictures in this post.

General Conference Weekend

We attend General Conference two weekends per year.  It is a time when we watch and listen (on tv) to the Prophet and Leaders of the church.  It has become a tradition for our family to watch this at Mom and Dad's house.  In an attempt to help Lindsey listen more I had a plethera of activities help her sit quietly...with a hope that should would hear the words and learn some things too.  :)

Lindsey concentrating on a sticker activity.

Dazzling fingers...

Somehow Lindsey's stickers ended up on as "nail polish" on her and Grandma's fingers.

Spring Flowers

I love tulips!  They are a tie for my favorite flower...with Daisies.  They make me happy.  This little one popped up in my tulip garden.  It brought a smile to my face.  I didn't get to enjoy my tulips long outside once they bloomed because Lindsey was always very anxious to pick it and bring it inside to put in a vase.  It was a highlight of her day when she found a new one had bloomed.

Our new Spring wreath (we hung in the kitchen)

This is craft project idea I got from a friend (thanks, Elise).  We had a great time painting the flowers (made from egg cartons).  I have tons of buttons so they took place as the center of the flower.  We added some paper leaves for the finishing touch, and viola!  It was complete.  I think it turned out very cute!

Rain...Rain...Rain...



Grandma bought Lindsey a new rain coat and shoes.  She had to try things out in the water puddles...she couldn't wait until we got home to put on her rain boots.

She was havign a great time playing in the water.

New Addition...Not 1, but 6

Six new chicks that is.

We have been thinking about buying chickens for a few years but just haven't felt completely prepared for them.  I can't say we are prepared now, either, but one day while in Rural King Jeremy got a wild hair and said "let's do it...today!"  Lindsey and I didn't argue.  So we brought home six chicks...two Buff Orpington, two Black Australorp and two Isa Brown.  Lindsey is the mother hen.  She loves her chickens!  (That is an understatement).  We read in our chicken book that if you will hold them and snuggle them from the time you bring them home that they will be much more used to people.  Lindsey has taken that to heart.  These chickens are her babies.

Happy Easter

Our Little Fam

Coloring eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Let's Call Her Teresa

Jeremy found this turtle somewhere and brought it up to the house.  Lindsey is fascinated by all the wildlife around us.  If she can touch it or hold it...she probably will.  This turtle didn't stay around long, but for the few days she lived in our flower bed...we called her Teresa.

Way Out Back

I looked out one day and saw these boys out back.  They were strutting their stuff.  I was fascinated to see them all puffed out and trying to outdue each other.

Jaimee's Prom 2011

Jaimee got invited to attend her first prom.  We went to see her off and take a few (lots!) of pictures.  She is a beautiful young lady...inside and out!

Molly, Jaimee, Bella, Emma and Lindsey

Shawna and the girls came into town so Shawna could do Jaimee's hair.  The girls thought Jaimee looked like a princess.

Jaimee's dress was beautiful.  It took on different hues in different ligths.  Sometimes it was a purple/grey and other times it was a light burgandy.  The bottom of the dress was very detailed.  Just look at that pretty flower.

Emma, Molly, Lindsey

We drove to a park where we met the group Jaimee was going to the prom with.  We took lots of nice pictures.  The girls were very patient and enjoyed playing together and catching up.

Mom and Bella

Fun at the Park

After Jaimee left for the prom we all went to play at another park down the road.  Here are some fun moments I caught on camera.

Scott and Shawna had fun on the swings.  A sibling challenge to see who could go the highest.  Scott then showed us a talent from his childhood as he jumped out.  :) 

Bella

Emma

Molly

Lindsey

A cute picture of Bella.  I couldn't resist including this one.

An Engine Show

If you've ever read anything about our family then you know that we go to engine shows to support one of Daddy's hobbies.  These pictures are from yet another engine show.

They had some fun, free activities for the kids...

Lindsey showing me she can go feet first down the HUGE blow up slide.

Trying it another way.  On yet another try (sorry, but the picture didn't turn out well) she went head first.

Pony ride

Barrel ride with her friend, Patrick.

Patrick was there with this his Dad and brother.  He was a good sport and played with Lindsey.