Saunder's County Fair 2012

 We arrived a little before the carnival rides started going, so we went through the 4-H buildings and the open class building before heading over to the children's petting barn.

 Awww...they had baby chicks there!

 Evie gave her's a kiss!

 Then we went over to check out the poultry barn - they has so many neat looking chickens and we seen a few eggs!

 We had to laugh at this duck - she had a fancy hair-do! Ha!

 The girls loved petting all the bunnies through the cages - mostly disturbing them as they all were resting the the evening heat.

 Then we went over to look at the cows.

 And then the sheep and goats!

 I wish we had gotten over to the rides as soon as they had opened cause hardly anybody was there at first.

 The girls both love the merry-go-round - its their favorite ride.

 We rode on the little tractors.

 The girls were super excited to ride on the rides and then they would get kinda bored with them after awhile.  Next year, Gracie will have to try out the mini roller coaster they have there with her Dad.

 Riding the boat - this was the only ride, besides the merry-go-round that they would sit together - otherwise they got their own seats.

 Of course we had to get some cotton candy and a funnel cake. I like how Evie is eating her cotton candy - hand on hip and all.

 This was a dart game - each little square was worth so many points. It was all fun til Gracie seen the grand prize (worth 15 points) - a stuffed unicorn.  She busted out in tears saying she wanted that unicorn. So, she had to win it - 3 points at a time.

But boy was she ever happy- "I love my new unicorn!" She named it Rainbow.

Welcome to Our New Home

 We started moving into our new home on July 13th, 2012.  It was a Friday the 13th but, that has not brought us any bad luck. We are getting used to calling our new home "home". Evie kept saying "Let's go home Mom" the first week but now has grown to know this is our new home. We moved in 90 degree weather and about died a few times, but eventually we got everything moved in.

 This is the east side of our backyard. It is where the playhouse and swingset found a new home and where my garden will be.

 This is as you enter our home into the living room.

 One of my favorite things about my new home is the kitchen! So spacious and I love,love,love my island. I don't even have all the drawers filled!

 This is the girls room upstairs.  There are two additional rooms downstairs that will eventually be theirs but they are too little now to be down there alone.

 Another one of my favorite rooms, the laundry room/mud room. It is just so darn useful - I love it!

 Our master bedroom, which has a bathroom attached. I obviously need to figure out some sort of window covering for the window above our bed - I've been working nights lately! I slept til 4:15pm the first night shift I worked while out here - I haven't done that in forever. I didn't hear anybody mowing their lawns, kids playing, or noisy vehicles pass by my house - it was wonderful.

 This is they playroom which will eventually be one of the girls bedrooms downstairs. It will need to be painted, but that wasn't totally necessary to get moved in. I love how the toys are all in one room, but somehow they seem to migrate upstairs.

 Another view of our living room.

The south end of our backyard. We do have the firepit but I think we will be moving it - I think its a little close to the house. So far we are loving the new place. I still have things to put away and organize, but I have plenty of time to do that. Hoff says we are never moving again. You don't realize how much stuff you accumulate over the years, especially with two kids. So, if you're in the neighborhood, stop on over for a visit!

Stir-Up Days 2012

 The girls ran into some old daycare friends at the parade - Maggie and Emma. They had fun watching the parade together.

 Grandma and Evie looked like twins watching the parade.

 The firetrucks spray the kids every year with water. Gracie was willing to go out this year by herself, but only if she could hold her ears - the firetrucks were loud!

She didn't get soaked, but just enough to cool down. The parade was over an hour this year so we were ready to get home to an air conditioned place.

Canning 101

 So, this year I started a new adventure. Canning. This is the first time I have tried this and it turns out, it is easier than I thought. I don't have a pressure cooker, so I have only been doing the water bathing method.

This is all I have done so far and plan to do a little more this summer.

4th of July 2012

 Getting ready to light off the parachute.

 Look at these cute cousins - perfectly happy and loving one another.

 Hold your ears girls. Poor Piper - its a little loud!

 This was a cute little firework. I think it was called "raise the flag" and that's what happened. After a few sparks this little flag shot up :)

 Hanging with Grandpa after the firework show.

 Our little family on the 4th.

 The girls' favorite firework this year - the poopy puppy. A few sparks flew out his bottom followed by a snake. Funny and clever.

 Sisters and sparklers - what a hot combination.

 Gracie got to hold sparklers this year with a little help. 

 Hoff put on a show all of his own.  I hope no one was watching.

Then, we went down to the football field in Ashland to watch the "Big" fireworks. I just love this shot I got of Gracie "Awwing" at the pretty display.  We had a nice 4th.