Thank You Grandpa Mann

On Sunday the kids helped Grandpa Mann in the garage. They came across a slip and slide which he let them take home to play with for the summer. What a huge success. On Monday they worked together with no adult help for over a half an hour to get it out the box, set up and working so they could use it! On Tuesday, they invited their neighbor Logan to set up his slide, and they set up their slide to have a double slide. On Wednesday, they invited their friend Taylor and Austin to come and use the slide, too! Tomorrow is Thursday. I wonder what they ask to do?!!


(Be sure to double click on the picture so you can see the expression on these faces!)

The Pond

When we moved into our house 7 years ago, we knew we wanted to have a pond. We love having a water feature in our backyard. It is so soothing to listen to on warm summer evenings. Unfortunately, owning a pond does not come without responsibility.

We choose not to keep fish in our pond, because we really like to see clear water. Therefore, bleach has become a great friend. It also keeps the bugs away, so we don't have to be too concerned with WNV. Actually, we aren't too concerned, but it sounds like a viable reason to pour bleach into our pond. I am sure we are destroying the environment in some way...what doesn't!

This year we had to drain the pond and wash the rocks. The slime build up was quite disqusting. It is amazing how after 7 years it still looks pretty good. In fact, with the plant growth it probably looks even better. If I remember correctly, we put fake plants the first year to make it look somewhat decent. That didn't last long though--the plants faded and looked horrible.


Who new we would end up vacumming our pond like we vacuum our carpets?!

Thank goodness for Emaleigh. She was a huge help this year!

Our Little Party Girl

Today was G.G.'s 91st birthday.

Nana, Emaleigh, Caleb and I went out to celebrate with cupcakes. After singing,eating cake and enjoying a quick round of bingo, the nurses asked us if we'd seen her picture in the paper this week? To our surprise we had not. It was actually in a local paper for Old Colorado City called Fresh Ink. What a hoot! She and some other resident's went to a Senior Prom at another nursing home here in town on Friday night. This picture was on the front cover of the magazine with the following caption:

"Ninety-year-old Betty Warfield and her date, 84-year-old Vern Crotinger, danced at their 2009 senior prom, which was held at the Mountain View Care Center Friday night."

It never ceases to amaze us how social she is. In fact, this afternoon she was headed to our local minor league baseball park to watch the game. We sang the 7th inning stretch about 5 times before she got on the bus, just so she'd remember it!

Happy 91st Betty!

Where Has the Time Gone?

Another school year has passed. Caleb is now a third grader and Emaleigh is now a fifth grader.

Where has the time gone?

I can remember saying to Craig the first summer I had off after we had Emaleigh..."Can you believe someday she will be in Kindergarten?" Now, I am saying...STOP! She can't be a 5th grader already?!

Where has the time gone?

It hardly seems possible that our son will be a 3rd grader. It sounds so old. Shouldn't he be still running around with a plastic golf club in one hand and his special blanket in the other?

Where has the time gone?

I know it is best to live in the moment and enjoy what it has to offer, but sometimes, I can't help but relive the past and wonder...

Where has the time gone?

But for today...I am simply going to enjoy the fact that I have two really great kids that I get to spend the summer with. Two really great kids that may bicker from time to time, but really enjoy spending time together and come looking for each other when a hour or two has passed and they haven't played together. Two really great kids who never ask...

Where has the time gone?

Just Sittin' Here...

So I am just sitting here enjoying the most wonderful day. The sun is shining. The birds are chirping and I have just cleaned my windows. Inside, outside, screens and blinds. Wow! What a view. I am not sure why I don't do it more often. I guess I just like to wait to see how thick the dirt can get. Besides, it's like the windows are saying "Hey, I know you think you're a princess, but we really need to be cleaned and your servants are on vacation, so hop to it!!"

I just love a clean window!

A New Swingset

For Christmas this year Santa brought Emaleigh a horse tireswing, Caleb a set of rings, and Craig a new electric drill. Additionally he sent a gift card to Lowe's with instructions that they must build a new swingset in the backyard once the ground thawed out! Even though the past four weekends have left little to be desired in the weather department, the three of them decided it was time to get this project done! The sun peeked out for a short time and they worked diligently for about 4 hours.


Here is what they accomplished.

Not bad for a half day's work!