Independence Day...finally!

I've finally had some time to put on some pictures from Independence Day. We spent the afternoon and evening with friends from church. There were hot dogs and hamburgers and all sorts of lovely side dishes and desserts to be had. Encouragement and discussion abounded as did fun in the partly-sunny sun!
Noa, who is NOT a giant but is actually sitting in a tiny chair. :)

Grampa B. See the little playhouse thing in the background? That is where Timothy played for HOURS on end, especially during the water gun fight.

Freeman sliding down the water slide.



Adult 4 way tug-a-war. This was Crazy! We had to try to pull back far enough to reach the gunny sack behind us, without letting go of the rope. Thats my backside, int he capris with blue shirt and red undershirt. I was sore for DAYS after this...But our team won, so it was worth it!

Friends.

Dallas and Freeman.

Eden and Terri.

Abby holding Josiah.

The littlest people's gunny sack races. The slowest were allowed to get a head start on this one! Later on the bigger little people raced and had to do it backwards.



Timothy going down the water slide. He only went once, and hated it! He spent the rest of the time staying far away from the water! (Keep in mind it was only about 65 degrees!)



Team tag, this is fun!



Dallas and me.

I don't have any pictures some of the best parts. There were races on a tarp that had been doused in water and oil, which most of the adults refused to join in. I, however, found it be be really very fun and hilarious! Then, of course, and is tradition every July 4th, there was a huge water fight! Everyone who participated was completely drenched, and this year, even the circle of safetly wasn't particularly safe, as SOME of the ruffians came in and stole away Terri to be dunked!

BPA is used in baby bottles and other clear hard plastics

I am doing a little online research about BPA. Here is what one article I found said:

"Frederick vom Saal, professor of Biological Sciences, said recent studies have shown that BPA is extremely harmful in very low doses. The chemical acts like the female hormone estrogen and interferes with the body's natural processes. BPA has been linked to adverse effects on male and female reproduction, altered immune system function, behavioral changes, learning disabilities, brain damage and an increased chance for certain cancers. Researchers are concerned about the exposure of babies to the chemical, which can cause irreversible damage" Read the rest of this interesting article here!

The jury is still out on weather it is actually bad for you. Research can be so hard to decipher!

This is for you, Casey

Ok, I dressed up and had my husband take a picture of me. Now, these aren't the most glamorous pics in the world, but it is proof I live and breath!

I look like I have one leg in the bottom picture...really, I DO have two, my other foot is just on the stairs for some reason... Or, maybe I should go with the story I'm a peg-legged pirate--

er pirete-ess?

More funky stuff

I know, I'm supposed to be putting on a picture of Dallas in her sunbonnet and dress, but quite frankly, I haven't gotten around to having her put them back on.



So, in the meantime, I found this cool video you just have to watch. I went ahead and put two kinds of movie player type thingys on here, even though they are the same movie, because I wasn't sure which was better. But, the bottom one you can make full screen.

Baby Mine...isn't a baby any more

Today we celebrated 7 years. Seven lovely years as parents, seven wonderful years of Dallas!!! Its hard to believe its been that long, and then again, there are days where it seems like I've been doing this mothering thing FOREVER, and wonder if I will ever get to sleep through the night again! I am so thankful for my precious little girl!

Dallas' friend Asher spent the night, and we had a party at Grandma and Grandpa DeLap's house. Dallas wore the dress Grandpa bought for her. Before we went home, two little girls were well covered in makeup from Auntie Christy and Uncle Jeff.

The cake was different than any other cake I've decorated, because Dallas doesn't like frosting. It is too sweet for her taste. So, I used whipped topping, colored lavandar, for most of the decorating. There is a little bit of store bought cookie frosting on it, too. The package said that would get hard, but APARENTLY, when put on whipped topping, it doesn't harden up, but rather gets liquid and runs! The cake tasted good with the topping instead of frosting, and turned out much better than I expected. I made Dallas a sunbonnet to match Holly Hobbie's, and it even matched her birthday dress. I didn't get a picture on her birthday, so I'll have to take one tomorrow.

She loved the little babies and sling for Barbie Auntie Derr made her...I'm sure we'll be seeing some for sale in the Quite Lovely Boutique.

That is SO un-appetizing!

If you are in need of a good laugh, go here KookyChow. Look. Read. Laugh. Idid, and I'm still laughing!

Auntie Florine

The birthday princess and Freeman at the dinner table
Sisters, who to me, don't look a thing alike, and yet at the same time are able to both look like their mother...Hmmm, I wonder how that works?
Everything tastes better when it looks nice (I learned that from my mommy!) The white is coconut the red is raspberry and the frosing is coconut flavored. In between layers, I mixed berry jam with frosting for added berry flavor.
Story time with cousins Travis and Katrina. Its amazing how captivated they all were with the story!
The children piling on Trina and Travis.

So...Miriam's sister and family came for a visit, and I and the children were able to meet Auntie Florine and her family for the first time! Everyone was so excited to finally meet, and the children just loved them (nearly to death!). We celebrated her birthday on the 10th, and had a grand party! The cake was fun to do, I did the frosting and the children helped put the flowers on it. Here are some pics from the party.