Searching for Intelligent Life

Fiona from Shrek or a Toy Story alien?

Watch out! He's armed and dangerous with an apple slice.

Pointing to the most intelligent life. :)

Potato Pancake Luncheon

Every year, my aunt Donna hosts Potato Pancake Luncheon. The lunch consists of potato pancakes, rice pudding, navy beans and other goodies including my grandma's sheet cake recreated by my mom.

This year's festivity was held Saturday at my aunt's house. She recently renovated her kitchen. It's gorgeous!

There were only four males at this estrogen dominated event. Mike was a brave soul.

Girl Power! My beautiful cousins.

Here comes trouble!

A cute little duck made his appearance.

My aunt Donna and her family did most of the work.

Last year, my mom and her sister wore the same shirts by accident. This year - it was planned.

Playing ball!

Too bad this picture of my nephew is blurry but I still like it.

In this picture, Garrett looks like a chipmunk. You wouldn't believe how much food he had just stuffed in his mouth.

Missing one sister.

Chilling out. Yesterday's weather was beautiful.

Little Rascal

Something tells me that hat is a little too small for him.

Notice Jack's original sketch on the wall behind him.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

We watched Aunt Jay's ballgame tonight. Her team won 4 to 1! We had a great time.

Jack met some new friends. He hardly ever meets a stranger.

Hanging out with Uncle Parker and Aunt Jay. We visited with Jack's great grandma and great grandpa too. That is always special.

Conversation with Jack

I told Jack not to do something today. He came back with, "You no tell me what to do." That's one of his favorites.

"Who's the mom?" I asked.

"You."

"So I tell you what to do sometimes."

Not happy with the response.

"When you have kids, you can tell them what to do."

"Get back to work." Jack replied.

I think he was talking about the future kids because I was not working at the time. Sounds like Jack is going to be a task master someday. :)

Visiting Family

We had a wonderful time visiting Mike's mom, dad, brother, his wife and their children yesterday. As soon as we arrived, their son Dalton came to the door. Jack saw him from the car and said, "That's my friend!" Well, like good friends they got into it a couple of times. We almost took bets on how many minutes the boys could play together before one of them got too rough. Overall, though, they had a great time. They spent a lot of time driving Dalton's truck. Sometimes, they required a push. Mike assisted.

And so did Uncle Joe.

Grandma and our niece Ali.

Pole dancing!

I'm so cute. I put a spell on you!

How Real Can a Parent Get?

During a conversation with someone today they referred to birth parents as the "real" parents. This happened twice during the conversation, as if a distinction needed to be made between birth and adoptive parents. Can't both of these special sets of parents be the "real" parents?

Random Pictures

Jack in the Box.

My Big Baby.

Nothing Beats the Classics

Cookie, anyone?

From the kitchen of Jack, famous cookie designer. "Want to know the secret to making delicious cookies that everyone will love? First, icing the cookies, then lick the rest of the icing off the knife, then repeat. Your guests won't be able to put those tasty treats down.

It's a Jungle Out There

Can you spot the wild beast?

Back Home

We went to my hometown's parish picnic this past weekend. It was so hot which is really sad because these picnics are major fundraisers for parishes. And who wants to attend a picnic when it's crazy hot? After a very yummy lunch, we squeezed in a trip to the Fish Pond and then a ride on the train.

My poor little guy was beet red. We cooled off in the church and checked out the sewing ladies' beautiful quilts.

Hopefully, my hometown will have a much cooler day for its fall festival. Although I don't like it when the days get shorter, I'm looking forward to cooler temperatures.

When Honesty Hurts

Last Saturday morning, Jack followed me into the bathroom and asked, "Momma, why you got cracks under your eyes?" My darling boy. I guess I was a little tired.

Life is Good

All is well in our little world. We've had an amazing last couple of days. God is great.

Creepy, Crawly Things

We attended a library program last night. Jack got a little restless and nervous at times, but I think he liked it for the most part. I reminded him that momma wouldn't take him some place where he could get hurt.

Was it an alligator or crocodile? Whatever it was, if you rubbed its belly, the little guy wagged its tail.

Tastes like chicken!

This little lizard looked like it was waving one of its legs.

Going for a closer look.

A tarantula - Jack didn't let this guy get out of his sight. I held it - cool.