My own personal Heaven!!

So, yesterday was one of those days when I wanted to go back to work FULL-TIME, because it would be easier!!! But, today has been a whole new day literally! Right now the kids have a friend over and they are enjoying the HOT weather (it is about time!!) playing on the slide, Porter just went down for his nap, and I am sitting on the patio with a fan and my laptop!!! ahhhhh! And because I have been a HUGE slacker I am going to take advantage of this opportunity to get caught up on my much neglegted blog---so, beware this is just the first of MANY new posts!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day also!!!!



Yes, I have a fan outside!! It is supposed to hit 100 degrees today!!!!!Porter trying to see from under his hat that he so faithfully wears!!!

Aspen is 5!!

I know I posted about Aspen's birthday, awhile ago, but I wanted to add some of my favorite pictures of Aspen through the years. (Because in our book this was a big birthday for her and us.) The night before Aspen turned 5, I had a bit of a melt down (ok so actually it started in May, everytime I would think about it I would cry I know-I am a dork ) I had a really hard time with the fact that she is 5 and starting kindergarten. I feel like now it is out of my control she is going to be exposed to all sorts of scary things and people, and I have to hope and pray that I have done my best at home to instill in her the things she should and shouldn't do and or say. AAAHHH!! It is so scary! Aspen will LOVE going to school and it is something she will thrive at, so of course I am excited for her. I just wish I could go with her everyday and proctect her! I didn't think I would have a hard time with this and used to laugh at others when they cried when their kids started school--BUT here I am getting emotional just typing about it!!


I can't believe 5 years ago we were expecting our first baby. It was something we had longed for for quite a few years. I remember when she was born, we couldn't believe how big her cheeks were! She was a great baby, she was so easy going and would go to anyone!


A little dirt never hurt anyone!At Aunt Angela's wedding. Aunt Holly's flower girl!
Not much has changed she still loves to get dirty!


As I look at all of these pictures I can't believe how much she has grown and changed! We love having Aspen in our family she is a great BIG sister and is always looking out for Brylee and Porter! Aspen loves drawing and cutting out pictures, right now her favorite thing to do is make pictures for Brian and put them in envelopes and tape them to the door so he will find them when he comes home. Some days there are three or four taped to the door, and Brian is so good to open each one and get excited over every picture. Aspen is our drama queen and I have a feeling the best is yet to come, we can't wait!! We love you Aspen!! =ok so NOW I am crying=

My attempt at being self-sufficent!

As we have for the last three years, we planted a garden this year. And tried some new fun things this time, we planted Artichokes, and Broccoli, along with our normal green beans, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, crook necks, pumpkins, cantaloupes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, spinach, carrots, peas, strawberries, and raspberries. And they are doing wonderfully! The rest of the garden has struggled a little bit, but everyone I have talked to has been having a little bit of a hard time this year. I think all of the rain in June slowed us down a little--too wet! But all in all I think it may be a little slower, but I think we will have some pretty good results in the end, and I will probably be complaining when I am trying to get it all canned! Yes, that is 75 feet long by 30 feet wide!

If you come up to see us we will share!!! another shameless ploy to get visitors!!