Julianne Lovin'

Just some random photos from my phone of Julianne and her lovable ways!

Until next time...

St. Wendel Summer Social 2015

This weekend was our church's annual summer social, which the kiddos have been talking about nonstop for the last 2 weeks!  I had volunteered to work in the bounce house area on Saturday evening.  Before we left the house, I was doing chores when I watch storm clouds "roll" pass us.  There were maybe 10 drops of rain that fell here at the house, but in St. Wendel, it was a down pour with hail!  Luckily, the social hadn't started, mass was still going on, and the rain was over by the time mass finished.

When the kiddos and I arrived, the air had definitely cooled down.  So much so, that I loaded them back into the van to go home and get the kiddos in long pants and grab sweatshirts for everyone!  We then headed back and let the fun begin.  Julianne and Momma got something to eat, and Dallas and Reba headed straight for the bounce houses.  Once Julianne finished her hot dog, she was ready to get in the bounce house with the others.

Sugar did very well until she got plowed over by someone, then she was done and wouldn't entertain the idea of getting back in - even when Reba was the only one in that bounce house!

Dallas spent the evening floating back and forth between the bounce houses and the dunk tank.  Thankfully, they were right next to each other, and I could keep an eye on him while I was working the bounce house area.

Sunday morning, after church, we came home to change clothes and get Julianne a nap before returning to the activities.  We were all thrilled to learn Daddy had the day off and got to join us in the fun!  We first enjoyed the fabulous fried chicken dinner they serve, and then we made our way to the bounce houses (again)!

There was not too many kiddos in the area, so I thought I would let Julianne try the slide.  Guess what!?!?  She loved it!!!

She couldn't quite climb up the "steps" by herself, but Daddy gave her a helping hand.  Reba desperately wanted to go down with her (either side by side or one in front of the other), but Sugar would have no part in that!  Julianne would even "push" Reba down the slide so she would be out of the way.

Dallas was somehow able to get Julianne to go down with him (one time), but I don't think Julianne was very happy about it.

The church sells tickets which are needed in order to play the games (dunk tank, plinko, coin toss, and pick a duck).  This year, I bought Dallas and Reba each a pack of 25 tickets.  Dallas spent all of his on the dunk tank, and Reba spent all of her at the plinko and pick a duck.  She did let Julianne pick a couple of the ducks, but Reba kept the tokens that were won.

Julianne finally crashed for a nap about 5 this afternoon.  She only slept about 45 minutes, but something is better than nothing!

Then she was back in the bounce house!

Dallas also participated in the pedal pull.  This was his first year pedaling the Allis, called Hook and Book.  He did fairly well, but he didn't go far enough to place.

Until next time...

Farmers Pull

After the sheep show, we headed to the grandstands to watch the truck and tractor pulls.  They run 3 tracks at this pull!  By the time the night is over they have ran various classes of garden tractors, Hot Farm, Pick-up Trucks, and Semis!

If you know Dallas, you will know that this was his favorite tractor of the night!  He is in love with the 1206...

Somehow, Sugar was even able to catch a catnap at one point!

Until next time...

Vanderburgh County Fair - Day 1

With the way the month of July falls this year, the Vanderburgh Fair and the Jackson County Fair fall on different weeks.  We have been wanting to take the sheep to Vanderburgh for a few years now, but the animals must move in on Tuesday to show on Thursday.  This typically overlaps with Jackson, where we move in on Sunday to show on Wednesday - following me?

Anywho, today was the day to load the sheep and take them to the fair.  We needed to be there by 5 o'clock, so Doug planned on leaving work early to be home to load the sheep.  I had quite a "to do" list ready for when Sugar went down for her nap.  She had other plans for me...

Yep, she actually fell asleep in my arms!  I'm not sure when the last time that happened!  I decided the list could wait, and rocked her for about a half an hour.  The main reason I put her down - my zucchini bread was done baking.  I didn't think it would be wise to ask Dallas or Reba to pull it out of the oven.

I was able to get my list completed as Doug pulled in the drive.  We made it to the fair in plenty of time, and the sheep got settled in quickly.

I did a little bit of clipping work on one before we decided to go check out the rodeo!  Doug had taken the kiddos over while I was working, and they were able to watch some of the bronc riding.  When we arrived later, they were finishing the steer wrestling portion.

We also watched the barrel races

and the team roping.

We did stay long enough to see the bull riding portion, but it was too dark for my phone to get a decent picture.  Unfortunately, not a single cowboy got an 8 second ride.

Until next time...

Party and Pie

Reba was invited to a friend's house for a birthday party this afternoon.  About an hour before the party, she asked if she could have her nails polished.  It was a good time to do it because Julianne was down for a nap and the boys were gone fishing.  I then made her sit in the chair and watch a show on TV while her nails dried.  A few minutes later, I found her asleep!  

She was able to get a quick catnap before the party!  I was afraid that she would be a bear when I woke her up.  Once I mentioned it was time for the party, she was wide awake and happy as could be.

Once I got home from dropping Reba off, I set to making a pie with a few of the those cherries I pitted a few weeks ago.  Sugar couldn't wait to sink her teeth into it!

It was my first time making a cherry pie (not using store bought cans).  The flavor was wonderful, but it was sooooo juicy!  After we cut and dipped out our pieces this evening, I poured about 2 cups of juice out of the pie plate hoping that the crust won't turn to mush.

Until next time...

Sleep and Eat

We are still trying to get back to normal!  Little Miss fights to go without a nap most days, but sometimes it just catches up with her...

My black raspberries have finished up for the year.  It seemed very short, but they did peak while we were gone.  Thankfully, the neighbor boy that took care of our animals, also picked the berries!  I thought they would be best in a pie.

Not the prettiest, since it bubbled over the edge, but it tasted just fine with a scoop of ice cream!

Until next time...

Catching Up

We made it back yesterday from our vacation to Iowa.  Last night, Dallas and Reba said they were going to see Daddy before he went back to work this morning.  Me, being the good parent, stayed in bed.  When I got up though, this is how I found them...

I'd say they did see Daddy, but they didn't last much past that!

Until next time...

End of Vacation

We woke up Sunday morning, and headed back to the fairgrounds to help tear down and clean up.  The kiddos and I were a little later than everyone else.  All the tables were down and being put away when we arrived.  I was a little surprised to even find Pa-paw sweeping the floor!

After finishing up at the fairgrounds, we all went out for lunch.  One last picture with Aunt Katie before we headed home.

We were not too far down the road when this was the scene in my mirror!

We drove to Hannibal, MO, and spent the night.  We were able to go swimming at the hotel the next morning before finishing the drive home.

Oops, Momma might have forgot to pack a swim diaper...

Until next time...

Easter Goodies and Exhaustion

Dallas and Reba got some Duck Dynasty tattoos in their Easter baskets.  They have been asking everyday since for me to put them on.  I finally caved today...

I think some little one is still exhausted from all the running around we have been doing lately.  She crashed on the kitchen floor today!

Until next time...

Feeder League Tourney

Today was Day 1 of the Mater Dei Feeder League Tourney.  Pa-paw, Ma-maw, and Aunt Lisa came down after Grandpa's party to join us in cheering on Dallas.

Just a few of the boys warming up before the tourney began.

Dallas wrestled twice this afternoon.

It was quite a long afternoon, and it was nap time for a couple little girls...

The final rounds of the tourney are to wrap up on Tuesday.  I'm not sure if Dallas will wrestle again then, as he lost both of his matches today.

Until next time...

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Tonight was Dallas' parent/teacher conference.  Unfortunately, Doug wasn't able to attend, so I had all three kiddos in tow.  Dallas and Reba sat nicely outside the classroom, while Julianne and I chatted with Mrs. Schuler.  Overall it was a great conference, and I couldn't be more proud of all the accomplishments Dallas is making in school.

Before heading to the conference, Reba had to catch a little nap.  She made the bed herself!

Outside of Dallas' class, there were multiple projects the class had completed.  Here are a few of the things Dallas has done thus far...

Portraits created to go with the story, "Arlo Needs Glasses"

Repetitive shapes (circles)

My Scarecrow...

The scarecrow described in the above picture

The students also made Jack-o-lantern faces according to how they answered the following questions.

Apparently, Dallas has never had pumpkin seeds, doesn't know if he likes pumpkin pie, likes happy jack-o-lanterns, and caramel apples are his favorite fall treat!

Until next time...

Fun Day at Kelsay Farms

To end the weekend visit, Pa-paw and Ma-maw treated the kiddos with a trip to Kelsay Farms near Whiteland.  I think it is safe to say that everyone had a blast!  Thanks for remembering your cameras Ma-maw and Aunt Lisa.  Enjoy a *few* of the photos from our afternoon on the farm!

Until next time...