Beary Yummy Snack

Lexi found this idea in a kid's book that she got from Nana. It's super easy to make and the kids loved them! You start by spraying a cookie sheet with cooking spray and buttering the top side of a piece of bread. Then use a cookie cutter to cut out the middle of the bread. Crack an egg into the hole and bake in the oven at 400* for 7-9 minutes. We wanted the yolk to be cooked through but you could do less time if you want it runny. They are super cute with different shapes too!

ELASTIGIRL!

I bought this shirt at Goodwill for Trey since it a size bigger than he wears now. He put it on and couldn't get it off-way too tight-even for Under Armour. So I relegated it to storage. But then Lexi had a game when it was freezing outside and I decided to hunt down the shirt. Apparently there are perks to being skinny as a rail. I still had to pull pretty hard to get it on her when I decided she reminded me of Elastigirl from the Incredibles. We were both cracking up.

Wind blown

The wind has been crazy lately! Twice last week we had winds in excess of 70 miles per hour complete with rain and hail. Yesterday, it didn't rain but man was it windy! I was standing in the kitchen and all of a sudden part of the roof flew off and hit the window right next to me. It ended up being the cap from the ridge vent on the very top of the roof. Dave said we had two choices, get up there and nail it on or at the very least, get up there and tarp it in case it started to rain. Of course supper is ready to be put on the table and I'm standing there trying to make this decision. Well let's get up there I said. So Dave got the ladder and he, Zach and I climbed up there to the peak of the roof. Of course, the neighbors are standing out watching us because I had asked for Aaron's help since this stuff makes me nervous. Thanks Aaron! It's hard to describe the feeling of standing on a roof in gail force winds. We got finished in record time and Trey and Lexi's only complaint was when I turned off the movie I had rushed to start to keep them occupied.

Future Runners

Our middle kids announced the other day that they would run down the street and back for exercise. So they did. (After several disscusions) they decided to run to the fire hydratiant (Trey's word) on the corner. We wanted them to stop between laps for water, so they did. Lex ended up doing 10 laps which Dave thought was almost 2 miles. Incredible. Trey did almost that much too. They just crack me up.

Seeing Red

I ran today. That was me you saw huffing and puffing down the road, at noon, in the 90+ degree weather. So we got back and Lexi brings this picture to me and says, "Mommy it's you. You're so hot, you're red!" And I was. I really was.

Summertime

Summer is in full swing around here. Lots of ball games and different summer camps going on. Alexis gets to go to her first Pine Lake Camp next week! This is the camp Zach has gone to for years and he absolutely loves it. He goes the week after her. Lexi is done with baseball after this week and then next week Trey's games start. Zach is doing a summer running camp of sorts with the high schoolers at West. He has done really well and is looking forward to cross country this fall. Leah is just happy it's finally warm!

This is what happens....

when you ask a 7 year old to take a picture. Anyway, Happy Anniversary to Dave and I! Yesterday, we celebrated the big 10 years of marriage. Not that it feels any different. As my hubby likes to say, just another day. It is fun to look back and celebrate for that day though.

Baseball girl

Alexis has moved up a level in baseball. It's still coach pitch but they get to do a little more skills-wise and they have a lot more games this year. She is loving it and really understands where she needs to throw, when. She played pitcher the other day and did well and even made an out by throwing to first base.

Blowing off steam

One of my personal pet peeves. People who walk into a store through the clearly marked exit door. Then they look at me like I'm in the way when they almost run into me.

Cheese Nugget

Dancer Girl

Alexis and Shelby had their dance recital today. We could only take pictures at the rehearsal yesterday.

The Big Question

Trey and Becca are the same age. This was overheard between them out in the yard.
Trey: Becca I need that bike! I need it... I need it!
Becca: (hands on hips) Now Trey, do you really need it or do you just want it?

Tired Bunch

Yesterday, a really crazy thing happened at our house. We have had a long week with cousins visiting. Back and forth to grandmothers house we go, lots of crazy schedule changes and late nights. Couple that with Sports Camp at our church and it makes for tired little people. Zach is helping with Sports Camp this year (soccer) and Lexi is attending again (cheer). Plus I take my nephew Matthew and niece Mary with us. They are having a blast with it. So yesterday afternoon at nap time I decided everyone needed to lay down. Usually there would be lots of protests but no one even complained. Even Zach decided he was tired enough to lay down (which never happens). So all five of us slept. About an hour and a half into it, the phone rings and it's Dave.
What are you doing?
Resting.
Oh, I thought you'd be up since you have to go soon.
(Uh oh, umm...) Where am I going?
Lexi has dance.
Umm, today is Tuesday.
Oh yeah, sorry, see ya later.
Okay bye. ( I thought only I did stuff like that:)

I never did go back to sleep but I didn't mind. I layed there thinking how quiet a house could be on a summer afternoon. Amazing.

Strawberry Stories

On the way home from Ohio, Kris saw a sign saying Fresh Strawberries, Pick Your Own. Kris looked at me and said, that sounds really good. I said, I would be a fan of that. So she turned around and it turned out to be a good field with really yummy fruit. I was excited since I had never picked my own berries before.

So while we're picking, I started telling Rebecca about my blog.

"What's a blog?"

"Well it's on my computer and I'm going to put you're picture on there and you can go and read about our strawberry picking."

"I see a big problem with that Aunt Leisha"

(uh oh) "What's the problem, Becca?"

"I can't read!"

In the pictures, Rebecca is eating licorice. When we pulled in, it just so happened that my nephew John was having some poop issues and needed to go right there by the car. My sister was starting to get a bit stressed by the whole thing. He was crying, she was searching for clean clothes, the other kids were back in the car wondering when we were going to get moving, and she just sighed. So I pulled out my bag of licorice and said "I think it's time for a snack. And don't worry, it's even strawberry flavored!"

My adorable nieces

These are my neices. Joanna is on the left and Deborah is on the right. They are just about as fun as can be. I rode to Ohio with my parents and home with my sister Kris and her kids. (She's going to meet her husband in Chicago in a week. Long story.) So I got to share a hotel room with her and 6 of her 7 kids and ride home with them. (Her oldest stayed with Justine in Ohio for a few days). I was very glad to be able to help out. The ride home went well. I was able to drive so she could take care of the rest. I decided it is very fun to travel with twins. If you've ever noticed that a baby can turn an adult into a googly kid, it's even more so with twins. Every where we went, people would exclaim over the babies and how cute they are. It was way fun. I got to have a glimpse into my sister's life. I could really tell how used to it she is. She has a positive outlook on life, even though hers is very stressful right now with moving and such.

Here's an example. We stopped at a strawberry patch (pictures to come) and this lady was kind of grumping about her husband. She was saying over and over how he should be there to help her and then she yelled to her grandson about where grandpa was. He said welding. Boy that made her mad. "You tell him this is not a day for welding!" Then she starts small talking with us about where we are headed and such. So Kris pipes up, We're headed to Iowa with my six kids in the car. Actually we have baby twins in there. Do you want to see them? The lady perks up and says of course she wants to see them. So she opens the door and starts oohing and aahing. I'm in the background cracking up about how quickly she has changed her tune. Kris has been a blessing to me with her positive outlook and her insistance that she serves a great God. She never misses an opportunity to share that with others. I love her for it and I wish she didn't have to live in North Carolina.

The Wrights

My sister Rhonda, Brian, Jeremey and Justine. The wrights throw a mean party, let me tell you. They had walking tacos, Buffalo Wings, a bunch of other yummy food and cake! I was very excited about the cake. It was awesome!

P. S. Brian is smiling! That NEVER happens in pictures!

Jeremey

This is my nephew Jeremey who graduated this weekend. I travelled to Ohio for the party and had lots of adventures along the way. I have enjoyed watching J. grow up and turn into a young man. He's planning on going to Ohio U. this fall. We're proud of you J.!