Fuzzhead and the Engine Driver

When Zoee woke up Sunday morning, Jaden said, "Mommy! Zoee's hair's up to the sky!" It sure was up to the sky. I love my cute little fuzzhead!



We got her fuzzies under control and looking like a princess before church.


In other news:
The cowpokes are doing well.

The stuffed animals are being rocked to sleep with the greatest of care.

And the new cargo train is running on time. Except when Zoee decides to be part of the cargo. That slows the engine driver down a bit. I sure love my little jammie clad engine driver, too!

Adventure in Canning and Gardening...

We've been busy canning peaches, making jam, planting flowers by the front door, and getting the Fall garden in. Fun, fun, fun...
This was my first time canning peaches without my mom. I had 2 days of lots of canning. The first day my friend Aimee came to help. I was very grateful to have her help and to have her kids here to entertain mine. We canned 35 quarts of peaches in 4hours. I only had one major mishap; I scalded the first batch of peaches for 10 minutes to get the peel off. When I called my mom to see what on Earth had gone wrong, she let me know scalding was a 30 SECOND process. Oh, well, we made some jam out of that batch! That was the first of many calls and questions to mom that day. Thanks mom - I think I've got it down now! :) The second day of canning I was on my own, with my 2 little monkeys. There were endless breaks for potty and snacks and crying and finding toys and changing diapers and food on the floor and spilled drinks and digging foreign objects out of mouths they didn't belong in and answering the phone and giving baths to clean up the messes. The pantry got torn apart, Jaden dumped oatmeal on Zoee's head, Zo graced us with a blowout, the entire house was ransacked...I canned 7 quarts of peaches in about 8 hours. The next day I spent the entire day paying attention to my neglected children.

The oatmeal incident

A whole shelf full! :)

Mommy's little helpers...








Yes, it just looks like dirt now, but it won't for long! My little dirt pile is soon to be corn, peas, beans, carrots, pumpkin, squash, spinach, lettuce, and watermelon! I can hardly wait! :)

And the best part...after all of my labors, my husband came home with a dozen roses tonight...just because. I think I'm going to keep him! :)

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANIEL DEAR

Daniel's birthday was a busy day. The kids and I surprized him at work with cake and balloons. It was late before we got around to the party at home, though...so he got a waffle with a candle in it! He was a great sport about it, and Zo thought it was great! Jaden and I were at the "party" too, it was just too late to remember to get us in a picture! :)






28 REASONS WHY I LOVE MY HUSBAND!
-He's a gentleman and a gentle man
-I've always had a thing for dark bristley hair...and those green eyes...ooh,la,la... :)
-Obnoxious, obnoxious, obnoxious! I love a sense of humor!
-He's a great teacher to our children
-He's so patient
-He does everything he can to make me happy
-He works hard and provides for our family
-He's determined to do what's right(handsome AND righteous? What a lucky woman I am!)
-He knows how to truly forgive; He forgives quickly and never brings things up again
-He is a peacemaker
-He's full of fire and excited about life
-He loves his family
-His smile makes me happy
-He and words are friends - he can express himself just right
-He's sensitive to my needs
-He's a great daddy
-He's always ready to have fun
-He can dance, and makes me feel like I am floating in his arms
-He plays with my hair
-He understands females (Thanks 3 big sisters!)
-He runs with me
-He always tells me I'm beautiful, even when I'm not looking so good...
(Once when we were engaged, I was sick in bed with messy hair, no makeup, a red nose, and glasses. He walked into the room and the first thing he said was, "Hi gorgeous!")
-He gives the best comforting, full of love, hugs
-He gives me freedom to do as I choose
-What's important to me becomes important to him
-He realizes I am not perfect, but he's willing to help me get closer to it
-He believes in me
-He loves with his whole heart and is completely committed - he leaves no room for doubt

To Texas and Back...

Over Labor Day weekend, we went to New Mexico and Texas. We got to visit 2 of Daniel's sisters and their families, and also his parents. Our hosts and hostesses took great care of us and we enjoyed visiting them! Jaden was in Heaven with all of those cousins to play with! Here are some pictures (all in crazy random order) of our fun times!
Then we got a special visit from Grandma, and of course, we had to take her to our favorite water park! She also babysat, so me and my handsome husband could go on a date, which we very much enjoyed! (Since I am blogging impaired lately, it's all getting wrapped into one post with few words and lots of pictures!)




THE LADIES IN RED!



I'M AS TALL AS MY FATHER-IN-LAW...WHEN HE'S ON HIS KNEES!

WE'RE ALMOST ALL LOOKING AT THE CAMERA!

BIG GRANDPA AND A LIL' GIRL!





















JADEN WAS A GREAT HELP UNPACKING THE SUITCASES