a few new owls...

 

Getting ready

Last few preparations

Ty is Seven

 

Ty Turned Seven this month.  He requested a Lego birthday party and we had a great time getting ready for it. 

Trent counted out a bunch of legos and had the boys guess how many were in the jar.

Kaylee created the Lego Vending machine.  The boys hunted for gold coins around the yard and then put them in the vending machine to receive a special treat.   They then put their prize in the yellow, blue and red bags that Mia had carefully decorated to look like a lego.

We had a Lego tower building competition.  Ty and Nathan tied for the tallest tower.

Then each boy had their own bucket of new legos to build any kind of car and we raced them down a ramp.

 

We had cake and ice cream.  Zane made the cute lego piece that was on top of the cake.

No lego party is complete with a cookie in the shape of the lego man head.
The party was a lot of fun but man was it Loud, did i say loud?
I meant LOUD....I have never had a party this LOUD before, and we've had Fifteen middle school boys here at one time.  I still am in shock over the volume of these boys.  I just kept thinking in my head.  I once taught 30 seventh graders at one time and I can't handle these 8 boys.  Wow!

Did I tell you it was LOUD? because it WAS!!!

That was then....

This is now.....

Mia C (L) and Mia W

 Mia W (L) and Mia C.

We met some incredible people in China seven years ago.  We were a part of a very large travel group and one of the couples that we got to know very well were the Clarks.  Coincidentally they were also adopting a "Mia" 

Fortunately we have stayed in touch and just last week Mia, Her mom Julie, and their little brother Eli came over for a visit.

 We were so excited to see them and the kids played and played and played. 

 Of course, I had an even better time getting to visit with Julie.  Julie is moving to DC very soon and I hope that we get to go visit with them again.  This time at their house......

This Weekend's flock

I got a few new owls this weekend for Johanna's quilt.  Some were even delivered in person.  We spent a nice Mother's Day weekend with my mom and David's mom at our house.  We had a great lunch and watched the kids swim at time trials.

In case you are wondering what's up with the owls, I am making a Good Wishes Owl quilt for Johanna.  I asked a few "likely willing" participants to make an owl that I will eventually piece into a quilt..  If you are reading this and would like to particpate I have more patterns available.  I would like as many as possible from our friends and family. Just let me know.

It's Summer Time

and the living is Easy!
Nikon D90 Iso 500 f/5.6

Look whoooooo flew in today....
Thanks Jerilyn

Wildlife lesson #239

Baby bluejays are kicked out of the nest before they are ready to fly. The babies can go all different directions. The mama bird and other bluejays continue to feed them on the ground for about 10 days until they can take flight.
So when you find one in your backyard just leave it alone or if your dog already ate one of them move the other one to your neighbor's yard(who doesn't have a dog).