Soap!

Conrad is at an age that he detests taking showers, and would never take one if we didn't make him. And, then once he is in the shower, if we do not check him (smell him) to be sure he has used soap and shampoo, he is likely not to! The other night, he got out of the shower, and I smelled his hair. I bought him vanilla-scented shampoo so it would be easy for me to detect! Well, his hair smelled like dirt and sweat. I asked him why he had not washed his hair. He said very sincerely, "I did use shampoo! I followed the 'pea-size' rule we are supposed to follow!" I said, "That rule was for TOOTHPASTE when you were a TODDLER, it is NOT a rule for SHAMPOO!!!!"

Camp Cooking!

Led by CHEF STEPHanie, Robin, Sondra, Kate, and I went to Kansas City this morning and helped prepare lasagnas and peach cobblers for 100 campers and staff! We made 10 lasagnas, then went to lunch, and came back and made 9 cobblers plus peaches for five more. They will go into the freezer until camp. We had a lot of fun!

Chuck's Sleek New Gas-Saving Machine!

When Chuck figured out the amount spent in gas driving his truck to work and everywhere, it was staggering! He did the math and realized that by buying an inexpensive vehicle with high gas mileage, it would quickly pay for itself and then continue saving us money. Of course, he immediately knew that a motorcyle was the perfect answer and he has had "bike fever" for a LONG time now. He has been shopping seriously for a bike for several months. However, eventually he listened to his practical side (in MO, there are many days with snow, ice, cold, and rain that he can't ride) and his wife who was worried for his safety! Instead, he bought this 2001 Saturn that gets 35 miles a gallon. I know he has some remorse--I told him he could wear his helmet and roll down his window so that the wind could blow his face. Our friend, Regan, said he would try to find a cassette tape (there is no CD player in it!) of the "vroom, vroom" of a motorcycle so that he could play it as he drove!

Strawberries

Today, Conrad, my nephew Eli, and friends Nathan and Sarah Weeks went strawberry picking at the orchard. Nathan and Sara's sister teaches Conrad's piano lessons. Although we were at the end of the season, we found really nice berries. We had a cooler day, and it was a lot of fun!

Cousins in Branson

The cousins had a lot of fun being together! Here are a few of my favorite pictures of them!

The first is Austin with his glow light at the laser/fireworks show at Celebration City.

The second is S'mores night.

The third is Peyton the fourth is Dayton, and the fifth is at lunch in Springfield on our way home.

Branson, Part II

On Friday night, we all went out to eat. On Saturday, after a surprise 40th birthday breakfast for Clark, we went swimming in the morning, and then we did get a nice day for Celebration City! Most of the pictures from that are on Conrad's blog.

Branson: Part I

We went to Branson over the week-end. Vern and Colleen have a timeshare condo there, and they let all of us come stay! We arrived on Thursday night and came back on Sunday. Our first stop on Friday morning was the hatchery. Then, we went to Celebration City even though the forecast didn't look extremely promising. As we drove there, the clouds were getting darker. In the parking lot, a woman had three free tickets that she just gave us! So, we only had to buy a ticket for Caden. We were quite excited about that. As soon as we got in the gate, there was a downpour, thunder and lightening! In the first picture, you can see the ominous clouds behind us and in the second, you can see the four boys sitting, looking at the rain instead of getting to ride! We were able to get tickets to come back for the next day!

Chuck's New Life

Here are some pictures of where Chuck is working while he is an intern. It is a beautiful office building that his mentor agent, Jim Thompson owns. He is NOT missing his life at UPS and is greatly enjoying his new career.

I Now Pronounce You..........

There was an engaged couple who had visited church a few times, but neither Chuck nor I had had the chance to meet them and weren't even sure of their names. They hadn't been there for a long time and two weeks ago came again. We already had plans for lunch, but Chuck went to ask them if they would plan to go to lunch with them the next time they came. Well, when he came back, not only did he have lunch plans for the following time they came, but he had plans to PERFORM THEIR WEDDING! Their wedding was less than two weeks away and they couldn't find someone to marry them. Based on MO laws, he was legally able to do it, and so over the week-end, he went up to Eagleville (about 1 1/2 hours north) and performed his first-ever wedding ceremony! Here is a picture of Chuck with Rick and Toni, the new bride and groom. What you can't see in the picture is the bride's Harley boots that she was wearing! (she rides a motorcycle).

Garage Sales!

Today, Conrad and I went to the Savannah city-wide garage sales. For quite a few years when the kids were little, Colleen, Stephanie, Sara, and did this. It was a lot of work, but it was fun! We were always surprised at what people did and didn't buy. We only went to a small number of the ones in Savannah, but we had a great time. The weather was beautiful, and we did find some great deals. I was excited at the 15 books for $1, and the adult name-brand clothes that were 5 for $1. This picture is of my most exciting find. Stephanie's mom had made our comforter, shams, bedskirt, and drapes when we moved into our house 10 years ago and I loved them. Unfortunately, they had all come completely apart after being well-used these last ten years. I had needed to get another set, but just couldn't spend money on it now. I found this one today--it had a beskirt, comforter, two pillow shams, and three other pillows, and I got a GREAT deal on it! Although the colors aren't quite as true on the picture, the one stripe exactly matches the wall color, and there is a light blue that stands out more than in the pciture. Also, the colors are almost exactly the colors of my other one, so the top part of the curtains (not sure what it is called) is still there and matches, too! Thought you might like to see! You'll have to look at Conrad's blog and see his garage sale treasures! The link is on the right side of my blog.

Summertime Cooking!

One night a week, both Conrad and Caden are choosing a menu, making a grocery list, and then preparing dinner (am also hoping to use the time to refine some table manners! :-) Tonight was Conrad's first night. His menu was: Fried wild turkey, cornbread, and corn on the cob with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Chuck LOVES wild turkey, and I don't make it very often. Conrad was quite pleased with himself that he not only hunted for the meat but then prepared it, as well!

Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys!

Here is Conrad in his new riding boots!

Conrad's party!

When Abbey left the party last night, she asked Chuck when it would be Conrad's birthday party again, and he explained that it wouldn't be until next year. But, when she got to church today, she told me that we were going to have Conrad's birthday EVERY Saturday! (I am not sure I will be recovered until next Saturday from this one! :-)

101!!

A couple months ago, Caden informed me that our family added up to be 100! From his birthday in October until Conrad's birthday today, our total ages were 100! Now, we are 101! (Of course, only 29 of those years are mine :-) I guess those numbers will just keep going up and up!