Fun in the sun!

On Wednesday, Kendall's friend Adam came for a sleepover. They had been planning this thing for 6 months or so, and it was time for it to happen!

Kendall has been begging to go to the pool in London all summer, but it just isn't realistic to take both kids by myself. Noah definitely needs all of my attention, and Kendall would want to be in the big pool, commanding all of my attention as well....all the while with 100 kids running around everywhere. I wasn't taking that chance with yet another child along! I decided to suprise them with a little trip to the Dublin splash park...none of the kids had been there before, so they were VERY suprised! It was really fun! Best of all, kids (and parents) of all ages can play together in the SAME area....and that folks, is what sold me!

They about lost their minds when they saw the park! I thought Kendall and Adam just may very well pee their pants on the walk up there. It took Noah a few minutes to warm up and get the hang of things, but then he was a maniac! He kept sitting down on the fountains, and trying to grab the water from the vertical jets....it was hysterical! And the whole time he was squealing!

Kendall and Adam took off to play in the waterfall, and find some other kids to play with. After an hour or so, the kids needed a snack...so we headed to the towels and sat down for a rest. After that, they decided they were done playing in the water and a decision was unanimously made to go home and have ice cream. That decision got no resistance from me!

So here are a few pictures from our fun day for you to enjoy....don't you just remember how fun it was to play in the water all summer when you were a kid? AHHHHH....summer!

Mothers and Daughters

Here we are...my friend Heather and I, and our daughters Sophie and Kendall. Heather and her family came on Sunday for a cookout. We ate, the kids played, we fished, went canoeing...it was just plain fun. The kids had a ball...and these two little girls were like two peas in a pod. At one point, Heather and I giggled when we heard this little exchange:

"Sophie, I'm so glad you are my friend."

"Me too Kendall...but who's your BEST friend?"

"You are!"

"Yeah, you're mine too!"

Girls. They're so funny. And Heather and I were just sitting and smiling for a moment, grateful that our girls are as good of friends as we are.

TODAY'S THE DAY!

Yes, my friends, today is the day. The day that our place actually becomes some sort of farm. You see, last night after the kids were soundly in bed, Barry headed over to the neighbors' house to pick up our chickens. After we carefully put them to roost in the coop, we laid in bed talking about the best way to suprise Kendall and Noah in the morning. As it turned out, I actually had to tell Kendall so that she would get her little butt out of bed and we could let them out of the coop and feed them. Boy, did she fly out of her bed when I said it was time to get up and feed the chickens!

So we went out and pulled up the trap door, ever so slowly, so as not to freak them out. They were anxious for their feed, but had no interest in coming out of the coop. Finally, I convinced Kendall that if we went inside, they would come out on their own. They did, and now she is back out there, chasing them all over their pen. Poor chickens. If they're smart, they'll just warm up quick! Otherwise, these two will pester them to death! She is not going to leave them alone until she catches one.

Oh My Goodness, she JUST DID! As I sit here typing, she has caught one of the chickens!b

So now, we are in the process of naming them! Kendall has decided that one must be named Pixie, to which I replied that we must then name 2 others Dixie and Trixie. We have decided to name our rooster Elvis, since he WAS the King and all.... (more updates on names later!)

So Kendall and Noah chased those chickens for quite a while...and let me tell you, Noah is NOT afraid of them. In fact, he chases them as aggressively as Kendall! So here are a few pictures of this morning's foray into the chicken pen...Enjoy!

Thank you, Summer!

Today I was sitting on the front porch eating some yummy and refreshing Breyer's peach ice cream with the kids, and I was thinking...."What a beautiful day. What a perfect moment." And I realized, as I do more and more frequently as I get older, I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. And so tonight I am taking a moment to make a list and share all of the things that I love about summer. So sit back and enjoy...and maybe even close your eyes, smile a little, and think of the things YOU are thankful for this summer!

I LOVE...

Sunshine early in the morning AND late at night.

The kids' sunkissed cheeks and freckles on Kendall's nose.

Watching the kids run through the sprinkler and thinking "Maybe I'll go put on my suit and play too!"

The extremely loud (yes, LOUD) sounds of the country after the sun goes down. Some nights it's louder than it was in our old development! Crickets, bullfrogs, coyotes, birds, dogs...you name it, we hear it!

Barry's farmer tan...and sunburned neck.

Mowing the grass... and especially what it looks like when it's all finished.

All the bouquets of "flowers" that Kendall picks for me every day.

Random fireworks

The smells of summer...people grilling out, fresh cut grass, wildflowers, the fresh dew in the early morning, tomato plants, chlorine in the kids' hair, sunblock on their skin, and even (although I know it sounds yucky...) the smell of Barry after he's been outside working all day!

Lots of grilled foods!

Noah in his Spiderman swim diaper

Bonfires/campfires...and s'mores!

Vacations...enough said!

Floating on the lake on Mom & Joe's boat, having lunch or dinner at Sunnyside, and of course, pretzels and Farmer's cheese (that's all you, Sue!) for snacks.

Fresh lemonade... especially with a little Bacardi Limon and frozen strawberries!

Frozen grapes (that's just for you Sheri...you're going to turn into one big grape sometime soon!)

Lush, full, colorful landscaping

Evening walks

Cookouts with friends

Chirping crickets

My porch swing and rockers....ahhhh!

Having dinner out...and being able to eat outside

Shorts, strappy tanks, and flipflops

Thank God for sunblock!

My summer "do"

Going to the zoo

Hanging clothes on the line...there is really nothing like that smell, especially on your sheets!

Having a little color on my so-very-fair skin

Fishing in our pond....it's the best!

Ice cold beer

All of the fresh veggies from our garden...tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, lettuce, beans...yum!

Sitting on the porch with Barry, not needing to say a word.

Outdoor concerts with friends

Seeing people cruise around in their convertibles and on their motorcycles

The kids' dirty little feet and sweaty little bodies, tired from playing in the sun...needing, yes, NEEDING, popsicles!

Biking, if we ever get a cool enough evening again!

Finding the perfect skipping stone

Fireflies! They are amazing out here. You really must see it to believe it!

And the number one thing I love about summer.....yep, you guessed it...

ICE CREAM!!!!!!

A Bit of Randomness

Just a couple of random thoughts and pictures for today...

This first picture is of yet another of Kendall's captures. Have you ever seen a dragonfly? Those things are quick! I don't know how she does it, but she catches them like crazy! She has caught quite a few different colored ones, and many different sizes, but this is one of the biggest...and boy, was she proud of it! After she studies them for a bit, she lets them go...and I'm betting they are pretty happy about that.



This next picture was taken during the final steps of finishing the chicken coop. Kendall suited up and got out there to help her Daddy paint. We picked red with white trim, just like a little barn. (I did the trim!) The painting didn't last long for Kendall...it just wasn't exciting enough, I guess. But her intentions were good, and sometimes that's all you can ask for!





Picture #3 comes to us courtesy of out favorite babysitter Susanna. She and Kendall are always busy doing some kind of art or craft. When I came home Thursday, this was what I came home to. They decided to make a bunny costume for Kendall...just in case she might decide to be a bunny for halloween. I won't hold my breath. I'm sure she'll change her mind a million times before then! But didn't they do a great job anyway? Susanna is awesome, and quite the artist. And she has really awakened the creative side of Kendall this summer... We will really miss her when she heads off to college this fall!









And last, but not least...

This is one thing that everyone should get to see at least once every summer. There are few things as peaceful as a hot air balloon gliding effortlessly in the sky. This one floated right over our house. Things are pretty open around us, so we sat outside and watched it for quite a long time. It was so relaxing! Kendall is all geeked up to ride a hot air balloon now...I think that will become one of her major conquests! and why not? I'd like to go too!

Not much more to report really. We've just been hanging around the house getting things done and keeping busy with swimming and gymnastics. Oh yeah, Vacation Bible School is this week too. Kendall LOVES that! Their theme this year is "FIESTA! Where kids are fired up about God". And I'm tellin' you what.... when I get there to pick her up in the evening, they are having a big party! Music, singing, dancing, maracas, sombreros....you name it, they've got it! It looks like so much fun...I hope that my schedule permits me to help with it next year!

Noah is up to all the same capers as usual. He has two more teeth, and is chewing on his hands incessantly, so I think we may have a few more coming. He also chases bugs, just like his older sister. Except he eats the bugs when he catches them, so I have to watch him like crazy! He is so quick, he has caught a few wasps (which freaks me out beyond words...) He is obsessed with the dishwasher, and has figured out how to open it, even when it is latched. And believe me, he doesn't just open it once! That little stinker. If he weren't so cute....

BUT HE IS!

Awww, Man!

Check out these cute shoes!

Yes, they could only have come from Amy Wood! She sent them when Noah was born, and of course, thy've been too big until just recently. So last weekend, I was anxious to bust them out! I put him in a cute little outfit that would go with them, and went to put them on...

And they wouldn't fit!

His little piggies are just too chubby! Those kissable little toes wouldn't fit under the plastic toe of the shoe....

We were bummed, of course....but hey - that just means we get to keep looking at those wonderful, pudgy, kissalicious feet!

Heeere Chicky-Chicky-Chicky!

For those of you who don't already know, we are getting chickens soon. Our neighbors got them last year, and Kendall has loved going over to play with the chickens and hunt the eggs. So when they told us they had hens sitting and asked if we would want some chickens this summer, of course we said yes! The prospect of having our own fresh eggs was too much to pass up!

So, Barry has been busy building our chicken coop, and Kendall has been keeping an eye on those newly hatched chicks. They are so cute! But I'm telling you what...they don't stay little for long! Within a week or two, they don't even look like chicks anymore!

So here are a few pictures that Susanna, our neighbor girl and favorite babysitter, snapped this week. Kendall is planning on naming each and every chicken (we'll have about a dozen). Hope those chicks know what they're in for!

Ta Daaaa!

While we were at my Mom & Joe's over the 4th, Kendall was wild in the pool! She did not want to get out for anything....and was constantly busy persuading someone to get in with her. That is, until Papa Joe dunked her....then she didn't want him in the pool for a while!

After she got over that, she and Papa had a great time goofing off in the water, and I had fun just
snapping pictures. When it was all said and done, Kendall ended up with her first case of green hair...and I do mean GREEN. The ends were as green as her swimsuit! She freaked out a little initially, but now she's ok with it.
So, what you see to the left here is just one of her many death-defying acts! Next year we're selling tickets for sure!

And check out those spindly legs in the last picture....geesh! Wish I could say she got those from me, but alas, no. Those are a definite KUCK trait!




TA DAAAAA!

A Few Pics of the Weekend

Finally! I have found the time to post some pictures of the holiday weekend! We had a little bit of everything going on, so this is just a few images for ya!

On Friday evening, Chad and Riley came for a visit. Beth was coming in on Saturday morning to meet up with them for an overnight stay in Columbus, and they decided to stop at our house on Friday to let the girls get in some fun time. Those girls were having a BLAST! They played dress-up, and put on a show for us. The picture above is from the show. It was about Cinderella and Wanda the Witch. Very good show, I must say. And Kendall even played a little "banjo" for us...(yes, Chad, I know you are cracking up right now!) Then, as you see in the pictures, I donned Kendall's Surgeon gear to take care of all Chad's ailments...(I seriously don't know what I was thinking there..... ;-)

Then on Saturday morning after I was done working, we headed to my Aunt Penny and Uncle Rick's for a cookout. My uncle Greg was in from New York City, so everyone was there to visit.

Once the kids were all hot, sweaty, and tired out, we headed to Mom's to get them bathed and into bed. EXCEPT....Kendall saw Mom and Joe's little pool set up out back and she just had to have a swim before her bath. So that is exactly what she did. Then, of course, not wanting to miss out on a visit with the kids, Papa Joe came home and jumped in the pool with her. And that was basically how the whole next afternoon went...Jessie, Joe, Kendall and Noah in the pool. I was more than content to just sit in the sun and read a magazine, and Barry actually got to take a nap! Noah had NOT slept well the night before, so we were all a bit tired!

Then on Saturday night, we were off to Gary and Luanne's for a cookout. The kids played like crazy, and it was really nice to visit with everyone. Since Noah had not slept well (at all!) the night before, we decided to just go back home instead of to Mom & Joe's. We rushed out of there just in time to miss a storm rivaling the one in the Wizard of Oz...and made it home to put the tired kiddos to bed.

The rest of the weekend we just ran errands, worked around the house and RESTED. It was so nice to lay around and be lazy for once! We let Kendall do some sparklers and poppers for the 4th....and of course, she thought that was totally cool! And then to wrap it all up, Barry and I sat down and watched Deuce Bigalow:European Gigolo for some laughs before we had to go back to work on Wednesday.

And that's it folks! Although I do have another set of pics to share for next time I post! Until then... CIAO!

Just A Tiny Little Thing

Is that the tiniest little frog you've ever seen, or what? Kendall found that little frog today while we were out working on the chicken coop. I swear, that girl can find ANYTHING. She is amazing...and not afraid of much! If it moves and catches her eye, she is after it...and won't stop chasing until she gets it!

This little tree frog is sitting on her thumb in this picture, so you can only imagine how small he actually is. Thank goodness she didn't have a problem letting him go...it was almost bedtime, and we thought she may have a meltdown when we told her he needed to go home to his family. But no, she was cool with that....and so off he went, only to be found again another day!

So Happy 4th of July everyone...and here's hoping that you all find a small treasure today, just like Kendall!

You're Kidding....RIGHT?

Last night when we got home from my Mom's, Barry and I sat down to go through the mail and the paper. I was flipping through the many ads, and picked up this little circular called Hometown Values (it's kind of like a Dollar Saver). As I was flipping through, I saw an ad that had a headline reading "Our Featured Recipe". So I, being the perpetual new-recipe-seeker, decided to take a look...and that's when I couldn't believe what I was reading!

The "Featured Recipe" was...
(are you ready for this? I can barely even type it without rolling my eyes)

DEEP FRIED OREOS!

YUCK! And let me just share the "recipe" with you here...

1 (20 oz) package Oreos (YES, because we need ALL 52 cookies!)
2 cups Bisquick
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
3 tsp oil
Vegetable Oil (enough to deep-fry in)

And here's the kicker...in small print at the bottom of the ad, it says...

"If you want to try a lighter version, use lowfat milk, canola oil, and reduced fat Oreos."

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME????????

A lighter version of ANYTHING does NOT include the word DEEP FRY in it! Or OREO, for that matter!

Geeze Louise...and we wonder why 73% of America is fat! Let's just see how bad we can possibly make an already completely unhealthy food. What could we do? Hmmmm....yeah, that's it! We could DEEP FRY it!

Great. Wonderful. Peachy.

People just amaze me sometimes. I am left scratching my head....

What on earth will they deep-fry next????

Very Important Question

So, when you take a bath or shower, how many towels do you use?

Seriously, I really want to know!

Yesterday, I was working on one of my clients, and he was telling me that he just didn't understand why women make things harder for themselves. I told him that I quite agreed, but asked him what he was talking about specifically. (Now understand that he has 5 daughters, so he is utterly and completely surrounded by women.) He told me that when he and his family first started heading up to his boat for the weekend that the girls and the women would take forever in the morning "getting ready". He couldn't understand why they were curling or straightening their hair, putting on makeup, and wearing cute outfits and heels. They are on a BOAT, for pete's sake! And as soon as the boat gets moving, there is no more cute hair...and as soon as you slather on your sunscreen, there is little makeup left....and he just didn't even know what to think about the HEELS!

SO...one evening they had company on the boat, and he asked the simple question. How many towels do you use when you take a bath or shower? All of the men answered, "One!"

All of the women answered two to three. Now me, being kind of a simple girl, had to ask...what on earth are they using three towels for? He proceeded to tell me that he asked the very same question...and that is seems they need one towel to wrap around their head, another to dry off and wrap around their body, and yet another to drape over their shoulders. OKAAAYYY???!!!

So then he asks...what do you do with the three towels when you are finished with them? I answered, "Well, I only use one, and then I hang it on the towel rack to dry."

"Do you use it the next day?"

"Of course!"

And you see, this is where it becomes a little over the top...because what he informed me of is that every girl/woman on that boat replied that she throws her towels in the hamper. And when he suggested that they use a towel more than once...they (supposedly) gasped in horror! "Gross!" "DAAAADDDD! Yuck!"

So the basis of his rationale on this whole "women make things difficult for themsleves" thing culminates right here....

His wife is doing at least one load of towels every SINGLE DAY, in addition to the ridiculous amount of laundry she already has. And because his girls are into quite a few sports and extracurriculars, they take anywhere from one to three showers each day...and use 3 towels each time. He doesn't understand why they can't make things just a little easier and cut down on some laundry in the process. But hey, who is he to say?

I listened to this story, and really, truly could not think of one person I knew who might use three new towels for every bath/shower. He told me to take a survey and I would be suprised at the results....

SOOOO...How many towels do YOU use? And do you use them more than once???

I just HAVE to know....

A Bit of This, A Bit of That...

We were so excited that we had nothing we "had" to do this past weekend. But of course, you know how that goes, right? Those are the weekends that end up being busier than all the rest! I found out on Thursday that I had free tickets to the Picnic With The Pops concert featuring Wynonna. Of course, we didn't want to miss that! But alas, there were no sitters to be found, so we decided to tempt fate and take the kids. Sheri came along for an additional set of hands, and off we went. Kendall thought it was the greatest...a huge lawn filled with people to talk to and who would watch her dance! Unfortunately, she became a bit less agreeable once the concert started and we wanted her to sit with us on the blanket. Noah REFUSED to sleep. He would sit on Barry's lap, or let Sheri or I carry him around with his head on our shoulder, but to no avail. Sleep eluded him. So, we decided to pack it up...and our timing couldn't have been better. As we were loading the car, she came out for her encore...and we heard it as we pulled out of the parking lot.

On Sunday, we went to see Mary Poppins at the Ohio Theater. It was a lot of fun, and Kendall had never been there before, so it was doubly cool. Plus, we met Sheri's nieces and nephews there, so she could not have been more pleased! Noah went to visit Aunt Nancy for a couple of hours, as we were not about to tempt fate again! But, of course by the time we got home, our weekend was about gone. Barry took to mowing the lawn, and I bathed the kids and got them to bed. Bed was calling me as well!

Today we were up and out of the house bright and early, as it was the last day of Kinderzoo. Noah and I dropped Kendall off and headed to Lowes for some supplies, and then we headed to the body shop for estimates for my van. UGH. $3,063.00. It could be worse, I suppose...but still. I was none too happy about that! Then we picked up the kids pictures at Penneys...be looking for yours in the mail! And that's about it folks! Tonight the plan is to finish the mowing, get the shingles on the chicken coop, and who knows what else? Only time will tell....and I'LL tell YOU tomorrow!

OUCH!

Have you ever done something so stupid you just can't believe you did it? It just swims around in your stomach and just makes you sick that you could do something so DUMB?

Well, here is my big dumb OOOPS for the year. I don't even want to go into how it happened...let's just say I played chicken with a big yellow cement post and the post won.

I KNOW it could be worse.

I KNOW it's just a car.

I KNOW that's what insurance is for.

I KNOW that the most important thing is that I'm ok.

But I am still mad at myself...and wishing I could rewind yesterday and have a do-over.

As if the yucky weather weren't enough....

UGH.

KinderZoo!

Kendall has been taking a class at the zoo on Mondays this June. It is called Kinderzoo, and she LOVES it. And just as importantly, I LOVE it. Noah and I drop her off at 9:00 am, and then we walk the zoo for 3 hours, until we have to pick her up at 12:00. It has been really nice to spend some time one on one time with Noah, and also to get some exercise! My legs are thanking me! And Noah has been really fun. He loves the aquarium, of course...and the flamingoes! When it's time for a snack, we head over to the river and sit by the water...it has just been really nice!

Every Monday, the KinderZoo teachers have a different theme. The first week it was Animals That Swim, last week it was Animals of the Outback, and then this Monday it was Animals of the Wetlands. They go for a walk around the zoo, looking at the various animals, make a craft, have a snack, and then have an animal visitor. Here are some pics of the crafts we have seen so far....

A Standing Flamingo...





A Bird-Eating Spider Bracelet.....




Her own set of Moose antlers....


Who knows what she'll make this Monday!

Don't you wish you could go to KinderZoo too?

Puppet Crazy!

Last night before bedtime, Kendall sat Barry and I down for a puppet show. She had worked hard on all her puppets and was ready to show us her stuff!

This particular show was about a Mama Spider and a Baby Spider. The Baby Spider loved to pick flowers for his Mama. They also went on a trip to a wetland and saw a bear eating some fish. On their way home from the wetlands, they met an alien and took a trip to outerspace. It was quite entertaining! Sometimes I wonder where she gets her great imagination...her ideas are so detailed. I don't remember ever being like that!

And check out all those puppets! The kid LOVES her crafts...and puppets has been at the forefront here lately. She has puppets that she uses to let us know she is sad and mad and happy...(yeah, like we need a puppet face to figure THAT out....) the girl is puppet CRAZY! But you know what? She entertains herself...and then entertains all of us...what could be better?

Maybe the next time you see her you will be lucky enough to be in audience of her latest creation!

Father's Day Weekend

Did you all have a fun Father's Day weekend?

Did all you fathers out there enjoy your day?

We had a cookout with the whole damn family...and it was really fun and relaxing. We ate lots of good food, made homemade strawberry ice cream with the last of our homegrown strawberries (YUM!), and sat out by the pond fishing, talking, and taking the kids for canoe rides. It really was quite a nice day! And the weather certainly cooperated with us...hot, but not too hot..and just enough breeze to keep it relaxing.

Kendall and her cousin Kayla fished and fished until they had had their pictures taken with just about every fish in the pond. Kendall is proud of every single fish she catches, even if it is only as big as her finger! Kayla reeled in a 10 inch bluegill this year, and boy were we impressed! She caught a pretty good sized bass too. Noah wanted to touch the fish, so we let him...and then he was pretty much over it. He was too busy playing in his Cozy Coupe to care too much about the fishing.

I must admit that I am really happy that I have the in-laws that I do. I feel very blessed to be welcomed into such a nice family, and to feel that I can be myself around them. I know that Barry feels the same way about my family too. And just as importantly, maybe even more so...the fact that they all get along with each other so well. It has never been a problem or been uncomfortable to have them all at our house at the same time...they talk and joke, and are generally comfortable around each other. And so this is what I realized this weekend...

This is what a FAMILY is. And it is a GOOD FAMILY. This is what I want for my kids. Lots of loving family and friends around, good role models, diverse interests and personalities, very little drama or emotional turmoil....THAT is what has become very important to me as I have become older and (somewhat) wiser.

SO... Happy Father's Day (a day late) to all you Dads out there....the world would be a sad, sad place without you!

Hangin' At The Playground...

On Monday, Kendall had a class at the zoo all morning, so Noah and I walked around the zoo for an hour or so and then headed over to the playground before it got too busy with the bigger kids. Now, Noah and I don't really get too much time for just the two of us, so I decided to take advantange. We packed some yummy snacks and my camera...and he had ALL of my attention.

The kid was having a blast. For about half an hour, we were the only people on the playground, and let me tell you, he thought he was the cat's pajamas! I didn't get too many good pictures, though...since he was too busy doing "his thing" to look at me. But here are a few that I did get, so I hope you enjoy them!

KISSALICIOUS!

Seriously...do you see why I HAD to take this picture? As if baby feet aren't cute enough, then they have to go and make shoes like these. It CRACKS ME UP!

Noah's pudgy little feet are irresistable to me. I am always rubbing them, kissing them, giving them zerberts...they are too darn cute! They are right up there with his little ears, pinchable little bum, and big round cheeks....

Heck, every part of Noah is just KISSALICIOUS!

I am addicted to my little boy...and he feels the same about me. Everyone in the room ceases to exist the minute I walk in. Some days it's a total boost...and just what I need. And some days I can't even get two steps in the door without him hanging on my legs so I can't move. But no matter what, I cannot resist. The boy is one fantastic cuddlin' machine. He can give a bear hug like nobody's business...and on evenings like tonight (when I get home after he is already in bed), that is what I miss...and can't wait for...

My first hug of the morning.

Struggling

I feel the need to post tonight, yet I am struggling with finding something to say! We had a nice weekend...we were invited to our neighbors' house for a cookout on Friday night, and then on Saturday, I had to take Kendall to get her hair cut and we ran about 35 errands (ok, I may be exaggerating just a bit there...but it WAS a lot!), and then we went out to lunch at First Watch. It was a nice day out for just us girls. Of course once we got home, there was much to be done! Barry is trying to get our chicken coop finished so we can move our chicks in! They have already hatched and are currently living at the neighbors' house, but Kendall is dying for them to live in our coop!

THEN...I was giving Noah a bath on Saturday night and I kept hearing this beeping noise. Barry and I at first thought it was coming from the movie that Kendall was watching...but alas, NO.

IT WAS OUR WATER PUMP! SHIT! WE HAD NO WATER!

So, being a Saturday night, nothing was open, and being that the next day was Sunday, that was even worse! Thank God my uncle Rick was home. So Barry had to jump in the car and drive 1.5 hrs to go get parts and a crash course on how to rewire and replace the blasted thing. Then 1.5 hrs home...he got home at 11:30 pm, and I was already in bed. So much for Saturday evening!

That fiasco spilled into Sunday, of course, since Barry had to get moving first thing in the morning and get it fixed...since we all thought it might be nice to have our morning trips to the bathroom actually end with toilets that were able to be flushed! Also, because we were taking the kids to get their pictures taken at 2:00, and believe me, they needed bathed! As it was, he finished up right before my panic started to set in. We all got showers and headed to Tuttle Crossing to do the photo shoot...

Noah did NOT feel like cooperating. There was no sitting. There was no smiling. There was not even any looking at the lady who was taking the pictures. Somehow she managed to get a few shots, but they are not so hot. Kendall did fine...she loves having her picture taken. Of course, that ends up being a 3 hour ordeal by the time you take the pictures, wait for them to be downloaded, and pick them all out....UGH. We were hungry! SO.....

Off to Whole Foods! Ah, my temple! I can spend hours AND a fortune in there. Kendall loves to go just so she can partake of the many samples...and don't get me wrong, the rest of us did too! YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY! We decided to eat there for dinner, and it was delectable! Kendall had some stone-fired pizza, and Barry and I split a meal of salmon, marinated green beans and homestyle mashed potatoes...mmmmmm. If you haven't been to Whole Foods yet, I highly recommend it! WITHOUT A DOUBT!

The rest of the evening was just spent finishing up a few things. I picked up the house and cleaned up the kitchen...and Barry did some mowing down the lane and (finally...yippee!) put the rest of the crown moulding up around the top of the last two cabinets and put on the last set of handles. And that, folks, is what made my weekend complete! Sad, but true. I've been wanting that to be finished for quite a while, and NOW IT IS. HURRAY!

Well, if you've made it this far, I commend you.

I can admit that this is probably my least interesting post ever...but I felt like I had to say SOMETHING! Can't have you wondering what the heck happened to me now, can I?

A Big Ol' Bowl of Berries

It's my favorite time of year! Strawberry time! This is the first year that our strawberry plants have beared fuit. And boy, are they bearing fruit! Kendall and I have been having fun picking about every other day, and this is the big bowl of heaven that we picked yesterday. Somehow we managed to get out there between all of the rainshowers...and we couldn't believe how many we found! We LOVE these juicy red berries...and ours are so much sweeter than those at the grocery. Better for you too....no pesticides, of course!

In celebration of our strawberry plants, I'm sharing a yummy recipe today. Hope you all find some sweet, juicy strawberries of your own...or stop on over and we'll share some of ours!

STRAWBERRY CREAM PUFFS

1 c water
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. flour
4 eggs

(Filling)
2 pts. fresh strawberries, sliced
1/2 c. sugar, divided
2 c. whipping cream
confectioners sugar
Additional sliced strawberries
Fresh mint (opt)

In a large saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat: let stand for 5 mins. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. Drop by 12 rounded teaspoonfuls 3 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400* for 30-35 mins., or until golden brown.

Transfer to a wire rack. Immediately cut a slit in each puff to allow steam to escape; cool. Split puffs and set tops aside; remove soft dough from inside with fork. cool puffs.

For filling, combine berries and 1/4 c sugar; chill for 30 mins. Beat cream and remaining sugar until stiff. Fold in berries. Fill cream puffs and replace tops. Dust with confectioners sugar; garnish with addtional strawberry slices and mint. Serve immediately.

YUM, YUM, YUM! Enjoy!

Adrenal Fatigue....UGH!

So how many of you have heard of adrenal fatigue? It's basically when your body has to run on adrenaline because you are so overtaxed. After a while, you develop a negative feedback loop that causes your body to continue draining your adrenals in a constant cycle. This causes insomnia, restlessness, feeling exhausted even after rest, etc. Eastern Medicine calls it Yin Deficiency....and this is what I am suffering from. That would explain the extreme tiredness, the achy legs and low back, the headaches, loss of appetite. Who knew it was all related to the same thing?

Now I do. And I am on the road to recovery.

I am taking a chinese herb complex called Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, and according to the accupuncturist, this will help me to start feeling better. To strengthen my kidneys and restore balance to my yin/yang! I can't wait to feel THAT happen! If you are interested in learning more about accupuncture, visit Brian's site at www.seikiclinic.com . It is all very interesting!

It all sounds good to me....especially the prospect of not having to say "I'M TIRED" anymore!

Nothin' cuter....

There's nothing cuter than a baby's little butt!

Especially when that baby is Noah!

I have to let Noah run around naked for a few minutes after every bath just so I can smile at his! So the other night, I snapped a picture to share...


Don't you just want to grab him and tickle him?? He has an obsession with the bathtub in our bathroom. He loves to turn on the water. Sometimes he just stands there and turns the water on and off, and other times he turns it on and then goes to play with something else...but don't think that means you can turn the water off! Oh no...he wants to HEAR it. If you turn it off, he stops whatever it is he's doing and comes back over to the tub to turn it back on. He definitely keeps us busy, that's for sure! Quite the stinker...but such a cutie!

On the Kendall front...

Kendall has become a dancing queen. She dances around the house all day long. If there is music to be heard, she is dancing. If she is singing a song, she is dancing. If there's a tv show where people are dancing, she's dancing. I believe this started with that show "So You Think You Can Dance?"...and grew from there. She loves "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance?". She has decide she needs to become a STAR. Judging from her moves, I think she may need a "little" work....

You decide for yourself...

Is anybody out there?

After a brief hiatus, I am back. It's been a couple of days since my last post...I don't know if it was because I didn't have time, or I didn't really have anything to say! Hmmmm...that's a change!

I still don't have anything really exciting to report. But I HAVE been wondering....

Is anybody out there?

I'm just wondering who is reading the Kuck Family Report. I know you are out there, reading, maybe laughing a little at some of the stories...but the only one who ever comments is AMY WOOD. (Just another reason I love her, by the way!) So, if you are reading this, please leave me a comment....just to humor me, if you will. I'm not asking for a comment every day, or even every week....I just want to know you are there, my faithful readers! And of course, I hope you are enjoying my (sometimes) daily tidbits.

Looking forward to hearing from you.....