Just Life

I've found myself bombarded with a bunch of pictures of just this and that. Here a little and there a little. I don't want to leave them out. If there are a few too many for your liking feel free to skim (or skip). 

I need some help. I'm still super frustrated with Blogger's new layout. As just a personal preference, I like a header ABOVE each picture with explanations. Blogger only wants me to put a caption BELOW the picture. I've noticed several of you have figured this problem out. Please email me or leave a comment explaining to me what I'm doing wrong. But for this post, because I don't have HOURS to try and get it just right, I am surrendering and putting a caption below the picture (which is totally fine I know, my brain just works w/ headers for some reason.)

Our wild yard surprised us with several healthy blooming lilac bushes.  They were so beautiful and they reminded me of my grandma.  And best of all, the deer didn't eat all the flowers.  I wish I could say the same for my geraniums from mother's day.

Sydney and Kallie playing in their end of the year piano recital.  Sydney played "Hedwig's Theme" and "Rainbow Connection".  Kallie played "My Favorite Things" from Sound of Music.  I'm not sure who was more excited to have a break from practicing, them or me!?

Second to the last day of school they had a "fun day".  BBQ'd hamburgers for lunch, jump house, games, dunk tank etc.  Avery and I joined the girls for lunch on the lawn.

Kallie with her 6th grade teacher Ms. Miller.  Off to middle school Kallie goes!

Sydney with her 3rd grade teacher Miss Todd.  Below is a picture of her whole class (minus one I think).

Avery is so proud of the fact that she can pull herself up to anything and everything.  She loves to "help" load and unload the dishwasher.  As well as unloading any cupboard or drawer that she can get open.  She's taking her sweet time learning to walk, but as and "old mom", I'm not too stressed and I know she'll figure it out sooner or later.

Dog doors are good for a lot more than just dogs.  I wish you could hear the giggles associated with this peek-a-boo dog door session.

Kallie played on the Eureka Girl's Softball league this year.  She had great coaches and a lot of her friends were on the team, but she decided that softball is not her sport and the last few practices and games were torturous for us both.  During this game she actually got hit in the head with a pitch (fast pitch too).  Luckily her helmet caught most of the impact, but she did shed a tear or two.

Like it or not, she still looks cute in her uniform.

I'm kind of a lame-o friend.  Amanda and her kids came for a visit and to get some dental work done before they move to Hawaii.  I made Amanda a b-day cake because her birthday was the day before their visit.  I took a picture of the cake, but did I take any pictures of Amanda,  no.  See, I'm lame.  Happy birthday anyway and we LOVED having you guys come visit!!

Dan chopped down a pine tree in our front yard a few weeks ago.  The tree needed to come out because it was too close to the house and the roots were starting to cause some damage.  I was totally freaked out that the tree was going to fall on the house, but it cooperated and fell just where Dan wanted it to.

One of our neighbors yelled "timber" as we were pushing the tree over.

Avery had so much fun playing in the soft sawdust.  She was covered from head to toe and headed straight for the bath afterwards!

Father's Day 2012.  Dan is one lucky guy and we are 4 lucky girls.  Love him a lot!

This little photo shoot is going no where fast!

A couple of weeks ago we held a mother/daughter garden party at our house for Activity Days.  We were supposed to eat our yummy pasta bar out in the garden, but the weather did not cooperate at all.  Super gusty winds forced us inside at the last minute and made me feel like a crazy lady trying to figure out 'plan B' when I had 'plan A' all organized in my mind.  Oh well, that's how things go sometimes.  Everything worked out ok in the end I think.

Dan took out the pellet stove in our house because he ordered a new wood stove.  Here is Avery peeking out through the hole in the house where the chimney used to be.

Avery is a crazy lady every time I try to change her diaper or get her dressed.  This was how I distracted her during one poopy diaper change.  It worked amazingly well and she left the tabs on her face forever.

Sunday afternoon, looking out the window.

Kallie's father decided to torture her (out of love of course) and put braces on her teeth.  I think she looks really cute and has officially turned into a teenager in my eyes.

Oh the pain!  She's just started feeling better today and it's been over a week.  Dan says that means it's time to change her wires.  Poor kid.  Having a dentist for a dad is not fun sometimes.

Well, you made it through my random-ness. I'm hoping someone can help me out with my blogger issues. I feel like I'm going a little crazy!!