Anyone up for an adventure??

About 3 years ago, a tradition was born. Now every time we get together my mom plans an adventure. This year we were Indians. Everyone was put in charge of part of the Indian costumes. We all took on Indian names, got our war paint, went out for ice cream in all of our garb, proved ourselves through the obstacle course, and had a pow-wow at our village while we roasted marshmallows and hotdogs. Here are some of the pictures.

Most of the GrandkidsTiger Lily getting her war paint and then sitting with Kungfu Black BulldogBlue Stallion and Flying Fish
Little SparrowLady Hawk, Raven, Golden Pheonix, Laughing Turtle, and Bird Watcher (my mom and sisters)Tiger Lily, and Flying Arrow
My brother, Red Paw, Flying Fish, and Dancing Bird at the ice cream parlor.The Indian village in my parents' back yard. {Bird Watcher made a Tee Pee for each family, we will enjoy it all summer =0) ..Thank you Bird Watcher!}

Down, Down, Down

Our internet is down, and has been since Tuesday night. As soon as we are back and running, I will post more about our trip, etc. I'm hoping for Monday =0).

Until then-Betsy

Oil Painting

I am dieing to start painting. I have never used oils before. I am trying to suppress my one track mind, and actually look into this before I just go at it. SO, do you have any advice for me?? What to get, etc.?? Although 90% of you have probably never painted either, I know there are experienced folk among you. Please pass on your wisdom.....it will be greatly appreciated.

Please hurry, I can only put off this urge for so long.

-Betsy

We're Back from my Family Reunion

We had such a great time in St. Louis. Liv and Gwen were in heaven with all of their cousins around. They all had a blast playing together constantly. Every day was filled with a fun outing. Every night was filled with games, and all of our bellies were full of ice cream, donuts and whoopie pies. Pretty much perfect in my book =0). Here are a few pictures of some of our festivities.

Here is the whole clan. (Brad and My little brother's fiance, Megan, are the only ones not pictured.) Even Twitchell got in on the picture this year =0)
Me with my parents, brothers and sisters.
We spent the entire first day swimming at Lake Carslyle. Even the babies had so much fun they didn't mind missing their naps.
Us at the St. Louis ZOOThis baby giraffe was only 4 days old, and you could still see it's umbilical chord!
Liv, watching a zoo keeper feed a baby leopard.
My sister's and I traded fabric to make these cute little dresses. They looked adorable, and they all thought it was so cool that they matched their cousins.

Up next is our indian adventure. You will be able to see my mom in action. I bet you can't wait =0)!

YIPPEE!!

I'm on my way to see THESE PEOPLE!! Family reunion here I come =0). See you when I get back =0).

Growing season

For one reason or another I haven't been in our back yard much this past week. At least not to check out my flowers. And I was so excited/amazed at how much everything has grown!
About 4 weeks ago Brad and I couldn't decide what to do with a HUGE (15 feet tall) Lilac tree in our front yard. In the end we decided to just cut in all the way down and leave the stump and start all over in hopes that someday it would grow new shoots. We left a few shoots that looked like this.
Now they look like this! I'm expecting a bush in no time =0)! Last year Brad's mom gave me this Columbine. When she gave it to me, I really thought it was pretty much worthless to plant, because it only had one teeny leaf with one teeny root hanging from the bottom. Look how big it is now! I'm so proud =0). It did such a good job =0).I also planted 3 new peonies and a bunch of Stella Dior Daylilly bulbs last year. One of the Peony's has a bud and one of the Stella's has a bunch of buds!! Yeah! I'm so excited to see their first blooms!
Did you know that Peony's produce a sap on their buds that attracts ants, and they need the ants to help the buds open up?? If you ask my sister, she will tell you the sap tastes like peanut butter and honey =0).

My chives look like thisand I have a bunch of these cute little johnny jump ups scattered around.Love it!

oops

Every once in a while I get a hare brained idea (no pun intended). And I have a tendency to think I can do most anything myself, without the help of a professional (and often without reading the directions.) Because of a situation like this, I now have black hair. I am posting a picture, because I must post a picture, just know that this picture doesn't do my black hair justice =0).As I was attempting to take a picture of my new do, I looked down to find Gwen standing right next to me as my little mimic =0). If you are wondering what I look like attempting to take a self portrait......I look just like this {see picture below =0)}Don't worry, I'll survive. Luckily things like this fade =0)

J'aime La Mer