We Appreciate You, Cows!

We celebrated Cow Appreciation Day for the 2nd year in a row. We had a lot of fun and it was all free. I couldn't get any pics at Chicfila because the big cow was walking around so Maci Clare was terrified and wouldn't get out of my lap. There were a couple of families dressed up and getting free food. Lots of teenagers and college age kids. It was fun and we will do it again next year.

On a more exciting note, the Cricut is AWESOME! Here are some of my projects:
I found these cute reusable mesh bags at Dollar Tree. They come 4 to a pack and when I bought them I wasn't sure what I was going to do with them but this is it. I put names on each one and we are using them to transport clothes and towels. Then you can put the wet clothes and towel back in them to bring them home.
This is what they look like with clothes and towels in them. All ready to go. I am also going to get some of them and lablel them to use as reusable produce bags at the grocery store. I can probably think of some other uses but right now this is what I am going with.

I also did this on my bedroom wall (over the bed)I love vinyl letters and this was perfect for my bedroom. I will definitely be making some more letters and things to put on the wall.

And these are my favorite.Paper Dolls! I can see Maci Clare and I (and the boys, too! But they won't tell you that.LOL) having hours of fun with these things. I also have lots of shirt making plans for these things.

I just can't get enough. We used the Cricut this year to make our 4th of July tshirts but I will post them later. (I forgot to take pictures so i have to get them on the kids again.)

And I don't know if you remember my creature post here. But here is our latest creature.
A beautiful king snake. Of course the snake was not very happy as Jim was trying to stretch him out for us to see. And he was very strong. Everyone got to touch him and then he was released in the woods behind our house.
I will do a post soon to show you what we did 4th of July weekend. It was a really fun experience especially for the two older boys. So hopefully I can get that up in the next couple of days.

Highlights of June

We have had a fun and busy summer (by choice, of course). I thought I would share some highlights since I haven't been posting very much lately.
At the first of June, I posted about Vacation Bible School at my dad's church. It was a blast. The last night there was even a big inflatable slide and a cute program performed by all the kids who had attended all week. Here is a picture of Jack and Maci Clare (not really performing more like just standing).Jack is in the brown John Deere shirt and camo shorts and Maci Clare is in the pink hat on the front row.

We started the summer off with a back yard campout. All the kids were inside by 11:45pm claiming to have heard a bear in the woods.




We have been to several of our library programs this summer. My kids are just reading, reading, reading. We are finishing (me included) 2 or 3 books every week or so. Their teachers would be proud. We attended the Mad Science program(geared more for the bigger kids), a marionette show (awesome for all ages), and a magic show (we love Tim Sonefelt).

We have been in the pool almost everyday. I love it. Jim has now put in the fence and added the solar lighting. It has been so much fun to spend time with the kids and their friends out there. Especially when it is 100 degrees outside.

My inlaws came from Iowa and spent a weekend. It was great but I didn't take one picture. I hope my MIL decides to share some of hers with me. (Hint! Hint!)

Jim and I went to an awesome 80's concert. Can you guess who it is? 38 SpecialREO Speedwagon

and Styx!

We went with our great, awesome friends.

This is me and my friend, Melonee. We wanted Cindy in the picture too but she was too busy talking on her cell phone. You can only see half of her.

This is Cindy's husband, Doug, and Melonee's husband, Brad.

And Jim and Brad are rocking out! BTW, we traveled to this concert in a mini van. That just struck me as hilarious. You know you are getting old when you go see a concert in a minivan. It was so hot! But we had a blast!

We finally have a chicken coop, otherwise known as a chicken tractor because it is movable. The chickies are happy and now I am waiting patiently for the laying to begin. We really are enjoying our chickens. I will be buying a few more soon.

And Finally! Last but certainly not least! I got what I have wanted for the last 6 months. TADA!
The CRICUT Expressions! I am in love with this machine. I can't wait to show you some of the things I have made with this thing. This is the best money I have spent in a long time. If you are thinking about buying one, DO IT!
So there you have it! Our favorite things from June. I hope that I will find a little more time to post some of the things we are doing and some of the projects we are working on. Hope everyone had a safe and fun Independence Day.