Plugged In

My 3rd grade niece loves her DS, and my kindergarten nephew is enamored by any type of game technology.  So, he was not far from my niece's side, and waiting so patiently to be able to play one of the games on the enthralling hand-held device.  It looks like Baby "K" is just taking all the excitement in.  Who would have thought that technology basically starts at the crib with this generation?  I find myself thinking what life will be like when these kids have reached the age of 20.  Will we each have our own implanted microchip?  Or will we each have games downloaded directly into our brains?  Seems unlikely, but one just never knows what the future holds!

German Chocolate with Blue Sprinkles

My Mom requested her favorite cake for her birthday - German Chocolate.  Now, for those of you who do not know, German Chocolate involves a coconut/pecan frosting.  I have discovered that people either absolutely love this frosting, or they totally despise it.  So, I decided that to appease the masses of folks in attendance, that I would frost half of the cake German Chocolate style and the other half with vanilla frosting.  As you can see from the picture, it made for an interesting looking cake!  I also decided that the white side needed a bit of sprucing up.  I added blue sprinkles, since that is Mom's favorite color.  Then I decided that the coconut frosting side felt a little out of balance, so I thought, why not for good measure, put blue sprinkles on that side too?  So I did, and the birthday cake eaters were all very happy.  The end.

Eldest & Youngest

My oldest niece, and also the oldest grandchild for my side of the family, loves hanging out with Baby "K."  She loves to hold him, play with him, and has officially put herself in charge of making sure the other grandkids do not hurt him.  So, she is sort of his unofficial body guard.  I could not resist snapping this photo of the two hanging out.  Niece #1 is recounting the latest details of "the crazy things the little kids were doing."  I have to laugh, because 11 years ago - she was the little kid!  I wonder if the next 11 years will go that fast, now that I have a little guy of my own?

Grandma & Baby "K"

A recent visit north to Grandma "F" gave us a little time for Baby "K" to hang out with her for a bit.  Grandma wanted to give Baby "K" lots of hugs and kisses, but he has started to become a bit particular when Mom and Dad are not holding him!  We are hoping that he will soon bypass this phase, and be willing to get some love from many relatives and friends.  Here is a pic of "K" and Grandma after his afternoon nap.  We look forward to future visits!

Mi Madre y Hermanas

It has been a long time since all of us were together, and could snap a photo to document it!  I remember it being rare that my aunts and uncles were together for family events while growing up.  I often thought, that won't happen to us - we will always be together!  How little did I know, that we all grow up, and we all move to new places, take on careers and then have families of our own.  Time simply does not stand still.  So, we snapped a photo of us together for Mom's special day.  We are minus two sisters in this picture, but we look forward to the day when all six of us can be together for a future photo!

Sumac

The sight of the Flint Hills in the fall is certainly one to behold, and this is one reason why -- sumac!  The pesky woody plant is not really good for anything else.  The cattle do not like to eat it, and it causes lots of headaches for those growing prairie hay.

However, when fall arrives, the beauty is breathtaking.  I love the deep hue of red, and the texture that the berries offer.  I also love how it dots the hillsides, with the perfect sprinkling of grass and rocks.  Sure looks inviting for a picture or two, don't you think?

Seven Months

Our little guy is a lucky seven months old!  I can hardly believe that he is over the halfway mark to his 1st birthday!  It seems like each month flies by faster than the previous.  Some highlights from this month include:
*Clapping
*Sitting independently
*Scooting backwards
*Eating a leaf at daycare
*Giggling at a dog
*Trying to talk to the cats
*Playing with more toys
We look forward to more learning this month.  I think he is so close to crawling!  So, hopefully in the next several weeks, we will get to witness this milestone!

Out for a Stroll

Here is a math equation for you: 6 kids + 1 baby to hold = one cranky baby.  So, in light of these statistics, and the fact that the weather was positively beautiful, I decided it was time to employ the stroller.  Then each kid could take his or her turn pushing the baby.  Plus, the baby really is happiest when he gets to move - constantly!  I thought this idea was brilliant.  The kids did have fun pushing Baby "K" around the yard.  However, a short while later, Baby "K" somehow slide out of the stroller and was laying in the grass.  There were three versions of the story, recounted by the various stroller pushers.  I do know that I buckled the little guy in, so, I believe some mischievous little person tried to "rescue" him from the stroller.  Unfortunately, the guilty party, "Not me," could not be found for questioning!

Mr. Fixit & Family

We have not officially had a family photo snapped, but thought we could sneak an informal one in on a recent visit home.  We actually did not plan to be color coordinated, but look - we are!  Baby "K" was not quite sure about all the relative action on the recent visit.  He is getting into the separation anxiety phase, and it is simply not pleasant.  So, for the ease of everyone's ears, Mr. Fixit and I did a lot of Baby "K" holding.  As with all baby phases, I know this one will not last forever =).

Out of Room

Is it just me, or do things that seemed really big when you were small, suddenly get little when you are now big?  Take this couch for example.  As a kid, I thought this couch was ginormous!  We could all (my five sisters and I) fit on it, and we have a collection of memories to prove fun was had by all.

Now, fast forward to the next generation.  The couch is holding all seven grandchildren, but it appears that we are about out of room!  How did this happen?  Who let this couch shrink?  I think, even though all are tightly packed, that we can fit one more.  We will try it out at Thanksgiving - because, we will now have eight little people to pack on the couch!

Swinging Sixties

The family gathered recently to celebrate a monumental milestone for Mom - the number 60!  She requested a very simple gathering - to include - fried chicken, french fries, rolls, cake, corn and ice cream. Don't worry, we did not eat the items in that order!  She also requested that we (all her daughters and families) come home for a family gathering to mark her day.

The weather was fantastic for October - close to 80 degrees - and the seven grandkids celebrated by playing outside.  The guys hung out in the garage, and us gals caught up on the last several months in the kitchen.

It was great to see everyone, and I really think we should schedule a party each year.  Holidays seem super hectic, and everyone is running from place to place.  So, this was perfect!  Mom, how would you feel about celebrating 60 again next year?

Fascinator

My good friend and co-worker, AR, really knows her stuff in the clothing department.  She can spot a fashion trend faster than you can shout "Vogue!"  One of the things I really like about AR, is that she can find style wherever she looks.  Check out this fun, purple hat!

I was told, by my good friend, that this is a "fascinator."  I am not certain how it was named, but doesn't it sound amazing, just the same?  She was sporting the look during a day at the fair, and I couldn't help but think that it was quite cheery.  Our conversation moved to Queens and Princesses and English weddings.  Great look AR!

Pumpkin Pox?

I always think finding a mystery or unusual item at the State Fair is like finding an undiscovered treasure!  I could not resist taking a close-up shot of this pumpkin.  I decided the pumpkin must certainly have some rare illness, which I was sure would be called "Pumpkin Pox."

My co-worker and local horticulture expert tells me that this pumpkin really is made this way.  It is an actual variety, and people like to use it for ornamental (aka - decorating) purposes.  I think it is simply fun.  What a way to give the ordinary pumpkin a little personality.  Happy early Fall!

Where Might I Find . . .

I have decided that as babies get older two things tend to happen: 1 - The baby gets more photogenic, and will smile more, maybe because they are amused by so many more things?  2 - The baby moves more, which means that you must photograph quickly!

I originally took this photo because the weather was cool enough for Baby "K" to try out his first pair of overalls, which I thought looked fun!  It is almost as if he is asking a question in this photo, like "Where might I find some chocolate?"  Or, "You wouldn't happen to have a hammer handy, would ya?"  Or perhaps, "Can anyone tell me when this chair got here?"

Missing Mouse

I am pretty sure that someone is missing a mouse.  I am quite certain, however, that we are not missing a mouse.  So, if you lost your mouse, please come and claim her.  Baby mice are included for free!

It all started one Monday night. I decided to turn the bed down, as I normally do, and there upon the pillow I discovered two, tiny black pellets.  My immediate reaction, was to suck my breathe in, and exclaim, "Oh my gosh!"

I ran to get Mr. Fixit.  He did not think they were from a mouse.  I was 100% certain that this indeed was the work of a mouse.  So, I encouraged Mr. Fixit to arm our house with every type of trap imaginable, and bait.

The next day, I attempted to turn the covers down once again.  So far, so good.  Well, as I got towards the bottom, there -- was -- a -- mouse -- in --- our --- bed!!!  I screamed, and the critter scurried out of the bed and onto the floor.  Oh -- my -- gosh!!!  I told Mr. Fixit that we simply could not sleep in the bed tonight, no way, no how -- the mouse needed to get out of our house!

I changed sheets for the 3rd day in a row, and once again rebaited traps.  We still have not caught the mouse, but we have not seen her again either.  We have also not discovered any additional evidence of her.  So, perhaps she has moved to a new abode.  I am still not putting the traps away yet, though!! 

Butter Turtle

The 2011 Kansas State Fair has concluded, but the memories will certainly last!  One of the most intriguing aspects of the fair, for me, is the butter sculpture.  Each year a new sculpture is commissioned to be sculpted out of semi-soft butter, and can be viewed throughout the duration of the fair.

This year's sculpture depicted the theme of "Sheep Thrills."  I was not sold on this theme, but was excited to see a turtle included in this year's sculpture.  This is memorable because Kansas is celebrating its 150th birthday this year.  And, if you were not aware, the Ornate Box Turtle is our state reptile.  So, there you go, the theme and sculpture did honor a bit of Kansas history.  Now, let's bake some muffins and enjoy some fresh, delicious butter!