Happy Anniversary John & Kristin

John & Kristin's first picture together 10 years ago. Wow, how time flies. And now they are celebrating their 5th anniversary.

This weeks happenings

Last Saturday we had Mitchell's (Swim) birthday party at our house. There were about 50 people here. We had burgers, dogs, chips, hash brown casserole, rotel cheese dip, layered taco salad, cucumber salad and tomato salad. And who would have thought it would be in the 70's in mid July. I thought it was great, but as far as the water part a bit cool. Some of the kids didn't mind at all. After dark we built a fire in the chiminea and roasted marshmallows.

Dinosaur cake

Mitchell's volcano cake Dinosaur cupcakes. Nolen coming down the slide Trevor coming down the slide Trevor & Nolen going down the big slide The Birthday Boy Waiting while everyone is singing Happy Birthday. Blowing out candles

Digging in the volcano Digging in deeper Yummy Really digging in. Opening presents Family & Friends couldn't get them all in the picture

On Monday me and Cindy went shopping for food and decorations for the Prime Timers Italian Dinner on Tuesday. We went to farmers market for zucchini, Sam's and Kroger for food. We ran across the grapes with lights at Hobby Lobby. They had been $30 marked down to $6. What a deal!!!! They were perfect for the Italian theme.

This pic doesn't give the grapes a full effect of what they really looked like. Each grape had a light in it. A few of our table decorations.

The meal was Fried Zucchini, Salad, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Ice Cream & Strawberries for dessert.

Fried Zucchini was a big hit. Dessert was this. Chocolate Chip cookie on the bottom, strawberries, whipped cream, another chocolate chip cookie, more whipped cream, more chocolate chips sprinkled with powdered sugar and a scoop of ice cream. Whew sugar attack! Today I mowed the grass, dug up the rest of my potatoes, and pulled up the corn stalks. I had some really strange looking potatoes.

Baby Hippo Mickey Mouse ears potato or use your imagination.

Happy Birthday Mitchell & Pappy

Happy Birthday Mitchell. I can't believe you are 3 yrs old. Today is also Buddy's dads birthday. I will post more pics later of the party. I didn't get many myself but will steal some from Jamie & Krisitin.

Little Red Hen

How many of you gardeners out there feel like the Little Red Hen? You ask "Who will help me plant the seeds?" "Not I" said Kristin. "Not I" said John. "Not I" said Craig. "Not I" said Jamie. "Not I" said the grandsons. Then I said, "I will do it myself!" "Who will help me weed the garden?" "Not I" said Kristin. "Not I" said John. "Not I" said Craig. "Not I" said Jamie. "Not I" said the grandsons. "Then I said, "I will do it myself. "Who will help me pick the garden?" "Not I" said Craig. "Not I" said Kristin. "Not I" said John. "Not I" said Craig. "Not I" said Jamie. "Not I" said the grandsons. Then I said, "I will do it myself!" "Who will help me can the vegetables?" "Not I" said Kristin. "Not I" said John. "Not I" said Craig. "Not I" said Jamie. "Not I" said the grandsons. Then I said, "I will do it myself!" "Who will help me eat the canned food?" "I will" said Kristin. "I will" said John. "I will" said Craig. "I will" said Jamie. "I will" said the grandsons. Then I said, "NO, I WILL EAT IT MYSELF" :) Just kidding I will share. Guess all the labor of pulling weeds is worth it, the canning is the easy part. Greens beans should be ready to can by next week.

This eventually.............

Turns into this

Salsa Jalapeno's Bread & Butter Pickles Zucchini Relish (My Aunt Ruby's recipe) Pickled Squash & Onions Dill Pickle Spears

Camping Week of the 4th

This is part of the lake where we camp.

Sunday afternoon we left to go camping. Buddy left earlier to get set up. It was extremely hot, and I was kind of dreading going. This was Mitchell first trip to get to go by himself with us. After he woke up from his nap we took off. First he had to take a ride on his bike and we headed to the playground. Then it was off to the lake to swim. Buddy had to go back to work so Monday me & Mitchell made several bike riding trips to the playground and feeding the fish. Sorry this is so long, but it is hard to shorten a weeks worth of fun & camping. And we had perfect weather all week. Cooled off and was very comfortable.

Coming down the slide

Popcorn for the fish. Big hungry fish. I think Mitchell ate more popcorn than the fish got. Water gun fight. Monday night Papaw came back up to spend the night. Him and Mitchell had fun at the lake and playground.

Another trip to the playground Trying to kick Papaw while he was pushing him. Lexie had to get in on the act, too. Throwing sand. Papaw chasing Mitchell. He kept saying "I've got my running pants on" I didn't know where he got that from until I was watching the Looney tunes DVD with him and Bugs Bunny said it.

Doing donuts in the water.

One of Papaw's favorite things to do. Hold the boys while they are going to sleep. Tuesday morning Kristin came up early to spend the day. John joined us later after he finished mowing. They played in the water and went to the playground. John had a game that night so had to leave early. Kristin and Mitchell stayed until it was close to his bedtime, but she said he talked all the way home.

Mitchell & his mommy feeding the fish again.

Mitchell and his daddy or as he calls him (Mr. John)

Playground again. Thursday evening Pastor Andrew and his family came up to ride the jet skis and have the weekly Thursday night dinner with us, since our kids weren't there. We had burgers, fried potatoes (fixed by Royal Ranger Caleb) corn-on-cob, and some grilled veggies. Had a great time visiting with them.

Seth dropping Caleb off.

Gracie & Andrew riding the jet ski. She loved it.

Caleb & Aaron

Check out Seth's windblown look.

Friday morning Kristin, John, & Mitchell came back up. They played in the water mostly. He really liked the beach. Had lunch, and while Mitchell and Papaw was napping Me, John, & Kristin went Geo-caching (NO LUCK) My Iphone wouldn't pick it up. Then they played some more and I fixed their dinner. We had a fun day.

This was my little squirrel friend that hung around all week.

Watering the trees. Check out that tan. Ready to go ride. C Ya!!!!

Coming in. Shooting water at a friend he met.

Two gun shooter This is an overlook where you can see the lake we camp at. Me, Kristin, & John were looking for a Geo-cache but did not succeed.

Cordell Hull Dam This was a stray that wandered up to our campsite Saturday night. We fed him and let him sleep in the camper since it looked like it was going to storm. We let him go Sunday before we left. Hope he finds a good home.