Out and About

At the zoo...


Since most of June was blocked off in anticipation of the baby, but with no baby as of yet, we decided to take a little family outing to our local zoo. Weather, 80 degrees with a sunshine and a breeze. PERFECT.

The Five of us...

Anna and Gabe

They brought an over sized plump grape for me to squeeze.

and Cousin Gabe

Meechie came too!

Kellan was a bonus ; )

Out of all the animals in the zoo...the kids were captivated by the baby ducks.

Never knew flamingos have eerie yellow eyes.

or that these giant tortoises live 200 years

Then we got to feed the giraffe...highlight of the trip...for Andrew ; )

For only $1 you could buy a branch for them to eat out of your hand...never knew leaves were $25 each...

And these are just down right odd creatures.

Afterward we ate hamburgers and ice cream at the famous, Freddy's. It was quite the treat. She had previously gave him a hug when she found out they were going to get ice cream to eat, and made sure to sit right next to him to eat hers.

When asked what their favorite animals were:

Nicholas: "The rhinos and the giraffes"

Christiana: "The whinos. They stinky, mom."

Andrew: "I'm a lion man" ....(we got to witness one of them go off into a rant of a roar and a zoo feeding....was very interesting.)

And after all that walking and exploring...not a single contraction...this little bambino is still very much chillin out enjoying the ride.

In Two Days...

No, not getting induced or anything excited of that nature.

I merely read each of these books - both took about two days each.














Polar Opposites in terms of content these two.


UnPlanned was captivating, when I expected it to be maybe a typical conversion story. It is so easy to become numb to the realities of the abortion industry, but this refreshed and exposed the horror. What I think was most intriguing was getting into the minds and angles of thinking and workings of the "other side".


Warning: Women should not read when pregnant or may become pregnant, or who are nursing, high emotional reactions may occur. Just saying.


The Hunger Games: Totally addicted. It was thrilling and a perfect combination of strategy, survival and romance...and I stayed up past my bedtime to finish it. Although sadly godless, like most best sellers these days, it made me think about surviving and if I had any survival skills of my own if thrown into the wilderness. No: jack squat. But I did marry Andrew, who wishes he lived during the Oregan trail days. I'm glad God thought otherwise and put us in this era. Anyways....can't wait to read the rest.


Pathetically - I've already looked up the movie trailers and who the cast of characters will be, and put my name on the reservation list at the library for the next two books in the series.

The "Summer Nights" Dinner Party on the Lawn

I've always wanted to do a party in on a summer night in June...under the trees with white lights. I know...so sentimental and ridiculous, but I can't help it.

(The Invites)


So, maybe it was part of my pregnancy nesting phase or just my party planning gene....but we had one and it was lovely.
The Set Up....We strung white lights, put out lawn furnature, lit tiki torches, and set out the fire pit.
Thank goodness for my partner in crime and her husband...they came over and did most of the manual laber I couldn't do... I'm half surprised the baby didn't slip out because I could have swore at about 6p.m. I was trying to after all cooking and cleaning rampage.

Food and Beverage....The drink on the house was White Wine Sangria and we served Buffalo Chicken Sandwhiches and Burgers with Fry Sauce. Everyone else brought their own beverage of choice and dishes of delight to share.

Lawn Games.... were not lacking. Polish Horshoes, Bocci Ball and Washers were competively played during the course of the evening.

The Music....The playlist included Michael, Jack, and Dave (Buble, Johnson, and Mathews) with Gypsie Kings, Josh Viettti, and several others making their way in. It was just right upbeat, yet relaxed. I'm a firm believer in the right music sets the tone of the party...but I could be the only that notices.

Minus a few hundred misquitos, which we quelled by drenching in bug spray and lighting candles, it was a wonderful night with some of our great couple friends.

(the girls...many from Bible study we did together during Lent this year)

So we ate, played, and talked into the evening and enjoyed the blessings and celebration that summertime brings. I think maybe we'll make this a June tradition.

Proud to be...Swim Model 2011

If you confused...scroll to bottom to see the swim model)

The Proud Parents of Veronica Rose...newly baptized, little saint.

It was a beatiful baptism after the 8a.m. Mass. Veronica did not peep. We witnessed the sacred sacrament and contemplated the immense event of her coming into the Catholic church, free from sin.

The Proud Godparents....with mystery surprise cousin inside the watermelon belly of mine.

Baptism Brunch Featured...Strawberry Chocolate chip Pancakes, compliments of Chef Gabe, eggs and sausage, cantaloupe, cinnamon rolls, and orange juice and coffee. Oh happy day.

Later that afternoon...

drum roll please.....

Pudding....Swimsuit Model for PinchMyCheecks Unlimited 2011...the Debut:

Pudding with Her Godmother...

I think I pinched both sets of cheeks no less than a hundred times. I stared at your soft yogurt knees and turned out toes ALL AFTERNOON. (more bathing suits pics to come)

Silver Bells and Cockle Shells

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow you ask?

I get to pick the what goes in the garden and Andrew does the manual labor. (I would, but it tends to give me contractions these days. Besides, Andrew is totally in his element working outside so we make a great team.)

We both have no idea what we are doing...but are very proud of our humble little vegetable garden. This is our second year.

How human and real is the experience of dirt between your fingers. I'm sure this has to sound like I'm romanticising gardening, but it is wonderfully therapeutic.

I've always loved to garden and plant flowers. It's my excuse for "working" and feeling like I am accomplishing something so I can justify being outside all day.

I've been musing about gardening. Such a day dreamer. Anyways, I think I can honestly relate a little more the gospel passages with planting analogies. You start to take a vested interest in how your plants are growing. You spend money buying them, tons of time tilling the ground, compost piling, planting, watering...keeping rabbits away, hoping the storms or hail will not ruin them. You truly want them to grow and prosper because you have spent so much caring for them. It is like parenting to a small degree.

Behold...tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, corn, and watermelon. I think I'm going to try strawberries next year.

I used to watch and help my dad every spring. I remember what his favorite flowers and trees were, he did such a good job of telling us what he was planting and letting us be around him while he did so. I've remembered a few things of what he unconsciously taught me.

Nicholas loves being outside as well and at loves to "work hard".

He will always ask, "Do you need help Mom?"

"Of course I do," I always say.

He gets his five-sizes-too-big garden gloves and starts to dig something. He tells me plants need water, sun, and soil to grow and that I should look at his pretend onions growing really big now.

Pudding finds pretend worms (which are small piles of dirt in her hands) and shows them to me and says, "They so cute mom".

[This is due to Andrew giving them worms to hold when he finds them, and I, in my attempts to not make them afraid of bugs because I am, say, "Oh, they are sooo cute."]

So here's to our garden - hope it grows!!