Horses

We attended a work party for one of the companies Nathan's company contracts with on Saturday in Southern Indiana. It was a beautiful drive and the kids had a ton of fun. One of the activites was horseback riding. Alexa, Mackenzie and Nathan each participated in the ride. Dayton declined the chance saying, "I just don't feel comfortable on horses." He and I played several rounds of corn hole, visited with the clown who made balloon creations and Dayton crawled into the mouth of a lizzard blow up slide. Alexa and Mackenzie rode horses that were sisters and Alexa was on the older sister horse so they thought that was really neat. Nathan was the last rider of the group on Cheyenne. The best part was each person was able to ride without the assistance of anyone. The horses were really well trainned and followed quite naturally the horse that was in front of them. Needless to say...it was a great Saturday outing.

Corn on the Cobcakes

Tonight is the young women in excellence program at our church. All of the young women and leaders are encouraged to enter the bake off and or participate by performing a talent. I decided to enter the bake off and wanted to make something that followed the theme, County Fair. So...I made corn on the cobcakes. I think they turned out super cute and they are really yummy, or so my taste testers, Alexa, Mackenzie, and Dayton, say.

Baseball

Dayton is playing his first season of baseball. Before his first practice he came home from school super excited and in a hurry to complete homework and eat dinner so he wouldn't be late. He had a great time but came home disappointed because he didn't get a good snack. Apparently, Dayton had signed up for the yummy snacks not necessarily for the sport. Since that first practice he has accepted the reality of "lame" snacks and is now enjoying the sport. He has come out of his shy shell and has a great time with the other kids on his team.

The Hot Tub

When we bought our house 2 years ago, we were so excited to have an already landscaped back yard with a deck and a hot tub. Who could ask for anything more, right? Well that hot tub has been the biggest nightmare for us. It was installed improperly and the electrical work was done wrong as well so we could have died while in it from electrocution. Well...for our anniversary, we got rid of the hot tub and had the hole where the hot tub was replaced with a new deck and it is AWESOME!!! We couldn't be happier...honestly it feels like we just had an addition added to our house.

The only bad part was having the hot tub sitting in our backyard for most of Saturday...quite the eyesore.

*12* years

Today is our 12th anniversary. I can't believe it. Twelve years, 3kids, 3 states, 9 homes and a dog later...here we are. We have most definitely had our share of ups and downs, joys and heartache. But I can honestly say that Nathan is my best friend and I wouldn't trade our experiences for anything.

I love you Nate and I look forward to what is yet to come. Happy Anniversary.

Proud Mom Moment

Today Alexa had to run the mile in gym. She completed her run and noticed a girl who was still running and had 5 laps to go. Alexa and one of her friends decided to go back out to the track and run with her. They cheered her on and walked when she walked and ran when she ran. As they did so others joined in the encouraging run/walk until this girl completed the mile. You know sometimes my kids do things that make me so proud...this was one of those things. Alexa truly is a gem. She has a kind, loving and sensitive heart. Lex, I am so proud to be your mom.

Peaches

Yummy, yummy peaches! I have spent the last 2 days blanching, peeling, pitting, slicing, bottling and freezing the yummiest South Carolina peaches. My house has had the best smell and my kids have thoroughly enjoyed eating a peach for snack after school and having fresh peach shakes for dessert after dinner. All my hard work will be even more appreciated when we get to eat peaches when it is freezing outside.