Wednesday, June 29, 2011

You're a Grand Old Hodgepodge

Time once again for the Wednesday Hodgepodge. 
It's always fun to link up and enjoy connecting with other folks out in bloggy land. 
As always, thanks to Joyce for hosting. 
Be sure to click on the button to visit her blog.

1. What makes you stand to your feet and cheer?

Well, I should say something profound like justice or freedom, 
but truthfully it's probably this team


or this team

and mostly this guy.

2. What's your favorite patriotic song?

You're a Grand Old Flag.  
I learned this one in elementary school from Mrs. Anderson, 
and it's the first one that popped into my mind.
I have also always loved God Bless America
learned from my childhood church choir director. 
She was Welsh, and always thought it should be our national anthem.


3. Do you believe that opposites attract? If you have a significant other are you opposites?

I believe opposites can attract. In our case, 
my husband and I have that right brained, 
left brained opposition going on, 
which seems to work quite well for us.

4. You're going to get a behind the scenes look someplace...where would you like that someplace to be?

I would like to be behind the scenes at the Superdome on game day.

It would also be cool to take a behind the scenes tour of the White House.
This is a picture of Jim and the kids outside the White House in 1997. 
It was Bill Clinton's house then. (More on him in #6.)

5. How far would you have to travel to ride a carousel (merry-go-round)?

Well, during the second week in July, 
I would have to travel about 10 minutes to the County Fair. 
Here is Jonathan, probably 1990, age 3, with Jim,
on the merry-go-round at the County Fair.
Jim always tries to find a child to take on the
merry-go-round. Jonathan is just a little bit
too big now. Thank goodness for grandchildren!

During the other 51 weeks of the year, I would travel about an hour, 
~photo credit, Children's Museum of Indianapolis

6. When was the last time you saw fireworks? What was the occasion? Do you enjoy fireworks?

The last time I saw fireworks was in March while we were vacationing in Grand Cayman
Turns out there was a visiting dignitary staying at the hotel next door, 
and there was a very impressive fireworks display in his honor, right off the beach. 
Yes, that's former President Clinton with our son Andrew 
and our granddaughter Haleigh. 
President Clinton was very friendly, 
we spoke briefly about his work in Haiti, 
and he commented on the beautiful baby. But of course!
 We also enjoyed the fireworks last summer at the lake. 
Daughter Jennifer took this picture.

7. Of all the 'beauty products' you own, what item do you consider to be the most overpriced?

Well, I don't really use any high priced beauty products. 
Obviously. :)

8. Insert your own random thought here.

A beautiful sunrise over the farm.
Welcome Wednesday!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Tooth of the Matter

We had a fun weekend at the lake with Andrew, Darci, and the kids, and their friends Matt and Shelly and daughters Abbi and Makenna. Matt and Shelly have been such good friends to Andrew and Darci while they have been living in Louisville, and we hope we will continue our friendship with this sweet, fun family after Andrew and Darci move back to Greensburg.

The first bit of excitement happened on Friday evening when it was discovered that Makenna had lost her first tooth! No one is quite sure exactly when or where it was lost, but it may have most likely been consumed along with the Dilly Bar she enjoyed for dessert.

She proudly showed me the blank spot in her mouth.

She left a note for the Tooth Fairy before bedtime (on the kitchen table since she would not want a fairy, or any stranger, coming to her room at night), and she found five dollars when she woke up in the morning. The TF must have made some wise investments if she pays $5 a tooth these days!

On Saturday, we let Haleigh try out her new little pool on the dock.

Although she had her own cup nearby, she preferred the method she learned from Gumbo for getting a drink.

Silly girl!

Makenna was still pretty proud of that lost tooth.... wherever it is. :)

Makenna, Abbi, and Matthew had a great time on the trampoline.

They went out in the boat for a little tubing, but decided they would really rather watch Andrew than try it themselves. Once back at the house, they posed for a little "dock tubing."


It was much easier to hang on that way.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Phone Photo Friday

Kids and Babies

InstagramCollage6 by StewMama

Hello Haleigh ~ Sippin' ~ Ice Cream
Haircut ~ Handsome ~ Geyser
Model Margaret ~ Sleepy girl ~ How does your garden grow?

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Some Beach

Yesterday, we decided to try out Sweetwater Beach. Not exactly Seven Mile Beach, but still fun. A pretty day in a pretty place.

Matthew hit the water.

And Haleigh enjoyed the sand.


She pretty much had sand everywhere. Might as well rub some on your face, Hay!

Matthew enjoyed the cool water on a warm day. We had a few raindrops, and then the sun came back out.



I think Haleigh would walk right into the water. She loves it!


She loved getting dirty in the sand, too.

Matthew spent some time building a seawall out of sand.


Sand in my fingers and sand in my toes.


Sand on my arms...

and sand on my nose!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Sweet Summer Hodgepodge

Trying to blog from the lake to join the Hodgepodge. Had a little trouble uploading photos this morning for some reason, but it seems to be working now. Be sure to click on the button to check out Joyce and her Hodgepodge friends.

1. Summer's here-whoohoo! What's your favorite sight, sound, AND smell associated with summer?

Since we purchased the lake house last spring, this has been my favorite sight of summer. I also enjoy the sounds associated with it. The birds in the morning, ducks on the water, the squeals of kids splashing, the sound of boat fun on the lake, and the laughter of friends and family gathered together.

My favorite smells of summer all seem to be connected to food. Hmmmmm...
Burgers on the grill...

strawberry shortcake... (is this a sight or a smell?)

and yummy fish sandwiches from the county fair. The fair is full of all kinds of sweet summer smells: shish kabob, pork barbeque, lemonade, and yes, even the livestock barns have a special summer smell that I like. I know, call me crazy.

2. Fireflies or lightning bugs...what are they called in your neck of the woods?

Lightning bugs for sure.

3. What is something from the past week that reminded you of your childhood?

My mom and I took Matthew and Haleigh to Columbus, and we ate lunch at an ice cream parlor. It reminded me of the neighbor of my grandparents who always took us for ice cream when we were visiting. She would fire up her big blue Cadillac, and off we would go to Baskin Robbins.

Matthew enjoyed his hot fudge sundae at Zaharakos. Sweet!

4. Define 'the good life'.

'The good life' reminds me of "The Good Stuff" by Kenny Chesney. He will be in Indy this weekend, and though I'm not going this time, I think I have been to 3 of his concerts. This has always been one of my favorites.




5. Tell us what we'd see if you took a snapshot of your desk/work space?

Scattered rhinestones, glue bottles, wax sticks, and other messiness. That's how creativity goes.
Sorry, no snapshot available.

6. Peaches or watermelon...yes, you have to choose.

I like them both, but I'll say peaches. I like both best if someone has already done the cutting.

7. Ever been skinny dippin'? Is that too much for the Wednesday Hodgepodge? Rest assured we won't need details...unless of course you feel you must but remember, this is a family friendly blog so keep it G rated.


Never. I know, shocker.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We spent some time in the new Commons in Columbus on Tuesday. The new indoor playground is awesome!


Matthew climbed right to the top.

Several times.








Haleigh watched.

Matthew helped her go round and round.

And then she found a tunnel to crawl into. Bye bye Haleigh!