How Sweet It Is

We had a fun, though chilly, Memorial Day weekend. We had friends, family, kids, and dogs all gathered at the lake house to enjoy some time together. It started off great when Shylah and David delivered these awesome cookies made by Darci to sweeten up the festivities. Beautiful and delicious.

I borrowed the cookie photo from Darci, since I didn't really take my camera out until Saturday night when Andrew got to work grilling the burgers.

After supper, Haleigh tried a cupcake.

I think she liked it!

And who wouldn't? Dark chocolate cake with a Reese's peanut butter cup baked inside, peanut butter icing with another Reese's on top. Also baked by Darci. Yum!

Jon joined us for a little while on Saturday.

Two little girls were up bright and early on Sunday morning.

Gumbo too. Or maybe he's not really up.

Shylah with her brother, Joe, and their dad, Don. I need to speak to them about their team loyalty.

It was a good night for a fire.

David, Courtney, and Jim had a fireside discussion before it started to rain. It did that rather frequently.

David and Shylah's friends Kyle and Kristin were with us too, and brought their itty bitty dogs, Coco and Moda. Here is Shylah, introducing Coco to Jennifer and Bryan's dog, Bentley.

Bentley couldn't quite figure out what that tiny thing was.

Moda stayed safely on Kyle's lap. I think it's pretty much her favorite place.

Ella liked the little dogs. She liked Kristin too. :)

Andrew and Darci were doing some business on their phones.

Poor Bentley couldn't understand what this gate was all about. There are people down there! And dogs to play with!

Don did some bubbles with Ella and Haleigh.

And when there was finally a little window of sunshine, we decided to go for a boat ride.

Darci and Andrew. I think she was Instagramming...

this picture of Ella...

and this picture of Haleigh. (I borrowed them,)

Ahoy matey!

Jennifer and Bryan.

Courtney and Adam.

Ella and Granny

And then this happened. Never a good sign.

We gathered at the front of the boat and yelled suggestions gave moral support.

Good thing we had Don along! He earns his keep when he visits. We managed to limp back to our dock. Good thing, since the rescue we had called for was stuck on the boat lift. I once had someone tell me that the two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy the boat and the day you sell the boat. I'm beginning to understand what that means! :)

We had a full dock on Monday, and some were even brave enough to get in the water. Ted, Evan, and Dara came, and Nana and Boomie, too.

Kristin and Kyle headed back to their home in West Lafayette.

Dara, Courtney, and Adam enjoyed the water.

Joe and Bryan did some floating too.

Hello girls! Don't get too far from the shore now!

Boomie and Nana enjoyed one of the best lake activities, deck sitting. It was a good start to the summer, and we're looking forward to lots more lake time to come.

I'll Get You My Hodgepodge

Our hearts are breaking for the people of Oklahoma today, and our prayers are with them in the aftermath of this terrible storm. Kristen, at We Are That Family, reminds us that prayer is the greatest gift we can give them, and she also suggests some other ways to help. Our friend Ree, the Pioneer Woman shares similar thoughts and suggestions for sending aid to those in need.  Please pray for Oklahoma.

And now, since it's Wednesday, I'll get to answering the questions posted by Joyce to get us thinking today. Be sure to stop by her blog, then visit the other participants. Here we go.

1. It's National Bike Week...do you own a bicycle? When did you last ride a bike? 
I'd like to say the last time I rode a bike was last summer on Mackinac Island. Since they don't allow motor vehicles there, it is the perfect place to take a bike ride. In truth, I just took a picture of a bike last summer on Mackinac Island. And they weren't even riding it, just posing with it.
I no longer own a bicycle, and haven't for many years. Nor have I ridden one in the last decade or so. I believe my body would pay dearly for any attempt at two wheelin'.

2. What's something you learned in school that wasn't part of the curriculum?
This question made me think of my favorite high school extracurricular activity, Follies.
Follies was a variety show, written and produced entirely by students. Each of the four classes of our high school had four student directors who wrote, cast, costumed, and directed our classmates in a musical skit which was presented to the community each fall. My three best friends and I learned about leadership, compromise, time management, and the importance of a sense of humor as we directed our class skit each year. So many great memories! I should do an entire post about Follies sometime.

3. What's a food you've never tried, but want to try? What's a food you've tried and will never try again?

Well, everyone seems to think sushi is quite the thing these days. I can't say I want to try it, but maybe I should, just to see what all the fuss is about. As for a food I don't care to try again? When we were first married, I found a recipe for barbequed liver, prepared in the crock pot. My new husband liked liver, and I thought this would be a way to prepare it that required little actual contact with the stuff. First and last time I tried liver.

4. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Why? Do you think that's a good trend?
I think less. I'm not sure that's a good trend. As is usually true, I think the ideal is finding that oh-so-tricky balance.

5. Who is your favorite book, movie, or TV show villain? 
The Wicked Witch of the West, of course.

6. How concerned are you about identity theft? 
Our credit card has been compromised three (or four) times now. It's a pain and an inconvenience, and the first time, I spent hours trying to track down information about the unauthorized purchases because I was angry and irritated. Now, I just finish my shopping, then call the card company to send a new card. I think if you use a credit card frequently, it is likely to happen. That's not the same as identity theft, though, which could be a much bigger deal. That being said, I worry about identity theft about as much as I worry about a thief breaking into my home.

7. I saw this last question on Dawn's blog a couple of week's ago and asked if I could share. Everybody hop over and say hi, but first answer this...would you rather have an ordinary home in an extraordinary place or an extraordinary home in an ordinary place? 
I would rather have an ordinary home in an extraordinary place. The home would just need to be large enough for all my people. :)

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
These cuties had some fun enjoying a cupcake from the baby shower on Sunday. Chocolate just makes a girl happy. 

I hope your Wednesday is a happy one.

Great Expectations

On Sunday afternoon, Jennifer was one of the hostesses for a baby shower for her best friend Heather. I  wrote a little about their friendship here, and about Heather's wedding here. They have been friends since kindergarten, and now they are both preparing to welcome their first babies into the world. How does that happen?
I helped Jennifer with the decorations for the shower, which were also favors for the guests. They were little potted petunias in Heather's nursery colors of lavender and green, with a poem about their new little blossom. Yes, Heather and Scott are having a girl!

There were cupcakes,

and cookies,

made by my daughter-in-law, Darci. Time for her to get those business cards printed!!

We also had punch. I love punch. :)

One of the activities for the guests was to write a little note of encouragement on a 'midnight diaper' to give Heather a boost during those bleary-eyed nighttime diaper changes. There were lots of creative notes. My favorite said: 'You can sleep when she goes to PURDUE!' (Maybe I shouldn't tell her that there are just as many sleepless nights during the college years as during the colic years...)

The guests were also invited to make a headband or hair clip for the baby girl.

Little Ellie and her mom especially enjoyed this activity.

Heather received many cute outfits and useful gifts. Books are always good for new moms.

And just like Erin a few weeks ago, Heather received the 'grass' and 'twig' set. So many things we never knew (or imagined) we needed. :)

This is a clever little onesie, but I might suggest some bleach for the right side of the shirt. I think we'll need to teach her to say 'Boiler Up' at an early age. :)

It was fun to see Heather open her gifts,

and Jennifer recorded them on the laptop. Gone are the days of pen and paper!

The guests enjoyed a few more refreshments before heading home.

Heather and her mama stepped outside for a picture after the shower.

We were especially pleased that Katrina was able to make it to the shower all the way from her home in Wisconsin. She and her husband have been living there since they got married a couple of years ago. Jennifer, Katrina and Heather spent time swimming together,

graduating together,

and now.... pregnant together! Katrina shared the happy news that her baby is due in December. How is it possible that our babies are having babies? Such beautiful mamas-to-be!