I don't make resolutions but the truth is, I need to take better care of myself. This quote reminds me to keep other things in mind than just the wonderful taste of the foods I love. Happy New Year!

City Girl Country Life

This is the view from my front porch. I love it. This week we have snow, which I think is beautiful. 

Off to SoCal, to San Diego specifically

Heading off to southern California to see family and our son married. So excited!

In the country

We have moved to Iowa! We fell in love with this spot 5 years ago and now we live on the property we bought. Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves, can hardly believe it...but we are here and in a house. I am looking out at rolling hills and acres and acres of tasseling corn. I am happy to be here, but it is not without some frustration. Being used to having high speed internet, even taking it for granted, it has come as quite a shock that we cannot get high speed service here in the country, in the middle of nowhere. Really? We'll keep trying though and in the meanwhile I will enjoy the waves of corn and the deer and blue birds.

Gabe - A big help

We have had some forceful winds recently which tore the tarp off our wood pile. Tennis and Gabe spent a few hours this afternoon out in the cold repairing it. The fir isn't seasoned yet so we are trying to keep it covered for at least a few more months. It's something Tennis couldn't have done by himself today so I appreciate Gabe's help.

High School Graduation

Gabe's friends from high school who went away to college are now trickling in from their various schools back to our town. We're glad he is connecting with these guys knowing that they might be friends for life.

What a good uncle

Today Maddy and Trinny came over for a few hours. Gabe built castles with the girls out of wooden blocks and they had fun knocking them down. These pics show Gabe sliding Trinny back and forth through his legs. She had never done that before and had so much fun! She loves her uncle Gabe.

Our Barking Dog

Last night we had just fallen asleep when Jack, our yappy Terry-Poo, started barking and wouldn't stop. We finally realized that we had locked Gabe out and he was softly knocking on the front door. Gabe is sharing his car with me and we have only one key, so it was hanging in the kitchen, along with his house key - grrrrr. He must have thought it was a little bit funny that Jack kept barking but knew he needed to wake his dad up to let him in. Jack is such a crazy dog. Even though he knew it was Gabe he just isn't able to stop himself from barking when someone is knocking! Must be his superior breeding.

Gabe apologized for waking us up. I'm not sure he realizes how annoying that dog's barking is to us when we are sleeping! Actually maybe he does. When I leave for work in the morning Jack sits at the top of the stairs where he can see all the activity on the street in front of our house. He barks at all the dogs and dog-walkers, so maybe in some sick way this is PAY BACK for countless similar scenarios he has endured with this crazy dog when we're not home!

Gotta love 'em, both of them. Their fair points out-weigh their faults, not so convinced about Jack's though.

Isabella Name Banner

Madison Name Banner

Baby Jacob Name Banner for Baby Shower

Name Banner - Milan

Name Banner - Nolan

Name Banners - Hannah & Daniel

Banner - Joshua

Made to order name banners made with 6" squares of decorative card stock strung with color-coordinated ribbon make a wonderful party or room decoration. $24

Walking on Walls, must be genetic!

This is Gabe walking on the wall and even the ceiling! His brothers did similar wall-walking, can't understand where this is coming from!

Happy Birthday, Tennis!

Father's Day/Birthday Barbeque was eaten INDOORS because it was cold and wet outside! Jacob loves the Johnny Jump Up but in a few months will be regularly joining us at the table. Tennis turned 59 and still looks great! But Maddy pointed out that Great Grandma Cook and Grandpa Heuton have the same hair, meaning they have the same color: very gray! We missed Jon and Tracie & family, but heard from all of them so that completed our day and we felt very full...., of love and food.

Father's Day Fixin' Food

Gabe, Building Blocks, and Girls

"GABE IS THE BEST UNCLE IN THE WORLD!" At least that's what he tells his nieces to say. And why wouldn't they think highly of him, he plays with them and reads to them and they love him for it! Of course, despite the brainwashing, they love it when he teaches them the finer points of skyscraper architecture!

Nathan's smile

Nathan was 3 months old and was such a little ham in front of a camera! I've always loved this baby picture. He was a very smiley little guy. This second photo was taken at a family reunion in the San Juan Islands area during the time we lived in San Diego. He was about 10 years old. He continues to melt my mama-heart when he smiles.