WARNING: If you are easily grossed out DO NOT CONTINUE ON. This morning in the car Madi interupted: Madi: Mom, mom there is a booger stuck on my teeth. Mom: WHAT? Madi: There is a booger stuck on my tooth. Mom: How did a booger get stuck on your tooth? Madi: I put it in my mouth. Mom: Why did you put it in your mouth? Madi: I thought it tasted good. GROSS.

Boating

A couple of weeks ago we went boating with many of the football coaches and their families. It was a lot of fun.

It was Gabe's nap time and he hated the life jacket, but he did have a good time. During those grumpy moments, we just enticed him with some cookies, distracted him with tickling, jumping and laughing and looking at the big picture, he enjoyed being on the boat whether it was playing or watching the water splash. Madi loved to ride in the front of the boat and in the tube.

This was Madi's second ride in the tube., the boat hadn't taken off yet and were just getting settled in. Once we got going, Madi wanted to go faster, I however, thought we were going fast enough. I tried my hand at water skiing again. It has been over 10 years since I had done that. Of course, this time it was a complete failure, but I was glad I tried and am anxious to try again.

It's a wheelchair...

We were at the park having a picnic when Madi asked about this sign. Mike started to tell her that is was a handicap accessible sign and then tried to explain. He started by explaining that some people had a hard time getting around and a bathroom with this sign meant that it would be easier for them to get in and out. Madi interrupted: "no, no, no; it's a wheelchair."

Why did she ask in the first place - apparently she knew all along.

Madi:

• Madi has enjoyed watching the Olympics, especially gymnastics. I like to watch Madi when she is watching the gymnists completing floor routines; she "bobs" to the music.
• "Look mom, I know how to wipe in the crack." Madi likes to make it known that she knows how to take care of business appropriately. She always reminds me that I use too much toilet paper, I guess she's managing toilet paper by the square.
• When I leave the kids with the sitter, I always ask for a hug and kiss. Madi is quick to respond with a hug and then she grabs my face, turns it to the side and kisses my cheek. I asked her one day why won't you give me kisses on the lips. Her response: "When I kiss on the lips, sometimes I miss."

Gabe:

• Oh how he loves to tease Madi. She will make a statement and regardless he responds with "NO" and it goes on and on. Good thing they both think it is hilarious at this point in time.
• "CHEEETOS". I think Gabe would survive soley on Cheetos if he could. I guess he would be happy to supplement that with "Snacks" (fruit snacks).
• He loves to eat apples from Grandma Valerie's tree. I'm not sure how he can eat them, they are so sour and starchy. Just imagine how sour an apple about the size of a golf ball is, but he loves them.

Moon facts.........

The other night Madi asked Mike: "What do you think the moon ate to make it so full?"

Did you know the moon eats grapes, watermellon, rice, gravy, chicken and strawberries? Well at least they do according to Madi.

You can find factual information about the moon here.

Lazy Days of Summer

Is there anything better....

than enjoying an ice cream on a hot summer day?

Sweet kids.

I definitely have sweet kids. These first two pics are of my kids pulling "funny faces".

How is it that the two of them are so beautiful?

Madi @ 3 years weighs in at 32 1/4 pounds and is 37 3/4 inches tall.

Gabriel at 21 months weighs in at 25 lbs and 13 oz and is 33 1/4 inches tall.

Introducing our Garden

. I'm no gardner by any means, but this year we decided to give it another try. The last time we tried our hands at gardnening we planted and then watched the weeds take over. This year when we planted we knew weeding wasn't our thing, so we planned ahead and put down weed gard and shredded bark. Boy has it made a difference. We are only pulling weed around the base of plants and a few places here and there. We till between the corn rows and hoe between corn stocks. The bark has sure cut back on the time we've spent working and increased the time we spend watching it grow. This year we planted: Tomatos, jalapenos, hot yellow peppers, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, green beans, yellow beans, carrots, radishes, yellow squash, zuchinni, acorn squash, pumpkins, pink squash, honey dew, watermelon, cantelope and corn. Here's a new watermelon - isn't it so cute

We have oodles of tomatos, but I don't know if they will ever rippen and turn red. Check out this sweet tomato flower.

I wish I would have taken some pictures of the peas when they were nice and pretty. We have one more picking left. Madi and Gabe have enjoyed picking peas. Well actually Madi loves to eat the peas - not so much pick them. Gabe's favorite things to do in the garden are run through the corn, dig in the dirt, and through bark.

I'm already planning out next years garden. I definitely want more peas - especially since my mother-in-law has one of these.

It makes shelling peas so much easier.

I'm not sure what it is about pictures of flowers, but I love them. I don't know what I would do with the actual photos, but looking at them makes me smile.

Madi's taking a quick break to run and stretch her legs. A couple of weeks ago we went on a four-wheeler ride with some friends. The plan was for Mike to ride one four-wheeler with Gabe, and I would ride the other with Madi. We had a slight change of plans when half-way to our destination, we realized we only broght one set of keys to the four-wheeler. We still had a good time. In fact, I think I enjoyed the ride better all piled on one bike.

Oops.

Gabe looks a little lost. It's a good thing he has licorice to hold him over until he is found.

Gabe loves riding the four-wheeler. I honestly think he could ride all day. Although, the second half of this trip, he was squished between Mike and I, and I pretty sure he wasn't happy about it. Gabe loves the wind in his hair.