Just goofing around

We've been busy. School, music, sports, life.
Fall break is coming up and we are ready for a break. I'm not sure what we are going to do but I'm ready for a relaxed schedule. I'm thinking apple orchards, hiking, maybe a little road trip, possibly some fishing. I just want to be outside. No homework, no computers, no set in stone schedule.
Just goofing around...we're pretty good at that!

Back to the daily grind

Summer is officially over for the boys. School is in full swing! The first day went off without a hitch and now that we are a couple of weeks in, they are settling into their groove.

Oh my...their poor teachers...it's going to be an interesting year! :)

Summer is almost over....

Driving the golf cart is Brandon's favorite thing to do. Well it was until he hit a tree. Someone wasn't watching where he was going and paying more attention to what his "bubba" was doing. The tree is ok, a chunk of bark was taken off. Brandon's fine too, a little bruised and tear stained, but ok.

And Nathan loves the old tractor. He has it all figured out...he said so anyway. He's practically a grown man so he knows what he's talking about.

They start school in just a couple of days. They are excited to get to see their friends but not ready for the homework. Nathan is taking Spanish, honors English, Freshman Algebra, US History and 8th grade Science. He's also in Band, which is perhaps his favorite thing ever.
Brandon has a male teacher this year and he is super excited. 4th grade is going to be awesome!!

Unexpected beauty

The boys and I walk around our vast kingdom pretty much every day, surveying our land. Making sure nothing is out of place or anyone is trying to invade. And it seems like we are constantly surprised by unexpected beauty. We found some morning glories creeping up the fence behind our shed the other morning. A little beetle was hanging out, soaking up some sun, doing what beetles do.
Morning glories seem to make Brandon very happy. He examined every new bud and smelled every bloom with a smile spread so wide it covered his entire face.

In front of our kingdom is a patch of lilies I received for mother's day a few years ago. This is the first year they bloomed. And it's funny because I thought they were a deep red lily but surprise! they are yellow. A little spot of sunshine brightening up our day. Do you see that pink rock sitting next to my yellow lily? That's my favorite rock of all time. It's pink through and through. And when the sun hits it in the late afternoons, it glows.

This little guy was planted three or four years ago with a bunch of his buddies but they never popped up. A couple of days ago they boys and I spotted this little fellow all by himself. Growing little by little, all a lone. But now I visit him every day to make sure the bunnies living under our shed don't nibble on his leaves that are clearly meant to let me know if someone loves me or not. But I would never pick this little beauty, I already know who loves me.

My four legged babies

 Not a morning doggie...

Morning doggie...

The orchard

For father's day we ventured down to my grandparents home and spent the afternoon with my parents in the orchard. Brandon drove the golf cart around in circles over and over and over again. We all sat around talking and eating and laughing. It was a great afternoon. Hot and sticky but fun.

My mom wanted a picture of the four of us, but Brian had other plans. He doesn't like his picture being taken and he loves messing with my mom.
The orchard is one of my favorite places on earth, especially with my family.

Mornings with the boys

This is my favorite way to start the day...

We watch the sun peak over the tree tops, drink our coffee/milk/oj, listen to the birds chirp and squirrels bark and plan out our day. It's the little moments that mean the most.

Life Lessons

 Learning how to drive Pop-pop's tractor.
Cleaning up the orchard.
Lending a helping hand.

Following in some big foot prints.
Knowing what hard work is.
Making me proud.

Hopping around

New pogo sticks.
An unusually warm weekend.
No broken bones, just giggles.
Today was a good day...

Let me count the ways...

 

I love this man of mine.

He makes me laugh every single day,

he kisses me in front of the kids to make them gag,

he keeps us safe, 

he looks so damn good in his uniform,

he's an amazing father,

he loves me for me,

he does the dishes on occasion,

he makes the best coffee,

he sounds like Johnny Cash when he sings,

he's teaching the boys how to be men by example.

I love his mocha eyes and crooked smile.

I even love him when he dumps a cup of ice cold water on me when I'm in the shower.

(not so much, but it's still funny, sort of. After I stop screaming)

 He has a heart of gold.

He's my absolute favorite.

He makes me so very happy to be his wife.

xoxo

Birthday boys

 Every year the boys think of some type of yummy cake for us to make on their birthday. This year Brandon wanted a chocolate cake with strawberries in the center topped off with a whipped cream icing. It was pretty good! Chocolate and strawberries are always a favorite of his. Brandon was pretty excited to turn nine. It may have something to do with the electric guitar he got or the fact that his Uncle Rick and cousin Auna surprised him. They flew out here on Friday night and left Sunday afternoon. Brandon so happy he cried, he felt so loved. It was a pretty special birthday for my little man.

Nathan turned 13 in December. Thirteen. 1 3. My baby is a teenager. I've had nightmares about him turning into a teenager. So far nothing crazy has happen. He still wanted me to make his cake, he still wanted his birthday to be celebrated with his family and he still doesn't mind being seen with me in public. But I know these days are limited, so I'm going to hang on to them with all my might!
Nathan's cake this year was a sweet one. Dark chocolate cake with a coconut filling. Topped with a coconut icing and oozing chocolate ganche. It was good, but it was extremely sweet. Just like him!