Worn out

I think the picture says it all! 2 jobs, 2 kids, yard work, and church....he's exhausted! We really do appreciate everything you do for us and respect you very much! We love you.

G's Birthday Party was a blast!

Leila stands up!

She is still unsure of herself but is starting to stand up alone. She doesn't come crashing down either.

Watermelon

One of my favorite things about summer is the fresh fruits and vegetables.....particularly, watermelon. Asher shares in my love of watermelon. We both prefer to dive into it face first and have it dripping down our chins and shirts. It is the yummiest fruit in the world! So, we enjoy it frequently in the summer. Tonight was one of those times. Asher was jumping up and down trying to snatch it off the counter as I cut it in triangles for him. Leila was in the kitchen floor and I was taking pictures of her. She tried to pull up to me and fell and hit her face against the tile. Now she has a huge upper lip. I feel so sorry for her. By the way, the doctor diagnosed a virus not an ear infection.

My vacation week is coming to an end

My vacation from work is almost over. I have had time to clean, cook dinners and desserts, swim, and play all day with the babies. I have worried less about time management and lived a little more relaxed. Also, I have taken the time to realize that these babies are growing up. Leila has ran fever the past day (Dr. visit today at 4) and usually won't sit in the swing, but she didn't protest today. To my surprise, she looks so big in it and we had to have it on full swing mode. I was so sad to see this picture. Yesterday, Asher told me that he couldn't be a baby again. I know this, but I don't want him to realize it. He came out of his room wearing this birthday present from Whitney. I told him to make a moose face so I could take his picture....I'm not sure if this is a moose face or not. Anyways, this is the life. I am so thankful for my great job, but this week has been awesome! I saw a sign this week that said: Being wealthy isn't about what you have, but who you have. I feel so rich!

Picture Day

I took the kids for pictures today and I liked them so much that I bought the CD with the copyright release. Here are a few of my favorites. We played at the play area in the mall food court while we were waiting. Asher defended himself against a little bullying and told the boy he was bad. Then, at the studio, he told a little girl that she wasn't being very nice and that she needed a hiney whoopin'. My little bossy man was quite entertaining today. I am so enjoying my time home with the kids!

Happy Father's Day!

Today, Pastor George was giving a Father's Day message regarding fatherhood. He was preaching about how he was thankful that he was from a bloodline of Godly men. His message really spoke to me because I am so thankful for my Godly husband and his desire to serve the Lord. It is my prayer that my children will also be Godly people and their children too. I am so thankful for the fathers and grandfathers we were blessed with. Even though some of them now are in Heaven with our eternal father, I am so thankful for their love and influence in our lives that is still with us today. After church, Tyler let Asher come up and play the drums....it made Asher's day. He is already convinced that Santa will bring him drums. I'm sure Santa (Daddy) will make sure it happens. Mommy is still trying to figure out just where they will go in our quickly shrinking house! Anyways, Happy Father's Day!

Swimming fun!

Well, we took the kids swimming today and they had lots of fun. I fell down while holding Leila but thankfully it just skinned me up and not her! Aunt Haley has been wanting to paint Leila's toenails for a while, so we did it tonight. It was kind of hard painting those teensy, tiny nails! Anyways, Asher went and got in bed in the dark by himself tonight. It was a sad thing for me because I realize it is another sign our baby is growing up too fast!

Pecan cheesecake pie

We had a visit from Grandpa and Lala last night and I made a pecan cheesecake pie. It was great and few people have requested the recipe. I got the recipe from the Southern Living 2007 Annual Recipes book, which is a great buy! So, here it is:

1 refrigerated pie crust (I used the Pillsbury rolled pie crust)
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
4 large eggs, divided
3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups chopped pecans
1 cup light corn syrup

1. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions. Fold edges under, and crimp.
2. Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and salt at med. speed with an electric meixer until smooth. Pour cream cheese mixture into piecrust; sprinkle evenly with chopped pecans.
3. whisk together corn syrup, remaining 3 eggs, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla; pour mixture over pecans. Place pie on a baking sheet.
4. Bake at 350 degrees on lowest oven rack for 50-55minutes or until pie is set. Cool for 1 hour or until completely cools. Serve immediately, or cover and chill up to 2 days.

This pie starts with a creamy bottom layer of batter that rises to the top of the crust during baking. And, I like to add creamy cool whip to the top for added enjoyment!

My dream home

Okay, so today starts the first day of a little 11 day vacation from work. I am so excited and hope to spend lots of time with the kids, get some work done on the house, and work on customizing my blog a little bit. I am up too late right now and I decided to share a little dream of mine with you all. This is a picture of how my dream home would look. Preferrably, it would be sitting in the middle of about 5-10 acres. I'm not sure which one of us I think has time to keep up with that, but it's a dream. Anyways, it would have a big vegetable garden where I could teach Asher and Leila the responsibility and joy of producing your own food. It would have a peach tree and pecan tree. I know Tyler says they are messy but it is how I imagine it. It would have a huge kitchen that we could all hang out in while we cook together. It would have a really comfortable swing like my Main Man and Little Granny's did. Asher would help his daddy mow the yard on the tractor. And, it would have a big barn in the back that Leila would have her wedding reception in someday. We would have dogs, cats, and who knows what else! Mainly, it would be our home. And someday, when Tyler and I are in Heaven, our children would want to keep it because it wasn't just a house, it was home. I know, you all think I am crazy now, but it's my dream!

What a Week!

Well, what a week! Tyler just called me manly and said I repulse him. He knows how to spice up our marriage! LOL! He's laughing really hard now. Anyways, for those of you that do not already know, Roger had a heart attack last week. We are so thankful that he had early medical care and hope that it means he will soon feel better than ever. My children have discovered that they are brother and sister and siblings argue. Leila is learning to yell back in the arguements. Asher wants me to hold her to keep her out of his stuff. My, my, we are going to have our hands full! Friday, I had a mommy day. I was so excited to get my hair done, tan, and have a pedicure. It was great, but I spent 4 1/2 hours with the hairdresser. Now, my hair is brown! I hate it! It looks just about as mom like as my minivan. And, I have no idea how to fix it without further damaging my hair. (The picture is a self portrait in my really cool minivan) Then, I have a day like yesterday. I spent the entire day enjoying these two angels that God has blessed us with. It was so much fun! I wish everyday could be just like yesterday. I took these adorable pictures of the kids loving on our awesome cat, Copper. So, I hope Monday shows this week will be a better one than the last.

Water park fun

Baby Mozart

Leila is fascinated with the piano. Tyler and Asher were playing last night and she crawled over to join in the fun. She was tiptoeing and trying to play....that just didn't cut it. She decided to climb onto the wipes container to get a better reach. Remember that she can't even walk yet! However, she has been standing on her own for about 5 seconds before sitting down. She is saying Ba-ba and Ma-ma and waving bye bye. I think she said bye bye tonight but I can't be certain. Anyways, Leila did convince Daddy to let her play piano while she sat in his lap. She is already a master manipulator and such a flirt! That comes from Daddy not me!

Daniel and Danielle Boone