The Tortoise and the Hare

One of Aesop's fables, Tortoise and the Hare, is alive and well at our house!

Lila has a hutch and a run outside in the backyard. One day, when we went out to feed her, we discovered a turtle sitting in the small space in between her run and the fence. Tim was SO excited! (he has always wanted a turtle) We couldn't reach it because of the way Lila's run was built, but we were able to drop a few of Lila's spinach leaves back there. We have since discovered that it likes the spinach and cilantro!

Anyway, today Mr. Turtle figured out how to get inside the bunny run and how to climb up her ramp into her hutch!

He has been living at our house for a couple of weeks now - Tim is crossing his fingers that he stays! Lila didn't seem to mind him, so maybe Tim will get his wish and they will live happily ever after!

Look closely - he has climbed her ramp and is entering her hutch!

Lila and the turtle in the corner of her run sampling some cilantro leaves!

new friends!

Backing up a bit...

I never posted the pics that we took for part of Tommy's fathers day gift - For some reason I can't get the very best one posted with out it being sideways! That's ok - these are nice too.

Cow Appreciation Day!

We love Chik-fil-a!

In small town Forney - it is the happening place to be!
Maggie is a #1, no pickles, with mayo, polynesian sauce and a large lemonade.
Tim is an 8 piece #5 with ketchup, and a large fruit punch.
I am a char grilled spicy wrap - or a chicken salad sandwich, with a large lemonade.
Tommy likes the strips!

After a little decorating party at my house, we headed out for our free food (mind you, it cost me $19 for t-shirts and hoof sox!) It was super fun actually - and not even remotely embarrassing!

Tim, Hunter, Amber, Taylor, Maggie and Haley - grazing in the field!

Moo-ing impatiently while waiting for their feed!

As previously stated - not embarrassing at all, when a neighbor approached and offered to snap a pic of our herd! Best looking cows in the pasture!

Welcome home Bishop Martin

Our Bishop had back surgery yesterday, so a few of the Relief Society ladies called Maggie to help decorate his yard. She enlisted the help of Amber, Haley and Tim. Sister Tammy Martin and the Robertsons where there too. They didn't have much time - as this was very spur of the moment, but they did manage to get a few signs done. We hope he is feeling better, and gets "BACK" to feeling like new real soon!

Maggie and one of her favorite persons... Samantha

The rest of our GIRLS ONLY!!! vacation

We really didn't do much in the last days of our trip - just hung out, saw a few local plays, picnicked and relaxed. Just a few random pics to wrap it up - believe it or not, I didn't take very many!

Maggie,stuck in the revolving doors at the Plaza Hotel -

bell hop had to come get her out!

Nana and Maggie - they were being Siamese twins for a while...

very annoying to those not participating!

5th of July fireworks - we missed the 4th. You know how you lose track on vacation?!
This is what we saw when we looked out of our window on the Kansas Turnpike...Nothing...As FAR as the eye can see...
This is what we saw when we checked our gas tank...
We called AAA a few times and kept getting disconnected, so we literally prayed and about one mile later , we saw the 'fuel station ahead' sign. Thank you!!!

Maggie

One of the days that we were in Nauvoo, we drove into Keokuk for a picnic lunch by the Mississippi River. It was a beautiful, warm day - so, I coaxed Maggie into letting me snap a few shots of her. She was a great sport - thanks Mags! She doesn't always give me a big cheese-ball smile, but I think she manages to look beautiful anyway! I really liked the buildings in the small downtown area for her backdrop.

vacation...GIRLS ONLY!!! part 2

OK - so this morning we left Maggie and Gus back at the hotel room while we went to the temple!
I had a bad dream this morning about a bully hitting Tim in the head with a rock, (ever have those? - you just can't shake them?) and it made me very upset - so while I was sending up a quick prayer that Tim would be alright today, I felt like it would be a good day to go to the temple.
We just spent about an hour, but it was very nice. I love to be inside the temple feeling the spirit! We snapped a few shots outside to add to the blog, of'course - pardon the rain!

Vacation...GIRLS ONLY!!!

This is part one of my Girls Only vacation blog:


Maggie went with the youth from church on a trip to Nauvoo, Illinois to see tons of church history sights. Mom and I had wanted to see the annual Nauvoo pageant, so we decided to go too. We didn't actually go with the youth, we just were there at the same time, so that we could be there to grab Maggie when the group left for home. It was so nice to spend a few days with my mom alone. I haven't done that in 20 years! We visited some of the church sights, shopped in the quaint little shops in town, and just enjoyed one anothers company!
We met and talked to lots of interesting people, including the man who made the windows for the Nauvoo temple. He struck me as a very humble man. Mom makes stained glass windows, so he went into his shop and brought her out a piece of the glass that was used in the temple windows for her to take home with her. Very nice of him! It is clear glass, and it looks almost warped because of the shaping tools that they run across it when making the glass. Very cool!
Then when the youth trip was at their last stop, we grabbed Maggie to have her stay with us for a few more days.

We still have another three days left, and we are still deciding what to do - maybe Chicago? We will see - I'm sure I'll blog about it soon!

A Sculpture of the First Vision

On the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith left their homes, families and fellow saints for the last time. Traveling on horseback, they paused on this bluff. Joseph looked admiringly at the unfinished temple and the city of Nauvoo and declared:
This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens;
little do they know the trials that await them.
Joseph and Hyrum then continued onto Carthage, Illinois, where they faced legal charges and eventual death at the hands of a mob.
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The Nauvoo Temple today

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On friday, July 3rd, we drove down to St.Louis, Missouri to visit the Gateway Arch. Maggie and I went up inside of it - they take you up in a tiny capsule (yes, scary) and let you out to look out of the windows at the top. Everything looks miniature from up there! It is 625 feet up.

Check out the little baby helicopter over the water! In the pavillion in the middle, the Counting Crows were performing. We didn't realize until we arrived that a big state fair was going on - evidentally a big deal! We had great timing, i guess!

She works out...

Me and Mag at the top!

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Speaking of helicopters, we took a tour on one!
It was a bit rainy, but so cool to look down on the city!
Nana on the tour


Maggie videotaping part of our flight


cool pic of the arch and the capitol building from the air



SUPER HOT PILOT!!
Did I mention...SUPER HOT?!!!
Look at my mom's face - she was giddy because of his hottness!

Maggie's new BFF - also Super Cute! He and another cute worker guy argued over who was going to get to help Maggie get strapped in to the helicopter - really great for her ego!

Stay tuned for more vacation pics!