We love Mr. Potato Head around here!
We especially love all the Disney accessories you can buy for them
at Disney World.
Ian, Gracie, and I had fun dressing up our potatoes
and preparing them for a "pretend" trip to the World.
Don't they look cute?!

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Once again, we waited patiently downstairs all day, while we listened to the hammering and sawing going on two floors above.  The suspense kills us; but yet it's so exciting to see what all was accomplished while we were waiting.  Today, we saw much progress -

Today they worked on insulation ...


... Wiring ...


... and the window seat ...


...and while the contractors were busy in the attic,
Ian was busily constructing an architectural masterpiece downstairs ...

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...is another man's treasure!

Last Wednesday, we went on a field trip to an art museum.  It just so happened to be in the same town that my aunt lives in, so we were able to stop by for a visit.  Her daughters are all grown up, and it seems that she's been cleaning out.  Needless to say, Gracie and Ian came home with 3 (large) bags full of "goodies".  One of those treasures was a balloon kit - you know the ones I'm talking about - the kind clowns use to make balloon characters.  We haven't mastered the animals yet, but here are a few pictures of Ian wearing a balloon hat:

Thanks, Aunt Vicky!

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Tomorrow we go to pick up our pictures at Sears.  I thought you might enjoy seeing the newest pics of the kids.  Even though Ian still didn't cooperate, I managed to stay off the pictures this time!  LOL 

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I wouldn't normally "rub it in", but Brian is continually teasing others about their ages, so I thought it was high time he got his "just desserts" as well......

Brian turned 40 on Sunday.  Would you believe that he never had a birthday party?!  I just find that extremely hard to believe, and rather sad too.  So, we decided to remedy that this year, and he actually had TWO parties (we're making up for lost time!)

I told Brian that I had invited his brother and sister (and their spouses) for supper on Saturday night.  What he didn't know is that my parents and his "adopted" parents (from church) would also be joining us.  He was very pleasantly surprised!  We served a big salad and Wal-mart deli pizzas (if you've never had them - they are delicious and cheap!).  Ashley made Brian's choice of cake - marble with Chocolate Buttercream icing - which we served with ice cream.  We enjoyed visiting together - we don't see as much of his family as we'd like to - everyone is busy - so it was nice to just relax and talk and enjoy each other's company.

What Brian didn't know was that we had another surprise planned for Sunday afternoon.....just when he was getting ready to take his nap, the company started rolling in!  We had my parents, both my brothers and their families, my aunt & uncle that we're very close to, our pastor and his family, and some of our very dearest friends in all the world.  This time we just served cake and ice cream and had a fun visit. 

I think Brian was overwhelmed  by the outpouring of love he received this past weekend.  He got so many nice things - mostly money and gift certificates - it will be hard for him to spend them on himself.  But, we're going to insist! 

SO, if you're reading my blog and you were one of the party attendees, THANKS!  As for Brian, we told him not to get used to this whole party thing.  Maybe, if he's around for another 40 years........

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Yesterday, Ashley and I were  feeling very stir-crazy.  Do you know that feeling I'm talking about - when you feel like you just have to get out of the house and DO SOMETHING?  We used to do that all the time, but with the price of gas going so high and with the economy the way it is, I think we tend to stay home a lot more often.  Anyway, yesterday we just HAD to find something to do.

We decided that it would be cheap entertainment to search the internet and find a somewhat-local state park that we could visit and explore.  The scenery was spectacular. We really couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  It was warm, but not roasting hot. 

The creek was just beautiful, though somewhat cool!  We all had fun wading in it.

Except, of course, for Ian, who stood along the side and screamed!  LOL

He was fine, though, as long as someone was holding him.

This was the first picture that we took of the girls:

When Gracie got down from the bridge, her very loose tooth got caught on Ashley's shirt~
it didn't come out, but it bled and bled, and Gracie cried and cried!
In this picture, you can see that crazy tooth!

I love this picture of the kiddoes looking at the creek:

Here's Ian, enjoying an Ian Taco! LOL
He's such a ladies man!

And some candid shots of Ian that Ash & I couldn't resist....

Yep, we had a good day.

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