Dishwasher Blues

We bought a new dishwasher when we moved into this house almost 3 years ago. About a week ago I noticed I was having a hard time getting the dishwasher door to open. Now, I can't get it to open at all. I have at least two loads worth overflowing from my sink to the counter. I hate to wash dishes by hand! Inside, I am stomping my feet and screaming NO! NO! I don't really know why I hate it. I'm not lazy. And any time I hand wash dishes, I'm always so surprised how quick the job was. But I hate it. I got to thinking - I always had a dishwasher growing up. Money was always tight and a stressful subject, but we always had a dishwasher. So it's just how I'm wired, right? It's a convenience, not a necessity, I know. But I'm still putting off the job. I decided to come write about it, than just get in my kitchen and get the job done...... Great! Now I can't think of anything else to write..... guess I'll stomp my way to my sink full of dishes and try to conquer the mountain.

April Camping Trip

Trey mentioned to Evan a few months ago that they could go camping on our ranch. But they would have to wait till there were leaves on the trees and for it to be April. Two weeks before April came around, Evan went to play in the backyard. He rushed back inside shouting "Momma there's leaves on the trees! Leaves on the trees! Quick tell Daddy!" From that point we had to make frequent trips to the calendar to see when April was gonna come around.
Evan cought his first fish, with some help from Papa. 4lb catfish. Good job Evan!
Evan and Dad-aw, (Trey's Granfather) eating some of Mom-aw's cookies.
Here are the sleeping quarters.That night, after Trey got Evan settled in his sleeping bag, Evan decided he needed to sleep with his daddy. Beside him wasn't good enough, he needed to be in the same sleeping bag. Apparently there were coyotes very close. The sounds of them howling and catching their prey were the closest Trey has ever heard before. Well, Evan needed to pee. Trey told him to just go anywhere outside the tent. Evan says,"Daddy, what do coyotes eat?" I don't remember Trey's answer, but he might have said rabbits. Evan says, "Little boys, what about little boys?" Trey tries to tell him how humans scare coyotes and how we are too big for coyotes to eat. Evan only found enough confidence in daddy's answer to unzip the tent, tilt out his hips, pee, zip it back up quick, and jump back into daddy's sleeping bag. That's braver than me, buddy- I think I would've just held it!!
Evan casting. Evan got to camp with his daddy, his Papa and his Dad-aw. Trey got several more great pictures, but he wasn't in any of them. Guess they will have to go back again soon so he can get more pictures.

Celebrating new babies

There were three baby showers going on today. I got to be a hostess for two of them. A Tonka truck theme was used for one of the showers where an adoption was being celebrated. The big boy is 20 months old. Welcome Billy!
I copied this cake off one I saw online. Trey helped me carve out the road. But my first helper was Dean. He climbed up on the table and took care of a large section of one of the cakes while it was cooling...little stinker. He didn't even leave one crumb.
The hostess and the guest of honor. It was a great afternoon. I don't have any pictures of the second shower, but it was beautiful. I have to brag on my husband. He had all the kids for over 4 hours while I partied. I did bring him home a piece of cake though:) That makes it fair, right?

Autism walk and other news

Today we got to be a part of Autism Speaks and their effort to raise support and money. It was a walk at the zoo plus lots of extras, like bounce houses and getting to visit with dogs that participate in the pet therapy program. Evan has a classmate whose twin brother has autism. So we joined some good friends to support Konner's Krowd. It was a great day - beautiful weather, and a great turn out.
Last weekend we went to check on our baby cows. All the kids especially Andie, would love to pet these babies. But they are just so jumpy at this age. So the best the kids can do is chase them around.
This is Dynamo, the cow we bottle fed in our backyard over a year ago. She has turned out to be our best looking cow. I have to laugh saying she's the best looking, but giving you a picture of her rear - you'll have to trust me. If I'm learning things right, I believe the real test will be how good of a momma cow she is. We'll find that out in just a few months.
And the highlight of last week was a quick visit fom my mom, Nana. I wish we didn't live so far apart. She and my dad were amazing parents. But I love their role now. They are my biggest fan. My mom always finds some way to encourage and build me up as a mom. The role of a parent can be so hard, and my mom remembers it well. I also love to see my parents as grandparents. They are so loving and giving. My mom gave Andie this new dress, complete with purse, shoes, hat, tights - the works. The dress said it was made for the girl who loves to twirl, so they had to get it for their Andie.