Yay!!

It finally happened! We finally got a new range! The house we live in is old...very old. The range that we have had for the last 8 years is about 35 years old. It's an old JennAir. I am sure is was like the 'Jetson's' when new...but not 35 years later. LOL!! It was a giant hunk of poo! I only had 2 burners, and 1 only worked half of the time. The griddle coating was almost gone, & the grills just brought out the smells from inside. Yuck city!! Oh, and we didn't have a hood because JennAir stoves suck the air down. We just had a little light that we plugged in. It was just nasty! We finally got the money & got a new Kenmore! Thanks George Bush! It has a ceramic top, and that scares the bejeebers out of me....but I'll live. :D With the 4 burners, lighted hood, & an actual working oven light....I am in Jetson's heaven!! Seriously, I feel so very blessed! Here are my before & after shots. Big difference!! I even threw in a picture of the first cake I baked in my working oven! Let's just say I suck at cakes! LOLOLOL!!! I laughed so hard that my sides hurt. I just had to throw in a picture of it. Notice the melted frosting...that's what you get with a husband that has no patience. :D Enjoy!!

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Ropes, Tree Hugging, & Dorky Dads

My kids have a rope that hangs from a tree in our front yard. It has knots all the way up. They climb it, swing from it, & Dylan even sword fights with it. It truly is the very best toy we have ever owned. It is consistently played with, and even fought over. Even Mr. Pickles used to grab on swinging, gripping for dear life. LOL! Dylan can climb it without using his legs/feet. I tell you, it is very impressive to watch. That kid has the strength of Hercules sometimes!! I snapped a couple of shots while lounging under the rope tree. I think they turned out nice. :)

Bentlee isn't into swinging on the rope yet. She has more fun hugging the tree it's tied too. LOL! Seriously...she is always hugging on this tree. I haven't quite figured out what is going on there. Such a silly girl! I can't believe she is almost 2. *sigh*

Now onto the 'Dorky Dad' thing. First, I need to take you back to the end of last summer. I had a day trip somewhere. I don't remember where exactly, but it really doesn't matter. The kids were going to spend the day at home with their dad. I am not sure what Dylan did (probably Nintendo), but when I got home I heard all about Ashley's big day. She had taken some river rocks and colored pictures on each one. Then she put them all in a bucket with a 'For Sale' sign. Five cents to be exact. LOL! Her and her dad sold them on the street corner. I think Ted, Dylan, & the neighbor man were the only customers. Anyway, she was so proud of herself for selling her first art pieces. Keep in mind, Ashley was born an artist and wants to do it forever. Now, this little story has come up a handful of times in the last year. Well, my husband races in the front door last week totally excited. Evidently the neighbor man found a picture he took of Ashley on the corner. Ted was so excited. He hands me the picture, and I just looked at it. Yes, it was cute. Yes, she was precious....BUT....oh my goodness!! Look at how her father dressed her to sell items to the public!! Seriously....look at that outfit! I am sure it is just a mom thing...but I just can't get over how truly dorky dads can be sometimes. LOL!! I hope she doesn't need therapy. No! I am kidding! Her daddy is amazing with her! He just has really, really, dorky fashion sense!

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Garden Time!

Ted decided to make the kids a garden box at work. Ashley has really been into planting & growing things lately. He made it for both kids, but Dylan doesn't seem as thrilled as Ashley. LOL! Dylan was more thrilled with the painting & added the extra support boards. He is such a guy. LOL Ash & I went and got some vegetable plants this past weekend. We ended up with: tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, mini cucumbers, snow peas, bell peppers, jalapenos, chili peppers, onions, green onion, leeks, & shallots. It's going to be great! Ted & Ash finished all the planting this morning. I am so excited for all the veggies to come in! Hopefully Dylan will get into the gardening process more. It's really good for him to learn. I snapped a couple of pics of the finished product.....enjoy!! :)

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Park Fun, Take 2!

This time we went to the park with Daddy! He is more fun than Mom. LOL! Dad's will push you on the merry-go-round. Moms only do it like twice. Ted played with the kids, & I followed them around snapping pics. Dylan was Mr. Model. He was posing left & right! LOL! I couldn't get Ash to hold still for 2 seconds. My Grandma has always said that my mom was her 'Sunshine'. She said that you couldn't be sad or slow around her. Mom was a live-wire from day 1, and if she ever stopped & sat still she fell asleep. Well, that was hard to imagine as a kid. Now I understand completely. Ashley may look like me, but she is packing Peggy's battery!! LOL! Not my Dylan...he is like his mama....energy when it's needed, chill when it's needed. :) Here is just a little sample of my pics from 'A Day At The Park With Daddy!'. Enjoy!

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