I wasn't actually invited to this particular party. However, the party-goers have agreed to let me share the party anyway.
A year ago, our friend Julia got a new puppy, Bruno. She brought Bruno over to Aaron and Christa's house one afternoon, and they spent the afternoon playing with him. And falling in love with him. Turns out that Bruno had a sibling. And in fit of insanity (their words, not mine), they went out and adopted his sister and named her Rosie. This week, Christa got a text from Julia:" Bruno and Rosie turn one tomorow. My aunt is making them dog cupcakes." And before you know it, there was a full-on party.
There were cupcakes and pizza for the human party-goers. You can't much more random than that!
I've been enjoying the clouds so much. Just a tiny peek of blue...
Mark's been experimenting with his Traeger smoker. This week he smoked lobster--SO good!
Haha, number 1.
Sunday was a busy day. Aaron was in Jamaica doing a medical mission trip. Christa was teaching a three-hour class on human trafficking. Charlotte needed an escort to her yearly piano celebration event. Gramps gladly volunteered. He took a picture through the window as she played before the judge.
She got a superior rating--the highest possible. So she then performed in a mini recital.
Charlotte is growing up into an amazing young woman. It's hard to believe it's been seven years since this picture. Time just zips by...
Meanwhile, the rest ofthe kids were at our house for the afternoon. Gabe and I spent the entire afternoon making duct tape crafts. We started out with a zippered pouch. It was a no-sew project and turned out pretty great!
Then he made six insulated drink holders--basically duct tape on bubble wrap.
We had such a good time.
Haha, number 2.
Christa, Aaron and the kids gifted me with this cute clock--radiation is over and it's worth celebrating time.
My good friend, Stephanie, made this amazing armchair sewing station. I was shocked when it showed up in my mail. It's just perfect, including the color!
I continue to work on my Sweet Pea crocheted afghan.
Last May I took a picture of a quilt in Idaho when we visted Mark's brother, Pete, and his wife, Jane.
This is what the Jeep looks like this week.
We had a little family dinner on Tuesday. Mark and I spent all day making a lemon chiffon cake. This is what it looked like with the layer of filling, before we put the top layer on and frosted it. SO good! The story behind the cake is that when we lived in western Kansas (from 1973 through 1978), a lady in town, Mrs. McQuitty, made these incredible lemon chiffon cakes. They were very pricy for the time but they were so good that people often ordered them for special occasions. Everyone always asked for the recipe, but she kept it a secret. After she passed away, the family published the recipe in the town newspaper as a thank you for all the cakes people had purchased over the years. So if you are interested in making your own incredible lemon chiffon cake, and have an extra day to spend making it, let me know--I'll be happy to share the recipe. (Please check if you are a no-reply commenter--if so, I have no way of getting it to you.)
I took a piece to my friend, Janice, who also took a picture. I think she enjoyed it--she asked for the recipe. :)
I'm always fascinated with the things that Gabe comes up with. He gave this to me at dinner on Tuesday.
And then there was this, a proposal for a weekend activity.
It's a little hard to read, so let me write it out here (with words spelled as he wrote them):
"I think we should have a sleepover. I have a plan. Frist, we can go to your house (you pick us up from church). Then, we can get our things redy. After that, we can eat dinner and watch a move. The next day we don't have school. So, we can go and see the Lego Move 2. Then, we will go back to your house and mom will pick us up.
___Yes
___ Yes
___ Yes
Please, with a cherry on top!"
He included a lollipop to sweeten the deal. I'll be gone for four days, sewing with friends. Otherwise, my answer would be yes, yes, yes. I told him we will plan the sleepover for another time, but definitely yes to the movie on Monday.
And finally, haha No. 3.