Happy Birthday Katie!

Our niece Katie turned 6 this past Friday, and we were so happy to help her celebrate her big day!  I still remember when she was born, it was the biggest heat wave of that year.  I can't believe how fast she's growing up...happy birthday Katie!

Katie around 10 months :)

It was only appropriate that we celebrated her 6th birthday with another terrible heat wave!!!  Thank goodness we were at the local waterpark...it was a great relief to the heat!

The birthday girl!

Addie and her momma

Addie enjoying the cake :)

Ben enjoying the water!

Taylor helping Ben :) She's a great cousin!!! 

Fair Time!

Like most of the state, we are enjoying the 4-H Fair this week.  Yes, it's been miserably hot, but that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the animal shows, checking out the projects, and eating wonderful fair food (you know, the kind that is TERRIBLE for you)!!! 

I'll warn you ahead of time that this post is a long one, but I have so many pictures to share.  We're so proud of all the 4-H'ers, especially our niece and nephew, Ellie and Max! 

 Ellie is the dress review.  She made pajama pants this year.

 The boys, just hangin' out!

 Max looks so serious :)

 Ellie and Olivia (daughter of good friends of ours) showing their lambs

 Don't they look thrilled :)

 Hanging out during the lunch break

 Ellie and Max showing their ewe lambs

 Ty in the pet parade with his "Eco-Friendly Lawn Mower"

 Max and Ellie ready for the night show!

 Ellie in the night show

 Max setting her up for the judge

 Congratulations Ellie - Reserve Champion Dorset Ewe

 Great job Max - Champion Dorset Ewe

 Say cheese!!!

 Ok, let's switch :)

 Been Farmin' Long?

I wish I knew what they were talking about!

Kitchen Connection - Soda Pop Roast

It's been quite a while since I've posted a recipe, but tonight I made a really good roast and thought I would share.  I got the recipe from www.allrecipes.com 

I don't remember what they called it, but I call it Soda Pop Roast...enjoy!

1 Sirloin Tip Roast (about 3-4 lbs)
1 can of Pepsi (or Coke)
1 packet of dry onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Mix Pepsi, soup mix and mushroom soup together.  Place roast in crock-pot.  Pour mixture over the top and cook on low 6-8 hours.  You can also add chopped onion, carrots and celery. 

I left out the veggies and just made some steamed broccoli and carrots as a side.  It was delicious, even on a 100 degree day!

Newton County Fair

Last night, we headed up north to the Newton County Fair.  My niece and nephew are 4-H members there and we went to see how they did on all of their projects.  We couldn't have asked for better weather!  It was a breezy 74 degrees, definitely NOT typical fair weather, but we were happy to have it!  The kids did great on all of their projects!  I know there are a lot of photos, but I wanted family members that can't make it to the fair be able to see how the kids did :)

 Blue on farm models

 Reserve champion in electricity

 Reserve champion in cake decorating

 Blue in scrapbooking

 Champion (and selected for state fair) in baking

 Blue in gift wrapping

 Blue in fishing

Grand Champion in tractor maintenance (Junior Division)

After looking at the projects, we had to have some fair food, stop in the commercial building, and of course, finish the night with an elephant ear!  What a great summer evening with my brother and his family!

 Good buddies :)

 Evan helping Ben do some pull-ups

 Tiffany and Emily LOVED their elephant ears!

Grandma and Grandpa's

This past weekend, I left the lake one evening for a quick trip to my parents.  It was my Dad's birthday, but we were also getting together with my aunt and uncle and their family to settle a few things with my grandparent's estate.  It was such a bittersweet time.  It was great to see my cousin and her family, but sad to be at Grandma and Grandpa's house without them there.  I don't think it will ever be the same going by their house, but it's good to know that it will stay in the family. 

I'm excited to see what the future holds for Grandma and Grandpa's, and I'm glad that I have a few pieces of their legacy in my house now...as I'm writing this, her ceramic Christmas tree is shining above my kitchen cabinets, her clothes pins are out on the line and Grandpa's winter hat is hanging in the closet...memories are such a precious gift that we can hold in our hearts forever.

Of course, when we're all together there is bound to be fun, laughter, and definitely sweet treats!!! 

Uncle Eric getting a hug from Benners

 Trey was so good to pull the kids around in the wagon...I'm not sure who had more fun!  He's quite an accomplished driver!

Trey is my cousin Whitney's son...she has a great blog that you can follow here.

 This is my favorite...yes, my son is in his diaper (his standard outfit of summer), yes, he is filthy with ice cream dripping down his face...but, he's standing in a favorite place of mine...Grandma and Grandpa's porch.  I think we've all spent many hours of our lives sitting on that porch railing!



Ben getting ready to kick the football.  I tried so hard to get a picture of the "kick", but my camara was not cooperating...poor Uncle Eric had to set up the kick about 15 times that day!

Keep reading, I did two posts in one day :)

Weekend at the Lake

We just returned from a relaxing mini-vacation at the lake.  Andy and I enjoy camping and the lake, so we snuck away for four days to relax, swim, ride bikes and just enjoy some down-time.  We were lucky enough to camp on the same weekend as our friends, so it was twice the fun. 

Heading out on the maiden voyage of our friends pontoon boat

 Heading in the for the day.

 Checking out the latest deals in the Trader...their wish lists are growing

 Yes, even tractors come to the lake :)

Getting ready to make some smores!

4th of July

After a super busy weekend (three birthday parties and a get together with some high school friends), we slowed down to enjoy a low-key 4th of July.  Personally, I kind of liked it :)  We spent the day doing some projects around the house, and then my sister and her family came over in the late afternoon to swim.  We headed up town in the evening to meet up with more family and friends to enjoy dinner in the park.  After dinner and some games, we headed out to the farm for our own personal seats for the firework show.  Andy had taken some time in the afternoon to mow down some of the grass and spray for mosquitos...it was a nice place to see the show without all of the crowds.  All in all, it was a great fourth!

 Ben and Blake having a good time on the tricycle!

How did you celebrate the fourth?