Fairytale in the Forties

I cried all through this wedding. You all remember Christina Conton, Keri's roommate in Trinidad. God blessed her with a wonderful, godly, servant-hearted mate in her 5th decade. The wedding (which was completely paid for, incidentally, by a package Christina won years before at a bridal show) was beautiful with several unique and meaningful aspects. Wonderful encouragement for any single friends you may have who are waiting.

First, a trip to daddy's beauty parlor.

Keri read excerpts from The Mystery of Marriage (Mike Mason).

We danced and danced...

and so did the bride (I am sorry we don't have any pictures of Kevin).

The ScareSkunk of the 'Shire

Sophie's hopeful idea to oust our smelly yardmates.

Super Boy!

Benjamin is very excited to share with you his new pjs. We saw these at the store while we were shopping for new underpants--his reward for keeping dry at night, so no more pull-ups! He begged for them and normally I don't give in to this. But my brother had a pair almost exactly like these when we were growing up. I have many fond memories of my brother rocketing around the house faster than a speeding bullet and leaping small sofas in a single bound. B always wears the cape until bedtime, when he wants to take it off and keep it by his bed until morning :)

My brothers and me

They seem to love to stick stuff on my head. When it falls off, they laugh and laugh, and then put it back on. Over and over again.

See their fort in the background? Mama and I like to talk while they play. I can coo and gurgle with the best of 'em.

New use for infant bath towel

Has your infant outgrown that nifty bath towel w/ ribbon? Harry discovered a new use today after I bathed Mary Clement. Me: "Look at your kingly robe!" Harry: "No, I'm a robot with a cape." Gotcha.

Our garden (and Esmerelda) and one more Emma pic

Keri likes this one best. This is our bristlecone pine tree, Esmerelda, with Emma's birthday deer in the background.

This is our garden, which grew lettuce, yellow squash, wildflowers, and potatoes very nicely. Note it is surrounded by free mulch from the city, the very same kind that I spent several hours on my birthday shoveling (much to Dad's delight) on to another part of our yard. It is amazing how close the apple falls. Guess what the black thing in the corner is...you bet, a composter (bought from the city, not handmade. I am making a birdbath out of old scrap metal though).

Catch up

This is Emma. She eats rice cereal with relish from a spoon, practically feeding herself. She laughs and laughs at her sister who is the most admired being in Emma's world.

She distracts all congregants at church by blowing the cutest raspberries.

She charmed her grandparents (with a little help from her sister and mother) into building this lovely pergola on the side of our house.

It makes for some very fine afternoon mealtimes.