Cabin, sunrises, and kitties

Maybe I have had too much time at home because I sure have a lot of sunrise and Mr. Tickle images so prepare yourself! Matt has been doing an amazing job on the cabin in the past two weeks.   I can't wait for the next steps! Needless to say with all of his hard work, we haven't all been together as a family much. The kids take turns going down while I - well - work from home. Summer is in full swing.

Brenner helping to put in the windows.

Wrap going on to help create a vapor barrier when the insulation goes in.

Nola was put to work making a ladder to help with the metal roof installation.

A trip to the bridge over the Pomme de Terre.

Daddy's girl at the boat launch.

Brenner had football camp so he was stuck with me :) This is his morning face.

Brenner was so excited to get his jersey and his helmet. It was so hot - but he loved every minute of it. With never playing, there has been a learning curve with putting on equipment, drills, positions. He is in the wide receiver group right now, but said "mom, it isn't a passing game in 7th grade football so I probably won't do much." We shall see!

Matt snapped this picture during drop off. Hope that he meshes well with this new group.

With no trips to DC, another coffee order for Matt lol! Variety is the spice of life. And with all the work at the cabin, he needs his caffeine.

Nola telling some story......

One evening we watched the bats in the backyard. We have the mosquito bites to prove it!

A little friend was waiting for us on our way in......

On Sunday, Nola and I headed down to pick up Brenner from the cabin. Matt and Ken were cutting metal siding. I did help with a couple of panels - but boy was it H-O-T!

The kids went fishing down at the river.

Brenner found these huge mussel shells along the river.

They almost completed the siding - looks so great!

The basil is going nuts - made a lot of pesto.

So many pretty sunrises have caught my eye lately. A great way to start the day.

Another morning....

Loved the rays showing with the clouds.

Mr. Tickles is a master napper. Here he is having trouble thinking outside of the box.

Who knew muck boots would be comfy.

It is like Mr. Tickles is hugging the wipers. He loves my car - laying on it all the time.

Making homemade kit kats!

Happy 4th of July

Happy fourth of July to everyone! We had a ball this week in the typical July Missouri humidity! It was extra special this year because we helped Grandma Val celebrate her 70th birthday.

The cabin is completely framed - woohoo!!!!! Windows, doors, and metal roof and siding are on the agenda for next week. Hoping to fit it in with Brenner's sports conditioning practices!

I saw a tail through the window one morning while working. This racoon made an appearance. I have never seen a racoon on at our house! Bayless wasn't sure what to think.

My Jacob's ladder was literally buzzing with bees - not sure you can see them in the picture.

Primrose started blooming!

The basil is growing. A couple batches of pesto are already made!

As a friend noted, Mr. Tickles is a master napper.

Fun on the fourth at Grandma's - smoke bombs and sparklers.

Snakes and tanks.

Aunt Lynnie, Nola, and Grandma Val relaxing in the shade.

Matt's version of getting the coals going.....

Nola and Mommy!

A rainbow made an appearance!

Brenner burning himself (he was fine).

Chocolate cake for Grandma!

Brenner, Grandma Val, and Nola....and Uncle Chris' foot. Not sure what Nola is looking at!

The adults waiting for the Brenner Fireworks Show.

Brenner did a great job setting off the fireworks! He was having a ball.

Dark speck in the sky is the B2 Stealth Bomber.

He couldn't quite wait until it was dark which was ok by me because we had to drive home!

Aunt Theresa thought the kids would enjoy some "old" pictures of Matt and Jo. This picture is from Summer 1998 - when Matt and Jo first met. Such a cutie - no wonder Jo liked him :)

Carriage ride in Central Park while visiting the Greskos in 2002. We had a good laugh over that facial hair!