Goin' Downtown

I'm not gonna lie, this post is pretty much just for my bloggy friend over at Significant Source. She's there, but her kid is here, and she'd like to know what's going on. So here goes. Today Darling Daughter got to go the top of a parking garage! I know, *gasp*! Who knew that would be the highlight of a teenager's day???

And this is what she saw when she looked down.


And this is her NOT sitting on the wall where she could have dropped 6 stories to her death....and Brianna taking her chances and trying to get me in trouble with her mom!

And this is where Darling Daughter is holding the bridge!

They posed for pictures at the Water Front Park

The famous pineapple fountain

Rainbow Row!

This is the house that Darling Daughter plans to own!

We also went to the Market, which I failed to capture in photos. We were too busy...... ummmmm, eating ice cream and candy from Kilwins. Shhhh, don't tell Lizzie.

We also took her to see the Citadel. She announced that she would love to go to a college where you weren't supposed to leave campus, just so she could try to escape! Alrighty then.

Looky What We Have Here!

As you all know, we spend our summers playing host to a gaggle of cousins from up and down the state. It's like a camp and a B&B all in one around here......except without maid service!


Up until this week, the invitation had never extended beyond family. Except of course, to Casey, Michelle's kid..... when she's older, who for all intents and purposes, is family.


But.


An unspoken rule has been broken.
A line crossed.
A boundary breached.


Y'all, we have a gate-crasher.

You may recognize this pretty face from her mother's blog. It's Darling Daughter from over at Not A Significant Source! And no, no one in her family has married anyone in my family, thereby making her my niece or whatever. I just threw caution to the wind! We let an outsider in! *gasp*

We realized a while back that Significant Source and I are from the same place, even went to high school together. SS and DD still live there with my nieces and nephew. While I live here. Got that? Good. So, DD and my niece Brianna, struck up a friendship. And, of course, she wanted her friend to have the same fun experience that she has! Of course!

And, if I'm being honest....who doesn't want an extra helpful teenager around? One that loves kids and is loads of fun! And, coincidentally, LOVES THE DUGGARS too! I could not go wrong letting this one in!

But, don't go getting your hopes up. I don't think her mom will share her anymore! As a matter of fact, I'm pretty positive she won't. She's missing this girl too much!

So maybe you could wander on over there and leave her a comment to let her know that it will be okay. She's got her prayer meeting going on today and if you need prayer for anything, leave that in the comments too. Maybe it will keep her mind off the fact that her only girl is here and not there. You know, give her something to focus on. I'm just sayin'!

My Little Trolls

In our town, as in many, we have a bridge. A big bridge. a beautiful bridge. And under that bridge, as with most bridges.....

live trolls!

We happen to have six trolls under our bridge.

And in an unprecedented feat, I managed to capture photo footage of these

fascinating and terrible creatures!

I warn you!

They are UGLY!

This post is not for the meek or fainthearted!

They are some of the most horrific specimens of

troll creatures known to the world.

These pictures,

as grotesque as they are,

still don't do them justice...

with their beady little eyes

and sharp beastly teeth....

scraggly hair and heinous little bodies!

SIX cunning and ferocious trolls!

They may seem innocent and guileless....



Even playful!



But, don't you be tricked!
Do not let them fool you!
They are just trying to lure unsuspecting prey into their lair!
You must remain on your guard when crossing this bridge.


Sometimes, they even turn on each other!





So, for all you troll hunters out there,
now you know where to find them.
But, be wary and don't say I didn't warn you.
For even the most experienced hunters have fallen to this lot!

And, for those of you that value your life and freedom,
stay away. Far far away.

Because they are on the prowl again!

I know.....I crack myself up! He he he

The Final Frontier!

In the kitchen, that is. We are finally coming to the end of kitchen makeover. It's ONLY been, what? Twenty-One weeks! But, who's keeping track? Paul shoved the washer and dryer out of the closet at the end of the kitchen and spent the day, laying the last of the floor tiles! He's finishing it up right now. Of course, we still have a few weekends of work to do, including grouting the tiles, trim work and the back splash. But, we can see the light at the end of this tunnel! I can't wait to show off the pictures of the finished project.....soon, I hope! PLEASE let it be soon!

8 Years

Zero

One

Two

Three

Four



Five

Six

Seven

EIGHT!

Isabel Lee Gour

July 24, 2001

2:05 pm

8lbs 1oz

21 inches

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!

Surprise!

Someone in our house has a birthday this week. I'm not saying who! But, he or she made a deal in Chicago to forgo having a party, in lieu of getting a new doll at the American Girls..... or Boys Place. Ahem. He or She has been surprisingly mature about his or her decision, especially for a child turning 8....or 4, or 13, or 20. Heh. That particular child has not changed his or her mind, has not resorted to begging, has not so much as mentioned a party. One. Single. Time. Nope.


As a result of the lack of puppy-eye activity I received........I caved. CAVED I TELL YOU! Okay, well not actually. I did not throw her an official party or anything. But, see. We had 4 cousins just hanging around the house anyway. And, you put that with the four kids I already got. And, add some cupcake action....and well, whatdoyouknow! It kinda sorta looks like a PAR-TAY! But it most definitely is not. Because, when I put my foot down, it stays down! Yessiree Bob. Heh.

Like I've said....Lindsay is special!

Jordan is just getting started!

Could this be more fun????

Apparently, it could.

Claire enjoyed it. Have I mentioned that she loves birthdays? You should have heard her screaming at our friend, Maggie's, party last weekend!



BEHOLD, the sugary goodness! And no, sadly, this is not an organic cupcake or even an all-natural wonder. This situation was on the fly, folks. I had to make do with what I could get my hands on. I tried not to think about all the chemicals that my kids were ingesting and chose only to focus on the positive......


Positively yummy


Positively adorable


Positively sweet

Positively beautiful

Megan enjoyed about three of these babies!

Positively hilarious!

Lindsay enjoyed making them....not so much with the eating!

Lindsay's masterpiece!

Why are my kids always trying to shot me with stuff???

That's what I want to know!

I'm still not saying whose birthday it will be on Friday. But, he or she will get only a birthday dinner....as agree upon. And maybe a present. And possibly a lemon cake with lemon icing. With some grandparents and godparents hanging around the house. But that is it, Missy....or Mr!

You know who you are.

Strange kid