There's Icecubes, But It's Open!!

We ventured out to the pool yesterday. It was chilly and overcast but I obliged. Tanner was there I promise. He just didn't get in the pics. He's a tad camera shy :) They lasted a hour before lips turned blue and they were ready to head out.

Memorial Day Fun

Lovin' The Zoo

our favorite exhibit

Our handsome crew!

love this, such a cutie

handsome man

Best Friends

Four older brothers, so of course she picks it's nose

she kept squeezing too tight and choking him, he was a good sport

CAUGHT YOU!  Eli DOES love Graham.  SEE??

They always line up in birth order, so funny

SKY SAFARI!!  My fav!

Goofy weirdos :)

A Whole Lotta Nephews

Poor Zayne, that sun is bright Auntie!

wardrobe malfunction :)

Liesey-Loo

Brennan's all about the babies

Can't get enough of this little guy

sweet boys

Great Grandma Jean

Spent the day with a special lady

All the grand kids,

cousins,

spouses,

ate and chatted

posed for a few pics

learned about an iPod

stopped and smelled the flowers

Thank you Grandma Jean for having all of us over.  We know how much work it is and we were so blessed by a beautiful day.  Love you so very much!!!

It's Not a Mug, It's a Memory

 This morning I'm sitting on my porch sipping coffee, smelling the fresh air, and watering bald spots in my yard.  My mind and heart are full of nostalgia.

My Dad's birthday is Thursday.  He's been on my mind a lot.  When I was really young he had a favorite mug.  It was avocado green on the outside and white on the inside, simple, old.  I remember getting up in the mornings on occasion before he headed off to work and he would be in his work clothes, windows open, sitting, sipping on a cup of coffee.  The mix of spring/summer air and coffee brewing takes me there so quickly.

I'm not sure he'd even remember the mug, but I do.  It was there and then it was gone.  Broken, discarded, but I remember it.  It took a while, months, to find one.  I was thrilled when I finally came across what I now know is green milk glass made by Fire King. 

It will sit on a shelf, safe from tiny hands. But once in a while, on mornings like today, I will pull it out and have a cup of coffee with my dad.

My Revival Song

This song is playing 24/7 in Shannon's brain :)

Beauty I See

I was able to get an amazing camera for a ridiculous price from someone who didn't want it anymore.  Or it was hot (stolen), not sure.  Either way, I am loving taking pictures.  The idea behind the camera purchase was having the ability to take great pics of my cakes for advertising now that I have my very own business page!  Yup, that's right.  It's overwhelming but fun.  The purpose of going public is to bring in enough business to pay off debt faster.  We have a little loan on Jared's truck and my goal is to pay it off by the end of summer. 

Speaking of Summer, it's coming I promise.  Here's a pic I took at the Legends just a couple days ago.

I've been working diligently to keep all my cake orders on our family calendar so that I don't get over booked with all the different things going on in life.  This is a pic of the Pursuit cake in process:

While at the Legends my kiddos insist that we go into the "Dinosaur place" every single time...

Spending the day at Great Wolf Lodge was a wonderful experience.  I wish the new camera were waterproof.  I would have so much more to share, but alas.  It wasn't worth the risk so there's a select few.  Here's one of my favs.  I love how red her hair looks and the gentle expression on her face.  Love.