Crazy Love Gamble-Style

 Here is a fun look back at our yard nearly 10 years ago.  The grass may have been slightly greener at that time of year but there really wasn't much to see.  It was very bare. But then enter John, he has totally transformed our yard into the wonderful little oasis it is today.  We love it back there.  Love, love, love it!!  He works so hard to make a nice space for us all to enjoy.  Flowers every where, while these two have simply been growing like weeds. : )

Alternate titles considered:  Turns out money can buy happiness, Ava's best day ever, I never want to hear you say that you can't find a ladybug again... Ava has always LOVED ladybugs.  Not such a huge fan of bugs in general, but for some reason the cheery little red shell with black dots changes the freaky bug factor for her.   A little while back my mom mentioned to the girls that she saw some ladybugs that you could buy at the garden store.  Of course they begged her to bring them some, and she promised she would.   Subsequently said ladybugs were mentioned about 5 times a day in the coming weeks, and an interrogation of grandma occurred whenever she arrived ladybug-less.    But alas, they arrived...  Wow!  So many!!!  1500 lady bugs is a LOT of ladybugs!!    It was freaking me out a little, I could see them crawling up her shirt and all over her body.  She didn't see...

 Ava is a little under the weather but it hasn't stopped her from wanting to go to school.  I've just been having her rest all day then go & come home and rest some more.  She doesn't have a fever or anything so I guess that's what you are supposed to do.  Hopefully she will be back to her happy, healthy self shortly.  Norah LOVES taking her to school.  We walk there every day and then sit and wait until the teacher comes and leads them into the class room.  Norah spends that time balancing on beams, running around, playing, jumping in and out of line, jumping down from the wall to the bench and just hamming it up all over the place.  As cute as she is, I can see the look of relief in the teachers eyes that they don't quite have to deal with her yet, that that level of energy will be departing soon and coming home with me.   Ava just seems so grown up these days!!  While she is at school I've been working ...

Our first big garden tomato is ready!!  We have a ton of Roma and cherry tomatoes too, I see some serious roasting in my near future...  As for John?  He sees bacon!  : ) Yum!

Mine grows with no help from me. Just thought I would mention my husband rocks at taking care of our yard.   (Among many other things.)  Everywhere you look there is beauty to be seen.   Our vegetable garden is amazing too.   He does it all, and I might not tell him enough,  but I REALLY appreciate it.   It is such a blessing not only to not have to worry about any of it, but to just live in such a well cared for, beautiful home.   Thanks Love!!

The tomatoes are finally here! These are by far the best tomatoes John has grown. They are DELICIOUS. Every meal we add some sliced tomatoes with basil & balsamic on the side, it is heavenly. I am gearing up for making some salsa, although a little timid after last years epic fail. If you don't believe me that it sucked I am sure I can muster up a few jars for you to taste, although you would only need the one. The fact that we have some left is a pretty good indication seeing as we are Salsa People, when I go to the grocery store I often come home with 4 or 5 containers of the stuff, I could drink it. I am betting I couldn't make bad salsa with these tomatoes. Scratch that, lets just say I am confident I will try harder then last year and the awesome tomatoes shouldn't hurt things right? The sunflowers are here too, such a happy flower. Do you think Norah knows I am watching her?? She looks sort of guilty... She kept stealing to...