Lillies in Wisconsin

While I was taking tree and house pictures I could not pass up a chance to take flower pictures. The pictures make my gardens and my gardening ability look much better than they really are.

Downed Tree

Here are a couple of pictures of the Box Elder tree that decided to tip over about 6:45 this morning. We were just stalling on getting up and getting ready for church. All of a sudden there were all these popping sounds like gun shots or fireworks going off. I looked out the window and some trees were moving and some weren't. Then I could see the tree on the ground. We had planned on having the tree taken down a while ago, but the siding project started and the tree people couldn't get in the yard around the construction crew. Now someone will have some wood for campfires when it dries. I took these pictures while standing our the new deck. I am glad that we did not get up as soon as we usually do on Sunday mornings. Wayne could have been right under this tree as it came down on his way to feed the heifers. It did add some a job to his morning routine before we left for church, but we still made it on time and no one has been hurt in the process and the pasture fence was not taken down when the tree fell. That's a good thing!

Home Makeover Our Style 2

Just a couple more pictures of the project in process. We are really looking forward to sitting out there.

Home Makeover Our Style

We've had a major project going on this summer. New siding, new windows and doors and the addition of a deck along the east and south side of the house. As you can see in the first picture we even have colored concrete out the back door to what will be the steps to the deck. A friend of our's is an unemployed cement finisher and wanted to do something special as he was helping us. Thus the red and white sidewalk. We now have a new prettier front door, a window overlooking the front door where there was no window and a bay window where there was a smaller picture window. It really opens up the place and the summer breezes blowing through are wonderful.

2009 GND Parade

Brian usually drives a ready mix truck for the Parade and did so again this year. Bri & Tina road on the top of the cab and the boys road inside with Brian.

Colin Kiddie Tractor Pulling

Grandson Colin tried the Kiddie Tractor Pull at Good Neighbor Days for the 4 year or so. He didn't place, but he did have a good time and tried very hard.

Granddaughter's 4th Grade Promotion

The 4th graders in our school system move to Middle School in the neighboring town for 5th grade, so there is a 4th grade promotion program at the end of the school year. This is granddaughter Bri that day a couple of months ago. She received awards for almost perfect attendance (she only missed 1/2 a day), and was Student of the Month every month of the school year. One month was for helping others, one for being polite, one for being most improved, etc. She is a very spirited young lady.

Grandparents Day

This is the majority of Brandon's class practicing the song they are going to perform in the afternoon for Grandparents Day at school. We were early for Grandparents Day and got to sit in on the practice. Brandon had the same teacher for second grade as his dad, Brian, did.

Grandson Colin loves to have his picture taken in all sorts of silly positions. He's holding one of his other grandmother's new puppies. We were celebrating his brother Brandon and his mother, Tina's birthdays that day.

Here's grandson Brandon showing off his birthday cake in April. It was his 9th birthday, as you can see on his cake. He decorated it himself.