Bloggin' Buddies Meet

I love blogging! I know I haven't been the best blogger lately, but I will hit my groove again. Blogging is my way of relaxing. It is also my scrapbook and journal for my family. The cool part of blogging that I did not expect, when I first started, is all the awesome blogs out there. However, It's not just the awesome blogs, but the inspiring people behind those blogs. I have some fantastic blog friends, and I had the chance recently to meet one in real life!


I was so excited to meet up with Kenlie from All the Weigh recently. She is so sweet, and I had a blast hanging out with her. Kenlie is from New York and has lost over 120 pounds. She is one dedicated and determined chick...I admire that in her. It was just like meeting a friend to catch up. It was so fun to actually get to meet one of my buddies!

After shopping at Pier 1 and Hobby Lobby we headed to Logan's for dinner. That was the best salmon I've had in a while...yummy!

After dinner, I had to teach Kenlie how to call the Hogs before we departed, and she got it! If you don't know what I'm talking about your missing out...right Kenz?

I loved meeting Kenz, and hopefully will be making and decorating some cookies together for the holidays! I'm off to watch the Razorbacks!

Wooooooooooooooo....Pig.....Sooooooooooooooie....

Razorbacks!

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere!

Our summer fun is going strong. We are checking things off our list, and big bubbles is on it. My boys and I, along with some friends had a blast making huge, colorful bubbles. Wednesday was the last day party fun with Evan and Landon. I have been doing pre-k with Landon this summer. We've really enjoyed them coming over twice a week. Oh, and I cannot wait to have a bubble day with my pre-schoolers! They are going to love it too.

I was inspired to make these bubble wands, and I had to try it out. The first time it did not work for me. Cameron was the first to get it going!

Watch out, here it comes...I figured it out.



This is so much fun and a must try activity.





Wanna know how? Sure you do!

Homemade Bubble Solution

You will need: distilled water, glycerin, and Non-Ultra/Classic Dawn Original Scent. (I used Joy and it worked fine!)

Step 1: Into your Mixing bucket add 6 cups of Distilled Water.

Step 2: Stirring SLOWLY so as not to make lather, add in 2 cups of Non-Ultra/Classic Dawn Original Scent (or Ultra Dish detergent if necessary).

Step 3: Stir in 5-6 drops of Glycerin (double the amount if using Ultra detergent).

Here is another recipe link with great tips.

Bubble Wand

* 2 dowels (we cut some 48" in half...so 24 " dowels worked for us.)

*1 metal washer

*cotton string ( aka butcher's twine)

*2 eye hooks (make sure the cord/string will fit through)

Tip: The first string we tried were thin. It worked, but I felt like I was fishing with my boys. You know, like getting the fishing line untangled from the tree or from a rock. It tangled up a lot. The next day we tried the thicker string and it worked great...no problems.

How to make the wand:

First, take the dowels and screw one eye hook into each of the wooden dowels.

Second, cut your string. One will be 35 inches long, and the second string will be 70 inches long. We wanted big bubbles, but you wouldn't have to have the string that long. Just double what you cut the top string to be.

Third, put the metal washer on the longest string.

Next, tie both strings through the eye hook. Tie the shortest string on top and the longest underneath.

Finally, dip the string into the solution. Keep the dowels together and bring it out of the solution. Now, slowly open it up and walk backwards.

If at first you don't succeed, try again. It's worth it.

You are set! Go make some BIG bubbles!

4th of July Fun!

Traditionally ever 4Th of July we spend time with my In-laws. Usually it is spent on the river. This year they took a trip to Minnesota to see their grand-daughter get married and to spend time with their daughter and her family! Congrats on your upcoming wedding Cynthia!

This 4Th of July we went to my good friend Tammy's house. Tammy is an amazing person. She is so talented in so many areas. I've tried to convince her to open an Etsy shop because she is so crafty, or at least start blogging...no such luck yet! Tammy also throws amazing parties! We had a blast playing cards, horseshoes, eating lots of DELICIOUS food, swimming, and watching fireworks. Unfortunately, I was having too much fun to remember to go get my camera! I cannot believe I forgot to take pictures!

I did however take a few photos before we left home!

A fruit pizza I made to take to my friends party. I also took a veggie tray, dip, and our snow cone maker with lots of flavors, and some fireworks.

My fun toes!

I am so blessed to have Tammy in my life! I adore you and your great family!

Tammy and Cameron at one of her fun parties!

I'm also thankful for this country and all the sacrifices that were made and still are being made today!

God bless America!

Fun Finds

This morning I got to spend the day with a good friend of mine, Davina. We went to town to hit some garage sales. I love spending time with a friend and finding lots of cute bargains!

I have also decided to join in the fun and participate in Today's Thrifty Treasures for the first time over at Southern Hospitality . You should visit Rhoda and check out some of the great things you can find at yard sales!

Here are a few of my finds from the day:

Cameron already had the shirt on the left. I found a matching one for Caden!

How cute will they be!!....$.50

Gumball machine: $1.00 (with change inside) Cannot wait to show you how I will transform this gumball machine!
(That is after they go through a round of gum balls!)

Brand new hair products all for $1.00....frugal way to try out new products!

Levis skirt...$1.00 NWT

Lamp for Cameron's sports room..... $2.00

Body boards....$1.00 each

My favorite bargain of the day.......

Very sturdy, well made, basket drawers in excellent working condition........how much you ask??

$10.00 yay!

What a bargain! I LOVE IT!!

Nature and Science Lesson

Today we spent the day with some friends of ours. Scott and Tammy and their boys came out for the day. Tammy and I hung out and had some girl time, well with Caden in between us. :oD Michael, Cameron, Scott, Curtis, and Craig all went out to go hunting after breakfast. It turned out to be a beautiful day (warm) but windy. Windy is not the best day to go squirrel hunting. However, Michael and Cameron saw one and shot it. Not only did we all watch Michael skin it. I get to learn to cook something new and taste something I have never tasted that I know of. Very interesting to say the least!

If you have a weak stomach...you may want to fast forward through the pictures. WARNING...PROCEED WITH CAUTION...
They are graphic in nature!
A Science lesson in progress! Tying up the squirrel.
Skin the Squirrel!


My favorite part and the boys...the squirrel gets NAKED!
Caden said, "That is the weirdest thing I have EVER SEEN!"
As you can tell by Cameron's big smile...he thought it was cool!
"The squirrel is taking his clothes off!"


Hold on....ARE YOU READY?? The gutting of the squirrel!!











GOTTCHA!
Okay friends, I will spare you the gutting of the squirrel.
However, the interesting Science lesson continues...we saw
the full bladder, lungs, liver, etc.

After lunch and a card game we headed out for some target shooting.

Scott and Cameron




Curtis




Craig








Thanks for the fun day! We love having our friends over!
Any cooking squirrel tips will be appreciated!

Blessing From a Friend

Today, we received a blessing from a dear friend of mine. We were going to buy a Foosball table for $100.00 from them for the boys for Christmas. Like most others right now it is pretty tough financially. Especially with all the medical bills that are still coming in!! I just teared up when Michael told me they just gave it to us! Can you believe it?? I can, because I know what a kind, giving, christian friend I have! Thanks Tam! Your the best!It's a NICE, beautiful table too! My boys are going to LOVE it! They had fun playing with it at their house on a couple of occasions, so why wouldn't they love it for our own home? HO, HO, HO....

...there is a Santa! Ho, Ho, HO!