Jewelry

This was a big week for me in jewelry. I am sending my jewelry to 3 different countries. Wow! I tried a few new ideas....let me know what you think!

This piece is domed and textured only around the edge. I finished it with a satin finish:

This request was for an asymmetrical look - since she only had 1 daughter, she wanted 'Mom' on there as well:

This necklace is being shipped to the UK:

This necklace is in memory of a husband that passed last fall:

This bracelet is for my sister-in-law that lost her husband last fall as well:

This necklace is going to Canada, a gift for a friend's Mom:

This one resides in my jewelry cabinet. I wanted to try a new idea - do you like it? I do! :)

Storm

We had a beautiful morning and early afternoon yesterday - we were outside all day long. By evening the storms started rolling in. By 8:00 p.m., we were under a tornado warning and had several touch down in the area, one as close as 2 miles away. We spent over an hour in the basement watching the news. All in all, we were very fortunate. My cleanup consisted of a lot of leaves and branches, and one flower pot shattered on my patio when it tipped off my table. This was the sunset after the storm - the sky was just lit up!!!

End of Season Baseball Tournament

Kyle's regular season is coming to a close this weekend. These photos are from his game last night. They had a good game offensively, but struggled a bit defensively, thus losing 9-6, despite his brother's attempt to rally the team with his own rally cap. Kyle had a great game pitching, he pitched one inning, striking out all 3 batters and also had 2 hits and scored a run. Great job, Kyle!

Good thing he has quicker reflexes than I do - here he is dodging a wild pitch:

Ready for another...

Taking a second wild pitch:

On first with a walk:

Taking second:

Rounding third (did not score this time at bat):

Pitching:

Second at bat:

Base hit!

Running to first:

SAFE:

Second:

Heading home:

SCORE!

In the dugout:

Spraying Carter's cookie monster with the mist bottle - it was 90* at game time!

Rally cap time:

Picnic

In the summer months, we tend to eat as many meals outside as we do inside. This is picnicking, Carter-style (does it get any more relaxed than this?):


And...afterwards, who can resist a game of baseball with the parts to the slip and slide we used all morning???

Ahhh...we love summer in this house!!! :)

Beach Day

The boys and I spent the day at the beach today. Pre-kids, my only thought at the beach was remembering to flip every hour and making sure I had a cold beverage in hand. Things have changed just a bit with the kids. I had several restroom runs, sunscreen to apply multiple times, and had to keep an eagle eye on brave kids that ventured into deep water. Regardless, it was a great day and absolutely beach-perfect weather!

Boys waiting for their sunscreen to dry:

I can never get enough of that giggle of Carter's:

Playing in the water:

He found a Lightning McQueen car in the sand:

His immediate reaction...

bury it completely in the sand:

which he proceeded to do:

Look, Mom - 2 shovels:

Abbey and Zach's Wedding

We attended my cousin Abbey and Zach's wedding in Saint Cloud this weekend. It was a large wedding, probably around 350 guests in attendance. It went flawlessly and she was a gorgeous bride. Here are some photos from the reception:

Carter at the reception:

Ryan:

Only Ryan would wear his napkin as a bonnet:

Ali, clapping for the newlyweds as they arrived at the reception:

Abbey dancing her way into the reception:

The wedding party, 8 attendants + ushers:

Abbey's brothers, Kyle and Matt:

My very talented cousin Abran was the photographer - I wish I had been able to spend more time with him and get some of his tips:

Sondra and Jack (Abran's photographer partner) busting a move:

Sondra, Abran, and Sinde:

Sinde and Abran:

Abran and Sondra:

Loren joining in on the fun:

Sondra and Loren:

Jack took my camera to snap a photo:

Loren took a photo of me and Evan:

Pool time for Carter and Evan:

Ryan and Grandpa making an entrance:

Boys and Dad swimming:

Carter in the hot tub:

What a great weekend! Congratulations, Abbey and Zach!