Grape arbor

my grape plants that for several years did nothing leading me to wonder if they would ever grow let alone produce a grape last year did that very thing, produced two bunches of grapes and grew. This year they exploded soon trailing across the yard and anything that was in their path. It was time to change the trellis system we were using...enter a newly constructed grape arbor that already is half way covered in vines. Larry built it for us, love that he can take my description and create exactly what I pictured in my head.
Now to wait patiently for those grapes to be ready to pick...

Fair days

with the hot days of July drawing to close they ushered in a yearly tradition that is the county fair.
we headed to the fair on Friday night, hoping that with evening it would bring a bit cooler temps.
naturally we checked out the animal barns, every last one. ooohhhed and aahhhhed over the rides...
ate a lot of fair food, what is it about food at the fair that is just so yum?
played a few games of bingo and after a few hours ventured home.
The fair certainly isn't what I remember it being, but still it was fun to see it discovered and explored thru my little one's eyes.

water fun!

On the banks of plum creek

Saturday we traveled to Walnut Grove to visit one of the childhood homes of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
We toured the museum, took in the activities at the park, the girls thought it was pretty cool to make corn husk dolls, visited Oelson's mercantile and a Nellie's Cafe. Allison Ingram the actress who played Nellie in the TV show Little House on the Prairie was there for the weekend and we were able to hear her speak a couple of times throughout the day. We ended our day with the Fragment's of a Dream pageant. A wonderful play that depicts the life of Laura and her family in Walnut Grove. The play begins at dusk (9pm) and was finished a little after 11. We made made it to our door a little after 1. It was a long but memory filled day.

Rosie's 5th Birthday

Candyland was the theme...
we transformed the garage and house into the candyland board game
each stop on the game board was an activity tied into the theme.
The house was filled with 8 5 year old kids, the energy level was off the charts...how could it not be surrounded by all that candy?
later in the afternoon we continued with the party this time with family.
She was so ready to be 5.
As I tucked her into bed that night she said it was the best day ever!

signing

our names time and time again
(6 documents to be exact)
the final piece we have been waiting for
inching oh so much closer to the adoption
soon we will have a day in court
and then we will be able to introduce you to that little wonder who has filled our days and moments with so
much laughter and joy.

5

the long awaited birthday arrived.
she is 5
and that is a very big deal!

July 4th