sydney's sand table

Sydney likes sand.....................

.........................specifically a lot.


And anthills.

So, we made her a sand table.

Elijah 10 Months

Boy-Wonder had trouble "posing" for his 10 month pictures.

I found what I thought was an interesting backdrop down by the harbor and set him up on top of a half-wall that runs along a sidewalk. But he wouldn't look up.

He was too busy poking the little pock-marks in the concrete.

ooooh, hole.

Then apparently it was too sunny.

squint

We live in Manitowoc, WI on Lake Michigan and there is a large ferry boat that goes from here to Ludington, MI. I thought it would be cool to have that in the background as it came into the harbor. Believe it or not, the boat is right behind Elijah's head. He leaned forward at just the "right moment" and totally blocked the boat.

I shot this photo just a moment later. move your head, little man! :)

where's the boat?

Elijah 10 months...where did the time go?

and Sydney at 10 months...what a peanut

i'm losing it

what am I losing!?!

JUNE!!

where in the world did June go? I've been looking forward to nicer weather, going for more walks with kiddos and just being summery. and now June is nearly over already!!!

I need to make a better schedule for my day and specifically plan out special trips (to the local zoo or to a fun park) and daily things (both necessary and fun [like cleaning and walks). I think I'm gonna do that after this post.

June is just busy.
Wayne's dad's birthday
Jon & Abby's anniversary
Jon's birthday
Father's Day
Wayne's Birthday
my Mom's Birthday
Eric's birthday
and I am sure there is more that I forgot......but you get the idea.

later today (hopefully) I've got to post Elijah's 10 month pictures...I know he's getting so big!!!

My Dad - Steve Fletcher

So, I know I am a day late, but here goes anyway....









Yesterday was Father's Day...


And, in honor of this special day, I want all of you out there to know how much I love my dad.

My dad and me ... obviously a few years ago.


The Fletcher Household was an interesting place to grow up. There was always lots of noise, laughter and crazy family antics going on. Fletchers are especially good story tellers....and truth enhancers. We always joke that any story worth telling has to include sound effects, theme songs or movie quotes.





Here are some of the more popular quotes used by the Fletcher family:



"You sure know how to hydrate a pizza." - Back to the Future II

-This one is a favorite for my dad to say to my mom at mealtime.



"I'll take the cheh-per chicken." - Father of the Bride

-Used when comparing prices of just about anything.



"You can't always get what you wa-ant." - Rolling Stones song

-Used many times growing up to explain the concept of....well....not always being able to get what you want.



"They say toupe is very soothing." - Ocean's Eleven

-This comment often comes up when my mom is trying to decide which of 7 different shades of blue (which all look the same to my dad) looks better for a new paint job.











My Dad's personal phrase-isms - phrases that he invented

"I am not lost, I just have temporary non-cognisance of location."


Used when lost while driving or when something like the keys are lost.









"Do my monosyllabic profundities bore you?"


I think dad borrowed this one from his dad... Ronald Fletcher who was also a connoisseur of sound effects, songs and interesting phrases.















I want to leave you all with one of the most important things my dad has taught me.

"I have no problems, only opportunities."

Wayne and my dad in our upstairs bathroom do it ourselves remodel.......lets just say there were a LOT of opportunities in this bathroom.



This was often used jokingly around the house. If something was going wrong, mom would ask, "What is the problem," or something to that effect, to which dad would answer, "I have no problems, only opportunities." As a kid, I understood this phrase to an extent. Problem implies a negitive while opportunity implies a positive.




Strange as it may seem, as an adult, I have really come to appreciate this phrase. Life is hard...very hard at times. If we are not careful, we can allow the "problems" of this world overwhelm us. But, we can choose to view situations as an opportunity, a chance to excersize our faith and trust Jesus during difficult times.
I sometimes think of Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego (I know, I am odd). But they are the perfect example of seeing a very serious problem as an opportunity. When threated with being thrown into a fire unless they bowed down to an idol, they said, "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Faced with certain death, they held this as an opportunity to present their faith in God and His power over the king.
While I doubt my dad had all that in mind during the many times he has used this phrase, it is still a great example to me for all the times in life that my dad has chosen to see the positive and press on.

Thanks Dad, Happy Father's Day.

proud wife to a handsome new CSM

Wayne is now the newest Customer Service Manager at WalMart in Manitowoc!


YEAHYEAHYEAH

He will be over the cashiers and the service desk. He has a lot more responsibility and areas to cover.


...but the coolest part is that he gets to wear a walkie-talkie. :)

the yard from somewhere diabolical

I finally stuck our poor raspberry and strawberry plants in the ground in the backyard. They've been living in a bucket and a plastic tote next to the garage for a few months now and were desparate to be planted. (although, I have to say that the strawberry plant was actually thriving quite well in it's tote...blossoming and everything).
As I was digging up the ground... "holy rusted metal, batman." old screwdrivers, metal pegboard hooks, brackets, hooks and huge nails.

there is even a circular saw blade

listening

Sydney had gotten up from her nap, for the third time. "Go back to bed," I told her.

ahh...the silence.



what? you mean your toddler does not simply go to bed by herself when told?
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mine either.

apparently we've got to work on listening

anyone else got this problem?

love our house...but the cell phone reception is terrible.





my mom was on the trail of a double jogger stroller (haha, ah, no...i will not be 'jogging,' i just prefer the large tire style wheels over plaz-tec). i wanted to make sure i got her call and could talk about the stroller. but of course, poor reception.





so.....after walking around the house watching my 'bars' disappear and reapear, i finally found the perfect location...


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what? it worked

sweet dreams and sweet potatoes

Poor Elijah baby. He was eating his yummer sweet potatoes...and crying. I went to check on Sydeny quick and the crying stopped. oh good, I thought, he stopped crying, I can quick do one more thing, then clean him up for his nap.

When I got back....this: