Who needs a side mirror, anyhow?

"Are you ready for a date with your wife?"
These were the rehearsed words that popped out of my mouth as I raced across the few feet of gravel to his office.
A confused look crossed his handsome face. "Wwhaat? Really?! No kids?", came his reply.
My response, "Just gotta go pick up Em, she is going to watch her niece and nephews."
Shawn was so excited (Really! He actually ACTED excited!)

Auntie is a great baby-sitter! Here is a picture of Morgan and Auntie.
Morgan's shirt reads, My Aunt Rocks!




I told Shawn that the night was for him, so I ended up in the driver's seat. (rare occurrence) I wanted to get him a gift -which I did, but had to order it online; the Bible on cd. He chose Cracker Barrel for our supper, which it was Friday Fish Fry (since this was a date on Friday! haha) Then we went to Wal-mart to check out some pants that he wanted for work and of course I had a whole list of things I needed from there. I think we actually made it through the whole shopping experience without raising our voices louder than necessary! Usually we have screaming, demanding children with us and it is much, much harder to shop and enjoy one's self.
To end a perfectly good evening, I believe one must have dessert. So, we pulled into Dairy Queen. Well, their drive-thru was way different than a normal one, so I had some trouble pulling up to the window correctly - which we enjoyed laughing at. But the clincher ---
After I pulled up to the window (which I did very POORLY) Shawn told me the window actually opened up on the other side (meaning I pulled too far forward) So I put the van in reverse and backed up - even farther from the window. Shawn proceeded to tell me how to do it correctly.
Shawn put his arm on my back and told me, "Honey, you really are doing a great job driving!" Wow, that hand felt so good and what a compliment coming from Mr. Side Seat Driver!
Dessert was served so I put the van in gear and started to pull away, only to be jolted into motion by the sound of Shawn screaming, "Look out!"
Little did I realize I just about knocked off the driver's side mirror!!!!!
Ha Ha Ha This is so great! It still cracks me up!

Swings, Slides, & Snoozes

Landon climbing onto the bridge

Getting up close to the ducks that were by the pond

Morgan didn't get much out of the park, but certainly was a good little gal

'Round and around we go!

The boys love to go HIGH

Wheeee....curly slide

I took a couple pics of this - by the last one Ethan was saying quite emphatically, "TAKE THE PICTURE!"

Ethan certainly loved to do lots of climbing while we were there

#1 Dad

Music has been a huge part of my life. Of course, most of you are aware that my father is a magnificent musician. (also, writer, teacher, proofer, .....just to name a few.) :-)
I remember all those times we would practice for a service. He would sit at the piano and I would stand beside him, violin in hand (occasionally coming very close to poking his right eye out with my wicked bow!) Dad, do you remember all the arrangements we would come up with? "Ivory Palaces" and " 'Til the Storm Passes Over" - just to name a couple. Also, we would sing for hours on end.....
Now, in my place (which she should act as if it is a most holy place and precede with humility) Emily is the one by dad's side.
Dad was always there to tuck me in, rub my back/feet for endless hours (which my husband despises since I hold it over his head), helping clean the kitchen (which my husband also despises -haha) and on and on....
I never saw him show a bad attitude toward anyone. He was always there for people, going the extra mile to put a smile on someone's face. (And sometimes that required LOTS of work!)
But the most important, was the fact that after all the family was tucked away in bed, my dad was out in the living room kneeling in front of the old blue chair, praying.
Oh! Can't forget the countless hours he would hold that scanner and listen to stuff...listen to the trucks during the snow days of school to see if he would need to cancel, etc.
Still today, he is doing things for me. Bringing me donuts, helping me with my music questions, and just listening to my endless chatter.

I love you, dad! You are the greatest!
Love, Melanie Lynn
(I made the cake for him the other night...and yes, he was pleased! Sent his daughter the nicest e-mail - ahh...feelin' the love?!!)

Please, Pamper Thyself

Emily receiving hand treatment while soaking her feet

On the way to beautiful skin and a healthy glow

I had the privilege to have a "Girls Night Out". A few gals got together and had a fun time being pampered. A hand massage, foot scrub/massage, facial, and a 15 minute back/neck/arm massage. Oohh...what fun! Such relaxation. Such great company. Such womanly fun! Drama, drama, drama!

Ponytails and Silly Tales

Morgan now sports a new 'do. Instead of one fountain, she now wears two! (I am having too much fun with this little gal, huh?!)

After church on Sunday's, I like to ask Ethan what he heard about in Sunday School. He has a fantastic teacher and is always coming home with neat things. Well, this week, when asked about what he had learned, he said, "..about yucky food and good food!" Well, I tried asking him a few other questions, but to no avail! I can't wait to ask his teacher next Sunday! At least he is listening...but he is missing some important parts of the story. (I guess he is like his mommy - talk of food and everything else is less important!)

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Sunday Nursery and Dress-Up Fun

Shawn and I were in charge of our church nursery today. 8 boys and 1 girl. I was sweating by the time church was let out and totally exhausted by the time I got home - well, even before that! Here are a few pictures of the kids playing with the dress-up clothes. Shawn wants to give Scott a hard time since Konrad wanted to wear PINK gloves. ( I had him pose for the camera, didn't he do great?! ) Later Konrad actually added a "dentist" mask to it, so I think he was trying to be a doctor. Could he help that one of the pairs of gloves in the tub was pink?....smiles...

Fattening Hobby and Fun Fellowship

Ethan helping feed Morgan some juice
My talented sister-in-law





Saturday morning started out by meeting Scott and Kristina for breakfast. Then the girls left for Hobby Lobby (40 % off Wilton sale) and then to Kristina's to decorate cakes. We decorated a heart shaped cake with fondant along with regular icing. Kristina had done cakes as a kid, so it was nice to learn some techniques from her. She also made a "cupcake" cake. So cute! We really had a fun time.
Later that evening, we got together with a couple of families from our church along with the Hatfields who are our special singers in Revival. There were a total of 8 adults and 11 children! We were outnumbered! Luckily, we are bigger! :-) Pizza and one of the newly decorated cakes was on the menu - Yum! After a couple of hours of "play time", we went over to the church (had been at gym) for Revival.
What a full, but fun day!

Mozart Moment

Wanted to share this special moment with you. This picture was taken on the evening of Ethan's very first piano lesson from mommy.
Since Ethan was just months old he has enjoyed music, which pleases mommy so much! If he was screaming in the van, we would crank up the Collingsworth, and presto - instant quietness from the backseat. He has been singing on tune since the first time he tried to sing.
Okay, so enough with the bragging. Just wanted to let you all in on this special "event" and hopefully in due time, he will turn out to be just as talented as his Papaw Kuhn!

1st Sunburn of '08

Saturday was such a beautiful day! The boys eagerly went outside with daddy and enjoyed the sunshine while daddy drove them around in the bucket of the backhoe, etc. They came in for a quick lunch only to return to the sunshine. Mommy decided that it would be a good day to get the van cleaned inside and out, so the boys thought they would make their vehicle shine as well. As you can see in the pictures, they were serious about cleaning! After 5 hours of the outdoors and sunshine, they did get burned. No peeling and no blisters, so it could have been worse.

The last picture - can you figure it out?!?! Landon didn't want to use the potty in his pull-up, so since he was outside, what should he decide to do? Why, just pull his pants down and do his business, thank you very much. Didn't get a thing on his pants or pull-up! Go figure!

2 months old

Morgan had her 2 month checkup. Doctor says she is in the 97th percentile for her age. She also said (jokingly) that Morgan's hair adds an inch to her height! :-)

Weight: 13 lbs. 3 oz.

Height: 24 in.

3 cheers for Mom

This afternoon, when I went to pick up Landon and Morgan at my mom's, (I took Ethan to school with me while I taught music lessons) she showed me some of her newest scrapbook pages she had finished. Breathtaking, without a doubt. She has creativity just oozing out of her. (How do you like that for a crazy description?!) She has a way of just making the scrapbook pages sparkle and the pictures jump out at you. (hee,...just add AA batteries and tada! - action pages...hee hee) ....I am getting off track.
Later today, I realized how truly blessed I am . What an amazing mother! So much talent! Not just in one area but by the bucket load! Crafts, sewing, published writer, decorator, baker, ...the list could go on and on. Really! She is always thinking of others and does things in a quiet manner without a flashy show, but whatever she does has her "stamp" on it and is done with warmth and love.
So, cheers to a mother who still continues to shine like a star!
I am so proud to call you "Mom".
I love you!
Melanie Lynn (Kuhn) Clemens

(the picture is four generations)