Vice President Dick Cheney...The Younger Years

I'm off Facebook.

I've never been much for tweeting.

I'm a little bored with Pinterest.

I get too much junk mail in my email inbox.

My favorite online activity is still blogging, but I have so much to catch up on.  So...why don't I make some real headway and post some pictures of Matthew in the eternally belly-laugh producing Dick Cheney mask?  

Yes, the part about making real headway by posting about something other than what I really "should" be posting about was sarcasm.

But still, you have to admit that the Dick Cheney mask is blog post worthy...

Its original purpose was for trick-or-treating.  William was the first to dress as Dick Cheney, all dressed up in his hunting attire.  He was referencing Mr. Cheney's not-so-successful hunting trip with a friend.

Since then, the mask has made its occasional appearances when least expected.  One of my favorites was at one of our garage sales several years ago...

Josh went from laughing to not being so sure...

Matthew seems to appreciate Mr. Cheney's smile.

Always funny on little shoulders!

Once again, the Dick Cheney mask is safe.  When going through the boys' room last week in search of things that they are all done playing with, the Dick Cheney mask was returned to its place of honor in the dress-up box for future laughs, reminding me that I really never know where Dick Cheney may be lurking.

Eyeball Bender Treasure Hunt

I love the Fourth of July!

When I was a kid, the Fourth meant throwing candy out of the Wilson Coal and Grain truck at the Lakeville Parade, a fresh-smelling, windows open, clean home, treasure hunting, late-night fireworks, and cousins!  Now, as a mom, it is still one of my favorite times of the year.  I love cleaning up the house, making special snacks, watching the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, and organizing a "supposed-to-be-annual" treasure hunt.  We've missed a couple of years of hunting, so I'm excited about this year's hunt!  Instead of following written rhyming clues, the hunters are going to follow eyeball bender clues.  That's another fun memory from childhood.  Mom and Dad subscribed to the magazine called "Games."  Inside every edition was a game called Eyeball Benders...photos of common objects taken with uncommon perspectives.  

Here are some examples from our 2010 Treasure Hunt...

The challenge of planning this type of hunt is to decide if object can stand alone...like in the mailbox above...or if there needs to be some background clues...like having the barn behind the tree.

Most of the time, there are two teams competing.  This year, I think the kids want to have one big team searching for the treasure.  Speaking of treasure...I better get moving.  I still need to get to the Dollar Store for treasure shopping!

Let me leave you with some pictures of Charlie, who turned 4 years old on Tuesday!

 A new Bobo Dog!

 Some treats...

And a "tuggerwar" rope.
I think it was Josh who used to call it "tuggerswar."

Like this, Charlie.

See?

She likes the Bobo Dog best.

Sorry...food picture.
Enchilada Stacks.  Mmmmmm...

And this?
Josh has no idea who Billy Idol is, thankfully, but he's got the look.

Happy Fourth of July!
Thank You, God, for the freedom that we enjoy, and so often take for granted, in this country.
And thank You for the freedom that we have in You!

From Baby to Bread

Zucchini Babies

Zucchini Adults

Zucchini Fruit

Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Love

Inspired

Matthew turned 6 on April 21st!  

The day after Easter.

So...we had his friend and family parties the weekend after his birthday this year.  I don't think the kids mind it at all when their birthdays are spread over a week.

Matthew's birthday party theme was inspired by his great desire to have a cowboy hat and boots.  He wanted a Cowboy Party!  I was pretty excited about that!  I started looking online for ideas right away!

 

Here is what I found for cupcakes...tweaked just a bit.  The edible cowboy hats I found were Pringles with gumdrops on top, but I wanted brown cowboy hats.  Carrie and I dipped Pringles in chocolate and then plopped a Rolo candy on top.  If you have never had potato chips dipped in chocolate, you should give it a try!  Yummy!

And what party would be complete without a trip to the party store???
We all love shopping for birthday parties at the party store.  Matthew has had his eye on this walking cowdog balloon for quite awhile.  We were pretty excited that it was still there.

Cowboy Josh is all ready to party!

Here is one of the party favors, a 'Smores Kit, that I added to their "Loot Bags."  (I usually don't like the term "loot bags," but with this party theme...and since the way they got their party favors was by going on a treasure hunt...I figured it was OK.  Besides, what real cowboy would walk into the sunset with his "goodie bag" hanging from his belt?"

Matthew is a pretty funny guy.  When we were picking out candles, he found these and really wanted them for his cupcakes.

And look at Josh's creativity!  He made lassos out of Twizzlers for each of the plates.

Our Ranch House table...

There's my Birthday cowBoy!

Every ranch needs a real, live Cowdog named Charlie!

Cowboy William...

Cowgirl Grandma...

Cowboy Dad...

Cowboy Grandpa...

Cowgirl Carrie...

Our first guests arrived in real Cowboy style!
This still has me laughing!
Jacob got out of his truck and hung on to the side while Marie drove.  The story has it that he got out a little sooner than he needed to and hung on to the side of the truck for quite a while, hoping that we would be outside to witness the event.  I can only imagine the laughter inside their truck while they drove down the road!  You might turn down the volume a bit.  I was running the camera, so my laughter is pretty loud on the video...and you might notice that it's a bit nervous too.

Crazy fun!

Cowboy Jacob...

His darlin' wife, Marie and baby girl, Kyra...

And sweet, sweet Kenna...

Thank you for that memory!

Gotta start the day with a good old game of horseshoes!

There's a snake in my boot!
The goal was to be the first team to put all of their rubber snakes in the boot.  This game went on and on and on.  I had more rubber snakes than I thought.

A boy in his boots!
I love that!

What is it that those cowboys and cowgirls are throwing hula hoops at?
Why!  It's a horse!  (Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the horse head, to William for organizing and constructing the horse, and to the boys for giving him a reason to be called "Ol' Paint.")

William has that peaceful, easy look of a cowboy.

Cowboy Papa B and Cowgirl Grandma Gilda...

Present time for Cowboy Matthew!

Sittin' tight around the table, waitin' for grub...

Blow 'em out, Cowboy!

We used to have regular Treasure Hunts around here...most often the Fourth of July Treasure Hunt...but we haven't had one for a long time.  Matthew asked that we include a Treasure Hunt with his party.  These cowboys and cowgirls were ready for a Wild West Treasure Hunt to claim their Loot Bags.

Miss Carrie’s House is sure to supply

A strong cup of coffee and sweet cherry pie.

The Sheriff’s Jail stands tall and green

With a great big star that is sure to be seen.

Crooked Creek winds its way along the southeastern ridge

Hurry to catch the bandits—they are headed toward the bridge!

Hidden in grasses at the property line

You will find your loot bags in the nick of time.

Our Cowboys and Cowgirls.  I love these kids!

Cow Puncher Cash...

Calico Corrinne...

Barbed Wire Ben...

Mustang Max...

Eagle Eye Ian...

Aarizona Aaron...

Equalizer Eli...

Kantering Kenna...

And someone climbing up the tree cave!
I think that might be Aaron!

I absolutely love these pictures!
Giddyup!

Yep!
I caught you!

Ian is showing us some of his lasso skills!  He was very good!

Another party goes in the books.
There goes Cowgirl Kenna, walking off into the sunset, root beer in hand...

What makes for a successful party?
Plenty of friends, food, and fun!
I've learned that my house doesn't have to be clean, the food doesn't have to be fancy, and the friends don't have to know each other before the party begins.  Kids have a way of making fun with whatever you provide.  My comfort level is preschool-young elementary-aged kids, but I hear that its' the same with teens.  Provide plenty of friends, food, and fun, and they are happy.
Oh...and give plenty of smiles and love too.

P.S.  Ignore this video box.