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Thomas had a bit of consulting work to do while we were gone...at least it was done with a view!

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This was the view this morning upon waking up in our cabin in Gatlinburg for a short getaway while the kids are at camp.

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Today was kids SUPER church in the big church. The Sunday School ministry went all out and had the entire sanctuary looking like an island castaway. Zachary and Brayden played (Lord, You are Good) for the offering and Kaitlyn, LeAnna, and Dawson sang a special (How Great is Our God) before the puppets performed. It was a truly wonderful service!

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Cooper absolutely LOVES looking out the windows. So much so that I've had to just resort to pulling up the shades because he gets them all messed up by the end of each day. (pet peeve of mine)...

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I love it when the kids make their own lunches and I don't have to grace the kitchen 3x's per day...

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Coop is content and most content to be outside...and content when outside to be chewing on stuff...

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Sunlight streaming through the weeds makes them look so much prettier, lol! Just experimenting a bit.

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Harvested the onions (although small) from the garden yesterday.

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We were outside working in the yard this evening. Zachary decided he wanted to grab the camera and take the picture of the day (since the camera was outside with me waiting to be used for that purpose already). I think he might actually make a good photographer one day. He actually went vertical AND positioned her into the semi sweet spot that I like to have my subjects in. :)

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Thomas wouldn't let me get a picture of him that was decent for Father's day...especially of his OUTRAGIOUS tie that I made for him Saturday. OH, well - it's his fault that this is the only picture I had of him...unless Tammy decides to send me the one that I took with her camera!

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Tammy & I had an engagement session at Sylvia's house today. They were out of town, so the kids were able to swim while we did the session (with the dad's sitting in and watching them). They thoroughly enjoyed themselves getting into the pool in a supremely humid day! Perfect weather to be in a pool...just wish I would have been able to jump in, too!

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Serenaded by Brandon as he played around on his acoustic...

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We went to Summerfest 2009 in Ashland City last night and let me tell you...it was HUMID HUMID STICKY HOT!

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The boys played in the torrential downpoar while Kaitlyn joined in at some point. Braden just watched from the front porch, though...too tom-boyish for her?

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This bloom was a foot across...huge!

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It was study day at our house today. The kids have a TON of summer 'homework'. Kaitlyn and LeAnna and Zachary worked on theirs today while Brandon bothered them...ugh! :)

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I didn't feel well this morning so Thomas taught my Sunday school class. I told him everything he needed was already at the church; however, he called about 9:45 and much to my dismay one of the key visuals for the lesson was at home! UGH!

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The hydrangeas are HUGE this year...took a photo in the humid air outside today. Camera was fogged up from the drastic change in temps, but I thought it went well with the polaroid effect I downloaded the other day. Very vintage, lol!

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Zachary got back from a week at Boxwell Boy Scout camp tonight. He was very missed...especially by his sidekick Olivia!

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Our neighbors across the street had a rather eventful 2 days with Judy's surgery and then subsequent asthmas attacks throughout the day. She got home late last evening and since it was such an ordeal I told them I'd fix supper for them this evening. I had strawberries that Tammy bought for us plus some leftover that needed something done with so I decided it was a great opportunity to try out a Rustic Strawberry tart that was on the cover of Woman's Day last month. YUMMY!

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We went to Family day at Zachary's boy scout camp today. It's a wonderful place and he's having a wonderful time...as evidenced by their set-up of hammocks by the lake! VERY relaxing in the breeze on the hill by the lake, if must say so myself!

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They call me the 'wanderer'...they call me the wanderer...I roam around, around, around, around...

And now he's attached to his chain, his chain, his chain...everytime he's outside. Much to his dismay! (note the fact that he's as FAR as his chain will let him go with it straining against his neck at all times.)

AND note that's he's just SO STINKIN' cute...regardless of the messes he pulls!

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Not pictured in this photo: The 3 other times he's dug up these poor, pitiful tomato plants. The dirt all over the deck. The dog sent to his crate. Kaitlyn saying, 'uh,uh...MOM?' Me, yelling at the dog. Yep - not pictured today!

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It was Sunday School open house today and here's a corner of my finished room...love it!

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VERY busy day today...up at church early for prayer, breakfast with my group afterwards, pick B up from camp, go to church again to work on room, B was in a youth drama this evening...finished up the rooms @ around 1:00 that next morning. This was from the drama. Brandon was a preppy golfer looking for an easy religion choice.

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Today was a summer party at LeAnna's house. This is the epitome of sibling love that Tammy captured...(took from her blog)

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Zachary took this photo of me while we were waiting for Thomas in the car. I was practicing catching sun flare and he picked up the camera afterwards to aggrevate me. He kept saying...'see what it feels like now?!?!'

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Took B to Jr High camp at Lake Benson today - and of course, there wouldn't be any photos from dropping him off because...well, because it's B and because he's 14~!

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My hydrangeas are finally blooming. I was worried about them there for a little bit...

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Zachary - making his usual 'stupid' faces instead of actually smiling for the camera!