WARNING: content may be disturbing to some readers.

For the second time EVER I am posting some gross pictures. But there is a good story to go with it, so bear with me! Josh ran (or rather hopped) up onto the deck crying he had hurt himself. I looked down and saw a white stripe down his heel. Oh no I thought, not more stitches, but when I looked closely I realized he had striped off the tan. And then it started bleeding, and bleeding. As I was trying to stop the blood flow he was arguing with Ethan about who caused the injury. Josh claimed Ethan slamed the gate on him and Ethan claimed Josh had hit the hockey net. Kaleb's solution was to go investigate!! I laughed. What was he going to find to prove either story? As Gaetan and I looked at each other and laughed, Kaleb ran around of the corner of the house yelling triumphantly. In his hand something dangled. He found the skin:

Where was it? It was on the gate. Unfortunately I missed the picture of Ethan's face at being caught.

They're In!

I am about to unveil the pictures Christine took at my dad's 60th! Are you ready?

That's my mom and dad! Nothing more to say about that.

This is the only retouched photo. At least half the work of a photographer comes after the event, cropping and touching up.

The cutest 1950's kids!

Their proud parents.

Jitske. 'nough said.

Aunty Vera and Uncle Tony. What's missing in this picture? The fake VERA tattoe with a heart on Uncle Tony's left arm.

I love that boy!

I sometimes lovingly refer to him as my first child. Jonathan was born to OUR mother when I was 9, he was cute and cuddly and my real live doll. Now he's all grown up (27!!) and I love to watch him play with my real (and other "stolen") children. I guess I make it a habit to steal people's children. In a nice loving way of course, and I almost always return them upon request. Yesterday, Jonathan played hard in the pool with my boys, splashing, swimming, throwing, being rough. Then he joined us at the table and held Lily (a pretend child of mine, her mother and father are so sweet to lend her to me sometimes). I love watching him interact with her and make her smile. Someday he will have lots of children for me to steal away. Until then I'll just sit back and enjoy this...

Things-of-the-past yet to come!

We had a 50's theme party for my Dad's 60th birthday last Saturday. It was a backyard BBQ. It was so much more fun than I anticipated. (I think most of that was who it was planned WITH ;0)) Christine came over to hone her photography skills "at an event" and her pics looked GREAT on the camera, so I can't wait to see them on Thursday IN PERSON. Here is a preview of what's to come. These were taken by my Mom's friend Jitske (also a very talented photographer), and cropped by yours truly. I don't want to give away TOO much!

Birthday boy man and his lovely wife.

I got the "raw" end of this deal....

There was no china in my package.

It's Raining Cats and Dogs Squirrels

This afternoon we were peaceably enjoying our backyard. Ethan and his friend Tristan were playing a game of Koob. Norah and Kaeden were playing in the sandbox. I was quietly rocking Lily. A peaceful serene afternoon, all that was missing was the sound of cicadas in the trees. Suddenly we heard a ruckus in the tree. Obviously someone was NOT enjoying a peaceful afternoon in our back yard. The ruckus was followed by a crashing sound and a blur moving downward through the tree. Before I could even yell "WATCH OUT!" a little bundle of fur had landed on the ground next to Tristan and scampered back up into the tree, where he stood chattering at someone/thing. Poor little guy. I assumed he had a grouchy cantankerous wife who gave him the boot. It brought this verse to mind:

It is better to live in a corner of a roof on the ground,
Than in a house tree shared with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:9

My Brother - The Charmer

My brother Jonathan is an awesome brother and uncle. He is always ready for action. We stopped by the house and asked if he'd like to join us for a walk, and sure enough he did. He proceeded to entertain the boys with all sorts of activities, as well as chat with his sister about... "life". ;0)

Here are the boys skipping rocks...

And here's Jonathan with a snake he caught...