Amanda to the rescue

With the help of my sweet cousin Amanda, I managed to figure out how to put links on the right side of the page. I'm so pleased! I really was tired of seeing "Edit Me" there, so plain and impersonal.

Help. Please?

Ok, so many people I know have blogs. And those blogs link to other blogs...friends, family, etc. Now, am I really really computer illiterate or what? I cannot figure out how to edit those silly little things on the right side of my blog that say "Edit Me." I am easily frustrated, especially since I have dial-up and anything I do on this blog takes me seven times as long as anyone else. So could someone--anyone--tell me in as much detail as possible HOW to edit the "Edit Me" doo-hickeys? And hey, even if you don't have a clue like me...feel free to sign in. Wow, if everyone who looks at this blog leaves a comment that means I'd get...let me think...three messages!!

A Day at the Apple Orchard

Yesterday the boys and I went to Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake. I don't remember if I ever have been to an orchard, so it was a new experience for me as well as for the boys. We even got to go on a tractor ride...now that's excitement if you ask Joel.

Apple trees on a hill overlooking Pine Tree Lake. 

The boys on the wagon. It was sunny, but surprisingly cold. 

Weekend Retreat

We went to a cabin up near Remer, MN this past weekend. The company John works for owns their own "resort" and as a benefit, the employees can sign up for a week or a weekend and only pay the taxes. We hadn't been there for three years so we decided it would be fun to go again. Saturday morning we took this little boat out for a spin. Here it's still up on the lift, but Clayton was a nervous wreck. He'd never been in a boat before.

Clayton decided it was better to sleep and maybe it wouldn't be as scary or seem to last so long. 

Joel got to steer our boat for a bit. When he's extremely pleased, as in this picture, he tries not to smile too big. 

Rebecca piloted our small craft for a few minutes, too. 

Joel and Clayton, boys through and through. What is it about minnows and worms that fascinate them so? 

John and the boys on the dock by our cabin. I was a very nervous Mom with my boys out there on the edge of a dock with no railing. My heart lurched a couple times. No one fell in, to my surprise. 

Weeeeee! (barf) A tire swing! 

Clayton was being silly and pulled his hat down over his eyes. Then he staggered about with his arms outstretched. 

"Where did everyone go?" 

I love to kiss my babies when they're sleeping. And just look at that kissable cheek. How could anyone resist? 

Joel still naps everyday, which I am very glad for! At 3 1/2, I don't know how much longer I can count on that though! 

Rebecca hardly ever takes a nap, but according to her, Joel kicked her the entire night before, and the boys woke her up early. I think the fresh air had something to do with it, too. 

The colors are changing up North already. Some trees there are fully changed. Here at home we hardly see a trace of Autumn yet 

Sunrays peeking through the clouds. 

I was hoping for a beautiful sunset over the lake. It was too cloudy for that, but I did catch some sun rays shining down. Clayton heard we would be going for another boat ride so he waited at the dock to make sure we didn't leave without him. 

Now, just imagine this: five people, four fishing poles, three children, two very inexperienced fisherkids, one nervous Mommy, one tiny fishing boat. The fishing lines were flying everywhere, it seemed to me. I was sure that by evening's end, I would be hooked on the end of someone's pole. Luckily, there were no casualties, people or fish-wise. 

Oh, if only he were always this cheerful! The second boat ride of the day was better than the first, in Clayton's opinion. 

Uncle Delmar's visit home

Clayton pokes his head out of Fred and Elaine's little playhouse.

Our little family before Meeting. Why do I look so big? Just call me "Jenny the Giantess" (is that a word?) or, as John has been known to (lovingly, I'm sure!!) call me: Big Mama. Am I going to regret posting this?? 

The oldest and youngest of eight kids: Al (aka to me as "Dad") and Del 

Grandpa, Del, and Grandma 

Course #GT101--Beginner Gardening

Thanks to Aunt Sharie, I have more plants in my little garden. Now we'll just have to see if they grow for me like they do for her... I'm not known for my green thumb. (Although it's getting greener all the time)