Miller Family Picnic 2014

Saturday we headed to the picnic and we were blessed with a beautiful day; not too hot and not raining.  Heather and family were on vacation as were a few other families with kids so there were not many children this year for Baylor to play with.  Thankfully Emily and Zoe were still here.  

After eating lunch (the pulled pork was one of two meat options and went over very well), Lynda had the kids games but only two participants.  

The clothespin drop was a challenge for both kids but Zoey kept picking hers up for do overs so I think she won that game because of her extra chances. 

The next game was the candy hidden under the whipped cream.  The kids did not get the concept of just shoving  your face down to the bottom to get the candy.  They were move of the lick like kittens style and were taking forever to get to the bottom.  

I finally encouraged Baylor to just go for it and mash his face right to the bottom.  

And finally we had a winner!  

Then we had the peanut toss.  There were two red peanuts and they landed right next to each other and Zoey grabbed them right up,  Then they had to gather as many peanuts as possible and Baylor won that part.  

Our audience.

Baylor won the big prize, yippee!  We will probably still have them next year.  

Then we got the bingo games going.  We play until the prizes are gone so pretty much everyone goes home with more prizes than they brought, like seven prized or more each!  But we have fun and that it why we play. 

Zoey sang for everyone like she did at my reunion last month.  She was quite cute!

We did the raffles of the back to school bag, the cleaning supplies, French's items, the Frank's box, and the Airborne/Mucinex box.  (Mom and I made all the gift bags this year)   We announced the winners of the candy jar and watermelon.  The final game was the cookie walk.  We ran out of participants before we ran out of cookies!  Then it was time to clean up and head home.  After so many years we have this down and we all know our rolls.   Things were cleaned up pretty fast and we were headed home.  Until next year!  

Working from Home Friday

Monday I woke up with a sore throat and stuffy head. Wednesday I went to the Dr for some just in case antibiotics because we both agreed it was viral but it could possibly prevent it from getting worse.  By Friday I was better but Baylor was not.  He was running a fever, his throat, head and stomach hurt, according to him, so we had a work from home day.  It worked out for me because I had four batches of cookies that needed baked before Saturday. So rather than cramming it all in after work, I was able to take care of it in the morning.  As I am running up to the kitchen Grimm was sunning himself on the steps,  Aww, the life of a kitty must be so stress free and relaxing.  

Baylor played video games for a while as I was working.  We had a nice little set up.  

We made it through the day together without any issues and I had a margarita for the first time in a long, long time.  I had forgotten how wonderful they are!  I used my beautiful vintage dot glasses that rarely see much use now that Molly is not with us.  Not that we were heavy drinkers, but we enjoyed sharing a drink or two when we were together.  Here's to you Molly!  

Before and After: Garden Edging

In the midst of my mega mulch moving I decided I wanted to make a proper edging for this flower bed.  I moved it out about eight inches to make more room for the plants to grow.  I cut in a new edge, pulled out the grass and sunk in a plastic edging in the ground to make it easier to mow. 

 I filled it in with my mulch and lined it with rocks.  I love it!  

Pork Butts and John Deere

The family reunion is coming up and I picked up two pork butts to smoke.  I brined them overnight and hauled them out to the smoker as early in the morning as I could.  

Awww, a beautiful site; smoke wafting up from the grill! For the next six hours I tended them in their smoky room. 

We both worked outside all day.  Baylor worked with his tractor giving his friends rides around the driveway. 

I worked on the mulch.  This is actually the mulch pile Saturday morning. I had moved a few loads Friday night and had my friend's 15 year old son help me Saturday morning.  I thought having a strong, young guy helping me would get it done faster but in reality he could not keep up with me.  

By the end of Saturday, I had the pile down to this.  

And buy Sunday, this was the parking pad!   Amazing, especially since it was delivered end of April or something.  This is the way it is every year.  I think I will get it done in the spring and wait until right before fair to get it done!  

After six hours, the butts were wonderfully smoked but not done.  So I moved them to a low over for another six hours to fully break down to yummy, moist, porky goodness.  

After a few nips, it was off to the freezer for next Saturday's special.  

Lochlan's Baby Shower

Around 1:00 Baylor and I headed to Hagerstown for a surprise baby shower for Julie and Amy. Well the surprise was for Julie, Amy was in on it.  The building was a renovated shoe factory in a dicey part of town.  I am glad we spotted Amy out in the parking lot because I am not sure we would have found the church room inside.  It was a bit of a maze in there.  Amy and her friends attend church there and her friend Becca used the story that she created a support group for at home day care workers to get her there.  Amy did not bring Cullen but thankfully a little girl about his age was also there for him to play with.  

Amy, her mom and mother in law and several friends had been there the night before to get the room set up and it was a lovely swathed in blue for the new little boy they will be having in August.  

Blue frosted cupcakes, blue wrapped candies, blue jelly beans, and blue candy favor bags to take home. 

Blue Hawaiian punch, fruit tray with blue dip, blue corn chips and another blue dip. 

Amy gave Baylor a few extra balloons which were the favorite toy of the day.  

Around 3:00 they received the text that Julie had arrived so we all hid from her.  She was expecting the usual church set up and was surprised before anyone could even jump out. 

Hugs were given all around.  

Snacks were eaten so we had nice full bellies while they opened their gifts.  

Then the kids found the box of toys and played a bit while the adults talked.  

Baylor asked if he could hand them their gifts from the table and the girls were happy to have him help.  He ended up trying to impress everyone by using one finger to hold up gift bags.  He went through each finger  and even did a double pinky move on a two part gift.  Impressive little man I have.  He was very sweet and very polite and not a bother to them. Mommy was very proud.  

Demonstrating his thumb carry. 

Pointer finger carry. 

An over the shoulder, one finger carry. 

The two handed, one finger each carry. My strongman. 

 The received many nice gifts from their family and friends.  We bought them summer rompers for next summer. I like to buy ahead.

One of the grandma's gave them the car seat they wanted and they were very pleased with it.  

While Julie talked with everyone, Baylor and Amy showed each other their snapping skills.  

The adults played some shower games and the kids played some balloon toss games in the open area in the room. 

I put a balloon in Baylor's shirt but I could not get him to belly bump with Julie.   

After the gifts and chatting we helped clean up the church, ferry gifts to the cars, and return the church to its original set up. We are looking forward to meeting the newest member of our extended family next month!