DEATH to all flies!!!

We just canned our hearts out! If anyone wants a jar of it... or two or a dozen... come and get it. We had a canning marathon because we were up against mother nature. You see, the late summer brought a late blossom which brought a late crop for all the orchards surounding us. This meant an overabundance of fruit which couldn't be sold so they let them drop to the ground. This brought the Moses of fruit fly infestations!!! (Shell says - "Not even kidding")
So, after an hour and a half of vacuuming or flame throwing (with WD-40) to beat the living mist down, we would can. Now that the boxes of fruit are gone, the flies have subceded. We just can't get rid of them.
That's all... just wanted to vent my wish for death to all flies (Shell says - "it doesn't matter the species")!

Baby Shower

It was great! That's all you wanted to know right? right...

Well, it took place Saturday morning - exactly one month before my due date. We had delicious food and lots of it - cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, raspberry rolls, blueberry rolls, muffins, coffee cake, fruit, fruit dip, orange juice and chocolate milk - the leftovers of which are in our kitchen and Michelle's :). We started with breakfast and then began games. The attendees searched through baby magazines looking for "baby hutchings." Some cut out whole heads or bodies, while others pieced together faces or entire bodies by combining images. At the end I chose what baby hutchings will actually look like. I got to choose two, and my choices ended up being the most adorable baby in the bunch and a black baby. I got a kick out of that one. Each baby also came with a guess for her name. We informed everyone that her name was not amongst the list. If her name had been, the winner would have received a prize after her birth. (Yes, her name is already chosen, and even carved in wood - a name plaque we've been working on for her.) Attendees also got to take each other's baby trinkets when they heard someone say the word "baby" and whoever had the most at the end got a prize. I spent most of this time greeting and mingling. Then, it came time for presents. I opted to have Justin open them all up, and I think most people enjoyed that. People also seemed to enjoy when a present was opened and I proceeded to ask "what is this used for...?" (examples: strangely shaped Q-tips and "nighttime" desitin, I asked "does it put them to sleep?"). The main things we got were the porta-crib we registered for (compliments of the Workman family), the bouncer seat we wanted, some diapers and wipes, and a bunch of clothes. One of my favorite clothing items was a ballerina set, complete with little girl tutu. So cute.

Then, all were excused and the party ended!

How was that for a recount? Oh, and to answer Liz's question, the only things we can honestly think of that we still need are a carseat, a few bottles, and lots more diapers. The good news is that my sister Jerilie is not currently using her infant carseat and can lend it to us for the time before we go to China. We won't be needing a carseat in China (we're thinking baby carriers and clasping the poor child to our chest in those questionable taxis). Jerilie was also kind enough to lend me a baby sling and moby wrap. When we get back, we'll probably purchase a non-infant carseat. We won't need a stroller or high chair until we've been in China for a bit and we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Thank you Michelle for a wonderful baby shower! I really wish the rest of you could have been there (Mom, Marquie, Heather, and Liz).

An Awesome Prank

Awesome Prank

Baby Shower

Waiting to hear about the baby shower...waiting...waiting...

Why Men can't Help IT!

Please Read

Why Men Can't Help It

All of you!

I just want you all to know that I framed you all on placed you strategically around my family room. You all look beautiful, and I'm so glad I have (for now!) current photos of my extended family surrounding me. I do need some new frames, but you're all sitting pretty enough for now. Thanks, Heather for getting these beautiful little moments of history into my home. I cherish them and the loved ones they represent.

A Virginia first for me

So, tonight I was headed down to the high school to pick up Marquie and Diana from play practice. I drove down the driveway and around the corner and what did I see meandering across the road? A lovely, fuzzy, black bear! I guess we really do have bears here in our neck of the woods! I whipped out my phone to take a picture, but, of course, not enough memory....sigh....maybe there will be a next time!