Great Philosophy

Lotsa Luck

I took this picture of her a couple of weeks ago.  She just texted me the picture below - she found 3 more!

More comfy than 'black-tie'...

Target Practice

Just your typical Saturday evening entertainment here in West Paris.  All the kiddos are getting much more accurate.  Those bottles don't stand a chance!

Family Reunion

Today was our annual family reunion.  Each year we celebrate milestones with a cake.  I got to be on the cake!  Along with my husband(not pictured), aunt, cousins, and my parents.  Yay to us!

A Connection to a Pitcher

Recently, my cousin has opened her home to a Sea Dogs player, Eric Niesen.  When he is 'in-town' playing for the Sea Dogs, he stays at her house.  When he pitched an inning last night, I made my way down to the field to get a picture for her.  She was at home, making him chocolate chip cookies for a bedtime snack!  What a lucky guy!!

Take me out to the ball game!

Jaguar Show

This year there was also a Jaguar Show at Paris Hill Founders Day.

 They were asking people to vote for their favorite Jag.  The kiddos picked the late-model black convertible, but this was my choice - a bright red 1970 E-Style.

Even more determined...

The Lions Club has been selling raffle tickets for this 1970 Ford Maverick for a few years now.  We purchased even more raffle tickets on Saturday.  The drawing is on August 4th at the annual Uptown Cruisahs car show at the New Balance Factory Outlet.  The kiddos are really, really hoping that one of them will win it!

Yes, it is important to me...

Every year I ask the kiddos to pose in front of my favorite vehicle - the carraige used during the filming of 'Gone with the Wind'.  I love looking back through the years and seeing how much they have changed.  It's incredible!

Enjoying the ride...

Amber likes to ride in the hot rod too!

Paris Hill Founders' Day, again!

Every year, this is one of our favorite events.  There's always lots of amazing cars to look at, yummy food to eat, good music to listen to and crafts to browse from talented area crafters.  This year there was also a much larger crowd - all their advertising paid off.  The event raises funds for the Hamlin Library, a very worthy cause.  We're glad to help!

We're here to see the cars and enjoy the view.  The location is incredibly beautiful!

Posing in front of the only car that might be big enough for our family - the Iron Mountain House bus.

Never doubt who is the Queen around here!

'Please Buy Tees'

This license plate confused me, until I realized that the driver owns a local t-shirt printing company.  Now it makes sense, doesn't it?

For me, it's all about the muscle cars...

This is our 1972 Pontiac Ventura.  My husband bought it shortly after we started seeing each other, and made the mistake of handing me the keys.  He didn't think I would like it because it's a bit rough around the edges, but I've been driving it ever since.  I love this car and we have a lot of fun with it!  It's so cool to drive around and see people wave, give you the 'thumbs-up' sign, and/or stop to talk to you about what a great old car you're driving.  It's nice that antique cars are still appreciated.

My Tractor

She may not be pretty, and, yes, she's held together with bungee cords & duct tape, but she always starts right up. She's a workhouse and together we get the job done. Tonight we're mowing pastures...

African Violets

 

African Violets are my very favorite house plant.  I was so pleased when my friend brought me a whole box of them today!  She and her mother have been raising them, but have a surplus. They knew I would give them a happy home, and take good care of them, so they shared some with me.  There are so many unique varieties here, some that I have never seen before. And they're all so pretty!

Home-made Slip-n-Slide

She made the All Star team!

This afternoon our oldest daughter played in the All Star Softball Tournament.  Her team didn't win, but they had fun playing!  Here she is with the other girl who was picked from their team, and their coach.

A Quiet Evening

Singing around the fire...

Moore Park

Her 1st Rock Show

This evening we drove up to Bangor to see Bad Seed Rising, Halestorm, 3 Doors Down, and Daughtry perform.  It was an amazing show and she loved it just as much as I did!

This was my 2nd time seeing Halestorm.  They are my all-time favorite band - so incredibly talented!

These guys put on a heck of a good show!  After the first few changes, we started counting - that guitarist on the left played 9 different guitars throughout their performance.  Yes. 9!

Apples to Apples

The boys and I played this word comparison game on Friday evening.  For some reason this card made us laugh until our sides hurt!

This should keep him from mowing it over again!

Headed Home

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end...

I do absolutely love driving Gypsy and don't I have the cutest co-pilot?  This was his first time riding 'shotgun', so he was feeling pretty special.  Many people have commented on how brave I am to drive such a big rig, but please don't give me too much credit - it's way easier than it looks!  Although, this made me a little bit nervous... 

Mountain Biking

Yes, mountain biking!  10 miles of great trails, rough terrain, & lots of water/mud!!

The scenery was just so breathtaking at each turn.  We really love the wilderness!

Chain of Ponds

Paddling...trolling...relaxing...aahhh...

Me & My Boyz

We're headed to the North Woods for some much needed 'one on one' time!  Just me & my boys. Oh, and Gypsy too.

Happy 4th of July

Fireworks are fun, but I like Mother Nature's show better...

Finally,

5 o'clock came...

 

...and went!

Cruisin'

 

This afternoon I had a meeting out-of-town, so I took the Suburban home and traded her for the Ventura, which is so much more fun to drive!  But, I forgot...

She's long on style, but short on cup-holders!

Don't mess with these kiddos...

Our younger son started archery last fall and loves it so much that he has been begging me to let the girls try a lesson.  We finally were able to arrange it tonight.  They loved it too!  And can't wait to do it again!!