Flaming chicken anyone??

Last week Matt came home with a wonderful recipe he wanted to try, something he learned from someone at work. Bear in mind that Matt is not really someone who cooks much, in fact he has just started to learn how to grill this summer and grills chicken quite well, but he really isn't an experienced cook or grill chef or anything. Really. But he came home one night to make the famous beer can chicken, and had some wonderful dry rub to put on it, it was absolutely delicious! Ryan tasted it and said it was the best chicken he had ever eaten! We decided we just might not let him move out in August to live nearer college! It was really, truly delicious.

Part two. A couple days later we got an unexpected visit from my brother. We decided that maybe it would be nice to have some more of that delicious chicken! So this time, my oh-so-experienced chef/husband decided to make it. I explained to him how Matt had done it, but apparently not well enough. We were in the kitchen anticipating another juicy chicken for dinner when we saw smoke coming out of the grill...

Let's just say that Matt will NEVER let Danny live this one down. Rookie chef makes fabulous, mouth-watering chicken, and Danny, well... he didn't.

Summer Days

This morning Hannah and I had to be in Virginia, so we tried to avoid traffic and took a more scenic route down some beautiful roads. Along the way we saw so many little fresh produce stands with fresh picked melons, corn, berries, onions, etc. We just couldn't resist stopping and getting some for the holiday weekend. Hannah took some beautiful pictures - maybe she has a future in food photography?!?

This is the best my hydrangeas have ever looked. I love the variety in colors.

Ryan enjoying the pool, sipping on a pina colada while relaxing...

The pool and hot tub are in competition this summer for which one gets more use!

While the boys swam, Hannah and I sat by the poolside working on projects. I was looking at homeschool stuff and Hannah was working on a painting she is doing... It was the first beautiful, sunny but low humidity day we had all summer. If only every day of summer could be like this one...

Catching up June

I got so behind posting little happenings and just lovely shots around the yard for the month of June that I am just going to put random pictures together in one big post! These are some things we just don't want to forget in the years to come...

Jacob's last art project for the year 2010 - a lovely watercolor landscape

Flowers in the front entry

Our "water fountain turned planter" full of sweet little blooms

Danny finally, after hours of shopping around and making phone calls, found the right product to seal and color boost our deck! It looks so much better now, and will be stain resistant (at least the part that's finished! haha) That's okay dear, I know that you will finish it some day!!

Beautiful red rose bush that has followed us around in each of the last three homes we lived in. I shall never be able to part with this bush!

Flower arrangements and favors made for the last Pastor's College

Ladies Day Out

Danny brought home this fun machine from work so that he could get some jobs done around the house. Well, the boys have claimed it as their vehicle to shoot their airsoft guns from. Ryan set targets up all over the yard and they drive around and shoot at them. What a blast! Makes us wish we had 20 acres and ATV's for the boys to get out and roam in!

Danny and Hannah's Special Night

Recently Danny and Hannah went out to a very special dinner at Dutch's Daughter (the best seafood restaurant for miles) and then went to a movie. They both love these special times... I couldn't resist getting some shots of them out by the beautiful hydrangea's that match Hannah's dress and Danny's eyes!!

I love this sweet smile of Hannah's... it is one of my favorite things about her, that sweet and gentle, loving smile.

WHY I DON'T LIKE TUBING

These videos say it all. The first one is Hannah taking a spill and the second is Jacob... as a "wimpy" mom, this kind of stuff makes me weak in the knees...

Deep Creek Lake 2010

This year we rented a very lovely home right on the waterfront, giving us beautiful, peaceful views. So far we have had a lot of rain - but the rest of the week is looking up! The kids have already done some tubing!

The first day here we saw this sweet little family of geese. But with geese come little gifts that aren't so sweet... so Jacob decided that he needed to "persuade" them to move on to another part of the lake. Let's just say that geese don't like green laser lights!

Even Matt and Sherry got in on the action!

After driving the boat all afternoon Dad thought it was time to do a little something for himself... aaahhhh

With all the rain we have had so far, finding a corner to read has been a favorite of the adult population. Well, most of us...

More to come later in the week!!! Thank you Hannah for being our family photographer! Keep up the good work sweetie! I look forward to some more great shots!

Hannah...

Hannah's latest artwork - such a beautiful, water-color butterfly.

This spring has been so challenging for my sweet girl. After a year or more of symptoms that have grown to be somewhat debilitating and definitely life-changing, Hannah has finally been diagnosed with a co-infection of Lyme disease and Bartonella, both from a tick bite from who knows when. She has constant, and at times extreme, back pain along with complete exhaustion. She has developed some of the other side effects of Lymes as well, and all in all has not felt well for a long time. She has had to quit piano as she cannot sit at the bench without pain. She carries around a special pad for back support wherever we go. She has had to miss many things due to overwhelming fatigue.

BUT...

God is at work in this young lady. She has maintained her cheerfulness and humor, and is trying to trust that God has this trial for her for some reason. She remains selfless and doesn't like to ask us for help when she needs it. She still does her photography and bunnies and drawing and I am grateful that she can. She has had challenging days which make her appreciate the really good days! She has seen God's hand at work in directing us to a wonderful doctor who is overseeing her care, and is committed to working with her until she is completely well.

We understand this could take a while, but we trust that God did indeed know this day from the beginning of time, and WILL deliver her from this trouble. He promises to be faithful to her and to strengthen and comfort her.

We would most definitely count any prayers for Hannah as precious gifts...