Garden Woes

My garden has been rather pathetic this year. None of my fruit trees produced a bloomin' thing. I planted a bunch of green beans and I've only harvested a handful, Hayden is taller than my corn, the strawberries didn't produce, and my melon plants never got started. I do have a grow-box full of potato plants--not sure when to harvest those, but they seem happy enough.

Also I planted several tomato plants, one chili bush and three cilantro plants thinking maybe I could bottle some homemade salsa. Well, so far, my cilantro all died, the tomatoes have been less than prolific, and my chili plant has been going bananas! I think it kind of ironic that the one vegetable (is chili a vegetable?) that I don't know how to use (except in salsa) is the one that's going gangbusters on me. I picked five today and there are five more on the plant. It's like the giving tree-it just keeps on giving! Maybe I'll dry them and make some New Mexico Christmas ornaments.

One day, Hayden found a shiny red chili just waiting to be picked and thought he'd help me out.

This is what he thought of it:

On the upside, my basil is doing great, and I've already made a few batches of pesto with it. My family LOVES pesto with pasta.

Anybody know what to do with all that chili?

Putt-Putt Golf

On Wednesday, Arthur took half a day off work and went golfing at a really nice course in the East Mountains for free! So we thought we'd go golfing too. We golfed at the distinguished public course, Hinkle Family Fun Center. And we also rode the bumper boats. Good times.

Emma-Emma-Bo-Bemma

Banana-fana-fo-femma, mi-my-mo-memma, EM-MA!

Here's some of the fun we've been having with Emma visiting:

1. Painting:

For months I have been trying out different colors in Daphne's room, but hadn't found colors I liked, or gotten the motivation to just get it done. Apparently, all I needed was a sister!!!

Which color?

I eventually went with a "bella mint" green on the bottom, and "winter oak" (kind of a lavender-ish color) on top.

We surprised Arthur with the finished room when he got home from Scout Camp, where he was doing the Astronomy merit badge with the boys.

2. Silly & Sad: (mostly silly)

Daphne wrote her name in this dust on the vanity in the downstairs bathroom, and took a picture of it. She was being silly, but it's actually rather SAD!

After I saw this picture, I went and dusted that vanity.

3. Harry Potter 6

We have been anxiously awaiting the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Arthur had all the previews downloaded on the computer, and sometimes we would hook the laptop up to the TV and we'd watch preview after preview of this movie. We had big plans to dress up and go to a midnight showing, but by the time we got our act together to buy the tickets, all seven showings were sold-out. We settled for a Friday afternoon and dinner afterwards. It was GREAT! Can't wait till the DVD comes out. And, just for the record. I am DEFINITELY getting midnight tickets when the 7's come out. And I think I will wear a shirt that says, "I Luv Neville" in glow-in-the-dark letters.

4. Light Saber Duels

How cool is Aunt Emma?!

Long Time No Post

For all of you avid Albuquerque Turkey readers, I apologize for the long absence. I know you've been checking daily to find out all of our exciting happenings, and must be dismally disappointed each time you see the Davy Crockett sneak peek AGAIN.

We've been having a whirlwind summer so far, (just like all of you, I'm sure) and I'm slowly trying to get caught up, so scroll down because I'll be posting them with the dates they happened. (Also, FYI there is a new post below the 1st Davy Crockett post about an exciting Sunday morning in case you're interested.)

Stay tuned . . . :)

Home again, home again

We kidnapped my sister Emma and brought her back to stay with us for three weeks! Yahoo! So we stopped at the Grand Canyon on the way home since she'd never seen it, (and since the last time we went it was snowing.)

It was NOT snowing this time, and was really hot! Water was essential, in fact, I gave away one of our bottles of water to a cute elderly couple who'd run out. We were waiting for the shuttle bus, and I asked our kids (kind of loudly, I guess,) if anybody needed a drink of water and this little old gentleman said, "I do!" So I found the one unopened water bottle and gave it to them. He shared it with his wife and two granddaughters. Good thing we were all on our way back to the cars or we'd have been in trouble!

Emma with Daphne & Hayden on the shuttle bus.

Sure is grand.

The kids found some respite from the sun under a ledge.

What a view, huh?

4th of July on the 4th

On the 4th of July, we got to hang out with Mikey & Amber which was super fun. We went to see Modesto's 4th of July parade, and found an awesome place to watch the parade across the street from the historic McHenry Mansion.

Us, with one of the docents, obviously in period costume, which I am a real sucker for.

While we were waiting for the parade to start, we went and took a self guided tour around the mansion, built in 1883 and the 3rd oldest home in Modesto, (but is the best preserved of the three.) I loved it, but it probably wasn't very exciting for the kids. They deck that place out with 4th of July extravagance so I couldn't resist taking pictures in front of it.

Dallin, Uncle Mikey, and Arthur

Hayden savoring a delicious strawberry from the Farmer's Market. Amber and I went over to the Farmer's Market while waiting for the parade to start and got some delicious goodies. She bought strawberries and I got kettle corn and some flavored almonds. If you are ever in Modesto during the summer, you don't want to miss out on getting the garlic-onion roasted almonds at the Farmer's Market. They are delectable.

Watching the parade.

My youngest brother Nathan came with us, but I think he thought the parade was a little boring. Truthfully, it was lacking in 4th of July awesome-ness. It could have used more marching bands and patriotism, less public representatives driving in cars (a few is understandable, but when they comprise half the parade, I call that excessive) and less advertisements for various local companies.

But there were some cool things to look at and mostly we just like hanging out with Mike & Amber.

Old planes are cool

Horses are always good too.

Daphne & Aunt Amber

We love you, Mike & Amber!

Happy Fouth of July!