Commander Wilson

...from Outer Space. When we arrived home on Thursday Wilson had a gift waiting on the stairs. Our sweet neighbors pass some things down to him when their little boy outgrows them. This time it was a bicycle helmet. In my opinion it is far too hot to be out riding a bicycle, really to be doing anything but swimming. Because of this I thought we could put it away for a few weeks until it cools down a bit, but Wilson had other plans. He has always enjoyed pretending, for about 6 months when he was 2 he would only respond when you called him Buzz Lightyear. So for the past 4 days he has been Commander Wilson from Outer Space. My favorite part is the aviator sunglasses, which he actually takes off when he goes outside.
The picture is as we are walking out the door this morning on the way to church. I am actually a little picky about what he wears to church, other days I let him pick out what he wants, but we all need some accessories.

the quiet moments

Amy and Nathan came over for dinner tonight. This is something we really love and the boys look forward to and this was the first time since the James have become a family of four. At some point in the night Nathan realized Campbell and Eli had gotten very quiet and upon further investigation we found them both laying on their bellies reading a book- so cute. Wilson had to join in.

I'm here, but it's not

After a very exciting and a little bit tiring visit with Pete's family last week we decided to head to a place where children are outnumbered by adults, so we went to Hot Springs. If this seems like a theme it is because we try to spend as much time as we can there. We love visiting with my parents, being around the water, having a break from our house and sometimes they even let us sleep in.
Anyway on Tuesday I had talked Pete into watching the boys and my mom into driving with me to Pine Bluff. What? you might be asking why PB? It is not close to HS and lets face it that when you think of thing to do with a day off from your children this does not top the list, but I really wanted to go. Sometime last year we discovered that what use to be a Gap in the Pines mall had turned into a gap Outlet and both times I have been they had great stuff. So I planned. i had Alison's list of clothes her kids need for the fall and a mental list for my kids. It took my mom and I about an hour and a half, a small price to pay for a good deal and it was 1st Tuesday so we would get an extra 10% off. The only problem was that while I was at the Pines mall, the Gap Outlet is not. I could feel my body temperature rise. Why did they close this store. First McCain mall and then this. I learned three lessons. #1.. if you are traveling a great distance or going out of your way to go somewhere, make sure it exists. #2.. no real reason to go to the Pines mall, well unless you live in Pine Bluff. #3 If something like this seems to good to be true, it probably is..last time Alison and I went we couldn't believe all the deals and how uncrowded it was.
I am laughing now, but I might have cried a little that day. I'll just blame the tears on the heat, man it is hot!

yep, there are nine.

There is always some cousin love around the Loibner home, but this week it reached the ultimate with the arrival of the Davidson cousins from Chicago. All together there are nine cousins, the best part is they are 10 and under. 10, almost 8, 7,6, almost 5, 4, 2,1, and 5 months. It has really been a great week. We have swam, played hide and seek, lots of games, we even braved Wild River Country with the 6 oldest. They out number us and I'm pretty sure it won't be long before they realize they could take over. For now we are enjoying the end of the visit and are all ready for a nap.

Oh and we even got a picture. We decided it was the first time we had a photo session without tears. Very exciting.

July BAM

Friday was a great day. The Davidsons arrived from Chicago and we got to go pick up our Basket of the Month. The only thing better than picking up my basket is being a part of picking up three. Plus I do, as I have mentioned, love this whole experience and running in to some of you there. We took all three baskets to Julie's and unloaded because this is the week of the cousins. We will spend most of the week with 9 children under 10 and only 7 adults, we are officially out numbered and it is a lot of fun....mostly.
So here is what we got his month, the last for blackberries.

blackberries
2 small watermelons
1 large cantaloupe
heirloom eggplant
large tomatoes
cherry tomatoes
bell peppers
Lima beans
purple hull peas
multi colored potatoes
sweet potatoes
dozen eggs
1 lb. cheese
2 lb. peaches, plus the 50 extra pounds we bought
lettuce
corn

I think that is everything, but it has been a few days so I might be forgetting something.

I will post pictures later of some of our good eats.

missing you

People have been having babies, and snakes on their doors, and dreams of being yoga instructors and I have been missing it all. I love catching up with every ones blog, including people that this is almost the only way I keep up with them. There are even new people with blogs since I have been checking. We are currently without a computer and I will for sure be more grateful for my computer once we are up and running again, not having things can really help you appreciate them. Keep up with the great stories, I'll try to catch up.

KC pics, as promised

We had such a great trip to Kansas City, I know it doesn't sound that exciting, but it is really beautiful. I thought I would share a few pictures I took, I do love to have time alone with my camera.