New Features

So I'm bringing some changes to the family blog. I finally came up with a name that I like for now. "Chez Nous" is the new title for our blog. If you don't know this means "our house" in French. Gotta keep my connections to french somehow! I still need to design a new header, but that's coming later.
Another feature is "Recipes from Chez Nous." I've been wanting to do this for a while and I've finally gotten around to it. My friend Jamie was wanting the recipe anyway. All you have to do is click on the picture and it will take you to the recipe.

Rugby 7's

Saturday was the Birmingham Rugby 7's tournament. Blasen's being playing in this for the past 6 years. I forget every year how stinking hot it is during this tournament. Usually they have it the first weekend of June, but this year it was moved to the last weekend of June. Our family has grown over the years, so this year I decided to go get our own pop-up canopy. We've always just squeezed in with the rugby team under their tents, but there are just too many of us now. And I don't particularly like sitting with a bunch of sweaty guys...ones enough for me.
Blasen's team did really well, winning 3 of their 4 games, however, they did not win their pool. So, no going to the finals. That meant we could leave earlier. I was exhausted from the heat, as was Blasen and likely the kids. I kept putting sunscreen on the kiddos, but they all came away with a little sun.
Congrats to Dad and the team for doing well...put sorry no finals. Maybe next time!

Wetumpka Week

Lots of catching-up to do. I even have the time to do it as my sister, Elizabeth, came and took the boys today for the rest of the week. She is living with our parents right now as she finishes up school. I'm sort-of nervous for them to be gone. The only other time they have spent the night away from us was when Isla was born. So off to Mama Ford and Grandfather's they go. They should have fun as not only is Aunt Biz there, but Aunt Lacy flies in today and the Vaughn clan is just down the road. Not only do I get to blog this afternoon, but Blasen and I get to go out on a semi-date tonight, as Isla must tag along. How exciting!
Last week, the kiddos and I headed down to Wetumpka, AL to visit some old college roommates. We stayed with the Ennis family and got to visit with the Stubbs and the Baileys. It was really nice to catch-up with them. It was neat having all our kids playing together. They all seemed to have lots of fun.

This is Zade and Jeni's little girl Sara Katherine having fun on the swings.

Here's Ethan showing off his great swinging skills. And Bliss, of course, always has to have a gun in hand.

I just had to post this one of Bliss falling out of his swing. Here I am trying to take a picture I my kid falls out of the swing. You can see David is trying to get there and Ethan is sort-of "get out of the way." Yes, I laughed and am laughing now. I laugh when people get hurt, unless it's serious. Bliss was a trooper and jumped right up.

David and Jeni are actually living at the Enslen's (Jenny Sue's parent's) house while they complete their mission. The kids decided to watch TV while eating dinner so they turned around in their seats and put their bowls up on the brick wall.

Each night David or I would read the kids books before they went to bed. Ethan and Bliss wanted to camp-out together in the guest room.

We also had a Scentsy party since Jenny Sue is now a representative, went swimming with the Stubbs, and hung out with the Bailey's. By Thursday we were tuckered out...at least I was. I hate that I live so far away from my friends. I guess it's not that far, but with 3 kids it sure seems far. It's nice when I can see them. Bliss did not want to leave either. Thanks to the Ennis's, Stubbs, and Bailey's for your hospitality. Hope to see you sooner than a year from now.

Yes Sir's

Thursday I went with my friend Kim to Fayetteville, TN to this wonderful fabric store called Sir's. It has tons and tons of fabric at great prices. I had to restrain myself, but here are a few of the things I got.
This is for a summer skirt and jacket set. I didn't get a great picture, but this is a textured white material and a kelly green w/tiny white dots.


Then I found some stretch poplin(the khaki) for $1/yd!! for some shorts


All there broadcloth was $1/yd too. This light blue/gray I plan on using for a shirt.
Let's cross our fingers that I'll even get to it this decade. I have two other pieces of fabric washed, ironed and ready to be cut out for some other clothes for me and Isla. I just love buying material and patterns. I told Kim that I'm working on my old lady stash of fabric. I can't wait to get started!

Dad's Are Just So Much Fun

We've had a full past couple of days and I just realized I haven't blogged since Tuesday. Just wanted to catch up on my thoughts before I leave tomorrow to visit Jeni and her family for a few days. While in Wetumpka, I hope to be able to catch-up with Jenny Sue and Laura...friends and former roommates. I'm super excited to visit with everyone, but not looking forward to the at least 3hr drive down. For this reason we are staying a few days.
Anyway...on to the reason dad's are just so much fun. It's because they bring home fun stuff like this...Blasen found this box turtle on a job site this week and brought him home. Bliss and Zade loved it. We played with it for a few minutes then let him out in the yard. Bliss said he found a home under the shed.
Dad's also don't mind getting dirty.


Blasen finished sanding the walls this week. He's pretty meticulous and thorough...which is good, but time consuming. He would come down after working upstairs covered in dust. It look likes he got dropped into a giant bag of flour.
Dad's are fun becuase they do fun stuff like play rugby. Bliss thinks it is so cool that his Dad plays rugby. He loves going to the pitch for games and warming up with the team.
So to thank him for all his hard work...

I made a strawberry cheesecake for the fathers today at church, per Blasen's request. It's the first time I've made a baked cheesecake. It turned out really yummy. Blasen really liked it. On the way home from church he asked why I didn't make cheesecake more often. It's because I would eat it all!
In addition to the cheesecake, I made donuts for breakfast and BBQ ribs with waffle fries and fresh corn for dinner...just a few of Blasen's favorite things.
So, thanks for being a fun Dad and great husband.