Garden Up-Date (July)

After some early frost, hail, and a whole lot of neglect, my garden did somewhat survive the summer.

Mary Mary Quite Contrary....How Does Your Garden Grow?

Back in Idaho....Start the Garden!

We made it back to Malad, Idaho the first week in May.  Jared had to leave for his two week guard training right away, and I got ambitious and started my garden.  Thanks to the greatest in-laws, Josh and Tara, I was able to start a garden worth bragging about (drip-line and all).

Beans, Peppers, Cucumbers, and eventually Tomatoes

Tomatoes, Squash, Zucchini, and Pumpkins

  Peas, Onions, Carrots, Radishes, and Potatoes

Family: What life is all about...

Two days ago Meg and I were outside with friends, sitting on a blanket under a tree.  Cali was upstairs still napping.  I asked Meg if she would go check to see if Cali had woken up yet.  Two minutes later I saw both of them walk out.  Meg had her sandals on, but Cali had her "barefeet" on.  I watched them walk down the steps, and then Meg sat Cali down on the sidewalk.  She then proceeded to take off her own shoes and put them on Cali's feet.  She then said, "Cali, you have to wear sister's shoes.  Keep them on.  There are lots of pokies and pine cones that can hurt your feet.  You have to wear my shoes."  I lost it.  I started to cry as I watched Meg, in her "barefeet" guide Cali (in her oversized sandals) to where I was sitting: on a blanket, in the shade, under a tree. 

Some nights I fall asleep wondering if I am a good mother.  I wonder if I have taught my girls anything besides the words "no", "stop", "and leave me a lone".  That day, Meg reminded me of what life is all about and what is most important: family and love.  I am going to be a better mom and follow Meg's example.

The Historic Mattie Beal Home

The Mattie Beal home is a historic home in Lawton, OK. Mattie Beal (only 21) was the second name drawn for the Lawton district land lottery in 1901. Her and her husband, Charles Warren Payne, started the home's construction in 1907. They, along with their three daughters, hosted many parties and festivities here. In 1974 the Lawton Heritage Association purchased the home and began a series of refurbishing and renovations. I am so in love with this house. My photos do NOT do it justice.

Mattie Beal Home

Grandma, Shalise, Cali, and Meg Shalise, Spencer, Meg, and Cali

Papa Lloyd and Cali

Shalise and Spencer

Visitors Welcome!!

We had the pleasure of having Jared's parents, sister (Shalise), and bro-in-law (Spencer) come and visit us on their spring break. They were "vacationing" in northern Oklahoma visiting Spencer's mission and drove down to spend two days with us before they had to drive back to Idaho. The girls were so thrilled to see them. We wanted them to have the best "Fort Sill" experience possible which means we took them to Meers. The only way to explain Meers is that it looks like a homeless shelter, has about 25 stray cats running around, is in the middle of no-where, violates every fire safety code, but has yummy burgers and fried green tomatoes. It was quite the experience. We have a pool at one of the gyms on base that we like to go to. Shalise and Spencer took Meg swimming while I layed in the sun and watched. Meg pretty much thinks that her and Spencer are an item. She was kind of bummed when Spencer broke the news that he was already married to Shalise and that they are going to have a baby boy in July.

Fort Sill Field Artillery Museum

Fort Sill has a great museum just three blocks from where we live. We finally made it a point to take the kids to "learn" about what their dads actually do. This museum was quite amazing. It really went into depth on the history of the "field artillery," and the exhibits were very impressive.

When you first walk in, there are life-like statues on horses depicting a battle scene. The horses looked too real which made Cali scream for her mommy.

Meg and Keyton had a silly pose for every exhibit. We thought the donkey would make the perfect back-drop to capture this moment.

This is our "one in a million" shot where everyone's face was looking somewhat at the camera: Eva, Meg, Seth, Keyton, and Cali.

This exhibit is a piece of the Berlin Wall: Meg, Pat, Cali, and Eva

Craft Corner

Here's the thing. This is Meg and Cali's new room at our house in Malad. (Minus all of the furniture and decor) we are going to keep it the same because Meg and I fell in love with the floral carpet. I decided to go against everything I stand for and turn it into a "shabby chic" girl's room.

I brought my sewing machine to Oklahoma thinking I would make many fabulous crafty things. My first attempts are quilts for the girls and pillows to match. It was hard to "coordinate" around the carpet.

Cali's quilt

Ruffle Pillows

more pillows

Meg's quilt

Witchita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Oh give me a home. Where the buffalo roam....

We had the opportunity to go with some friends to the Witchita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It is about 15-20 minutes from the base. We were thinking it was going to be a lot like "Bear World" in Rexburg. When we got there we found that it was more like Yellowstone National Park. They have places to go hiking, fishing, lots if wild animals, museums, ponds, etc. I think this is going to be a place where we spend many of our weekends or family home evenings.

Hannah K. and Meg


The Reddish Clan, The Knight Fam, and the Sorensen's

Megalicious and Jared

Heat Wave....

It was between 65 and 70 degrees the 3rd week in January.
We thought it was summer which means.....SIDEWALK CHALK!!!

Meg posing on the slide during our "Oklahoma Heat Wave."

Girls love their dad.....This is the first doorway to our "Home Sweet Home."

"Hang on Meg."