Of the Cutting Down of a Tree, and the making of Cupcakes!

We finally did it. 

We cut down the old thorn tree in the back yard. 

This Honey Locust tree has been back there forever, and as children, we got countless splinters in our feet every summer, when we went everywhere barefoot. But, after the drought last year, it was mostly dead, so Hannah, Andrew and Mr. Casey took it out yesterday.

This is why we weren't that sad to see it go!!!

The other event of the day was that the Davis girls came over and Mommy helped them make some duck cupcakes that Lissy had seen in a book and wanted to try to make! 

This is what we were aiming at....aren't they adorable?

Getting started on mixing the batter

Hot out of the oven

sorting out the orange Starbursts for the bills

shaping the bills

We would look out and check on our they were going on the tree

Andrew, Juanita, and the downed monster! :)

A ladybug was very nice and posed for me! :)

the finished bills

and feet

putting the heads and tails on 

donuts holes and marshmallows! 

while we were waiting we went on a walk out to the cabin and picked flowers :D

we found this lizard in the basement! 

we were all surprised that Kathy wanted to hold it! 

dipping the cupcakes

aren't they adorable?!?

The really fun part was that the girls got to stay through Men's Meeting, and we played Pictionary! Elizabeth Wesson came over as well, and we got to catch up since I hadn't seen her in forever!!! Sadly though, I didn't take any pictures...... :(

"The Watered Lilies"

"The Watered Lilies"

The Master stood in His garden,

Among the lilies fair,

Which His own right hand had planted,

And trained with tenderest care.

He looked at their snowy blossoms,

And marked with observant eye

That the flowers were sadly drooping,

For their leaves were parched and dry.

"My lilies need to be watered ,"

The heavenly Master said;

"Wherein shall I draw it for them,

And raise each drooping head?"

Close to his feet on the pathway, 

Empty, and frail, and small,

An earthen vessel was lying,

Which seemed no use at all;

But when the master saw, and raised it

From the dust in which it lay,

And smiled, as He gently whispered,

"This shall do My work today:

"It is but an earthen vessel,

But it lay so close to Me;

It is small, but it is empty-

That is all it needs to be."

So to the fountain He took it,

And filled it full to the brim;

How glad was the earthen vessel

To be of some use to Him!

He poured forth the living water

Over His lilies fair,

Until the vessel was empty,

And again He filled it there.

He watered the drooping lilies 

Until they revived again;

And the Master saw with pleasure

That His labor had not been in vain.

His own hand had drawn the water

Which refreshed the thirsty flowers;

But he used the earthen vessel

To convey the living showers.

And to itself it whispered,

As He laid it aside once more,

"Still will I lie in His pathway,

Just where I did before.

"Close would I keep to the Master,

Empty would I remain,

And perhaps some day He may use me

To water His flowers again."

-Unknown

Of Ping Pong and Davis'

Last Monday, the Davis', or some of them came over, and us kids played ping pong in the basement, while the parents played Spades upstairs. :) 

There was a lot of laughing!!! :D

Peter and Benny arm wrestling....we son't say who won.... :)

Playing doubles

Sarah and Bethany

the parents

We always enjoy having our 'other siblings' over for a really fun evening! hope we do it again sometime....oh wait, we already have, last night at their house, but I didn't take any pictures.....

Happy Birthday, Rachel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you muchly!!!!! 

 ♥ ♥ ♥

(the lighting in this picture is bad - it was sooo sunny that day, but I like it! :)