The Garden that Grew and Grew and Grew

For the last several years Karl and I have been growing a vegetable garden in our yard.  Each year we try and tweak it, change things, and come up with new ideas on how to get the most "fruit for our labors".  This year was no different. I started by expanding the gardens, Karl started by turning the compost and working the soil.   

When Karl turned the compost he found several globs of seeds that he just tossed into a corner and said, "Lets see what happens."  Well what happened was that the several hundred little seedlings sprouted up.  Karl being the industrious guy that he is decided to plant some of those seedlings (about 20+ of them), and guess what......they all took.  All we knew was that they were most likely some type of squash.  Here is what it looked like earlier this week.



As you can see we have very healthy growth.  Personally I think a family of Gnomes have moved into the garden as well, but with everything growing, I can't be sure.  Since this is all behind the white fence, I just close the gate and send Karl into the wilderness, I am afraid of losing one of my kids back there, so he keeps watch over it.  Everything came up on its own back there, the only thing I planted back there was beans and we have to hunt for those plants.

Meanwhile back in the enclosed yard we expanded the garden beads, planted the flowers, veggies, and herbs.  Karl was excited to plant some Arctic Kiwi vines.

  When we were done planting we still had most of the back corner garden open, so Karl decided to transplant some of the plants from the back inside the gate.  Needless to say, Karl makes great soil and they are thriving.

I keep telling Karl that I think the garden wants to eat the garage, because it is heading that way quickly.  So as you can see Karl's "experiment" is going great!!  I am trying to take pictures every few days to see the progression across the lawn.

The one problem with all this growth, the amount of fruit that comes with it.  I think people are going to start running away from us soon, because I am always trying to give away veggies....Squash and Zucchini anyone!?!?

One fun thing that had come up is this little Sunflower.  I was so excited when I saw it.  Karl says we have one more, but it hasn't flowered yet.

 I am also excited about the pumpkins growing in the back.  We have several.  I have never grown pumpkins before.....Thanks Karl!!!!!

You would think that this is the end of my garden saga, but I haven't mentioned our garden over at our friend Dave's house.  It is doing really well also.  Zucchini recipes please!!!!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two

Okay, so after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One, Amber and I were joking about how much fun it would be to go to part two all dressed up like we were going to the Yule Ball from book four.  We had six months to plan this out.......and below are the results.  The evening started out with just me, Mark, Amber, Katy, Kate, and Emily, but we then added Trevor, Devin, Nick, Sammy, and Amy.  Now since we decided to dress up we needed to find dresses for everyone at NO COST.  How to do that was the question!?!  The Answer:  Amber and her sister to the rescue.  In her attic she had a pile of dresses from her sister.  With lots of pinning and a sweater to hide all the safety pins the girls looked beautiful.  We were kind to the guys and just made them wear shirts and ties instead of tux's (Gotta keep the cost down)  We had so much fun.

Trevor, Nick and Devin 

One of the funniest things of the evening was how many people thought Nick looked liked Ron Weasley.  People even wanted to get there pictures taken him.   How fun!!!

Sammy, Amy, Katy, and Kate, aren't they beautiful!!!!! 

  The whole group - they do clean up nice.

Amber was able to get a second use out of her prom dress this year...GO AMBER!!!

 And, yes I even dressed.

 We went to the double feature that showed Part 1 at 9 pm and Part 2 at 12 am.  We were in our seats by 6:40 pm and we got home around 3:45 am.  A LONG, fun evening.

 The girls two rows behind me.

 When we got to the movie a newspaper photographer was taking pictures for the paper, we didn't make it in the paper, but it was fun to be asked.

I have had so much fun over the years going to the Harry Potter midnight openings, I will miss them......the people, the excitement, the fun.....but what a run and what a way to "go out" we will always look back and say remember when....



June Odds and Ends

As the school year was wrapping up in June, Mark and Amber went on several field trips with school.  The History Club went to Washington, DC, where Mark was thrilled to see Mummies.

AND a giant squid.  That is what Amber looks forward to each year.

 Then the Junior Class went to Ellis Island.

 The kids did great in school, Mark and Katy both earned High Honors.  Katy also had a 4.0 for the semester.  Go Katy.  The biggest happening in June was that on June 28th, Mark turned 18 years old.  How did that happen that I now have two sons over 18.  If I close my eyes, they are still little kids running around with underware on their heads.  Time goes way to fast.

 Happy 18th Birthday Mark!!!!

Mark and Amber's Prom - May 6, 2011

This past year Mark was a Junior, so of course as the year came to a close he and his girlfriend Amber dressed up and went to Prom.  They had a great time and do clean up nicely.

 Katy and Becca wanted to come and see Amber in her Prom Gown.  Katy has many ideas now for when "she goes to Prom".  I told her that would be a LONG, LONG time away.

 What a handsome son!!!!



 It takes some time getting use to walking in heels and a long dress, Amber's mom Mary fixed the snag in no time.

 Mark and Amber went to Prom with Emily and Jason.  Emily is one of Amber's cousins and Jason and Mark have been friends since Kindergarten.

 Mark and Jason Berti.

 Time to go 

Knoebels Amusement Resort

One of the places that our family loves to go every summer is Knoebels Amusement Resort.  It is an amusement park about an hour away, parking is free, you can either bring your own food and eat under a pavilion or buy your food.  What make Knoebels so different is that you can get an all day ride pass for only $38, but you can also buy tickets that you use only when you ride the rides.  The park is under trees with lots of benches for relaxing if you are not on a ride, and the food is GREAT!!!  Love the taco pizza and mango smoothies, okay and the ice cream, funnel cake, french fries.....I think you get the idea.  Last year we brought my Mom and Gunnar here for the first time and they loved it, so this summer we planned another trip for a fun filled evening. We met Karl's brother Jim and our niece Lily there and had a fun night riding the rides. 

The ferris wheel lets you see the whole park from a birds eye view.  Mom, Gunnar, Becca, and Steven had a great time seeing the park.

Gunnar then went on the Flyers with Steven, big mistake......He was a lovely shade of green when they were done!

The nice thing with all the benches, Gunnar was able to get a break, we also checked out some of the shops that Knoebels has.  With the benches you can sit in one area and the kids can go on all the rides around those benches.  After awhile I suggested the Antique Cars, a slow ride, no problems, very relaxing, I know I enjoyed sitting in the back seat while Karl drove "Miss Kelly" around.

Katy drove Uncle Jimmy and Lily around, she will be a great driver as long as she doesn't follow the "little devil" behind her shoulder known as "Uncle Jimmy" who kept telling her to "hit" the car in front of her which we us.  Uncle Jimmy was ignorring the "Do not hit car in front of you" sign.

 So just to make the antique cars interesting, Grammie let Steven drive their car.....NOT.....after the first ten feet Grammie turned the wheel and Steven did the gas.  So much for Grandpa Gunnar having a smooth ride.  I'm just glad that Steven has 5 or 6 years before he gets his permit!

Below are some more pictures of the "Brave Dad's" going on the rides with the kids.

Don't worry they also had lots of time to visit.

  A fun time was had by all that night.

 In the picture below is Amber, Mark and Johnathan (Mark and Drew's friend).  Drew and Luke stayed home from this trip, because we were going back to Knoebels the next Monday, July 4th. 

 Lily Pitcavage, Katy and Becca Dymond.  Lily had so much fun being with her older cousins and riding the "Big Kid" rides with them. 

The next Monday was July 4th and we had the Pitcavage Rebellion (Reunion) at Knoebels.  You would think that the 4th of July would be a busy day, but it was a slow day at the park, no lines, small crowds, not to hot a day, no rain.  We couldn't have asked for anything better.

This is how we keep Luke entertained at Knoebels

 Yes, I did go on rides!

Luke's favorite ride is the pioneer train, it goes 1 1/2 miles into the woods, it is the most relaxing and peaceful rides.  I love it too!!!!

 On the 4th, Katy brought her friend Lexi with us to Knoebles.  Lily had a great time when we caught up with they in the afternoon riding the adult rides.

 After a fun day at the park, we went back to my In-laws house and watched the fireworks.  What a great way to end a fun day!!