Galena

We headed out to one of Our Favorite Places, Galena, IL.

We went Antiquing for the afternoon...
& we enjoyed Ice Cream at a Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor!

Hanging Out in Ky

We have been Cooking Non-Stop. Including My Grandma Garcia's Enchiladas and Homemade Canoli's from scratch! Yum!! (Normally we don't eat so heavy)

David showed us his Muscles.. NON-STOP!! LOL
We setup my Dad's Big Flatscreen to Youtube. Pretty much, Laughing until we were crying...




Favorite Most Quoted YouTube Video of the Week...
Sitting On The Toilet

Brenton Mowing the Lawn
with Grandpa Culotta

Between Grandpa Thorpe & Grandpa Culotta... Brenton is all set in the Tractor department. He helped Grandpa cut the ENTIRE Lawn. Enjoying every second of it.

Oh & Miss Savannah wanted to wear her cowgirl outfit today... She just wanted to watch with Aunty Mallory. :)

The Broken Butterfly

On the Evening of the 18th, after we had put the kids to bed. Alan & I headed outside to water our garden. It has been so incredibly, HOT this week. A High of 93 degrees that day... making the heat index in triple digits. It was a good reason to water at night, while it was cool. Just as we were about to water, something caught my eye. Their sitting on top of our Corn, was a beautiful Black Monarch Butterfly. I realized that a bird, or something had tried to eat it. Half of it's left wing was missing. I went into the house, grabbed a lid, & carefully placed the butterfly on it. We left it in the garage that night & went to bed.

Early the next morning, I attempted to get some weeding done, before the hottest hours hit. We were expecting a high of 97 degrees. The weeds in Iowa, grow so fast. Because of the extreme heat, it has been too hot to weed. With no end in sight, I decided that I would do a little bit each morning. I started to get to work, weeding Our little Garden. 35 Minutes later, we we were all drenched in sweat. It had gotten too hot, too fast. We went into the Garage and found that the Butterfly had died.
I decided to take the Butterfly into the house to get some photos of it with the kids.

Brenton & Savannah were so Sad that the Butterfly had died. (see how drenched we were?!)

We went to the other side of the house, to have some lunch & play. Leaving the Butterfly in the Entry, on the Buffet. Later that day, Alan came home from work. The kids wanted to show him the Broken Dead Butterfly. To our amazement, the Butterfly was NOT dead, but Alive!!!! We could not believe it!!! Walking all around the little red lid!!! We decided to leave the Butterfly alone for the most part that evening.

The next morning, we found the Butterfly, walking all around the buffet. Beyond thrilled! We all took turns holding it... It was even trying to flap its wings!! That Evening, I googled how to make Butterfly Nectar.

The next day, Our Broken Butterfly was so happy. Walking around the Buffet, climbing on the lamp shade base, & frames. Brenton & Savannah wanted to pick some flowers for Our Butterfly. So we did, before we headed out for the afternoon. The kids & I went to the grocery store, to find a Bright Color Sponge for our Butterfly Food. That evening after dinner, the kids & I made the Butterfly Nectar. The Butterfly loved it!!

And then today, 22nd, the Butterfly was kinda sluggish. By Evening Our Broken Butterfly had passed away. :( Brenton & Savannah asked if Our Broken Butterfly was with Jesus in the clouds. It gave us a good opportunity to talk about death. I am so grateful for the chance to show our children the importance of taking care of creatures big or small. 5 days, may not be a long time. But at least Our Broken Butterfly was comfortable, and enjoyed a air conditioned house. :)

4th of July Weekend Part IV Fireworks

So after our afternoon in Galena. We headed home to have Our Own Firework Show. There were alot of people doing the Illegal Fireworks. Wisconsin is like the Wyoming of Utah! And since we are only 5-10 minutes... Im sure the police had there hands full tonight.

We actually didn't have to buy any new fireworks this year. We still have lots of leftovers from last year in Utah. :)


Dad lighting the getting ready...

Savannah wasn't feeling so good. So Brenton went into the house, & came outside with his Cars Camping Chair for his sister to sit on. I am always so taken back by how thoughtful and sweet Brenton is.


The Kids LOVED the Fireworks.
They were so memorized...

We also had fun with Sparklers...

Here is a Recap of Our past 2 days...



We Hope Everyone had a Great 4th of July!!!