We spent all Saturday over at my aunt and uncles - Dave and Barbs house. I felt like a country girl this day. All the women did was cook, set the table, serve lunch, eat, clean up. Sit for 5 minutes, pick lima beans from the garden, shell lima beans, cook/prep more food, set table, serve dinner, clean up dinner and dishes. I was wore out from hanging in the kitchen the entire day but it was great fellowship with my mom and my aunts, the kids had a ball playing outside and with all the old school Little People sets and it was nice to prepare meals for my uncles who were working so darn hard the entire day.
It is hard to describe the feelings I had when I would look outside or stand on the deck and listen to the men working. My uncle Dave is the 2nd to oldest and his baby brothers - ok, so maybe they aren't *babies* but *younger brothers* all came up (1 lives in Knoxville, 1 in Champaign, IL and another in Columbus, OH) to help my uncle build this garden shed. It just showed what families are suppose to do in a time of need. Sacrifice whatever they had planned to come and help their older brother who is fighting a non-discriminating disease. I went away from this weekend being so proud to be a member of this family.
Descriptions will be below each picture.
This was around 10:00 am on Saturday. David (green hat, Dale white hat and Merlin -hidden but wearing a white doo rag (is that how that is spelled?).
Going with the philosphy of measure twice, cut once.
My aunts - Barb, Debbie, my mom and my cousin Tonja shelling lima beans (a first for me. I did try the lima beans and I'm with my Uncle Dale - they still taste horrible after all these years. Not missing much by not eating them for the last 34 years or so).My mom and I did take about an hour away from the kitchen work to take the girls to the creek...or *crick* as it is called in Lawshe. :) Growing up when we went to visit my Grandpa - my sister, brother and I looked forward to swimming in the creek all.year.long. It wasn't until I was about 25 did I realize most people didn't swim in nasty creek water while visiting grandparents. lol
Isabella testing the water out.
Ava copping a squat on a rock. The creek was really low due to lack of rain this summer.
I wish I knew how to draw on a picture so I could circle and put a big ole arrow on the photo so you could see what Ava was doing. She had caught a toad and was throwing it up in the air. PETA...don't bother writing me - I already discussed this with Ava. :)
Ava going after another frog.
Almost catching it.
Got it!
Here Ava was just soaking up the sun! I love this kids zest for life. She wears me out - but she can enjoy the smallest things to the fullest. I love her to pieces.
Ok - Ava has finally released the frogs to freedom and she has decided to do what all of her great Uncles do while at the creek and *skip rocks*. Problem is, Ava picks up 3 lb rocks to try and skip. lol She had a blast doing it - and in the grand scheme of things, that is all that matters.
She's released this one like a discus. Her Aunt Michelle would be proud of her form. :)
We saw a crane just enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Beautiful Isabella.
Ava was so funny with this rock. She knows it is a Garza tradition to stand on a rock and have your picture taken while on vacation. So, she spotted this rock, climbed on it and said for me to take her "rock" picture. She's caught on quick and I hope she continues this tradition with her kids.
Here is a picture later in the day before dinner. They worked for over 8 hours. After dinner my uncle Merlin (my moms twin brother) had to head back to Columbus because he is a preacher and had to preach the next morning - but my other uncle Eddie (who closely resembles the Uncle in Christmas Vacation in so many ways its funny) had arrived and he took over with the construction. 
When we were getting ready to leave for the evening the girls were sitting at the end of the driveway with Barb and my aunt Debbie. It was so cute seeing them sitting on the flower bed rocks watching the cows...even though the girls were dirty, dirty, dirty and hair falling out of ponytails.
Here is a picture of my aunts brother moving the calfs (I don't know at what age a calf isn't a calf but anyways...) from the Mama cows (probably a farm word for that as well) to another field. The Mama's were NOT happy with this move. But - my girls loved seeing the cows run by so close to them. Me - on the other hand was scared one was going to jump on my car and put a dent in it. lol
Ava crashed after a shower. It took a matter of a few short minutes and she was fast asleep in the recliner while watching TV.
Isabella flashing her peace out sign. She's so cool. lol :)
Sunday morning at Dave and Barbs church - Dale and Debbie sang the special music. It was a goose bump causing song. They sounded so good. And the bonus for us is they are going to be singing again when we all go back over in October for a birthday party for Uncle Dave. Thanks Dale and Debbie! You are such a blessing to me and my family! Love you!
And after church at a restaurant eating lunch. Ava wearing her frog princess aluminum foil crown she made in Sunday school with my mom.
There were many tears shed during this photo op by Ava but she made me promise I wouldn't post the pictures of her crying so I'm keeping my end of the deal. Now, lets hope she keeps hers by not crying the next time we visit. :)
Isabella testing the water out.
Ava copping a squat on a rock. The creek was really low due to lack of rain this summer.
I wish I knew how to draw on a picture so I could circle and put a big ole arrow on the photo so you could see what Ava was doing. She had caught a toad and was throwing it up in the air. PETA...don't bother writing me - I already discussed this with Ava. :)
Ava going after another frog.
Almost catching it.
Got it!
Here Ava was just soaking up the sun! I love this kids zest for life. She wears me out - but she can enjoy the smallest things to the fullest. I love her to pieces.
Ok - Ava has finally released the frogs to freedom and she has decided to do what all of her great Uncles do while at the creek and *skip rocks*. Problem is, Ava picks up 3 lb rocks to try and skip. lol She had a blast doing it - and in the grand scheme of things, that is all that matters.
She's released this one like a discus. Her Aunt Michelle would be proud of her form. :)
We saw a crane just enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Beautiful Isabella.
Ava was so funny with this rock. She knows it is a Garza tradition to stand on a rock and have your picture taken while on vacation. So, she spotted this rock, climbed on it and said for me to take her "rock" picture. She's caught on quick and I hope she continues this tradition with her kids.
Here is a picture later in the day before dinner. They worked for over 8 hours. After dinner my uncle Merlin (my moms twin brother) had to head back to Columbus because he is a preacher and had to preach the next morning - but my other uncle Eddie (who closely resembles the Uncle in Christmas Vacation in so many ways its funny) had arrived and he took over with the construction. Side note about Eddie - he is all about bargains. Well, free is more like it - but he brought the girls some stuff he got at an auction and so now they think he is just about the greatest thing since sliced bread. He brought them a HUGE bag of magnets. I will take a picture of my fridge with only a small fraction of the magnets - needless to say there is not any available room left - and some of the magnets are quite questionable with their sayings. He also gave us a big box of Christmas ornaments. These I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I am addicted to Christmas ornaments and having a memory or story behind each ornament so this makes me so giddy and happy you can't begin to imagine! Also he brought a Barbie computer (working even!!) for them and a couple other toys. I love that he thought of my girls to bring this stuff for them. :) I know I'm getting off track and long winded but - hey - it's my journal/memory keeper so to speak so I'll ramble...I love watching my aunts and uncles with my girls. They love on them like they are their own grandchildren. They are constantly playing with them, hugging and holding them, pestering and teasing. It just warms my heart to see it and how the relationship develops.
Ok, enough sap....
When we were getting ready to leave for the evening the girls were sitting at the end of the driveway with Barb and my aunt Debbie. It was so cute seeing them sitting on the flower bed rocks watching the cows...even though the girls were dirty, dirty, dirty and hair falling out of ponytails.
Here is a picture of my aunts brother moving the calfs (I don't know at what age a calf isn't a calf but anyways...) from the Mama cows (probably a farm word for that as well) to another field. The Mama's were NOT happy with this move. But - my girls loved seeing the cows run by so close to them. Me - on the other hand was scared one was going to jump on my car and put a dent in it. lol
Ava crashed after a shower. It took a matter of a few short minutes and she was fast asleep in the recliner while watching TV.
Isabella flashing her peace out sign. She's so cool. lol :)
Sunday morning at Dave and Barbs church - Dale and Debbie sang the special music. It was a goose bump causing song. They sounded so good. And the bonus for us is they are going to be singing again when we all go back over in October for a birthday party for Uncle Dave. Thanks Dale and Debbie! You are such a blessing to me and my family! Love you!
And after church at a restaurant eating lunch. Ava wearing her frog princess aluminum foil crown she made in Sunday school with my mom. 
There were many tears shed during this photo op by Ava but she made me promise I wouldn't post the pictures of her crying so I'm keeping my end of the deal. Now, lets hope she keeps hers by not crying the next time we visit. :)
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