"Ummm, I hear a scratching in my bedroom ceiling...I've heard it a few times before tonight."

Nice!  So he found a glue trap out in the garage and went downstairs for the perfect placement.  "Upon further inspection, I think the noise is coming from the wall.  What should I do?"  So Ted and Teddy went down to cut a hole in the dry wall armed with tools and plastic containers for catching whatever it was that was making the scratching sound.  I had visions of massive holes in the walls throughout Teddy's room. Ha! Ha!  They came up a few minutes later with this big container...and a little mouse friend who stepped on to the glue board so helpfully.  "You will be happy to know that we only cut one small hole on the inside of the closet wall...you cannot even see it!"  I wonder if we can teach our puppy dogs to be mousers?  Right now, they are banned from the basement as some other glue traps have been placed just in case this little mouse had some mouse friends.
Not exactly how Ted saw spending time on Thursday night after a crazy work week with an unexpected emergency three day trip out of town.  If it is not one thing...it is ten thousand other things that make life interesting!  Thankfully, there was a good outcome and Teddy was able to sleep soundly so he was ready for work today!

Pretty with a splash of pink!

Our first-born chair filler turned 19 years old on the 12th of June!  It was a gorgeous day!

We had a yummy meal of grilled chicken together on the deck.  

We have enjoyed many family meals in the last three months. 

                                   Cousins came by with a gift and a favorite coffee drink.

                                        The girl with many expressions enjoyed her gifts.

 And then we sang and she blew out candles and we ate....homemade cheesecake!  I made a caramel sauce and a mocha cream to go with the plain cheesecake.  It was good with a cup of coffee and laughter.

Getting to be a master at trying new food experiments!

 Teddy and I had a date on Sunday afternoon to grocery shop!   Since he is working hard every day, he needed "some good stuff for lunches"!  So...I got his help with the grocery list, chauffeuring, and the loading/unloading the van!  WIN-WIN for MOM!  Aldi always has fun finds...and this time...there were cheese curds.  We both understood that they would not be as good as fresh WI cheese curds but Teddy was willing to take a chance with "we could always deep-fry them"!

                                   So we did!  We also tried some deep fried dill pickles!

                                                      We would call this a tasty success!

                                     It is serious business cooking with Teddy...and hot oil!

Next up to try...funnel cakes!

Watch where you are walking!

I have had the job of taking Teddy to work the last couple days.  As I walked from the van to the house this morning, I watched the sidewalk move mid-stride.  We both were startled!  This little fellow made his way into the landscape as quickly as he could.  I was intrigued by his coloring and markings.

Summer days and summer nights

 Boys who work hard in the heat need lots of water!  He skipped the little water bottles and went for the gallon jug!

 Scraping and painting the deck on the beautiful cool days.

 Prepping the back of the house...and today...still waiting to hear from the guy who wanted the painting job.  Grrr.  Not impressed with him so far...no show no call/text...we used to fire people for that! Uff da.

 Graduation gifts are coming in from near and far.  It is always fun to prepare for the next stage of life...college girl needs a computer!

It's his favorite!

 Every year he requests an ice cream cake...made by his mom!  He doesn't want a DQ one...he wants mom's homemade ice cream cake!  Makes my heart flip flop.

 The older he gets...the less drama...no monster trucks or tractors on top.  This year...I had to fight for the candles.

 But it is still fun to make a wish!  17 years old!  Wow!  He cooked his birthday meal.  He cut his ice cream cake...because his muscles are stronger than mine!

The requested birthday meal...

 but he wanted to cook it!  He has been watching and learning from many videos in preparation of today.  I am so thankful for a beautiful day.

 He dry rubbed the ribs, has a smoke box, and he is spritzing the ribs with pineapple juice.

I am sitting back and watching the process.  I took care of the sides and dessert.

 It was a process...

 of great preparation...

 patience...

 love...

 and reward!

 Oh...we will do this again...with other types and cuts of meat!

"Hey, Alisa....you have some company!"

 Our youth pastor and leaders came to our house today to be a blessing to Alisa.

 "Do I really have to go out there?" YES!  Put your cap, gown, and smile on...and be encouraged by people who care about you.

 A gorgeous Michigan day...

 social distancing...till I went in for hugs for the gals who gave up their Saturday to visit each of our graduates from our church.

 Listening to some loving words from Miss C...

 Some encouraging words from Mr. JV...

 Some fun advertising from Mr. and Mrs. B...

 It was a little windy...she only lost her hat once.

 Standing and watching...and tearing up at the blessings from a Heavenly Father who keeps ministering to Alisa.

 Silly string...Pomp & Circumstance...poppers...certificate...gift...

 For our memories..."Wait, do we have to be 6 feet away?"  No, you are good...ya'll are wearing masks!

 This will be a the graduating class with more little gatherings than most.  Hmmm...which year will be remembered more?  Thoughtful gift...a pretty bracelet and gift card.