Introducing.......PEPPER!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, we now have a new addition to our home. Making his grand debut to the world, is Pepper!!
pepper arrived on our door step exactly 2 weeks ago today. Jonathan and I were up getting ready for work when we heard a cat in the front bushes. We went outside to find a small kitten popping out of the bushes. He seemed to be crying like a baby. I couldn't help but fall in love with him. Jonathan new it was over right then and there.
Jonathan has never wanted animals in the house (country boy) and I have been pondering the thought of a cat for a while now.
Later that day, after Jonathan and I talked, Jonathan said he would let me decide if we were going to keep him. I tossed around the idea for a few days while I was feeding him on the front porch everyday. I knew we couldn't keep him as an outside cat because our road is way too busy. So the only options were to keep him in the house or take him to the animal shelter. I decided to keep him.
That Saturday I took him to the vet. We found out that he is in perfect condition and is 8 weeks old. That was the day we brought him into the house.
He has been so much fun. Although we are literally counting the days until the claws can be removed. Jonathan and I both have battle wounds all over us. Also hoping the furniture can make it another 1 1/2 months.
I know Jonathan was a little leery of having him in the house, but as predicted, they have now become buddies. I have to say, I think he is quite personable. We get the biggest kick out of watching him play. His own tale can entertain him for quite a while. Instead of scratching his scratching pole, he climbs it then spins around and around. I seem to call him Turkey more then anything when he is being ornery.
I guess I could tell a few more stories, but I will just let the pics do the talking.


Here he is!!!!!!! What a turkey.
Pepper thought this would be a good place for his next nap. On the news paper while it's being read.
My two best guys.

A Very Busy Weekend

This weekend has been very busy for us.
If you have ever driven by our house, you have seen the hideously large bushes in our yard. We had 7 of these in our back yard. One fell down with the ice storms we had last winter, and the others we cut down this weekend. Jonathan started with the chainsaw on Thursday and then rented a chipper on Saturday for he and his dad to run everything through.

On Sunday I threw my sister-in-law, Betsy, a baby shower for my new nephew, Max, on the way in less then 3 weeks.. Due to space, we had the shower at the Holiday Inn, which really ended up working out pretty good. They made all the food for us and did all the prep and cleanup. Only thing I had to do was decorate and bring the cake.
I also gave Betsy the baby blanket that I had made for her. All those weeks that Jonathan was working out of town, I spent at Jonathan's parents house. I had the idea and did all the prep work. Jonathan's mother helped me sew it together. I hadn't touched a sewing machine since I was 13 and a Girl Scout. I was definitely a little rusty. I sewed it together and Jonathan's mother fixed all the boo boo spots for me. Pics are posted below.

I also have an updated picture of our garden which seems to have exploded the past few weeks. I have a pic posted of the first cucumber picked on Saturday. We invited Jonathan's Mother over for lunch since the guys were still chipping up the bushes. We all got a taste of the first pick of the season. We also noticed the Roma tomatoes finally starting to come in. The corn has the silk, but the beetles seem to be getting there way at the moment. I think we will be spraying this week to keep the pests off. Hopefully the corn will make it. I think the corn might only have another week or two left.

Look Out!!! Stand Clear!!
Timberrrrrrrr!!!
Running everything through the Chipper.

Baby shower cake that says "Baby Max".
Betsy received a Onesie that said Australia from one of my cousins. She just got home from Australia after three weeks, on Saturday. She managed to bring this back for Betsy's shower.
This is the baby blanket that I made.
Garden check. As you can see, things are a bit crowded with the cucumbers having there way.
First pick of the season before we cut into it. I haven't quite figured out why they call them Straight Eight Cucumbers. Judging by the look of things, we will have plenty to share!!

Niagara Falls

Last weekend, everyone knows we went to Niagara Falls. I have to say, Jonathan and I had a really great time. If you haven't been there yet then it needs to be added to your list.
We ended up renting a car for the trip to help ease up on the mileage on our car. We paid for a full size car hoping to get a Dodge Charger. We ended up getting a Jeep Compass. To me, it definitely did not seem like a full size car. It was an SUV that was smaller then our car. Luckily it was just my size for driving. I think it even grew on Jonathan along with getting decent gas mileage.
We arrived on Thursday about 2pm, about an hour ahead of what we predicted. We just kinda took it easy that day since we had been driving so much. We first headed to dinner at The Red Coach Inn. The menu was VERY expensive, so I ended up with a Cheese Burger and Jonathan got the Fish n Chips. They had to be the fanciest Burger and Fish I had ever seen. We then strolled down to the falls. Luckily, our hotel was within walking distance of most everything important. When we got back to the hotel that night, we got to watch a spectacular Fireworks display over the Seneca Casino that we could see from outside our hotel.
On Friday, we decided to join a tour that picked us up at our hotel. The bus took us to all the important sights and definitely saved us a bit of gas and driving frustration. Since it was the fourth of July, everyone around the world was also there. We got to stop at Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Goat Island, The Whirlpool, Thunder Theater and a few other places that I can't remember what they were called. Jonathan and I really loved the Maid of the mist and Cave of the Winds. We got to take the boat all the way up to the falls in Maid of the Mist. In Cave of the Winds, we got to climb to the side of Bridal Veil falls while letting the falls come down on us. We got a few pics of m\Maid of the Mist but couldn't get any of Cave of the Winds. That night we watched the Fireworks displayed over the falls.
On Saturday, we just did our own thing. We walked the streets and the falls again. At night we headed to the falls again to see the Illumination at the falls. They light up the falls most every night and everyone migrates down there to get the best pictures.
On Sunday, we started home. When we got to Erie, PA we decided to stop on Presque Isle. This is a peninsula that goes into the Erie Lake from Erie. Presque Isle is a heavily wooded Park that was filled with campers, boats, fishing, biking and everything else needed for a great family destination. It also had a really great view of the lake.
We finally made it home about 6pm on Sunday.
Jonathan did take some videos while we were there, but we still can't figure out how to get them on the computer. Anyway, hope everyone likes our other pictures




The Trolley we took the first day that took us all around for $2.00.
Bridge over the Niagara River that goes over to Goat Island
Us at the Falls
Fireworks at the Seneca Casino
The biggest Firework we saw over the Casino. Probably the biggest I had ever seen.

One of the bridges that leads over to Canada. What you can't see is the long line waiting to get across the boarder.
View of the American Falls From Maid of the Mist
That's me wearing the rain poncho for Maid of the Mist
View of Horseshoe Falls

View of American Falls from the Observation Deck

Our goofy shoes given to us as part of the Cave of the Winds tour, so our sneakers wouldn't get wet.
Sunset view of the Canadian Farris Wheel
That's us at the Illumination on Saturday.
Presque Isle Fishing Pier and Lighthouse
That's me at Presque Isle Lagoon

What were you doing one year ago today??

One year go today, actually to the minute, Jonathan and I were getting married.

Above, is a picture of our anniversary cake. This was made buy the same lady that made our wedding cake. To make sure everyone got a piece of cake at the wedding, we decided not to keep the top layer of our cake. Instead, she offered to make us a fresh 1 year anniversary cake. Since Jonathan and I had both taken today off work, we ventured down to Dayton to pick up the cake.

So tonight we are cookin out and having cake for dessert.

I will have our Niagara Falls pics posted soon. I need a chance to sort through them and make sure we got some good shots. Also, does anyone know how to post videos on the blog? At the moment, we can't figure out how to get them out of the camera. We got a new camera before our vacation and now we can't figure how to work it. HELP!!

Almost 1 Year!!

To celebrate our 1 year anniversary, we have decided to take a little vacation. Many of you already know we are heading off to Niagara Falls.
We are up an at'em at 4:30 am tomorrow morning. Instead of flying this time, we are taking on the open roads. Yes. This is the first road trip that Jonathan and I have taken by ourselves. We have taken long trips before, but usually with 1 or 2 others in the car. I am usually comfortably sleeping in the back seat, but this time I actually get to help drive. We are expecting about an 8-9 hour trip, weather/traffic permitting. Unofficially, I am going to attempt the drive to Cleveland then help Jonathan navigate through Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
We are renting a car this time to help alleviate the mileage off our car. Jonathan is pumped because we may get to drive a Dodge Charger (we'll see). That will probably feel like a tank to me, since I usually drive small cars.
We will be staying on the New York side, since we weren't sure if we could get into Canada. (Does anyone actually know? We have gotten so many different answers) I guess we will wait and see when we get there. I'm really hoping to see a great fireworks display while we are there.
Anyway, I will fill everyone in upon our return! Stay tuned.......................

Look what's growing around the house!

Both of these rose bushes were given to us last year at one of my wedding showers from Jonathan's family. His Uncle Don and Aunt Janet along with there whole family went in together to get us these roses. The yellow one grew pretty good last year and the red was a bit slow and worrisome. After the hack job we did on them last fall, they managed to bounce back like champs. The red roses are growing even bigger this year!!!

We have life!! Yes, I feel I am over coming the Swigart curse. Swigarts aren't exactly known for green thumbs (except for my Aunt Sandy who is president of the flower club). A Swigart yard usually isn't the prettiest on the block. But, I think I am having some luck with my garden. This picture is about 2 weeks old. So, the plants are actually a little bigger now. I think my corn will be knee high buy the 4th of July!! My tomatoes had me worried for a few weeks while it was cool. All the leaves had fallen off the plants and they only looked like sticks in the ground. But now they are bushy with leaves. In about another 2 weeks, we should be ready to tie them up. My cucumber seeds had some issues though. I planted 2 hills of seeds like I was supposed to. With the cool weather we had, they just didn't want to come up. So, I went to Walley World and found some cucumber plants. I planted 2 in the garden and they began to take off right away. Wouldn't ya know it, when we came back from Pennsylvania, 3 of my cucumber seeds sprouted through. That was a VERY hot weekend and apparently just what the seeds needed to start growing. We now have 5 cucumber plants growing. So, I think we will be up to our ears in cucumbers this year (Hopefully). If anyone needs cucumbers around about August, just give us a call!

Abe S. Yoder Jr. 4/9/1915 - 6/3/2008

This past Sunday Jonathan and I along with his brother Steve made the long journey once again back to Big Valley. A glorious stretch of Gods Country located in the Kishacoquillas Mountains of Pennsylvania. The small Amish town of Belleville was our destination.
This trip was different then any other time that I have gone with Jonathan and his family. This trip was to celebrate the life of Abe Yoder, Jonathans grandfather. Grandpa Yoder passed away in the evening on Tuesday, June 3, 2008.
To say that Abe was a well liked man in Big Valley is a bit of an under statement. In his 93 years, Abe had the pleasure of touching many lives, mine included. His undying love of The Lord was reflected in everything he did and to everyone he talked to. The last few months of his life were spent in the hospital or in the nursing home in Big Valley. Many people have said that they went to visit him hoping to cheer him up. When really, Abe was usually the one cheering up the visitor buy the time they left.
Jonathan and I both expected this funeral to be a big event in Big Valley. They weren't able to have the funeral at there own church because they knew there wouldn't be enough room. So they moved the viewing and funeral down to the Locust Grove Mennonite Church, which is also right around the corner from where he would be burried. We believe there were 500 to 600 people who showed for the 2 viewings on Sunday and about 200-250 that came for the funeral service on Monday.
The funeral service was absolutely beathtaking to say the least. Abe had purposefully chosen some of the songs we sang that day. With each song reminding everyone of how much he loved Jesus. I can honesty say that I have never heard singin the way I heard that day. The first song we sang was "The Love of God" and I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the room. All 3 of Abes sons got up and also sang for the crowd, one of the songs being a song that Abe had requested. For those that came to our wedding last July, you were fortunate to see Abe singing with his sons for one of the last times.

The picture above really means a lot to both Jonathan and I. We weren't for sure if either one would be able to make the long hot trip from Pennsylvania to come to our wedding last summer. Somehow, they both made it and we were able to get some priceless pictures that will aways be cherished.

On the back of the funeral service program, they printed some quotes that were noted and written in Grandpa Yoder's Bible. One of the quotes written that I felt I related to the most was:

"Knowing about God interests us. But knowing God changes us."

Indianapolis 500

Last Sunday, we did one of the awsomest (yes I said awsomest) things ever. We went to the Indianapolis 500. I got the tickets in September and it seemed to take forever for the day to arrive.
The day started early. We were out the door about 7:15am because we knew we would have to fight the traffic. We exited off the highway in Indianapolis at exactly 9:00am and got about 2 miles down the road and there we sat in traffic. It took us 2 hours to get from where we were stopped, to our parking spot. We bought a prepaid parking pass, but we were very tempted to just part in someones yard, like everyone else. People were making a killing buy charging people to park in there front yard. But we carried on and waited for our parking lot to appear. Once we made it to our parking spot we headed out on foot. After shuffling through the crowd, we were sitting in our seats at 11:50 am. We then watched what was left and what we could see of the preshow.
Our seats weren't really the best, but they were covered and they had seat backs. We were sitting directly in front of the very last pit. The only great thing about our seats were that we could see everyone coming into the pit and we could see all the starts. The pace car would exit and the cars would step on it just to our left. Other then that, we had to watch the race up on the jumbo tron screen. If you have ever been to this track, you know there is no good seat. It is impossible to see the whole track at once.
When the race finally started, I was completely star-struck. I couldn't believe I was actually there. This has always been on my "to do" list. I have watched these guys and gals race for a while now, and now i was actually there. Even though I couldn't see there face, I was still star-struck. I spent most of the race trying to get pictures of Danica Patrick (only the coolest chic ever). I would definitely advise taking a fast camera. Our camera is pretty slow and became very hard to get the shots I wanted. Most of them were a blur and had to be deleted.
I would say that I am a pretty big fan of Danica now. When she got bumped on pit road and was taken out of the race, the crowd was on there feet booing and I had an upset stomach. I think a lot of people, like me, thought this could have been her year. I think Danica has really done a lot for this sport and will hopefully bring more women as racers and as fans. I plan on ordering my T-shirt soon.
Anyway, it became a long race with quite a few wrecks happening in turn 4 along with one right in front of us as his car slid sideways into the pits sending everyone scrambling over the wall. The race was finally over about 4:45pm'ish. We stuck around for a bit to let the rushed crowd out. We then started our shuffle back to the car, and sat there for another half hour. We finally got on the road and was still sitting in traffic for an hour. We got to my mothers house at about 7:30pm in Indianapolis, where she had a hot meal waiting for us. After the long day, a hot meal and a bed was just what we needed. Thanks Mom!!
I would definitely recommend this experience for everyone. I felt like a I was a piece of history that day, even though no records were broken. We plan on doing this again sometime. But for now, my nerves are still shot from all the traffic. So maybe this can be a once every five year thing instead of every year.
I can now add another CHECK to my list.


Danica Patricks "Go Daddy.com" car
Pit for John Andretti. One of the few names we recognized around us.
Buddy Lazier pit. directly in front of us. The very last pit.
That's us!!!!!!!!

Tony Kanaan (TK) being hauled back to the pit via wrecker. The crowd really

wanted him to win. Maybe next year Tony.

Sarah Fisher heading into her pit.
Buddy Lazier's first pit for the day. Wow look at these guys go!
This is the big start. Sorry, this is a bit out of order. The pace car just got out
of the way and the crowd was on there feet.

Another one out of order. They had a preshow. They had movie stars riding

in corvettes and all parts of the military marching in.

Milka Duno. Female racer from Brazil.
Pit rush hour. I couldn't believe how intense this was just watching.
Danica Patrick and Helio Castroneves heading into the pits.
Ryan Hunter-Rae rookie year at Indy.

View from windshield on the way out. Gridlock.

A Little Late. I Know.

Well, we finally did it. After weeks of Jonathan being on the road and all the rainy Saturdays, we finally have our garden done. I came home from work on Friday and Jonathan already had the garden plowed and tilled. He tilled about 4 times on Friday and Saturday. We didn't take the grass off before we plowed, so the dirt needed extra tilling. Our garden is about 12' x 16'. Just big enough to give us 3 rows of corn, 3 tomato plants and 2 cucumber hills. I wanted to start small this year and wanted to see if I could actually grow something. I am a little worried about all the grass that was left. We pulled out as much as we could before we planted, but I'm sure some will still grow back. I'll have to be out there weeding as much as possible. Hopefuly, after a couple of years of compost and just working the dirt, the grass won't be as much of an issue
I'm really excited about our garden. The first for this city kid. If all goes well, I should have more than enough to share. I will keep you all updated.

And Then There Was One

Well, it appears our eggs have been relocated. However, there is still one remaining. It"s been about a week now that the nest has only had one egg. I'm assuming this is the one we named Alejandro. He's such a good boy.

Sadly I fear this nest has been abandoned. For whatever reason, this egg was left behind. I've been hoping another mommy bird would come along, but I think it's been too long. I guess I'll give it another week before we take the nest down. :(