Johnny's "Frog"

This is the "frog" that Johnny brought in the house to show Rachel.
Small...spotted...slimy...hmmm
Must be a frog... Right?
Guess again!

Luke's Reward

Luke has been developing his work ethic, and finally received the long sought after fruit of his labor! His reward for becoming diligent and skilled at his chores was to go out for a Japanese hibachi dinner. The correlation was that the hibachi chef is so impressive, precisely because he has diligently practiced his work and become highly skilled at his job.
Luke loved the fire and flash.
It was a great night out for just the two of us.
It is so encouraging to see my son learning to work hard and to enjoy the fruit of his labor.
Thank you Lord for answering my prayers for him, may you continue to guide his path in righteousness and faith.

The Beach Part 2

Now how could you resist such a cute face?

I tell you, Matthew is fearless. He got right in there and joined in on the fun.

This is a little water hole that the kids play in.
I can't get over that Bill played in it as a kid too.

Yep, it's us. Isn't he just so handsome?

The Beach Part 1

This year the kids shocked the socks off us!
They always have preferred the sand over the water.

Here we are in Lake Ontario.

such a beautiful place.

Grandpa with the kids.

Cottage

There's nothin' like makin' memories at
the cottage. I didn't know that the kids like to play football so much!

We spent the 4th of July weekend w/ family this year.

Oh, the hammock. David and Luke enjoyed this immensely.

You know...there are stories of their Daddy in this hammock as a child.
If you get the chance...ask him about that!

Zoo

I just love summer!
Last week, we made it out to the zoo with a slew of friends.
I have great childhood memories of going to the Fort Worth zoo.

Our local zoo is always a fun place to visit.

The kids just love the exhibits where the animals swim right past them!

Brown's Berry Patch

Strawberry pickin'

Makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

We went with a friend who has the cutest baby!

I just love watching babies play together...

We also were able to pick cherries...yum!

They were so plentiful that the trees just sagged with dark

rich sweet cherries. The kids had a great time, and of course

the place had a wonderful playground to go to also.

What fruits do you like to go pick?

A Farm

Sometimes we get the privilege of going to visit our friends

at this farm about 45 minutes from where we live.

That was the case just recently.

We had all sorts of fun...

From goats, to chickens and ducks...

Kids had a turtle from the road (that got away by the way)

shooting a few arrows, holding little kittens and

well, even camping out in a tent at a friend's house.

It was an exciting weekend.

I'm soakin' in this summer!

Fat Ox

Bill entered a contest at a local Museum

to name their beer and won!

This museum is a historical village of houses from

pioneer days to the early 19th century.

Our family has belonged to this museum for a few years now,

and we just can't get over how we hardly ever see the same

thing twice when we go.

So we were invited to a special opening reception

for the old style brewery there. Bill was awarded a growler and

a year membership. We met the potter that made the growler,

and had a wonderful evening together.

The name that he submitted is Fat Ox Ale.

Funny thing is that there was an old Historical photo of

a local prize winning Ox that was 3000 lbs.

The museum used this photo in their presentation of the beer.

Pretty amazing how it all came together.

Congratulations Bill!!!!

My little Veggie garden

We have this TINY yard...Lead contaminated soil, and no full sun.

This poses a problem for a vegetable garden.

So this year, I am VERY excited to plant vegetables in the flower

boxes on our second floor balcony! I was unsure if the area would

get enough sun, but am pleasantly surprised at how well

the plants are growing!!! We have quite a few herbs... lettuce, bell peppers,

cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a TON of green beans.

I have regular tomatoes downstairs in pots.

My friend, Kate, also planted beans from Slovakia on the side

yard along the lattice. I can't wait to see if we actually get

beans from it this year!!!!

Hopefully, I'll remember to post once we start getting a harvest!

What does your garden look like?

Summer project

So Bill decided to embark on a project around the house

that the kids can work along side him. He thought it would

be fun to have a summer project.

So we decided to level out our side yard with a retaining wall.

We started this spring. (you can probably see the tulips.)

and here is the progress so far. He has the fence up and just

finished a gate. We only have a few more things to do...

More pictures to come!!!! I'm excited to have a side yard

for the kids to play and...and well, for me to play in

with my new rose bushes!!!!

Sweet blessings

I have a close friend who has been a big part of
my life in this past year.
She has forever changed what a sister in the Lord is to me.
We took a few pictures in the spring together. We both enjoy flowers and plants.
Our little ones were born a month apart, so it's easy to relate about being a Mother.
Kate, You are Truly a blessing to me! I feel so honored to be a part of your life!
Thank you for the way you have reached out to me in so many ways!

Michigan

Well, It has been too long since I've last posted on the blog...but better late than never!

Here are a few photos from our trip to Michigan this past Easter.
We had such a great time visiting with family.
We spent time that the kids will never forget.
My sister and I were able to meet each other's babies for the first time.
What a treat!

Black Creek

We took a little trip out to the local park. The kids are

growing up so fast that it's just unbelievable! I enjoy

watching how each year they change and grow.

Breadmaker

I've been on a breadmaker kick for a while now.

While visiting my family in MI, we found a bread maker for my mother and one for my sister! So here I find myself experimenting again. Last night, I tried banana bread. Oh, yes! That turned out great! This morning was pumpkin bread. Not so yummy. I thought it was dry. (Not to give up though. I really really like pumpkin bread so I have a few ideas to try again.)

Now I'm sitting here smelling the aroma of cornbread.

Chili is on the stove for dinner, and well, we will see how the corn bread turns out. Yea for the bread machine! Gotta love fresh baked bread with minimal effort!

Oh How the time flies...

I can't believe how fast these months are flying since Matthew was born.

Here's a picture from back in February. He's talking :)

I didn't get everyone in the picture, but I like how they are little stair steps.

Matthew loves to chew those toes... I love to kiss those cute toes...

Matthew's favorite position right now is on his belly.
Isn't he just irresistable? I can hardly put him down. He's a very
cuddly baby!

Winter Adventure

The boys climbing "Mega Hill"

(I'm taking the picture from 1/2 way up)

They wanted to go off trail exploring.

I am thankful for foot prints to find our way back when needed :-)

Her we are at the top.

Notice the tree line behind them.

Time to stop for some Sno-Cones

Remember boys...only vanilla snow

After the snow ball fight its time to build a snow man

OK, he's just a little guy, but what the camera doesn't show

is the big guy behind it, all covered in snow from losing the snow battle.

2 against 1 without good snow gloves...not fair.

Time for the farewell beat down mr snowman.

I can't show the after pictures...far too gruesome