Grandma and Patty's Visit

Last weekend Grandma and Patty (who just passed the Bar and we are very proud of) came for a visit.  

We always have fun with them and this visit was no exception.  We did miss Trisha and Mia (well I can't say that Rickey missed Mia), but we did have a great time!

The girls said,

 "Why have just a cup of tea when we could have a whole tea party?"

So they got out recipes, went to the store and got to work!

And then we figured, "Why have only one grandma when we could have two?"

And, of course Mandy figured, "Why pour cream out of a regular pitcher when we could have it come straight from the month of a porcelain cow?"

A wonderful time was had by all!

There were some who were not invited to the tea party because they are sadly lacking in tea party manners, 

but there were a few leftovers.

They did have to share the leftovers with the girls, though.

After a rousing round of Killer Bunnies...

Qwerkle was next.  We figured, "Why use only one box of Qwerkle tiles when we could use two?"

Then Mandy and Patty thought, "why play 10 Days in one continent when you 

can play 40 days in 4 continents?"

What do you mean I can't sit here?

We can't wait to get together again soon!

Fall 2014

Despite being a very colorful time of year, I'm not usually very excited when Fall rolls around, because it means that summer is over.  This year, though, it means we are that much closer to our soldier coming home on leave in December! 

NO TECH TUESDAY

    This year, we are trying something that never would have occurred to me that there would be a need for when I started homeschooling in 1996.  I have outlawed the use of technology on Tuesdays, as in no internet-no social media-off the radar all day and hanging out with Mom!  The news was quite a shock, at first, but I think it has opened a whole new world for the kids, which is really an old world for anybody over 30.  

I think they have found that amazing things can be accomplished when you aren't carrying an Ipod that buzzes for your attention every 30 seconds.

We spent the morning picking blackberries and the came back and David made this beautiful Blackberry Crisp.

Alanna and Evonne made Blackberry freezer jam

Alanna decided to make 4 loaves of Banana Bread (2 with nuts, 2 without)

Then we made a huge pan of Pork Fried Rice for dinner.

Evonne and Alanna even spent several hours clearing paths through the blackberry patch to make picking easier for next time, and David went jogging.  They also got in math lessons, and some games. I feel like I have my kids back (at least on Tuesday)!

Tyler-we'll save you some jam and make more crisp and B. Bread when you get home.  The girls wanted to send you some jam, but I don't think that would work :)

Five Years and Three Months!

That is how long it has been since this young man has been in our home.......

   He's bigger, he's older (13), and he's wiser, but he's still the same old Scott.  This visit was an answer to prayer for all of us.  We love ya, Scotty boy, and we'll see you again, soon.

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. 1 Samuel 1:27

Lots of Peaches.....

  175 pounds of peaches,

Jars,

Lids,

Sticky, messy, work

 thanks to Mandy and Stephanie, another year of 4-H fundraiser peaches all canned and frozen.

Photos by Mandy

The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:12

County Fair, One Last Time

The Big County Fair Weekend is over.  It was Alanna's last; her Beloved Leader is retiring and so is Alanna.

Well, they are retiring after they go to State Fair, that is.

fitting and showing

4-H in Action

These handsome Dudes or Dudettes

(didn't wanna get personnel-they are BIG)

And the favorite exhibit of the small animal barn (and probably the whole fair)

THE DUCKEY WATER SLIDE

 Every now and then they would push 

one another or reach too far and down they'd go.

 They loved swimming around after they slid down,

 but I think they might have preferred and easier way to get there.

 When they were ready, they would waddle

 back up the ramp to dry off under their light.