Our Bubble World

Ben found a strip of cedar and decided to try is balancing ability

He wasn't so good

Peter on the hiking trail

Peter found a stick and would not let go.  We decided he looked like a wizard in training.

Family picture

There is this little stream that runs through the camp ground.  This year there was actually water flowing.

Daddy and Peter are taking a look

A tree had fallen and made a perfect picture opportunity.  It looks like a shelter for a camper.

The kids wanted to have a campout and that's really more of daddy's thing than mommy's so we compromised and had a camp-in.

They all set up their tents or made some and slept around the house.  Needless to say bedtime was a tad later than usual.

Ben's tent

Chris' tent

Evan's tent

Lexie's tent.....

...but she didn't sleep there.  Instead she wandered into my room and slept in my bed (Doug is in China)

Peter also chose comfort and I don't blame him

Thus ends out camp-in and all is now a distant memory.

I know this small bowl of raspberries may not look impressive but for us it is a milestone.  After years (at least 5) of trying to get our little plants to live and grow and thrive even; this picture shows the first sizeable amount of fruit for our little patch.  I'm now going to go enjoy them.  Unfortunately for Doug he will miss this because he is in China for a work job.

I like dirt as much as the next person.  I mean it is good for planting things in and that's about it.  Lexie however, has a whole different perspective on dirt.  To her it is a gold mine of opportunities.  Mud pies, mud facial, mud hair treatment; really the possibilities are limitless.  However, the consequences of playing in the dirt are not appreciated.  With her curly hair I just can't seem to get the dirt out and it ends up being a war instead of a simple bathtime.  Unfortunately for her she just can't seem to control herself when she gets near dirt.  Last night at grandma and grandpa's she found some nice soft dusty dirt and played herself tired.

My little rag muffin

Little orphan girl

Then it was bathtime and an whole other little girl appeared and I was willing to let her go to bed.

I love having friends.  Unfortunately we live far from some of our very good friends.  Blogs and facebook are good for keeping in touch and knowing what is going on, but there is something to be said about just being together.  Yesterday though we were able to see two families (Buchanans and Nunnellys) and catch up a little bit.

It started with some 4-wheeler rides and cherry picking.  Ohhhh, Doug and I are soooo jealous of their cherry tree.

Ben and Evan

Chris and Lex

Doug, Peter, and I

Peter loved the cherries!

Then was chatting and touring time.  Their garden is huge.  Not is size but in how big their plants are.  Their kale is like what you would get at the store.  Mine is 4" tall.  I'm ready to move to a better growing area.

Our friend Ron Buchanan cut a cabbage leaf and it made the perfect little bonnet for Peter.

Gives new meaning to the phrase cabbage patch kid.

Normally I would not say my husband looks good in a hat.  He is okay, but not really a hat person.  However, he looks hot in this hat.  Can we just say Man from Snowy River?  *Wolf whistle*

Evan found a hat to wear

Lex on the porch swing

Of course with all there was to do Peter took to the rocks.

Doug and Heath chattin'

We had to get a group photo, but nature was fighting us.  First it was the sun.

Then it was the wind

Finally it was our children, but this was the best we could get.  Don't know why Lex wouldn't look at the camera and then Kimble wanted his mommy.  We were missing Keaton, our friends boy, because of an allergic reaction to something earlier in the day.  He was asleep with benedryl coursing through his body.

As I was looking through pictures of Evan's birth I found these.  Shortly after Evan was born there was a family reunion on Doug's side up in our area.  Doug's mom and grandparents come over for a visit.  So we have Doug holding Evan and then his mom, next row is Grandad and Granny, and bottom row is Ben and Chris.  Since this time Grandad has passed on and I'm not sure if my kids remember him.  Glad I have pictures to show them.

Evan and Grandad getting aquainted while Granny watches.

Fruit Snacks as one of his gifts.  By the look of him one would think I didn't feed him.  He is soooo happy for his gift.

Happy Birthday Evan!  We love you.



Then there was the sack race

Go Lexie, Go!

And hula hooping

Poor kid has to live with this shot I got of him.  Looks like he needs to use the bathroom.

And not to forget, Chris' class did a stick puppet play.

Not sure why, but Peter loves this little girl.  I'm not sure what is going to happen when they move, but for now he is in heaven every time he sees his little cousin Addison.

This is me one year ago

This is me now.

I think I've made progress.