A Day At The Beach

It was hot hot last weekend, so we cooled off in the water. Amya had a load of friends to play with.

Welcome Baby Charlotte!

Congratulations Kara and Jason! She is beautiful!

...And Then There Were Two...

Hockey, Dockey and George the firsts got eaten by the neighbor's dog. Then we got Hockey, Dockey and George the seconds, plus Mocha and, oh I can't remember the fifth one's name. She didn't last long and neither did Mocha. They both met with an ill fate from the neighbor's dog as well.
But Hockey II, Dockey II and George II grew into beautiful chickens! They pranced around the yard, strutting and pooping everywhere. Happy chickens!....or so we thought. When we got back from vacation we realised that George II, well George II really is a "George"! She was a he all along. So, George II went to go live on a chicken farm in Goldendale to help make lots of baby chicks.
Now we have Hockey II and Dockey II. And they ARE happy chickens.

Crazy Kids!

Mean Momma!

Nelson is getting up on all fours! And, although I'm NOT ready for crawling (i.e. baby proofing), I do excited about milestones. Too bad Nelson isn't as excited.........

(when this boy puts on that pout, I have no defense!!!)

Michigan Vacation Part III

...and we made it home safely with Grammy and Pappy!

Michigan Vacation Part II

It was like a movie, our vacation. There were kids everywhere, wet bathing suits drying out in the sun. Bike rides to the ice cream store and even library. A day on the island, riding bikes, shopping for junk toys and avoiding horse poop in the streets. A jaunt up to Whitefish Point, some waterfalls, a museum or two. No dare Jenga this year, but there was an Amazing Race that made us work off some of the "vacation food". We had a blast!!!

Nelson, in his rightful spot.....on Taylor's hip.

Grandma Chris, sharing an ear of corn.

Whitefish Point

Danielle, selling candy bars on the sidewalk (and that's all I have to say about that).

Danielle and John were reading a book together...out loud. Then they would discuss it. I think I might copy them.

Nelson, getting some grandma time from Grandma Chris and Mema

A big pile of kids!

The 2010 family picture!

Michigan Vacation Part I

We took a vacation a couple weeks ago. It was so fun to get away and see family and relax and play! We took a red-eye to Detroit and had breakfast with my Aunt Page's family. The kids got some cousin time!

It's In The Bag!

My friend, Pam, sent me this idea to make ice cream with just a few ingredients and materials. We decided to try it this morning and it worked! Not only did it work, but it was delicious! The recipe base is vanilla. Instead of adding fruit, we added peppermint extract and a little food coloring (which Amya ended up wearing...wouldn't do that part again). YUMMMMMMM!!!

"S h a k e...s h a k e....s h a k e"

INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup organic half-and-half, soy milk, goat's milk or whole cow's milk

1/4 cup fresh organic fruit (peeled, diced or chopped, as needed)

1 Tbs sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 sandwich-sized zip top bag (we double bagged it)

1 gallon-sized zip top bag

3 cups crushed ice

1/3 cup rock salt

TO PREPARE Place the first four ingredients in the smaller zip top bag and seal. Make sure it is tightly closed! You may want to double bag here for extra insurance against spillage.Place the ice and rock salt into the larger zip top bag and then insert the small bag with the ice cream mix, snuggling it down inside the ice and salt. Seal the large bag.Once you have assembled the bags, squeeze and knead the bags together until the ice cream has frozen–about 10 to 15 minutes. If you are making this with at least a couple of kids (or even one child and yourself), it is fun to stand across from each other and toss the bags back and forth – gently – to get the "churning" process started. They will need to complete the freezing process with the squeezing and kneading. Once the ice cream is frozen, remove the small bag, wipe off the water and salt, unseal it and eat your delicious, homemade ice cream straight from the bag. No need to even dirty a bowl! (Warning:do not empty salty water onto the lawn, it will kill it.)

Happy Belated Birthday, Kadence!

We can't wait to see you in a couple days!
p.s. we are super excited about your birthday present!!

Happy Belated 4th Of July!

Would You Trust These Two...

...yahoos with your teenage daughter??!!

I don't know what Cheryl and Kevin were thinking!

...but they knew what they were getting her into!!

(June 2009)

**disclaimer: I can attest that Taylor was safe at all times, except for the ten minutes when we let her run up the side of the cliff by herself because we were too exhausted to go with her. But even then, I'm pretty sure she was safe.