Family photo shoot

It's been a few years since we had family pictures taken. Saturday we were at the farm and decided we'd take some pictures. Dad is selling the place so I'm not sure how many more trips we'll be making out there. I wanted some pictures taken where I grew up and where the boys have loved playing since they were babies. I realized after getting home that my camera settings were not right so I won't be able to print any large copies of these. Bummer! We will have to go again before it gets too cool and take some more....I hope. 

Loving my garden!

 A garden can be a lot of work but when you start seeing the fruits (and veggies) of your labor it's so exciting. Our garden has done very well this year apart from the squash and zuchini which didn't do well at all. I've canned quite a few beans and pickles. One of our favorite things to eat this summer have been jalapeno poppers. I bet I've cooked 80 of those things at least. We've just enjoyed all of the things we've been able to eat from the garden. My green beans have really started coming in over the past week. I'm excited about that. Our watermelons are starting to be ready as well. We picked our first one a few days ago. It's weighed 25.4 pounds! Crazy! It's was so sweet. Here are just a few pictures of some of the things we've enjoyed. We've been able to pick some more cantaloupe too after we got control of the animal situation! Yay.

A new school year

Another school year has started. The boys are all in different schools this year. Crazy how fast they are growing up. I have a 5th, 7th, and 9th grader. I know they will all have a wonderful year and will keep us busy with numerous activities. Practices for high school basketball have already started and the youth soccer league is underway.  They are all playing soccer and Cade is also reffing games this year. We are constantly on the go. Today starts their first full week and I know it will be wonderful!

An evening at the park

Chad is out of town until tomorrow. He's in Arkansas getting ready to speak to the congregation there about Apologetic's Press. The boys and I headed to the park for a while to enjoy the cooler temps and get some exercise. I ran while they played soccer. I tried to get them to run some with me but they were not digging that idea at all! Either way we all enjoyed a nice night at the park.

Growing Beans!

I've been watching these pole beans for weeks waiting for any signs that there will actually be beans to pick. I'd about given up on them. The plants themselves look great but the japanese beetles have been horrible and I just assumed they'd ruined my beans. Well today I went out to look over the garden and I started looking closer at my bean plants. I found lots of little beans hiding out amongst the leaves!! I'm so excited!! I've been looking forward to hopefully canning some more beans this year and it looks like I may finally get to do just that!

It Came!

 We've been anxiously awaiting all week for Coops letter to come. It finally came today! This will be the last time a letter will come in the mail telling one of my boys who their teacher will be. Next year they will all be out of the grades where they get sent letters. I'm a little sad about that. Cooper is going to have a great 5th grade year with his teachers Mrs. Cherry and Mrs. Wood. He's got a few of his close friends in there too that we know about and that's exciting for him. He's not exactly ready for school to start but at least now he knows who he has and that he will get to spend the year with at least a few close friends. That makes it a little easier to think about. The other 2 boys are gearing up for a great year in 7th and 9th grade!!

The Ketchum Experience

Friday Morning we got up and headed to Kentucky to visit with one of Chad's college roommates and his family. We were all in school together at Freed. We don't see each very often and Chad wanted to take the boys to see the Kethcum's farm. What a place for a kid to grow up....or for others to come visit for a couple of days!! :-) We had so much fun. I know working/living on a farm for the Ketchum kids probably gets old but for our boys it was the greatest place ever for 2 days! We started calling our time there "The Ketchum Experience" because we were all getting to experience life on the farm. The boys got to swim in the pond, ride paddle boats, fish, ride around on a Polaris Ranger, feed chickens, ride horses, water the cows, play with Louis the sheep, roast Marshmallows, see 'Magic" fire, and hang out with the Ketchum bunch playing ball and just having fun. I even sat on the back porch that looked out at the pond and shelled peas, beans, and shucked corn. The front porch looked out over the field where the cows (who each are named) and horses stayed. It was such a relaxing and fun adventure. We appreciate Josh and Amanda letting us come spend some time with them. We are making plans to go again next summer!

 

The boys with Austin, Brooke, Landon, and Caleb