Saturday, July 26, 2014

Berry Picking

We have been taking advantage of all the fresh produce around us this summer.  We started off with strawberries and picking mulberries off our tree.  Next, came cherries...


The best ones are definitely found up high!


Paul showing off our black raspberries--or blackcaps.  First time we ever picked them not in the wild.


We picked these raspberries at a member's brother's house.  We polished these puppies off in 3 days!


Blueberry bushes just their size.
A little hard to tell, but that's evidence of all the blueberries eaten while picking.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Summer Fun!

The boys have been having so much fun together this summer--they are such good friends.  It warms my heart to see them play together so well!  I just love watching their imagination at work.

Here they are working at some of the local places, building things--AEP power or Leco or Whirlpool.  You will note they are wearing their safety hats, gloves, and glasses.


Eating our homemade strawberry/yogurt popsicles--very good!


Playing with some boats we made in the pool.

One of our favorite summer past times--going out for ice cream!  Can you guess why this is one of their favorite places?

We had an outdoor service at church one Sunday.  It was also Bring Your Tractor to Church Sunday.  You can see the boys' pedal John Deere tractor in the front.

Watching the tractor parade with their buddies.

This is really what Jonathan wore for church that Sunday!

Some church members bought the boys fishing poles, and took them fishing in their pond.  They just threw the fish back this time.


Aunt Rita and Uncle Charles came for a quick visit on their way from Florida to Illinois last Friday.  We showed them around the area.  Here is everyone sitting in rockers by the carousel in St. Joe.


Our new bigger pool--couldn't resist this bargain!  The boys have only played in it once so far, and loved it!

VBS

Our theme this year for VBS was Wilderness Escape.  We had about 30 kids in attendance, which was a good size group for our church.  I was in charge of music, and Jonathan dressed in costume for the closing.  He was an Israelite who re-told the day's lesson.  The boys also attended VBS at Benjamin's school last week.  It was the Gangway to Galilee VBS.  I didn't get any good pictures of that, but they both had a good time. 





Saturday, July 19, 2014

Jonathan, Sarah, and boys visit

Jonathan, Sarah, James, Michael, and Daniel came for a 3-day visit last week.  We went to Indiana to see Grandma and the crew there, and we also saw some of Sarah's relatives who live in Michigan.  There was never a dull (or quiet) moment with 5 young boys in the house, but we had a lot of fun!
Holding 7-week-old Daniel--how do Benny's hands look so big?!

Daniel's not too sure about this...


Angela, Jessica, and Daniel.  I'm sure Jess is telling Daniel how proud she is of his cute, well-cooridinated clothes, and did he get the outfit on sale?

Grandma with some of her grandkids and great-grandkids

"What are you doing on the giant purple dinosaur?!"  (Honestly, Michael was riding with me!)

On our way back from Indiana, we stopped at Culver's.  Paul couldn't finish his ice cream, so Benjamin managed it for him.  I had to take a picture, because his focus and concentration on the ice cream reminded me of his grandpa. =)

4th of July

We went to Uncle David, Aunt Marilyn, and Jacob's for a quick 4th of July trip.  Mom and Dad, and Ryan, Rachel, Bella, and Bo were there, too.
I had to take a picture of the thermometer, because I'm not sure it has ever been 60 degrees on the 4th of July in Steeleville!  We had beautiful weather.

Walking to the ball diamonds to play some baseball.


Time for some rides!  Below you can see Jonathan and Benjamin on the swings.  Paul had to have a turn, too.  They all loved it, although Dad was a bit dizzy!


Bo and Bella walking to the parade

"When will it start?"  We had to get there early to cheer on Aunt Rachel and Uncle Ryan in the race before the parade.  Rachel won 2nd for her age division!

Decked out in red, white, and blue

Finally--candy time!

Watching some baseball

Fun in the pool!