These pictures are from a few days ago. It was hot and humid and we had just mowed the lawn. Out came the kiddie pool and on went the swim suits.

Alia discovered a little frog hopping in the grass and caught it. But guess who wanted to hold it, and hold it, and hold it!

Yup! Elena!

She let it go and recaputred it multiple times. She even let it go in the pool. Eventually, she let it go free!

We celebrated Alia's 10th birthday with a trip to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. One of her best friends went with us and we each had a buddy to stay close to while we explored.

Happy Birthday, Beautiful!

:)

This green part of dinner was brought to you courtesy of our garden (and a friend who provided the seeds)! I'm not a big fan of fresh green beans--I'm still learning how to cook them. Usually, I under cook them....I think they got a bit over done this night...But they were yummy! -Jessica

Ah, summer! Elena is pretending to be sick--pretending her arm is broken and she needs to stay at the doctor's.

Tanner is taking a break from studying bionicle building instructions (online) and is playing some lego star wars on the wii.

:) We like summer!

Sometimes I don't have to ask what my children have been doing to occupy their time. Sometimes the answer is as plain as the nose on their face.

We played a game from Highlights Magazine today.

Cut a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper in half to make two long, thin strips. Cut one thin strip per person playing.

Start by drawing a head and neck. Fold the paper so that only the neck shows. Pass the papers clockwise. Next draw a torso on the paper. Fold it over so only the waist shows. Pass the papers clockwise again. Draw the thighs & knees. Fold the paper so only the knees show. Pass the papers clockwise. Then draw the calves and feet.

Open the papers and see what you've created!






Tanner was extra creative. He made an alien. If you folded each of the drawings so that only his additions showed, they made his alien! Too Cool!












I'm particularly fond of my chicken feet! :)

Here are some photos from our recent visit to Michigan.


Tanner & Grammy and green monkey. These two were being very silly at this moment!










I caught this photo of Tanner while he rested from chasing the cat, Chase. He really wanted to set a cat trap, but we didn't get the furniture moved out of the front room to free it up!










Tanner & Elena were trying to keep Chase, the cat, in the picture...it didn't work too well!












Grammy played games with Tanner & Elena while work progressed on the kitchen floor.











And, here they are, hard at work! The new floor is a laminate that looks like stone. It's beautiful!

The weather has gotten warm. The van has gotten dirty. What a perfect excuse for a car wash!

After the washing, Dad got out the baby pool and Tanner and Elena got in.









While Dad was gone, they added some rocks, and some dirt, and some mud.

When they were done their faces looked like this:

This year is the year of the kid exchange. Alia has gone to the farm and Da & Schau (goat kids) have come to our field. Grandma & Grandpa also brought us five chickens and a bunch of reusable field fence.









Here are Da & Schau in their paddock with the chicken tractor. After I found Schau inside the coop/tractor this morning, it got moved to the outside of the goat paddock!










Prized possessions: the hens laid eggs within 24 hours of being in their new home! The eggs are light brown and lighter brown.

We're seeing signs of hens pecking the eggs and have added some straw bedding to their coop.