Its been a while...

I have been missing blogging since we moved and hope to start up again soon. I love picture blogging here and since dial up internet is what we have that is not really feasible. Yes, I said dial up. lol I have posted several times over at Lally, though the posts are sporadic at this point. One day soon I will get the hang of this internet thing and be back to regular posting.

In the mean time whats been going on? Since my last posting we have moved to a rental about 25 miles east of our previous location. Its about 10 miles from a little town and 25 from bigger shopping options. We have had 6 birthdays starting in December with Madeline and ending in May with Joe. Our chickens have been expanded from four to about 30-40ish right now. Some will be dinner soon, others are the laying flock, and 4 are the kids show birds for 4H. The garden season started with much anticipation and excitement. 3 garden shares have been sold and this is our biggest garden ever! The weather has thus far been uncooperative with about 3 non rainy days in all of May. Mind you I said non rainy and not sunny. We have had hail the size of golf balls and well I have never been so unsuccessful at growing greens. lol I am not even going to tell you about the tomatoes and the peppers. Its just sad, very sad. The poor things couldn't be in the house any longer and they had to go out. That's the last few months in a nutshell. I hope to be back blogging soon as I really miss it. Just need to figure out a workable option for me with photos. For some reason blogging is not the same for me without photos. :)

October Days

A few photos from October.

We went to Bonneville Dam. The kids had a great time. So much to see and do. Sadly the only pictures taken were by Madeline while we ate lunch. We were enjoying everything so much we didn't even think of taking photos.

Marah is potty training! She insists most days on getting her clothes on by herself. :)

There has been a lot of play with this old stop watch we found in the garage.

Maddy had a friend over. This is H. Photo by Maddy.

We have been working on a new science curriculum. Maddy more than Michael. This day was all about Mollusks.

Michael enjoyed this huge shell.

Michael made a loaf of bread all by himself.

Starcraft night. Micheal was able to play his first game with Uncle Terry and Joe. They brought the dining room table into the living room. lol

Setting up.

Madeline watching. She was going to a sleep over but her friend was sick. Instead she was able to go to a friend's birthday party. Her and I did crafty things while the boys played.

Banana Split night 2009. Lots of ice cream, lots of toppings, one pasta serving bowl, 5 spoons.

Then popcorn and a movie. The kids look forward to October 31st every year for Banana Split Night. Naomi was asleep through it. As soon as she can sit through a whole movie hours after bedtime she can join us. :)

September Update

I love that this is considered fun for the kids. Michael found his Miquon math workbook the other day and asked what it was. I told him and he asked if we could do it. Sure! So Maddy got hers out to and they spent the next hour and a half or so doing math. At one point Michael was struggling with something and Madeline asked him if he wanted to copy her work. He said "No thanks, all the answers I need are in my brain." I love this, just love it. :)


Even snack can turn into a fighter jet. Didn't you know? In case you wonder its cracker with peanut butter, an apple slice, and banana slices.


Look it really flies and even has missiles.

We sold the chicken run and 5 of the chickens. I was really sad to see them go but its for the best right now. We still have the coop and 4 of the chickens. Maddy is hoping to take them to another 4-H chicken show in the next few months.

We have been canning. If you want to know what it all is head on over to Lally. I just did a canning post.

Kids being silly.

Our church, Living Hope Church, had a family fun night/come and meet the Kids World teachers. Marah's teacher asked if people could bring snacks. Cupcakes, yum! Marah got to choose the frosting color since they were for her classroom. Which she actually goes to now and no she no longer hits other children over the head with chairs. Amazing really how much she has grown in the last year or so. lol So soon when Naomi will let us take her to childcare we may actually get to leave the parents room.

Head on over to the Sewing Alley blog for previews of some items that will be stocking on October 6th over at Hidden Element.

August Update

Not so much to post this month. Majority of the month was taken up by illness and the Skamania County Fair which I posted about earlier. Lots of photos taken by the kids in this one.

We made pasta sauce with our garden tomatoes!
One morning bright and early, or should I say dark and early, someone woke up and decided to take self portraits, hundred of self portraits. Also photos of chairs and carpet fuzz. Here are a few of the ones I kept.

I did a trade with a mama friend of mine. A sewing machine that was not working out for Madeline for some knitting. The yarn was supposed to be longies but it did not want to be longies. I don't knit so I can't really tell you how yarn can do this but L tells me it happens. The yarn decided it wanted to be a dress. The most beautiful little dress that will double as a shirt when it gets too short. We love it!!

I could just eat her up.

Joe went on a Daddy play date. They took the max to the zoo with some friends. I stayed home with a napping baby and sewed. It was wonderful! They had fun too.

That's it, I will try and take some more photos this month! See you then. :)

Skamania County Fair

Last month Madeline participated in the Skamania County Fair with her 4H group. They camped for 5 days. It was originally supposed to be Joe and the two older kids but stomach flu hit the first night and Michael came home so Joe took Marah. Once Michael was better we traded again and then me and the little girls at home got sick. Oh it was an interesting week.


Chickens had to have a bath. I guess it strips their feathers and then stimulates them to produce oil which will make them nice and shiny for the fair. They were not enjoying themselves.

"What are you guys doing?"

We had to be careful not to get the water in their faces so only dunked and swished from the neck down.

A soppy wet Goldie. She was not happy and proceeded to dust bathe after an hour long grooming session to get all her feathers back in place.

"Poor chickens"

The carnival at the fair.

Kids had a blast on the rides.

Michael did NOT enjoy the zipper.

Best slide ever

Madeline's show chicken Little Bo Peep.

One of her other chickens won Reserve Champion

Another won Champion.

All dressed up for showing her chicken

All lined up for the judges.

Blue ribbon

On the last day Michael was stepped on by a cow. He is fine and I thank God. 1200 lb cow plus Michael's foot could have been a lot worse than the bruise he recieved.

Maddy and one of her 4H buddies.

And I will leave you with this. There was a playground at the park and this tree was in the center. Do you see it? Very fitting as I sat and nursed Naomi right here.