Home and Garden 2012

The title most certainly did not say "BETTER" home and garden.  This summer was mostly survival around the place.  And though I only felt up to doing the minimum, I was quite surprised with the blessing of the beauty of our yard and garden. 

Planting our garden.

 Early stages on the watermelon patch and garden in the background.

 First year my clematis has bloomed.

 Raspberries

 Beautiful white flower from birdhouse gourds.

 Ruby's very own 'Ruby' sunflowers

 Bitty, baby watermelon

 Growing

 And growing

After my failed attempt with bees last year (the queen was infertile) I decided to get two boxes this year.      One night I went out to add another box and upset the bees.  It resulted in seven bee stings for me and one for Ruby.  Since then, Brent has gladly volunteered to check the bees- usually while I'm doing dishes.  He has become quite fascinated by bees also.  Hudson always wants us to start talking bees at bedtime so he'll get to stay up later.

 Every few weeks I would try to reclaim my garden from the weeds.

 Gladiolas

 Hibiscus

 And all my canning this year was a result of other's generosity.  Cucumbers for pickles compliments of Betty & Gerald.

 Thirty four quarts of green beans thanks to Schiesses.

A bushel and a half of tomatoes from Steve & Wendy

 Silly flower girls.

Backyard Fair

Two years in a row, and I think a new tradition has been born.  We hosted another backyard fair while the kids were out of school.  You could fish for a prize.

 Throw bean bags for a chance to win a cold slice of watermelon.

And search for hidden treasures in the sawdust sea.

 Ruby and her little friend Emma.

 Since face painting was so popular last year, I hired one of my YW from the Spanish Branch to paint the faces this time.  She does an amazing job.  The kids patiently waited for their special turn.

 There were parakeets and lizards on display as part of our open class exhibit.

 And of course, some yummy fair treats.  There was quite a selection of popcorn, smoothie pops, carmel apples, and rolls & honey butter.

 Hudson and Gabe with matching face paint and green shirt.

Wilkinsville 2012

Grandpa and Joyce and the seven Wilkins siblings and their families met for the Wilkins Reunion.  Each family constructed their own house out of cardboard to make up Wilkinsville, population 67.

 Of course, our house was the most engineered and best built.

 Favorite cousin time.  Ruby adores Linky.  Her heart was broken when she couldn't go home with him for the week.

 More houses.

 Finally their chance to use the finger paints.

 Besides all the building, there was lots of baby time.  The girls enjoyed loving on Gracie and Weston.

 There was a slam dunk contest.

 Grandpas Train

 Rough housing and wrestling.

 A science experiment making flubber.

 And clean up time.  This group of kids didn't stop the entire day.  They worked, played, and had so much fun together during the reunion.

Moving Cows

Brent informed us that the cows needed moved up at the ranch.  We were all excited to go and help out.  We loaded the horses and 4-wheeler, packed a lunch, and headed up.

The girls and I spent the first part of the day on the 4-wheeler.  I walked while Dalanie drove and we tried to push some of the cows.  We didn't get too far before we went to recruit help.

 The hills were so dry.  We were hoping that they had gotten some of the rain clouds that hit the valley.

 To wrap the day up, the kids got to ride and drive the cows through the pasture.

 They just ride along and chit chat like best of friends.  They look so comfortable and natural in the saddle.

 Ruby on the other hand always got squished in the saddle with a much less comfortable ride.

I was grateful for the chance for our little family to go together.  Few things make my heart want to explode more than spending a beautiful day together.  And looking back in the pickup to see dirty little faces nodding off to sleep.  And a stop for icecream where the girls take daddy by the hand and walk to the shop together.  And seeing the smiles on their sun-kissed faces through their unkempt hair.