Oh we have had such a nice summer. I really think that it's such a fun time of year. To be together and hang out. Do some good old chore teaching, time together spending, work together doing, FUN! Some people might think I'm being sarcastic when I say these things...but truly this is where I find joy. Getting stuff done together!!! I hope to pass on the importance of the fact that I believe in working hard.
We decided to make some homeade applesauce while Cole was here. We got a whole bunch of free apples from our good friends the Pavlovsky's. They are an important part in our lives. Being away from home, we are thankful for the friendships that become our "families" away from family. As for the applesauce we are pretty much professional canners now :). I can handle making sauces, I don't like peeling whatever I'm processing so the new "sauce maker" that Bri gave me was awesome. The applesauce is delicious, minus that the kids think that it's a little sour. They'll get use to it.
Taylor got the job as videographer during Laynee's first swim. Uncle Ben was so excited he wanted to get every minute of it on video. More than once I heard him say how thankful he is for his little baby.
This past week we had a fun visit with the Biblers. We had so much fun with our new cousin Laynee Lou. My kids are so excited about her. Jessie laid down on the floor and read to Laynee. She is so sweet, just soaked it all in until it was too much and she just had to fall asleep. Cole and Ben really got a little angel when she joined their family. Kelcie is so fun to watch with her. She is a little mother. Talking to her, feeding her, making sure she has enough blankets. Very fun to watch her in her little mother mode. She's got such a tender, sweet soul, I pray that I don't ruin her tender heart.
These next pictures are from the 4th of July. We had a nice day, spending time with family and good friends. Taylor LOVES fireworks. We spent the night of the 3rd staying up late and watching the big show that he and the next door neighbors put together. I think that the 4th may be even more exciting than Christmas for Tay. I wish I would of got a picture of him lighting a few fireworks...maybe I could of captured just a smidge of his excitement. I wish that all of the neighbors didn't get into it quite so much so we could enjoy a shorter show. A huge part of me really wishes that we would collect a portion of the money spent on fireworks and use it for something good, not burn it. The evening of the 4th we went to our good friends the Brewers. We had a nice barbeque and the kids got to run free on the "Brewer Farm". Sue got her horses out and guided some horse rides. Jessie does a really good job of riding horses. She's a natural. Part of me wishes that we lived in the "country" so we could have all of the experiences of farm life. From the work to the fun, it would be a little piece of heaven to be out away from everyone and everything just with our family.
Taylor really is enjoying golf. It's sport that I believe he'll enjoy because it's so individual. He analyzes what he's doing and tries to fix it. Brian took him golfing twice this past week. It's fun to find something he likes to do outside. He's my little home body.
This year, Brian has been quite the gardener. He has taken quite a bit of pride in his beautiful roses and wants to grow every kind. We also enjoyed some delicious home grown corn on the cobb this week.
Lexi played tennis and softball this year. She is an excellent left handed batter, and if you want the throw to make it to first, she's the gal for you. She really is one of the best players her age. As far a natural ability goes, she has it, now we just need to channel her energy in a positive direction...if we can keep her from making "dirt angels" as she's in the field, we'll be doing good. I was laughing pretty hard the other day when one of her team mates was actually doing this!
Brian also got a new lawnmower this week. Jessie was excited about it and she helped Brian mow the lawn. I think the lawnmower is WAY bigger than Jessie, but that doesn't phase her. She'll tackle whatever job she chooses. This summer, she has made a goal to read 15 chapter books, as a reward for when she finishes she gets her ears pierced. She's read 11 books so far. I think she can do it!
