STRAWBERRIES

I took the kids strawberry picking a few weeks ago.

It was our first time.

My first time since I was a kid.

We met Aunt Jamie and VV and two of the kids she babysits.

I think maybe next year, we'll go a week or two earlier in the season.

A lot of the berries were already rotted and what not.

Unless we just picked a bad row.

We got there mid-morning and at that point pretty much had the place to ourselves.

It is nice now that Michael and Carina are (a bit) older, they can have more freedom in roaming..

as long as they are within eyesight.

Travis was pretty into picking berries for a bit..but lost steam not too long afterwards.

As we were ready to wrap up, more people started heading in.

Victoria scoping out the plants

Somebody liked tasting as much as picking.

Or maybe more

:p

On our way (in and) out we stopped to see the baby animals.

Goats, a calf, pigs..um?

Was that it?  I forget.

The kiddies (minus Bean) with their spoils.

Our youngest pickers.

3 months apart in age.

Yeah, all those berries?

They didn't last at all.

Note to self for next year,  monitor the berries the kids pick a bit better.

We did end up bringing some not-so-desirable ones home.

I'm sure the animals enjoyed them anyway.

BABY, BABY

New cousin #2 made his debut late Monday morning.

Owen Gabriel came out a whopping 8lbs and 11 oz and 20.5 inches long.

Here he is with proud papa

Sorry, Bud.

I know that wasn't a very flattering shot, but lets blame it on the flash.

With the crew.

He had just had minor surgery..it happens to a lot of boy babies...anyway, we opted to not let the kids hold him at that point.  Instead we did a group shot.

Opoe was also waiting to meet Owen.

I think this is great-grandchild number 13...with three more on the way.

(correct me if I'm wrong!)

Welcome, baby!

NEW BABIES

Ha!  Betcha thought I was gonna introduce the new one!  Sorry to disappoint, but we haven't been to visit yet.  Yes, our new cousin/nephew arrived yesterday.  I'm going to save the details and pictures for tomorrow though, since that is when we are scheduled to visit. 

Moving on.

Yesterday, thanks to some friends, we also got some new babies of our own.

These pictures were taken right after Mike got home with them and as they were being transferred to their new (temporary) home.

 Michael was a bit hesitant in holding them.  He didn't want to bring it close.

These chicks are pretty used to being handled, coming from another family with 4 young children.

So, we have six new babies in the basement for the time being.  They are somewhere around 2-3 weeks old, so they cannot go in with the full grown hens yet.  

Rian had no qualms about holding the chicks.

Carina had not finished her dinner at this point so she missed out on seeing them and Travis wanted nothing to do with them up close.  He liked looking as long as he was far enough away or being held.

So, there you have it.

I'm hoping there are no roosters in the bunch.

END OF THE SEASON

This past Saturday marked the end of the T-ball season.

We all headed to the field a bit early to get some pre-game team shots.

Most of the kids made significant improvement.

They all started by using the T to hit and graduated to pitching.

Well, in games they were allowed 5 pitches and if none were hit, then they used the T.

Most kids hit the ball.

We'll see how it goes, maybe we'll let Bean have a swing at it next year.

Michael ready at first.

End of season snack.

Baseball cupcakes.

And..surprise trophies!

 

Someone was really happy with his trophy..

 

My little all-star

Great job, Sharks!!

It was fun while it lasted.

We're already looking forward to next season.

LITTLE SISTER

We welcome Tabitha Jean to the family!

She was born on Monday, weighing in at 7lbs 4 oz and 20 inches long.

I think her two big brothers are pretty excited to have a sister.

See all that dark hair?  

Well, look close...I think before we know it, it will be as blond as blond can be!

We went to visit on Wednesday night, after Tabitha and Mommy had gone home.

As Rian says, "Aunt Essie's doctor is silly and no little people can see the baby."

The hospital has a no kids policy.  

I missed the ginormous smile that Missy had when she first got the baby in her arms.

Everyone (except Travis, he touched her feet) had a chance to hold their new cousin.

Now we await our next new cousin..due to arrive in 4 days or less!

Stay tuned!

GROWTH

Our first baby tomatoes!!

Onions are coming along.

Cucumbers just beginning...

look at all the rocks!

This is after several pickings.

Of  course, I know it would be impossible to remove every single rock, but we have a long road ahead of us in this regard.

I'm thankful for what is growing.

We have results on everything except for the carrots and peppers.

Nothing on them yet.

One of the apple trees.

I still need to find a perfect spot for planting.

Soon, soon.