The Renaissance Fair

John and the girls went to the Renaissance Fair last weekend.  Maisie had a great time choosing her outfit and being a peasant for the day.  Sam was all about the turkey leg.  Maisie's most memorable part of the day???  The DUEL TO THE DEATH! 

A boy and his dog

Almost once a day Ben will turn to me and say "I am so glad we have Freckles.  She is the best dog in the world".    It always makes me tear up.  She really is the best dog in the world.  Thank you FOSTER 2 HOME!!!

Strange Weather - Bad Weather

So I guess it's not enough that it has been over 90 degrees for the last few weeks.  Mother Nature figured she would throw in a crazy wind storm.  Well, thanks!  It wasn't what we planned but due to a huge tree that broke in half in the far back yard we have now doubled the sunny areas on our property.  On it's way down the Oak took five or six smaller trees out with it.  Mostly they are unplanned garbage trees so it's all good but it is sure going to be a lot of work splitting the oak up. The hundred degree temperatures for the past two days haven't made the job of hauling it to the front for pickup easy so I think we are going to just have to rent a chipper on our own when things cool off. 

We are going to mulch mulch mulch and then try building the area up for some future gardening.  We've always wanted to try planting corn and pumpkins but never had enough sunny space to give up.  Well it seems as though now we do!  We are going to look into what is best for soil prep and try to get this all cleaned up by fall so we can plant next spring.

BTW.... My apple trees were not hit.  One was actually straddled by the branches of the oak but it's almost like the oak made an effort not to hit it. 

Bye bye old oak tree you will be missed

What do you do when it's 103?

Get out the WT pool and some drinks with umbrellas of course!!!

Reunited!

We met Grandma and Grandpa in Indiana to get Maisie back.  It's great to have her home!

fruit arrangements

Sammy and some of her friends made edible arrangements today after being inspired by a class at the local library.  They had so much fun.  All we used were wooden shishkabob skewers, a few cookie cutters, and a melon baller.  The girls worked for almost two hours - which is quite a feat with seven 11 year old girls and Maisie!  The best part of all, the mess ups and left overs were delicious! 

Once again, I LOVE MY KIDS BEING ON VACATION AND US DOING WHAT WE WANT WITH OUR TIME!!!!

Camping in Wi

Took a weekend camping trip to Spring Green, WI.  We took a canoe trip down the river and spent the afternoon on the sandbars.  It was an awesome adventure and we hope to join the Ludwig Family's annual trip from now on.