Ashlyn and Austin are at the stage where chores can be done well, going and coming is much easier and faster and our summer is going great! I just knew there would come a day where I wouldn't be needed for everything they do! 😃
We are not great at chore charts but setting and clearing the table is something they can do for me to help out! This time I chuckled and just shook my head because I am sure that my mom would have never allowed rollerblades in the house ... but here we go! It was fun for them and I don't allow this too often but when I remember that the days of young children go so fast, there are times for exceptions.
June has our rose bushes bursting with color!!!
Zucchini is growing in the garden and I made some zucchini bread! We love this stuff!
Summer nights are spent around the campfire!
Meg and Mel spent the two nights here while Tony's went to an out of state wedding and we had to stop for a few photos with the gorgeous sunset behind us! Zayla joined the girl party for a little too!
We have little caterpillars in the garden that love our fennel leaves! They are so pretty!
I tried out a "healthier strawberry jam" the other day! All it is is 2 cups fresh cleaned strawberries blended with 1 1/2 cup dried pineapple tidbits. That's it! As it blends, it thickens. So easy and delicious!
While the twins were here, we tried making popcorn over the campfire again!
We finished our first read along book for this summer! This is a big accomplishment because I do a terrible job at reading aloud to the little ones but this was something we really enjoyed! I hope to get another read soon from the library! If you are looking for a fun book to read to your children or just a fun read, go read "Summer of the Monkeys!" So cute and fun!
I also picked up Just 18 Summers at the library and hope to read this myself. When you think of maybe only have 18 summers with each child in your home, you may look at the years a little differently! Cherish the summers, the days of young children and love it!!!!
We spent two days with the Riehls at a reunion and boy was it fun! The kids swam, the boys and men played games of softball and it was great to see cousins again!
The Riehl family has been through tough stuff over the past years but they always stick together, have each others back, gather around with laughter and fun and eat well! Allen and Aary Mae made chicken wings and French fries for everyone!
This is a great family! For many years, the Riehls would gather at a cabin and have a few days together. That always looked like too much work, not the best sleeping conditions and so many people but when they decided to gather at a near by place this time, we bit for the chance to be together! The kids loved it! We loved it! So fun!
June blooms are going strong!!!!
Our summer is looking like this lately! Wings, corn on the cob and Mac and cheese! Austin got hit by a stomach bug about two weeks ago and even though he didn't throw up any time, he had bellyaches for almost a week. He didn't eat much then but things are changing now that his belly is on the mend! He's hungry often and I love it because if he wants to grow strong muscles and get big, he needs good nutrition! This is a picture of how my mornings start off normally! I get up and pack Matthew a big lunch. Egg sandwich, cereal, snacks, fruits, etc.. Then I start the laundry and Mike leaves for work too. If the house is quiet, Ashlyn and Austin sleep in! I read my devotions and sometimes fall back to sleep for a little. Lazy summer mornings are the best and I know I'm spoiled!!!!
The garden is a place that you will find us most evenings! Right now we have tomatoes growing.
Kholrabi is ready to cut and eat!
Zucchini is growing and the herb box is full!
John and Mim went out for dinner and the boys stayed here. It was Kholrabi with salt for a snack!
Cucumbers are coming! Cabbages are looking good!
At the Riehl reunion, Aunt Aary Mae asked if I would help out at market on Saturday. I said no thank you! She asked a few more times and said that Ashlyn could come along and that we wouldn't have to be at market till 10 AM. I had a market job for many, many years when I was younger and loved it but it's been like 20 years since I went and just wasn't sure I was into it. The next day I got to thinking more about it and thought that this would be a fun chance to introduce Ashlyn to the market life. She's never worked at market. We decided to go and Mindy and Shakia went too! It was fun, crazy and with lots of trying to remember how I used to do things, the day was a success! Ashlyn loved it! I liked it too and there was a lot of things that are still the same even after so many years passed. We worked and came home tired.
But it was Heritage Days in our hometown and we ended the day with watching fireworks! So cool!
June is a wonderful month so month and we are loving our summer vacation mode!
