Sensationally Six

It's fair week...we are exhausted and it's only Wednesday but the girl is having a ball! She's been a great cheerer at the SuperTeen contests. She is a keen observer and notices so many things. And last night she showed a goat in the PeeWee Goat Show. She and Sqeekers made a great team...

She has also been a great helper as we did some sprucing up at the Grands. She helped out and so did her momma. We are officially on the market with a real estate agent. Another hard but necessary step.

So we truly are totally exhausted to be honest but we are having so much fun. She loves country life and the fair is definitely her jam. Lots of pork burgers, lemonade and nachos are getting in our bellies.

Sensationally Six

We enjoyed our weekend of Easter festivities. We started with an egg coloring fest, then had an egghunt at the farm. Weather cooperated for the most part after a quick moving shower anda bit more wind then we would have liked it was still all good. 

Oh and we had a girl decide to stay the week at the Meadow instead of go back North. We are coming up with all kinds of excitement. Went to a track meet on Monday, headed out on a park trip Tuesday and who knows what today will bring. Little cousins will be at the Meadow tomorrow for the day and Friday we are wide open but have some great options brewing. Not exactly sure when her return date is but we are loving her being here!

The HANDFUL

We are extremely thankful that we had a really nice Thanksgiving Day this year.  With no gathering last year it felt extra special this year to be able to gather. While there is no turkey coma happening (cause I didn't eat any turkey; ham all the way!) we are all taking it easy today in our PJs. Lots of game playing. We've even learned a new one, Qwirkle. I'm still thinking about how yummy the gravy was as well as the stuffing, sweet potatoes and pie, oh my!. I had peach pie...and maybe a pumpkin cupcake...and maybe a piece of banana bread...

Someone got to have mashed potatoes!

It's our favorite crew...

We plan on a low key recovery this weekend. Hoping to get ahead of the holiday madness and finish the little bit of shopping I need to do and then just enjoy the season and pray for good weather. We don't have a solid gathering plan yet but there is a bit of a plan in the works. I'm excited for it already. 

The HANDFUL

These two little people have been filling some of our less and less spare time...

There is another one that comes, too but I don't have a picture of her. Next time! 3 mos, 15 mos and 2 1/2 definitely keep one hopping not to mention the 5 1/2 year old up North.

Keeping busy it's what makes life.

The HANDFUL

What a jam packed week with the Bee we have had. She's been full of energy and enthusiasm for sure. What I can remember is that we have been to the lake paddle boarding, went fishing, bought fireworks, made banana bread, had a cousin visit, played several hands of UNO and attended a cousin birthday party...that is what I can remember right now!

So the action packed fun filled week is leading into a weekend long 4th of July celebrating. WHOOT, whoot but no booms please she isn't a fan of the loud. Just bring on the poppers, glow sticks and smoke bombs with a few parachutes thrown in for good measure.

I'm worn out but I'm loving it.

The HANDFUL

After being up North last week to help with the SunRoom subflooring the Bee wanted to return to the Meadow with us. We were excited to have her with us and a good time was had by all! She did quite a bit of visiting this trip. She really enjoyed seeing the goat's again...

And playing with cousins!

She also kept very busy just being the queen of the Meadow!

She is growing so quickly and we are thrilled she enjoys coming to the Meadow. We had a great week with her, lots of fun times and memories were made, Looking forward to our ROADA weekend with her later this month.

Happy Easter!

What a time we had yesterday hunting eggs and enjoying a nice afternoon and evening as we gathered at the farm. It's been a rough few weeks and it was nice to be together and just relax. The food was simple and we just were. The Littles had a an egg hunt and I think they enjoyed it very much!

She was an expert egg hunter this year and came away with A LOT of loot!

It seems like it is not often we are ALL in the picture! I'm so glad we got one of all of us.

HaPpY Easter...hope you are celebrating the Risen Savior!

The HANDFUL

It's Easter Weekend and we have Northern Guests! Woohoo. The festivities began with egg coloring this evening after a fun filled day of lots of outdoor play. The weather has been beautiful! There was also some garage time as the guys put together the new sauna, yep, that's right, we have added a sauna to our home gym setup. Oh my is MiRV happy about that! 

Played croquet, ladder ball, badminton and just plain old ball and she rode Grave Digger around and around! It was so nice to spend the afternoon outside.

I think it was a great day and not too shabby of dinner with fried chicken and the fixins enjoyed by all! Now to try and enjoy about three dozen boiled eggs in the coming days!

The HANDFUL

Rain, rain, rain and then more rain, then snow; oh, and let's not forget that terrific wind along with the beautiful upper 60s one day then cool and in the 30s the next. Little sunny but cool then dreary, dreary, dreary. Yep, Spring has sprung in the Midwest. Not a complaint just reporting observational information cause I believe this is much better then hot and buggy! Our trees are starting to bud, I've seen some tulip and daffodil leaves starting to poke through. I started my own cilantro and basil in a recycled milk jug so here's hoping that pans out. I'd like to get some veggies going just not sure in what manner I want to do it. And, unfortunately, my thumbs are not green!

I have not seen the bluebird around lately but gracious we have had plenty of robins and black birds in the yard along with sparrows. With all the rain it seems they are enjoying a worm smorgasboard out there. Won't be too long we will need to get the hummingbird feeders out. Really hoping the bluebirds show back up!

Pretty much just life going on as of late. It makes for long days and short nights on some occasions but that is what makes it life. Gonna enjoy it!

The HANDFUL

We've had a houseguest this week...thought she was going home today but she's having too much fun so she's ask for another day! What a week we've had. Cousins have been over and we've also been to see them, Aunts and Uncles have been by as well as Grands and she even got to see the 4H project bovine "Cash". We've played outside everyday even on the blustery days. GraveDigger has seen a lot of action as have the balls, paintbrushes and swingset! She's been spoiled with her favorite foods of meatloaf, fish sticks, french fries, waffles and pizza, oh my. We've also been shopping, cow cruising, horse hunting and a Sonic visit. Only disappointment has been no ostriches! We also did some testing out of her "sleeping arrangement" in ROADA as we are planning to take her with us this year...stay tuned for how that pans out. We are certainly hoping for travel time soon!

It's gonna be awfully quiet around here when you are gone...already planning another MO visit with her but for now she is ready to return to the Northland and her momma and daddy. She has had a great visit for sure and many memories are etched in my brain for sure as well as hers I hope!

UnFOURgettably 4 Friday!

This week we said good bye to my Uncle. He was a character, he was loved, he was ornery, he was a good guy. He will be missed by many...

This was my dad's brother. Dad is the oldest and the last of the siblings still with us. I feel like because my Uncle lived here in town we were closer and his kids often seemed more like siblings to me than cousins. They have lost their patriach, they will be facing some rough days and I hope they hold tight to the good memories and let that be their guide as they face the future.

On a lighter note we are in Oklahoma tonight for a family wedding. We added two new states for the Bee on our way here and one for SuperTrooper. WooHoo we love to get to take in new sights. Who knew that curvy hilly roads would be such a hit with the Bee! She loved it...go faster LaLa with giggles and ohhs and ahhs galore. 

Oklahoma and Arkansas state signs! 

Stay safe, stay well and RIP Unlce Bill.

UnFOURgettably 4 Friday!

 She's heeeeeeeere! Oh, wow, we are just over 24 hours in and LaLa is worn out with BeBe close behind! The trip down was uneventful as if there were any doubt. We've had a great day with yard sailing this morning which led to bringing home a new red bike as well as a Barbie complete with purple high heels and sparkly dress. 

This is probably the BEST quarter I have ever spent!

There were also cinnamon rolls and cookies, oh my! 

After a rest but no nap in the afternoon we geared up to have a family farm night. There was a good breeze and shade so very pleasant for a nice farm evening. We look forward to fall so farm nights can happen more frequently! 

G-Pa and Bee

Lots of running, jumping, ball hitting and throwing; but the biggest hit of the night was HUGE marshmallows and limon chips. Just kidding, it was riding and driving Grave Digger. My dad will tell you it was the best money he ever spent. The next round of Littles are thoroughly enjoying this little machine after the older Littles had lots and lots of adventures in it during their tenure.

We had quite a late night this evening so hopeful for great rest for all as we will be going to a Cousin wedding shower tomorrow!

Stay safe, stay well!