My New Life

So inspired by this awesome lady.

Fun with a Tire and a Rope

Down on the Farm

One of the coolest things about Texas is there are a lot of really cool farms run by really down- to-earth, unassuming, good people. So I had the fun opportunity to go on a field trip with Isaac to Heritage Farms which is over 500 acres and run by 45 families who are all part of a Christian community. They build homes together, harvest corn, potatoes, and wheat together. It was like stepping back in time and being a part of life similar to our pioneer ancestors... only they had cell phones and mini-vans, and thankfully... flushing toilets.

Sometimes I think we could use a life more like this, where kids learn to work, and work hard, and at the same time, play hard. No nintendo or TV's on this farm :) Doesn't that sound refreshing?

First we saw a sheep herding demonstration. By a very cute, very obedient Border Collie.

Next the kids got to pet the animals... poor animals were pretty traumatized :)

They even got to hold a baby chick... Oh man I thought this little chick was going to be squished to death. Can't imagine what it must have been thinking being passed around to a bunch of sticky- handed kindergarteners who are a little TOO adoring when it comes to little, soft, feathery things. Thankfully the chick narrowly escaped death... only to be passed around another day.

One of the things kids learn early working on a farm is all about the birds and the bees. On the hay ride, one of the kids asked the tour guide ... "Where do baby horses come from?" When he tried to skirt the issue saying that they bred lots of horses on the farm. She said, "yeah, but really, how do they get out of their mom's bodies?" "Uhhhhh....."

It was so fun to spend the day with Isaac, just the two of us.

Birthday Season

Spring is birthday season at our house... Isaac in March and Mason and Jackson in April. I missed posting Isaac's birthday pictures, I'm not sure why, I think I lost the camera or something... Anyway didn't have a friend party this year because he has had a friend party for the last two and it was time to take a breather.

Sometimes we just need to make it nice and easy and do the family thing. I didn't put much thought into this horrible looking cake (just used what we already had in the house), but Isaac loved it anyway :) We got the boys out of school early and took Isaac for a birthday lunch. Followed by a nerf gun battle in the back yard with Shane who had a rare day off. It was so fun to watch them all out there battling, in the middle of a school day.

Isaac also got a bike and Shane spent the rest of the afternoon running up and down the street holding the seat. If you've ever tried to teach a child how to ride a bike you know how back breaking it can be...

Finally Shane got smart and tried a different approach to teach Isaac balance. It was actually really effective... but kind of frightening for Shane. I think this is the same expression my parents had when they were teaching me how to drive a car.

Inevitably there were a few crashes... but Isaac was tough and finally persevered... a very Exciting moment for all of us.

Happy Birthday Isaac! You are a hilarious, sweet, entertaining, wonderful kid.

Jackson's and Mason's Birthday

Mason and Jackson's birthday was kind of a bust for them because we went to Dallas that weekend for a wedding. Thank goodness for Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tim who saved the day and made the boys their own little birthday cakes! They are so thoughtful!

The boys also spent time with their cousins, Lewis and Stanley. Two of the cutest kids ever.

So last weekend we threw them a birthday party... they haven't had one for 2 years, so we figured it was time to invite friends.

This is a great group of boys. Just really good kids.

Food... roasting hot dogs over the fire pit. The boys loved that!

Shane and Isaac

Jackson (in the cap) with his friend Jordan

the lopsided baseball cake that I made...

opening presents...

Happy Birthday Mason and Jackson! I can't believe you're 9... really, I just can't. It makes me sad to see you growing up so quickly and turning into young men. But nothing has given me more joy. You are fantastic kids, always there to help me out. Trying your best to make good choices. I am proud of you!