A Busy July

We celebrated the Fourth with family, fun, and food.  In the evening, we took our packages of (legal) fireworks to the assisted living facility where Hannah works and shot them off for some of the residents.  Compared to the regular fireworks, it was a pitiful little show but we had so much fun.  The residents really got a kick out of it.

 Since it was a hot day, we had our picnic inside.  Jonas is okay.  He just didn't want his picture taken.

 The ice cream distracted him and he didn't mind having this picture taken.

Lilly really enjoyed her ice cream!

Lucy got soapy on the slip and slide.

 July was Lucy's month to spend the night with us.  She helped  can sweet relish.  She washed the jars,

 helped measure the ingredients,

and stirred it all up.  

She did a great job!

Phillip dug the potatoes.  This year we got more than we did last year.

  I canned tomato sauce, salsa, and green beans.

Barn swallows built a nest in the carport.  It was so much fun to watch them.  Four baby birds hatched and grew up.  These are the last 2 babies trying to get the courage to fly.

Hannah had a Saturday off so we went adventuring.  We happened upon Rose Hill Plantation in SC and had a nice, relaxed day.

Jaclyn, Caleb, Jack, and Sam came for a visit.  We celebrated Sam's seven year, one month, one day birthday.  It was fun to have all the cousins together.

Hannah coordinated an awesome water fight.

So July ended the way it began, with family, fun, and food. 

In June

The gardens grew well.  I was able to can 8 pints of sweet relish using our cabbages, peppers, green tomatoes, and onions.  We pulled up the snap peas, the broccoli, and the spinach.  We picked a few strawberries at a time but they're pretty much finished now.  Green beans, okra, corn, and onions are still coming along.

 green peppers

 Cabbages - taken early in June just as they were beginning to form heads.  They made huge heads that were delicious.  

 Roma tomatoes - They're starting to ripen now so I should be busy canning them this month.

Potatoes - Phillip dug the small bed but this larger bed is still growing.

Jonas spent the day with me because Rachel's girls weren't feeling well.  

He drew pictures on the marker board.

 He prepared a delicious snack of crushed potato chips.

 He played in the dirt.

I got more dolls ready to ship to Haiti.

Pirate's Landing

Phillip's 65th birthday was on June 4.  Our family met in Elkin at Pirate's Landing restaurant to celebrate together.  

 We drive past here on our way to Virginia and Phillip has always wanted to stop and eat but we never have.  He was excited to have his birthday dinner here.

 We all liked watching the fish in the pond that surrounds the restaurant.

 This is our whole family except for Emily's husband, Jon who had to work.  

 Laura, Michael, Jimmy, Lilly (peeking out beside Rachel), Rachel, Hannah, Emily

 Daniel, Caleb, Jack, Jason, Jonas

 Jaclyn and Daniel

 Sam discovering that he really likes hush puppies.

 Jason, Jonas, stranger in background

 The kids were glad their grandpa was willing to share his birthday dessert.

 Lucy, Jonas, Lilly, Sam, and the pirate

Sam and the pirate

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Sam is teaching Lucy how to thumb wrestle.

 Front row:  Sam, Lucy, Lilly

Back row:  Jack, Phillip, me, Jonas, Caleb

 Happy birthday, Phillip! 

May

Jonas spent the night with us.  He was ready for action with his lasso wrapped around him.

Devin brought Sydney over for a visit.

 Phillip made a new raised garden bed out of Jason's old bed.  We're planning to plant more strawberries in it.  

 Lilly spent the night.  She had fun with the marker board.

 We celebrated Mother's Day by stuffing the children into a giant inflatable ball and rolling them around the yard while they squealed loudly.  Great fun was had by all except Jason, who did all the stuffing and rolling.

We celebrated Brett's birthday.  From left to right, this is Mark, me, and Brett.

We also bought a new love seat but since my camera is broken there aren't any pictures of it.  It's really nice and we've enjoyed it.

 I went back to my neglected project of trying some of the recipes that have accumulated over the years.  This is supposed to be Mexican Skirt Steak but, since I use what I have and I had pork chops that day, it's Mexican pork chops.  Both Phillip and Hannah declared it a keeper.  That suits me since it's one of those easy, one dish meals that I don't mind cooking.