First Day of School 2010-2011

Riley ready for her first day of 2nd Grade... Brandon ready for his first day of Freshman year...

Both of them and Champ outside... (I need to paint my door frame)

Walking out to wait for the bus...

The bus arrives...(B made me promise not to come out to the bus this year...you know how embarrassing moms can be...) :)

The latest.......

Although we talk about all the work that needs to be done, sometimes a snuggle with a good friend is required also.
We planted a plum tree three years ago and it finally bore fruit. Although they are small, they are so SWEET!

Riley also had her two best friends for a sleepover. H and P are twins and the shyest children I have ever seen. They were on my softball team this year as well.

More plums. They are so pretty. I had never tried a fresh plum before. Very good.

Some people think that Riley gets her wild side from me. They think that her goofiness and her outlandish behavior is all mine. Well......I think you get my point.

The work continues

Well, some play has to happen also. Champ just loves Riley. Actually, Champ loves anything that might scratch his belly.

The chickens are battling for the best boxes to lay their eggs. Here, last years Reds are taking up the number one and two hole while this years White waits. Why she doesn't go in one of the other four boxes, I don't know.

The two birds in the middle are Guineas. Very unusual looking but they devour ticks by the millions.

This is Chance. Or Chancers as we call him. He looked so pretty in the green grass.

We are using an old door for our gate to our new pasture. Today, we painted it barn-red. I think it is very striking.

This is Miracle. Some of you might remember us rescuing her in the deadly-cold of January. She now is doing great and will actually be bred in the fall to have her own babies.

This girl loves her animals. Madeline and Alice love her too. She is a big help on the farm.

I built this cart out of recycled wood and two old wheelchair wheels. It works great and it will be used for hauling sticks and firewood this fall.

We also added another room to the goats Summer residence. It was a little tight for all five of them. Alice likes it already.

Riley in the feed-trough I made out of an old barrel. She does play with dolls also, but I don't blog about those.

Brandons Birthday Party......finally

Well, B finally had his birthday party and invited three friends for the weekend. Not one night but the weekend! The boys and Riley enjoying our sweet corn. What an awesome crop this year.

These are his best friends. Two are from Carthage and one is from Southeastern. Their was an unusual odor most of the weekend. Scientists are trying to determine the source.
Deb handled the weekend with her usual happy self.

Me? Not so much. I want my TV back.

Slater Creek Happenings

Well, I am not sure what this is but it was hilarious. Good job at holding steady Danny!
I found a magic peanut butter sandwich with a hard boiled egg on top. It's good luck.

How cute is this......

and this? My family is wonderful and so loving.

Well, we are in the goat business for sure now. Brandon, Riley and I went and bought a used livestock rack to haul goats. It makes me very happy.

Brandon cooling off and making special moments with his little sister. He always finds time for Riley when she needs big brother time. Proud of you B!

If you have ever heard of the television show ICarly, than you have heard of spaghetti tacos. Deb surprised Riley Monday night with them.

They were pretty good. Very messy, but good. Everybody should try them........... Beth....Kelly....are you listening? Your kids will think you are the coolest moms ever. Riley was so surprised.

Happy Birthday Babe!

Don't have any beautiful pictures of you at work. Have a great birthday and we will celebrate with a trip in September. We really have to make that happen this year. Love you and see you tonight.

An AWESOME weekend!

Three goofy cousins before we left to ride in the parade on the 4th. They got along great this weekend, as you can tell.

Grandpa Francis with a grandchild, a great grandchild, and a great nephew. Riding in the parade was a blast.

Brandon with the tail end of what pulled us in the parade. Two beautiful draft horses.

Uncle Larry had clean-up duty during the parade and also furnished the hay rack.

Well, uh Brandon uh, huh huh.

Funny thing happened at our tournament last night. We played the other team from our area, That is why they have the same color shirts.

They had already beat us and they were a lot older than us. My superb pitching and the great hitting from this little redhead and the rest of the team caused a mighty upset. We won 19-13. WOOHOO!

This is my little group of knuckleheads, goofballs, and absolute McSpazzatrons. We play again tonight. Maybe, just maybe......Do you believe in Miracles?

More Summertime Fun

Debra Jo with her Aunt Jo and all the "Jo's" named after her.

This is Aunt Diana. I truly enjoy her. She is married to Bonnies brother Bob.

This is Debs bestest cousin Lydia. Her and her two sons are staying the weekend with us as well as our nephew Walker.

This is just Bonnies Dads Family. The Vance reunion had 94 people show up yesterday. Today we are walking in the Carthage 4th of July parade.

Riley getting a base hit up the middle.

Riley adores him. Go figure.

The goats have been moved to a new part of our land. We fenced off about an acre and a half. They love the leaves.

Summertime Fun

Riley and her coach before a softball game. Most of the time she plays shortstop. She is one of the best fielders and throwers on the team. Lime green shirt, orange visor, and blue shorts. I make this look good.
After a hard game their is nothing like relaxing in front of a fire out on the patio. Self portrait by Brandon. Not reprinted without his permission.

The cabin has spoiled me, but Riley wanted to sleep in a tent. She never has. I figured when the tent is this close to the house, I can handle it. It sounded like the coyotes were this close as well. Deb didn't hear the coyotes. Apparently I snore. Who knew?

Freshly showered and ready for the campout. Animal crackers are a must. Summertime fun. It also helps that I have a five day weekend. I could get use to this.