Happy Independence Day!

It was interesting trying to explain to Cahill why July 4th is such an important day for us to celebrate. Basically we were stuck on a lot of vocabulary like independence, freedom, war and other words. I tried to explain in the simplest of terms but was harder then I could ever imagine. I guess that is why the day is so important to our country we do not understand what it is like to not have freedom. What our lives would be like if we had not won our independence. It would be a lot easier to explain to a 4 yr old what freedom is if we did not have it. So thanks be to God for giving us a country blessed by his hand and thanks be to all of the people who laid down their lives so we could be free.

 

Pinwheels

I purchased some pinwheels from the toy department for my garden. I was trying to scare off rabbits and other creatures from eating my veggies. But what I did not realize is that Ashy would fall in love with them. She would sit outside the fence and watch them and then strain to reach inside to grab. So next time I made it to the store I made sure to pick up a couple more for Ashy to play with. She has had so much fun with her pinwheels I knew I had to get the camera out.

 

Strawberry picking time!

This year was extra special strawberry picking as the whole family did it together. Cahill and I have been picking for a couple years but this year we had Ashlynn with us also. I was a little concerned as I could imagine her running through the fields squashing all of the beautiful plants, but she did great.

It is also more enjoyable when Kurt joins us and we all pick together. We picked a total of 14lbs of berries and I am sure Cahill ate atleast a pound while in the fields. I am hoping that later this week we will do some organic raspberry picking also. (oh by the way the strawberries were only $1.46 a pound to pick)!

If your cute and you know it clap your hands

Okay so I am a mom and I love to take photos so that equals a ton of photos..I can't barely stand how cute Ashy is and what a goof ball she is. I LOVE my girls and they are super squeezable so this is one of many crazy shoots..FYI she is showing off her new boots and I told her to strike a pose so this is what u get..

My secret Garden

I have to admit that one of the times I feel closest to God is when I am outside and digging in the dirt. I know to some of you that sounds insane but I know in my family there are more like me. Those of us who love to just breathe and be outside, feel the wind ,soak in the sun and have fingers buried in the Earth. Everytime i watch a seed transform into a flower or vegetable I am in awe.  I sit and watch my garden in the morning for a few minutes checking each change everyday. I was so excited to also have Cahill by my side learning all about seeds and vegetables and the gift that God gave us by giving us the strength to grow it ourself with a little help with the sun and rain. I even allowed her and Ashlynn to pick out some of their very own flowers and let them plant them in their garden. I chose to do a lasagna garden created with grass clipping, leaves, my own compost, peat moss and manure. My husband put up a fence to keep the rabbits oh I mean Ashy out. But I must admit digging up the huge sod was the most work. We had to split it up over a week as it nearly killed us both. The kids had a blast going down the hill with daddy as he threw the sod away and then drove them up in the wheelbarrow. Every Sunday I spray my garden with fish oil to fertilize and stink out the neighbors and it is working great. Oh did I mention that the garden is purely organic and as natural as possible! Anyone that can give me anymore advice about organic gardening I would love it, as I have much more to learn.

Spring/Summer Fun

Since our Michigan weather has been anything besides stable our normal spring time adventures did not occur. We have had to be creative in different ways to deal with the 80 degree day quickly followed by the 40 degrees day. Hopefully that is all behind us and we can start swimming, hiking and having more outside playdates. So here are some cute pictures of my fabulous babies! In recent news we picked up used bikes for the whole family so we have been enjoying some family bike rides. Cahill is working on riding without training wheels and pics will follow shortly with video. She has it mostly mastered but still working on the start up and need more practice before she hits the road.

 Flying with Mom

 Saving a baby bird with Nathan

 Finding a Robin's egg with Brooklynn

 Snuggling with sissy after baths

 Ashlynn's first time with real paints. Boy did she have fun

Nancy Drew

Apparently Nancy Drew is best in the morning in your favorite rocking chair reading to your kitty with the window open. (this has happened almost everyday in the morning)