Photo Friday

We're back! Well, all but one of us is (Justin is gone at a conference).

Ava sitting on the furniture we were trying to assemble at Michelle's, so not being helpful :) but at least not being destructive which was great.

Jaime's kindergarten assessment. New stage!

The girls were thrilled to bits to go through a carwash. We got it detailed after being let down by the appearance of our humble vehicle after riding in a brand new minivan for 3 weeks in VA.

We did a hair switcheroo this week. It was our first experience with curlers.

We spent a good part of yesterday at Thanksgiving Point. It was great to get out of the house.

Photo Friday

I did it!  I am actually going to post on Friday as long as no one interrupts me.  As I said that Hyrum took over my keyboard to play with music, but I will prevail!  I did get to put Anakin Skywalker's arms back on him while my pictures loaded.  Just keeping it real.  :)

We finally got to celebrate Jacob's birthday after our guests left.  He got some fun legos and cars and army men.  We learned to fight battles with rubber bands making army men much more exciting!  

Now you get to see what we do after a family reunion!  Cleaning up can be fun!  :)

And we have been spending a lot of time in the garden weeding, but these are just pretty and don't require much work.  My favorite!

I hope everyone is having a great week!  Love you all and appreciate you!

Snapshot Saturday

Now that all of our guests are gone I can post a few pictures from the week.  I didn't take many, but here is what I have.

Hyrum loved Wildlife Prairie Park.  I think we will go there next year with all of you!

More Hyrum.

We tried waffles this time instead of pancakes.  I think it will go really well next year.  :)

Our chickens are laying much more consistently again.  Phew!

We all survived and are looking forward to a quiet week, though, we will be sad to see James leave on Wednesday.

Photos!

We have been photo negligent with the family reunion going on at our house this week. It takes a lot of energy to make those things happen! It's now over, the house is almost back to normal, and the last visitors leave tomorrow. Here are just a couple shots from our week. 

Washing walls prior to touch up painting!

New door!

Joshua and his bees. He got his first tiny taste of honey and he was aglow for days!

Moving the rug back. Even Simon helped!

Lemongrass casualty. It happens. Last year it was delphinium casualty. 

Something wants our trash. Tracking experts: coon or opossum?

Snapshot Saturday

This has been an eventful week!

We finally got our new door.  But this is no door.  I'm glad it was a nice day!

So pretty when it was done!

The outside looks the same, but it isn't!  And it has a screen!!!!

Finding the queen bee.  He is doing a great job!  

This is Ava playing while mom and dad work.  It was fun spending some time with them.

Planting season is always fun and fills our car!

The little birthday boy and his adventures in climbing.  This is what he was doing while I ran on the treadmill. 

And you thought Cheerios were for eating!

So, I learned not to give the 1 yr old a lit candle.  I moved his hand away and he started crying.  :(  

Once the candle was gone and he had free reign, things were much better !  

No shirt after that cake, but opening presents was fun.

We miss you all!  I hope you enjoy our adventures!

Photos

I can't believe none of us got our Friday photos in! Oh well. Here's a couple from me.

Joshua taking out the smoker for the first time. He opened up the bees this week and checked their hive and they are building and laying eggs! It's all good news. 

The wet and temperate whether has been ideal for our growing things and our garden is almost planted. We finally got ourselves together enough this year to enjoy spring greens. Hallelujah!

My students are discussing and evaluating one another's propaganda. It's fun, all around. 

It's blurry, but I think you get the point. The last is mobile. Great…

We love you and miss you! How about some photos (Michelle, Heather, Marquie…)? I post here from my phone, so I know it can be done quickly and easily. Do it. 

Our Star Ears Feast for May 4th

Heather and the kids did an amazing job.

Planting the Garden

We have tried several methods over the past years living in Virginia to find a way to grow something to help with our desire to be self-sufficient.  We are driven by the desire to be obedient and to truly find good solutions for us where we have been living.  Last year we were overall successful in growing tomatoes, herbs and some cucumbers.  This year I saw a garden plan that I really wanted to try.  So yesterday we took a shot at it.  Not often do I grossly underestimate time required to do a project but I sure did yesterday.  I estimated a couple of hours...  it took all day.  None-the-less we are excited and truly hopeful it will work.

You can see the actual "garden in the background partially filled and assembled.  Here mom is holding one of the "rows" to be filled with soil.  Took a bit but not too bad.  Part of the "under estimating" the project time.

The finished project with seeds and plants all planted and even watered.  Tomatoes, Tarragon and Thyme in the pots below.  You will notice there is still room to add rows, three more to be exact.

Top view.  Let us say this about that, THERE ARE A LOT OF HOLES we cut in those rows.  If the plants start growing we will add a pinhole water line to make irrigation easier and more controlled.

This is an experiment to provide a garden with a fair bit of growing space (Current 27 feet, maximum 36 feet) in a minimal area (3' x 8.5').  A garden that we can plant, water, weed (we hope not) and harvest in a way that is easier on our backs and knees.  And being obedient to the instructions of a prophet to be as self-sufficient as possible.  Oh, and if this works, Strawberries anyone? 

Photo PhSaturday

Well, in the absence of our mama bear, we have been busy. 

Teaching young. 

Asparagus!

Beekeepers!

Joshua and his first queen 

And 10,000 more. 

Joshua learned quickly how gentle the bees are. We still wear protection. :)

Some evening fun. Guy time, you know. 

Photo Friday

David and I try to keep ourselves busy. Sometimes that includes taking pictures on my computer. He looks the cutest in this one. Don't mind me so much. :)

Photo Friday