Summer time

This summer has gone quickly, once again. We had a beautiful garden this year again, thanks to Samuel! We had enough for our family and enough to share, that is the best kind of garden. Things grew a lot while we were away to MN in June and when we came back we were both surprised at how much we had planted. It doesn't seem like that much when you are putting the seeds in the ground! Those beautiful sunflowers are Abel's. He bought the seeds and planted them. Dad helped water them. He used some of the flowers for the altar at church.

 We were able to can a lot with the produce. We will have plenty of salsa and tomato sauce (which both the boys just love...). Here is a picture with my little garden helper, Elisha. Our chickens are also doing well. We got 5 new ones this year (6, but one of them died a couple days after we got them). They are laying great! At times we have close to 6 doz eggs in the fridge. However, with 3 growing boys I am using close to a doz eggs each time I make them for breakfast!!

Speaking of growing boys, here they are! They borrowed these dinousaurs from a place down the street and how many happy hours playing with them in the yard.  

We took the boys fishing at the canal not too long ago. Abel got to bring his friend, Colin. They had fun and there were many fish in there, but we didn't catch anything. I was helping Elisha with his pole and he took a step too close to the edge and fell head first in the canal. I jumped in after him and pulled him out. Thankfully the water wasn't too deep and it wasn't too cold. We were both soaked and Elisha was pretty shook up, but is just fine. That night he kept saying, "Me fall in water. Mom save me."

 

We went bouldering not too long ago too. There is a place up the mountain about 10 min away. It is a great place for the boys to climb and run and jump (not all at the same time...). Dad took the boys up and Matthias and I walked around at the bottom. 

One of the many wonderful things about where we live! 

 

Here is Matthias at 9mths. A big boy and mostly happy too! He sleeps pretty well and loves to be with his big brothers!

 Matthias loves to crawl around outside. He also loves to eat dirt...my plants are thankfully surviving him!

In August my Mom, sister, and brother came to visit us. This is the first time I have seen my brother in 7 years! It was great to see him again and to introduce our boys to him. The really enjoyed their Uncle Adam. We had a nice time, just relaxing and enjoying the company. My sister Lydia is a great photographer (she can even take pictures without touching the camera!!). She took some great photos of the boys too while she was here.