Lobster

Memorial day weekend the local grocer flies in a ton of lobster and we decided to partake... look at that huge thing, he was the biggest and weighed 7 plus lbs!

Note the terrified look on the children's faces? Eric and Brian told them a million times that the lobster would literally remove a finger if they fooled about with it... It was delicious and we had a lovely weekend!

Daddy's little helper.

Eric mows the lawn either Friday evenings or Saturday morning. Here is Bitty, still in PJ's 'helping' - ear protection & all!

He is so very patient with her! She almost always gets to give a hand, which slows down whatever you are trying to do, it's great to see that he's always willing to take the time to teach her and let her help.

You have to start 'em early on chores ya'll!

Quick Visit to Nana

We ran to Nana's, just me & the girls, on a Sunday evening for a quick overnight trip to drop off plants and pick up a few. Mom & I were diligent about starting flowers and garden plants and had some back and forth for delivery.

It was not real warm, but nice and sunny and the girls played in the sandbox that Nana & Grandad built for Bitty (and subsequent grandchildren, I suppose!).

The ButterBean is, obviously, enjoying herself!

Miss Bitty, wild as usual.

Aren't these dirty little toes just adorable?!?!?! Love 'em.

Surprise Visit

My best pal from university, Samantha, just returned stateside from a deployment to United Arab Emirates. On her journey back to their home in Georgia from California via Washington (she's from WA and her parents fetched her from California, her husband and daughter met her at her parents in western Washington, and after a visit there, they began the long trek home.) she called me when they were about 45 minutes from my house and asked if they could stop by. I was at the winery (it was a Wednesday) and I immediately headed for home! She has a habit of randomly calling me and showing up places - last time it was May 2010 at my parents house.

Addison really needed a break from sitting in the car, so they stripped her down to her undies and she and Bitty played in the dirt!

Here I am leaning out the window trying to get a decent shot of them... not sure if I was successful. Of course, I got distracted and have no photos of Sam or her husband Adam and myself. Par for the course.

Here's LindyJean! I had some Clementines, which were not very good to eat and I didn't want to throw them away. I juiced them in the Vitamix and LindyJean could not get enough. Although I was sorry later when it gave her the runs.

Playdoh heaven. Bitty cannot get enough and before Addison showed up she spent nearly the entire morning in that exact spot.

MonkeyDooz

Adelaide has needed a haircut and I haven't wanted to do it myself (and have her look like I did at her age!) or pay for one. Lisa, my neighbor, suggested that we all go to MonkeyDooz together, as Maggie was due for a trim too...

Wagons loaded and ready to go!

Maggie went first to show Bitty how it's done. Here we are observing "nervous Nelly" getting her hair washed. Notice her face and how she's hanging on to the board for dear life?

Here is the fun chairs they get to sit in. Gloria was the stylist - and knew exactly how to handle the kiddos! Bitty enjoyed herself.

Blowin' it dry. This place is great! It's meant specifically for children and is very reasonably priced too. We loved it and will return when it's time for another cut.

LindyJean taking the Jeep for a spin.

Maggie showing off her do!

Afterward, we treated them to lunch at Red Robin. LindyJean ate everything within reach. It was a lovely morning!

jumping beans

What we're up to.

Some of the everyday...

Here are the two of them, hanging out, early in the morning. They really have become fond of one another.

I was cleaning up/organizing kids' clothes. Eric was "helping" and decided that this detachable hood would make a nice hat and then he got distracted from our chore by Starlings in the garden. Which he decided to dispose of with his Red Rider BB gun, shot out of the dining room window. What a Cletus.

1st Saturday ride to local Farmer's Market.

As a contractor who suffers from some pretty decent hearing loss, Eric is something of a Nazi about ear protection. He ordered the girls matching pink ear protection. When it arrived, Bitty was stoked. She put them on and refused to remove them for the remainder of the day. At least she now has an excuse for not listening to me, huh? What?

first harvest

LindyJean after a dirt snack.

We picked our first crop, radishes! Adelaide was a great helper and dug them all out. Lindyjean ate dirt and tried to kill all the onions.

We took them inside, topped them, washed them and put them in the fridge. LindyJean spent the whole time pulling them out of the basket and throwing them about. She is turning into the world's most adorable holy terror. I think it might be time to bust our babyjail...

Case Rd Project

Eric Stagg Construction, as of next month, will be up and running 2 years now. I am quite proud of my husband. It is no small thing to support your family operating your own business, especially with your wife as book keeper/business partner.

He has developed a reputation as a contractor that does excellent work in a timely fashion and is easy to work with. We are getting plenty enough work to keep us busy, real busy! This last fall, he did an exterior remodel (new siding and a wrap around, covered deck) for a local orchardist/viticulturist. Apparently he liked to work, because we are now doing the same for his brother! Only this place will get stuccoed and the deck is a 2nd story monster, it's huge! This project will have great before and after photos.

Existing deck and half removed siding.

No yard, just weeds... because why put one in when some contractor is gonna come stomp all over it soon?

Front of the house.

This week Eric started framing in the new deck. We went to visit, take him lunch, and string some lines. Adelaide loves, loves, loves to go see Daddy at his jobsite.

I just love this photo of them looking at one another.