boss' backhoe & pickling

Here's Boss' backhoe, Aunty Staci driving, Boss trimming Nana's tree, and Bitty supervising!

When Bitty saw this machine she said to Aunty Staci, "I WANT to drive it!"

Staci and I decided to pickle a few carrots fresh from Ma & Pa's garden. Here is Bitty washing the carrots after she and Staci dug them. Maddy is either trying to lick Bitty or steal a carrot.

Apprentice gardener Bitty assisting Nana.

Gorgeous jars of carrots packed and ready for processing. They are packed in a cider vinegar brine with dill, garlic, bayleaf, and fennel. They make lovely snacks or delicious garnish for a Bloody Mary.

Mrs. Faw & Mrs. Stagg, resident Susie Homemakers!

Mobywrap

If you have a baby and you haven't got a Moby, get one. I thought it was indispensable with Adelaide, but it's even more so when you have two to juggle. Here we are helping Nana, "put on Stanley's jammies (horse blanket) so he can go to his bedroom (stall) and go night-night." Adelaide insists on helping.

Lindyjean in the wrap, Bitty on the hip... I've been able to garden, pick raspberries, cook, and do an assortment of other things will little trouble wearing the baby. You've got two free hands and the wrap is worn so that you have no stress on your shoulders or back. It's radical. Plus - remember the photos of Eric wearing Bitty to mow the lawn? YOU MUST HAVE ONE.

Aunty Staci said something funny, can't remember what it was.

Weekend... a culinary marathon!

We've packed up and moved house to Ephrata for the weekend. We arrived on Thursday afternoon. The weekend has been mostly devoted to cooking, baking, & canning thus far...

Aunty Staci & the girls.

Adelaide's obsessed with the four wheeler and Ranger and insist on a million rides per day!

A rare moment when LindyJean has her eyes open. They are, in fact, blue - however they will be a shade darker/grayer than Bitty's.

Our first culinary adventure was homemade marshmallows - a perfect 4th of July treat! We made plain, cinnamon, and sprinkles... and chocolate dipped, but we ate all those before we got the camera out. :)

THE SANDBOX

Nana & Grandad built Bitty a sandbox. She loves it. Below are a couple photos of Daddy, Grandad, & Bitty playing in the sandbox while we waited for Nana to arrive home from work.

Two

LindyJean was born two weeks and 3 days ago. How is it going with two, you might ask? My house is a disaster - but everyone is getting fed, has clean underwear, we haven't missed a social engagement or storytime, I am cloth diapering, the garden and all my potted plants are still alive, and I am feeling pretty good. It's definitely going to take some time to get it together, but we are managing nicely. Adelaide finds it much easier to disobey orders and get into mischief (there have been a series of shenanigans that I have not had time, nor patience, to document). When she's good, she's absolutely fabulous; when she's bad, it's stinkin' awful. LindyJean sleeps, nurses, & needs diaper changes. She's an excellent snuggler. So far, so good...

I let Bitty pick out her own outfit - a grass skirt and swimsuit t-shirt and "Piggies, Mama, right now!" She wore this all day. Yes, I took her out in public like that - you have got to choose your battles at this point.

This is how LindyJean, the butter bean, spends most of her day.

Check out the rolls. I hope she stays slightly chubby like this. It's cute.

good food & good friends!

This is the most delicious cobbler, EVER! Marionberry scrumptious.

Here's the first try at a picture, can you see the top of Bitty's head in the chair closest to the camera? Next up, her in the photo and posing as the pinnacle of decorum and all that is lady-like...

Excellent, find anything good in there? By the way... these are our friends & next door neighbors, Brian, Lisa, and their 3 yr old daughter, Maggie. We love them and feel so VERY blessed to have them as our neighbors. You couldn't ask for better folk to live next door to.

Father's Day

To my dear husband -

I love you. You are an incredible companion, provider, father, and friend. I cannot imagine life without you and hope that, Lord willing, ours is a long one together. Thank you for loving me, thank you for our gorgeous girls, thank you for working so hard to provide for our family, thank you for being my best pal, thank you for all you do. Bitty loves you, LindyJean loves you, and I simply adore you.