Genius at work...

This is Anthony Sutera and Eric on the 4th of July. As I have explained in previous posts, the Sutera Family came and stayed with us over the 4th of July. While here, Eric and Anthony decide to "take care" of the huge wasps nest that has been causing problems in our yard. After brainstorming for about 10 min, they came up with a "PLAN"

Eric was going to stand underneath the nest holding the cooler underneath while Anthony uses the hoe to knock the nest down into the cooler where Eric would "trap" the wasps inside.

BRILLIANT

Anthony ended up getting stung on the ear...even though he is wearing Finn's bike helmet to protect him.

Check out the video. Unfortunately, I ran for my life and missed Anthony coming within inches of ramming his head into a tree. Classic guys...classic!

Afterwards, they decided that maybe they should go to Ace Hardware and get some wasp killer. Like I didn't mention that before they started this whole mess.

Swimming Lessons

After much discussion, I convinced Eric to let me get a membership to the local gym. Not only would I get to workout on a regular basis but I could sign Finn up for swimming lessons. Last summer when we were visiting Brinn we all went to the pool and Finn FREAKED out about getting in the water. FREAKED!! I wanted to remedy that on the double.

My worries weren't even necessary since Finn has LOVED the pool this year. Crazy child. He has been so excited to go to his class each day and has really done well. Today was the last day of the first class and so he got a certificate and graduation ribbon. Monday he begins the next class where I am hoping he will learn to float completely on his own.

You can tell by the smile on his face that he is so proud of himself!

Gardening

Teeny-tiny baby cucumber

Watermelon


This summer I have bonded with my thumb. My green thumb that is. I don't know what it is about living in the country that made me want to have a garden. Actually, I have always wanted to grow a garden and now I just didn't have any excuses.

I can't explain just how much satisfaction I have gotten from these plants. It's even more than satisfaction...Serenity. Each afternoon after the kids wake up from their naps, we head out to play in the yard. I try to water the garden while the kids try to drench themselves in the same water. Eventually, the kids do end up drenched and the garden gets watered.

Tomatoes

The squash has given me a little stress. We had a HUGE wasps nest which scared away all the bees. I have learned that squash are not self-pollinating. With wasps around there were no bees to pollinate my squash. I had to self-pollinate them and so after a little squash IVF, I now have baby squash. We also have pumpkins but I started those too late in the season to really get much. They are more for fun...

Peppers

Beans

Blueberries times 2!

Today we met the Sutera's at Butlers Orchard to pick more blueberries. They came to stay this weekend for the 4th of July celebrations. The orchard is SO MUCH FUN! Aside from the blueberries, they have a fun playground and huge slides for the kiddies.

The Fam and the blueberry bushes. Check out our buckets of TREASURE!

Neelah and Braxton. She is already hand-feeding the boys!

Look at these BEAUTIFUL BERRIES!! I bootlegged a few recipies from this book they were selling. Blueberry Jam and Blueberry Syrup. I can't wait.

Braxton couldn't wait to get the berries in his mouth! "One for the bucket, one for my mouth!"

Check out how FAT those things are!

Castle on the playground. Finn, Neelah, Braxton and Carmine.

John Deere

Riding the tractor to the fields.