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.

Matching Dresses

My mom helped me make these cute "pillowcase" dresses for the girls when she was here last. They turned out so cute and I felt very crafty!

Too bad the girls weren't as pleased with modeling them as I was at having sewn them.

PIck your own!

Saturday we went as a family to Butlers Orchard to pick our own cherries and blueberries. It was such a fun family activity. We took a tractor ride across the orchard to the cherries and blueberries and then just got to roam and pick at our leasure. The cherries were pretty sour and more difficult to pick but the kids had a blast picking the blueberries. We plan on going back this week since after only 2 days, all the blueberries are gone.

Hot Maryland Afternoons

This just might be my favorite picture of the summer so far. Neelah trying to drink from the sprinkler. She definitely doesn't get her tongue from me!

My Grandma Lois used to make my sister and I take pictures in our swimsuits every summer we went to visit in Las Vegas. I used to hate them. But now it is too cute for me to pass up.

The kids thought it was hillarious to do the "bum dance" in the sprinkler. I thought it was hillarious to watch.

Growing Up

Growing up is never easy. Especially when your mom takes away your "Lovey". Before anyone calls Child Protective Services on me, I didn't actually take it away. I just banned it from leaving the bed. No more falling in muddy puddles, loosing it in Costco or Finn using it as some sort of ransom while we are all in the car. These tears only lasted one day and then it was just fine that "Lovey" takes a "happy nappy" while we go play. (For the record, the elastic rope didn't stay there all night. I wouldn't intentionally provide a choking hazard for my child.)

I remember what it feels like to be without that one security item...my grandma stole my blankie from me. It was in rags and she did give it back to me when I got married but it was still tormenting.

Summer Carnival

While Mom was here last week, we went to the local Lion's Club Carnival. What a way to blow lots of money! Aside from that, it was a lot of fun.

When Finn and Neelah rode the little rollercoaster, this is how it began. Both of them had huge smiles. By the end, Neelah was crying. When they got off the train, she was laughing again and acting so excited. Crazy girl.

On the ferris wheel, Finn rode with Eric and loved it. Before we actually went to the Carnival, it was the only ride he could see from the car when we drove by. He kept talking about the "Ferris Wheel" and then of course Neelah the mimic chimed in on just how excited she was to ride the Ferris Wheel.

She didn't feel that same excitement when she was actually riding it.

Finn started off on the Swings but didn't know if he liked it while actually riding.

Dinner with the Missionaries

We have had the Elders over for dinner quite a few times since moving here. I love that part about living outside of Utah...the opportunity to REALLY develop relationships with the missionaries. The last 2 weeks Finn and Neelah have insisted on putting the Elders shoes on and carrying Books of Mormon around the house. It is pretty classic really. Now all they need to do is sing "I hope they call me on a mission" while stomping around the house.

I love my kids.

In the yard

We have a small break in the rain this weekend. Today and tomorrow and then all next week it is supposed to rain again. Who knew it rained this much in Maryland?? Eric took advantage of the rainless weather and finished the electric dog fence. HALLELUJAH!! Maile is getting too brave for her own good around here. Of course Finn and Neelah had to tag along to "train" Maile to her boundaries. Finn counted all the flags.

Here are a few pics of our developing birds. The above shot was taken 3 days ago and the below was taken just this morning. Their eyes are open and they have feathers already! I will be so sad when I go to look at them and they have all flown off to live their own lives. Maybe tomorrow they will start "cheep"-ing.

Aunt April and Uncle Nate

April and Nate took the kids across the street to visit our neighbors the horses. They even let the kids feed the horses a slice of apple...without asking the owners first! Naughty April and Nate! We loved having them visit!

They did a great job vying for the "favorite aunt and uncle" by giving all the kids presents. Hunter and Finn got shooting airplanes which promptly got stuck in the trees. The girls got these hand mirrors that they got to decorate with jewels and glitter.

April was very patient in helping Kinney, Neelah and Riley with their stickers. The gifts were hits!