Blue Bell Lodge

Ok, this post is really all about memory lane for me.  The summer before my senior year of college I worked at Blue Bell Lodge in South Dakota.  We made a quick stop on our way through so I could take a look. 

It was fun to see where I had worked, but I was also extremely thankful I was not working six days a week 12 to 14 hour days.  

And the Adventure Begins

So we had this crazy idea to buy a RV and travel to the Black Hills with my parents.  Well we did it!  Early in the spring we bought a camper with my parents and started making plans.  

After a couple of days of preparations we loaded up in the RV and were on our way to South Dakota.  

Not only were we taking two young boys but also my parents three dogs.  Yes, I know what you are all thinking, that sounds a little crazy.  And yes it was.  But we laughed through the struggle (most of the time).  Today looking make we have all smiles and fun memories though. 

We enjoyed camping out each night and Greyson had fun roasting marshmallows and finding the newest playground.  

We had beautiful weather and not one problem with the RV along the way.  

Down to Nebraska

In the middle of June our family loaded up on one plane after the other and made the trip down to Nebraska.  It is quite the adventure but always tends to be memorable.  

We overnighted in Denver before heading to Kearney.  I forgot how crazy it was to sleep with two very active boys.  Needless to say there was no room on the bed for me.  

Baby Shower

 Having children is fabulous.  I would never change a thing with my little two men.  However, it has only been in the past 5 months that I have begun to enjoy the incredible bliss of a full night's sleep.  I am amazed at how motivated I can be with sleep.
Living at the Mission we have the amazing opportunity to get to know people living here very well.  Orlando and Sam are two of these people.  So when Sam got pregnant I was excited to throw a baby shower for her.  I couldn't believe my excitement really (once again a little sleep is amazing).
It was such a wonderful time to get together with a bunch of ladies who have become so dear to me and have a wonderful Saturday afternoon.

Right out of the oven from scratch Quinoa, honey bread with homemade rhubarb jam.

  The flowers were a bit wilted when I got around to taking a picture (they came from the field in front of our home) 

After all the fun Michaelina and Greyson curled up on the couch to watch a show together.  They are such cute little friends.  

An Evening At Home

I really enjoy our little farm.  It is refreshing for me to come home and do chores.  Landry has started to really enjoy "helping" me too.  I know walk in to goats in the chicken pen, chickens in the goat pen.  Our big goat Brownie standing outside our backdoor after Landry so willingly let him out of his pasture.  Just tonight the two kids made a quick get-away after Landry decided to visit.  I am thankful the salmonberry bushes are in bloom to keep them away from my newly planted flowers.  

As Landry and I did chores Greyson decided to find a tree to climb.  I could hear him calling my name from the forest behind our house.  I yelled "yes Greyson" and his reply "I"m stuck in the tree mom."  This little man was not stuck, but by the time I got to him he was ready for a big swing ride.  

the big swing behind the house never seems to get old.  We is the perfect swing.  Every kid needs the perfect swing.  Growing up we had a HUGE (to my sister and me) tire swing that my dad made.  Underdoggies were the best, especially when my dad took a break from chores to push us.  Goats and cows could be heard in the not so far distance just like this night.  Hmmmmmmm  it is wonderful to be content. 

Crab Festival 2014

We love the Crab Festival!  I really think the boys just mostly love the parade and I love watching them at the parade.  

Greyson with our great friend Ted dressed as cat and the hat.  

Stephen took our new counselors camping on Woody Island for the first part of the weekend and then joined use on Sunday.  

mmmmmm funnel cakes 

Greyson checking out the food.  :)  

and this is just our random mornings.  The boys are getting better and better at playing together and it's great!! 

A Very Warm and Wonderful May

We have had a lot of fun sharing chores with our preschool and after school kids.  Very few have ever had the amazing opportunity to see a baby calf let alone feed one.  Samson the calf isn't always that friendly until there is a bottle around.  I then can't get him to go away.  

Greyson decided one night he needed to sleep next to Landry.  We always find him in the most interesting 

Landry playing in an old fishing net 

It has been HOT in Kodiak.  This day it was about 70 degrees.  We all thought we might melt so the pool came out! 

This is the net system Stephen came up with to keep the eagles away from the chickens! 

farmer Landry. 

With all the nice weather we all got together for a bbq.  It was amazing with watermelon and of course I made homemade ice cream.