Troubles

Jack and the boys have been away hiking in the Adirondacks since Sunday morning. I expect them to be on their way home soon so I'm eager to hear from them. The trip represented a few firsts: most importantly, it is the first real backpacking trip for the boys. Their little LL Bean backpacks were quite full and a bit heavy. Jack's backpack contained three sleeping bags. These three days have also been the first I have had the computer to myself for three full days! The times Jack needs to use the computer to "earn a living" or to get information to "build our house" usually trumps any need I have for the computer. Three whole days! I was going to bang out so many blog posts! I got one done and then lost the capability to post pictures! AHHHHHHH! I've tried over and over with no success. When I click on the icon that usually lets me access my photos, nothing happens. Any suggestions?

Science Fair

If not for my good friend Julie, my children would have very little science instruction in their home school education. However, I did manage to help the kids in putting together projects for an end-of-the-year science fair we participated in with 5 other families.

Annie drew a poster labeling the parts of a plant


Jack built a motor from a kit his Grammy and Grandpa got him for his birthday


Corban built a catapult from his physics set

Memorial Day picnic

We didn't have any major plans this weekend. Jack worked at the house and we spent time with friends on Sunday. For our Monday night dinner, we had a picnic at our new house. FYI: Brats cooked over the fire take significantly longer than brats cooked over a grill. It was a beautiful night and I spent many moments dreaming about next year's Memorial Day meal. Hopefully, we'll be residents of this new place.

Annie loves her new chair that Aunt Ali gave her for her birthday




Munching french fries while we wait for the brats to cook


Girls in sundresses. Can't resist taking pictures of that!





Jakin was with us - he just didn't manage to get himself into a picture. No sundress.

The house on May 29

More shingles. Plumbing rough-in. Met with the electrician this week to decide on all those things you decide with an electrician. Roof is just about done. Chimney is done.



Doors are framed


Jack stained the first section of the cedar shingles on the dormer. Love it!

Nine

Jakin turned nine this month. Nine. Nine means a lot of things....

Nine means Jakin's shoes are almost as big as mine
Nine means greater independence, like riding his bike up to the house when Dad is working there
Nine means Jakin eats his age in pancakes
Nine is half-way to adulthood - yikes!

We celebrated the day by going on a bike ride on a bike trail. It was a beautiful day. I just kept saying how happy I was. The girls were in the Burley and the boys rode bikes. It was just delightful. Then Jack took Jakin, Corban and a few of their friends to play Laser Tag. After I've done the legwork on many birthday parties, I was happy to pass the baton to Jack this year.

We love our boy!

At track and field practice


Wearing the soccer jersey that Uncle Ed and Aunt Lisa bought Jakin in Peru. Soccer jerseys are all the rage for the boys these days.


Three of the four


A picture from the bike ride. Lauren is tucked in that bike trailer, too.


On the rope swing that Jack recently hung at our house

Lauren at 15 1/2 months

Some recent milestones:
**Lauren only walks now. Well, except when she's running.
**We were able to get rid of the gate on the steps. It's nice to get to the point of being able to trust all of our children to go up and get back down the steps safely.
**Lauren finally hit 20 pounds. And she's up from the 2nd %ile for weight to the 13th.
**Lots of talking: bye bye, baby, mama, dada, milk, uh oh, cheese, banana, night night, up. Of course, she doesn't say the words exactly like that, but I know what she's saying when she says those words.
**Old enough to be trusted to play outside with her siblings (and without Mommy). This is such a huge help when I'm cooking dinner. I peak at her every moment, but at least I'm not holding her.
**And, she is finally starting to be a bit more social. She will be friendly with people instead of frantically searching for mama. She is still a bully though. No qualms about pushing kids larger than her tiny self if they dare to cross her will.

Pretty girl in a pretty dress


This girl is all about accessories. I think she and her big sister Annie are going to get along just fine.


Her dress from the day before was still on the floor when I got Lauren dressed one morning. She just added the dress to what she was already wearing.


Time with Daddy

The shingles are growing up the house

I'm not sure how to adequately express how excited we are by how stinkin' good we think the shingles look as they go on the house. This photo is from April 29



The back dormer is completely shingled. I just keep taking pictures, because I think it looks so nice from every angle.


The next two pics are from May 2. Since it is now May 8, the shingles have grown up the house even more, but I don't have pictures yet.


The apple blossoms are blooming. I hope that when we see those blossoms next year, we will be living in this house.