June Happenings

Though I don't have a ton of pictures from June it was still very busy. 

We had over 2500 pictures collectively of our trip east to go through ... hopefully it will be up soon!

Before I begin, for those interested in youth ministry in the church, please take the time to watch this video while it is being offered to see for free until September and pass it on to anyone you think would be interested:

http://www.dividedthemovie.com/melanie

As we are about to sit down to dinner with our friends we saw it get pretty hazy out

Just a bit of dirt blowing by.

Many hands lighten the load

Helping with the fencing

and the last bit of painting

Enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon with the Ahlgrens and Billy

"Well I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry --- Coke" (or better yet honey sweetened ice tea)

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My main project for the month... finishing outfits for the 4th of July

Rather time consuming having to hand stitch around each piece, but very worth the end result... Stay tuned!

A celebration for Benjamin and a charge to Godly manhood

The little ones love Marscel... who wouldn't?

So sweet!

A time of prayer for Benjamin

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With no trees in our back yard we can see some beautiful sky views

The next day had a whole new beauty. The roof was still blocking my view from the top of the fort on the swing set though...

So I climbed on the highest part of the wall and reached my arm out and this was what I saw. Too bad I couldn't get on our roof... now that would have been a site!

Hearing of Jordan Rueben's new business plan. Find out more here:

http://www.beyondorganicinsider.com/becomeaninsider.aspx?enroller=1800

We were excited to find a drive-in only half an hour away... granted there is only one screen and one showing, but there are upsides. Like, you don't get cold as the evening goes on. It was 99° at 8pm and it was still in the 90's at 9pm!

They still have the original RCA speakers you can put in your windows. The place was run by the grandson of the man who started it back in the 1950's

Can you guess which way the wind blows?

Another bonus? You can still watch the movie from the roof of your van. The only down side is a super bad kink in your neck at the end, but for a night and to be near your brother... it's worth it.

 I thought this was so cute. 

Nice padding to sit on, cozy cave feeling, little lantern, and some take-out.

We didn't realize people don't rush to the drive-in, filling it fast like in Massachusetts. There were still plenty of good spaces even up to the time it started. That was ok with us though.. we found a fun way to entertain ourselves.

It's time... let the show begin!

Stay tuned for 4th of July festivities!

Overview of May

As it would be pointless to state the obvious of being rather behind in updating I will jump right in with an overview of May

We all know it to be true

With July quickly approaching Ruth and I begin the task of making breeches for our brothers.

Mom was able to accompany Pa on his training trip to California.When we lived in Massachusetts, California would be a lovely place to go to warm up in May... from Oklahoma it's a place to cool down

"Isn't she lovely
Isn't she wonderful"

Is there a masculine version of a rose among thorns?

I spy... Uncle Johnny!

Definitely a bonus for having the training in California

Meanwhile, Marscel and I went to Jordan and Melissa's. Marscel was able to put what he's learning about plumbing to good use. Every sink and tub drain is now clean.

Getting into it... literally

Want a refreshing summer treat? We call them Tangerincicles:
1cup milk (goat's milk, rice milk, cow's milk, coconut milk... they all work great)
1/2 cup sweetner (fruit sweetner or honey preferred)
1/4 dry milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4cups ice cubes
4 drops Young Living Essential Oils Tangerine oil
Place above in Vitamix (or blender) in order listed and secure lid. Turn on and quickly increase speed to high. Use tamper to press ingredients into the blades. In about 30-60 seconds, the sound of the motor will change and four mounds should form. Stop machine and serve immediately.
As you can see it's so good William didn't want to waste one drop!

Reading one of William's favorite books... again, and again, again.

He doesn't like being alone!

My kind of multi-tasking: Working on a project while keeping Philip entertained

Matthew and Micaiah were able to join us for the weekend

Figuring out how to puzzle the pieces together with only a picture of what it should look like when it was done.

Ta-da!
So much fun to be had in such a small space

They decided to surprised William. We all went outside camera's ready to see his reaction. He walks out looks over at it and just stares.
Matthew: Do you want to go see it?
William: Please.

Interviewing him on what he thought of it. As soon as he climbed on it he loved it and didn't want to go back in

I don't remember how, but William had fell or hit his head on something and the three of us rushed over to try and comfort him. He was so funny, stopping crying long enough to sip the kombucha or eat the granola.

Philip helped me sew...

While William helped Marscel with his math
"Sorry, Uncle Marscel, I can't remember if you multiply or divide first"

Upon our return the Bartons were surprised by friends from the East...

The Fourniers!

Catching up on all the news form the east

Spurs up!

Who says aprons aren't manly or are only for girls?

A visit to our favorite hair dresser. If you need to get your hair cut come on over!

Three new looks. Well done, Billie!

Right after there were some major tornado warnings. We all headed to a local high school since our shelter is only enough for 4-5 people. It was pretty packed. Thankfully the tornadoes changed direction and missed our town!

After the storm. Sunny on one side, stormy on the other

On the last day of the Bartons and Fourniers visit we headed over to the Arnettes for more fun memories! They have this cool pond with rowboats, kayaks, and a 47 ft drop to jump off of.

Later we shot some clay pigeons
(No real animals were harmed in the making of this picture... some ants may have been squished though)

A final group picture before the Fourniers and Bartons headed home. We were glad you could come!

What happens when Marscel finishes shopping at our local thrift store before the rest of us

There we were after a long day of cleaning when the door bell rang and this little man was knocking at the door!

The Niednagels arrived to surprise me for my birthday. Thank you two for making it such a special weekend!

"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it."

This game always seems to emerge from the depths of the game cabinet when Jordan is around. Never to old to play, right?

I was more then happy to hold the little one

What would a visit be with out going to... Guthrie!

Exploring new places... with numerous antique shops that's not too hard to do

The Guthrie drug museum will never be the same...

"Ah, there is a bench. Come, let us go sit up on it and rest our weary feet while indulging our palette with some salty chips."

It was decided the frozen yogurt tasted better when you sit at the little kids table. It was all so Berri Licious!

One of those pictures that I like and since it's my blog... here it is.

My little snuggle bug... when he's in a snuggle-y mood

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Aren't they just darling!

Mom just walked in and said,"Oh... that's nice" I guess that's a good caption

Must be a good book... they were standing there for a while

All together now... Awww ♥

Of course we had to end the day with one of my favorite family traditions.

If you haven't tried it yet you should.
If you haven't seen Jordan's side of the visit, head on over and enjoy a good laugh: http://niednagel.com/blog.htm