Birthdays and Running

 For Joseph's Birthday Jessica made a chocolate mousse cake with chocolate covered strawberries on top.

 We limit the candles for both Joseph and I.

 The grand kids getting ready to sing to their papa.

Although the picture is fuzzy I had to put this one on. The grand kids blew out the candles before Joseph had a chance. It was pretty funny to watch Joseph's expression.

For Ashley's birthday, Jessica made a raspberry cake with a raspberry creme filling and fresh raspberries on top. Heavenly!

 Audrey getting ready to help her mom.

Ashley blowing them out on her own.

 Jessica and Ashley wanted to run a race together this summer, so they chose a 10k in Morgan.

 We went up to cheer them in.

 They did really well, coming in 4th and 5th in their age division.

 Watching other runners come in while recuperating.

  This was Ashley's first 10k, although she has done several 5ks. It is awesome to support the kids in their various interests.

 Jessica is participating in several races a year and her kids are getting pros at cheering her in. 

The boys goofing around.

July happenings

We really enjoyed having our family with us through out the summer.

 The playhouse got a lot of use. Mollie loves playing in there.

 Alex enjoying it as well.

 Chick Filet had their dress up as a cow day, where each person dressed up got a free meal. So we were crazy and put these outfits together. Jessica made the ears for everyone.  The place was packed so we weren't the only silly people.

 Got this shot just as Audrey turned her head with her ponytail straight out.

 Jessica made churros while she was here.  

 Ashley dipping them in cinnamon sugar.

Everyone waiting for the awesome goodness. They were amazing.

 The Blob!

 Ashley and Jessica saw this awesome idea where you seal two pieces of heavy plastic together and then fill with water.

 As you can see everyone enjoyed it. Unfortunately the chickens were curious and came over and pecked it, putting holes in it, but the kids had a great time anyways. 

Mollie and Alex finding the box more interesting to play in.

Raspberry Season

The raspberries came on really fast this year and the bushes were loaded.

The grand kids helped me one day picking them. Thank goodness I have thornless bushes.

 They each had their own little bowl and were quite eager to help.

 Audrey picking the ones on the edges.

 Trevor got right in the middle of the bushes. You can see how tall the canes were.

 Getting ready to enter the maze.

 Zachary really enjoyed the himself.

 The raspberry patch is one of the favorite hangouts of the chickens.

 This one kept trying to nest in them.

More of my girls. Unfortunately this white one passed away a few weeks ago. She got quite sick and although we did our best to nurse her back to health she didn't make it. It was a sad day for me as they are more than barnyard chickens.

4th of July 2015

Jessica and her boys came to spend the month of July with us so Bill could focus on his schooling. We went to the annual parade where the kids got lots of taffy. They held out their hats and the people just filled them up.

. That afternoon we had a cookout in the backyard. Eric made dutch oven potatoes, and Keith made the root beer (what more do you need than dutch oven and homemade root beer.)

Afterwards we did fireworks with the grand kids, not exactly sure what they are doing here. Yes, we have a family of piro maniacs.

 Alex sitting on the rocks.

Mollie enjoying two suckers at once. Don't know how she ended up with both of them.

Missouri pt. 3

Brian's baptism day!

 The family

 This was a very special day. We were so happy to share this day with Brian and am so proud him.

 We spent an evening at the park before heading home.

 It has an awesome play area for the kids.

We enjoyed our visit in Missouri. The weather wasn't too hot and we had a great time.

We stopped in Chillicothe to take pictures of some of Joseph's ancestors headstones and then stopped at Adam Ondi Ahmen since it wasn't far from where we were. 

Missouri in June pt. 2

We celebrated Brian's birthday.

Jessica decorated a "Mario" cake for him with all the characters.

 We went on a walk/ bike ride with the grandkids.

 Going across the Bear Creek. We stopped to see how high the water was after a huge downpour.

 Here comes Zachary!

 Next is Brian!

 Trevor cruising along on his bike.

 Finally Alex, Lizzie dog and Grandma coming up on the tail end. For a dog who lays around and sleeps all the time she sure is pulling hard on her leash. Hey, I think it's time to take the camera from Joseph and get some pictures of him.

A typical sight along the trail. The foliage is very thick. Makes for a pleasant walk.