The Lost Summer

I lost track of all the fun things we did this glorious, sunny, warm, green summer.  We never really stopped playing and I have a few pictures to prove that we laughed and played the entire time.

We played in the rivers...

we played in our yard...

we played at vacation bible school...

We hiked...

we played at Oaks Park...

 At the coast...

We played on our boat...

We even caught some fish...

Enjoyed Enchanted Forest...

 Swam...

 Swam....

Even lost a tooth while swimming...

Visited new waterparks...

Ate our new favorite ice cream...

Hosted a Bocce Tournament...

Bought a new bike and learned to go over our first ramp...

We played with cousins...

Enjoyed fireworks in the street...

 

And learned to ride a bike for the first time!!!

I cannot believe it is over.  Summer is the best time for anything.  We lived in bathing suits and survived off of popsicles.  Practically perfect.

Chicken coop

 The boys all pitched-in early this summer to build a coop for our new chickens. 

The work started out with just a few boards and a lot of clean up work.

 You cannot tell by this picture, but before the wood structure even began there were loads of obnoxious shurbs, trees, weeds and other plants growing over this area.  After it got cleared away, the hammer and nails started working in our favor.

The boys played on their new zip line next to Emile while he labored dillegently.  

 We made progress fast!

We finally let the chicks into their new home with their light where their future nesting boxes will be.  Emile also worked hard to install a pulley door for them to go out into their run.  You can see it in some of the following pictures.

 Here is a look at the finished product.  The run is on the side of the coop and goes all the way around the back.   The chickens have figured out how to fly up their top perches and look out the windows until morning.  The boys are anxiously awaiting the first eggs and we will finish the nesting boxes soon as the chickens are getting closer to laying eggs.

eleven

Emile and I have been married for eleven years.  I could tell you about how every year is filled with excitement and how much I love him, but instead I will tell you about how much fun I have spending right NOW with him.

My future is going to be filled with more of these moments.  

Moments that make me fall head over heals all over again.

 

 

It started with a special night at The Resort at the Mountain.  Not too far, but a small get-away that we had never done together.

And we played croquet like Tiger Woods.  

This is me and my victory "umph".  It was supposed to look like this....

 but instead it looked like this...

 Losing hurts so bad!

But a little redemption at the putting course brought him back to form.

Then we went up to Timberline for views, food, and some great conversation.  We actually had a very early date here about 14 years ago.  We looked a little different then... and I will spare myself the humiliation of pulling up that photo!

 The food was delicious, but the views were breathtaking.  We literally sat in front of the window and compared our food to the mountain in view.

 (this image taken from our dining table)

 We came back and enjoyed reviewing wedding pictures while relaxing next to a fire.

The mountain is not complete with a visit to the "Huck".  Which welcomed us with pancakes and eggs the next morning. 

 And finally... we burned off a few of those calories walking around just one of the many beautiful mountain lakes.  Wow!  Who wouldn't fall in love all over again?

Happy Anniversary Emile!  Here we go into another year of excitement and adventure!

xoxo

Girl Power!

 I added some females to the house!  Finally.. and it took no effort on my part to deliver them. 

We have been thinking for awhile about getting some chickens, and we finally decided to make the plunge this week.  We picked up 8 baby chicks from 2 different stores, so next time you are over feel free to say hello to Daisy, Peeps, Tweets, Sunny, Libby, Goldie, Roxy, and Pickles.

We drew them art work for their new diggs and wrote out some important rules.

Yes.. they are reading them Good Night stories. 

Next time you'll see the new coop (being built), and the chicks growing... and someday laying eggs!

Chicks Man!