4H part 2

another special part of 4H was the friendships the kids made, especially the week of fair where they spent all day long with eachother tending to their various animal projects, sipping soda, and trying to stay out of mischief.  last week a tragedy occured when a friend from their club, garrett thiel passed away. we were all so impressed by him and his kindness and maturity.  garrett's sweet mother is also addy's reading teacher at school and would tell addy about the grand plans he had for the upcoming year raising his steer... he wanted to try massaging it like they do to kobe beef in japan:)  the example he set will always be remembered and we pray that his family finds peace at such a difficult time, he will surely be missed, but we know we will see him again!

garrett thiel

4H part 1

us city folk gone and got ourselves some cows.

uhem, i mean steers.

starting in march, addy and landon were part of the new sweden 4h club.  late spring and all summer they each raised a black angus steer.  this meant clean water and measuring out the right amounts of feed morning and night, scratching, and halter breaking. once they had those things down, they learned how to "lead" their steer.  considering these animals were over 1200 pounds each, and this was a first time for all of us, it's a miracle that we survived it all unscathed.  there were a couple times someone forgot to lock the gate and we had to do some old fashioned wrangling to get them back in the stall, and there were a few head buts and rammings, but i would say 4H was a super success and the kids have learned hard work and responsibility from it all.

oh,

and would it be creepy if i said they tasted good too?

because seriously, the best steak i've ever had!

if you're going to eat meat,

what better quality beef than the kind raised on fresh open earth and love.

***

i must give credit to super dad chris because he did equally as much work as the kids. he was out there helping them every bit of the way and learning right along with them.  many hours were sacraficed so they could do this... and p.s. mom helped with the books, and we won't talk about the dozey that they were!

 

family fun?

the evening started off innocent enough.

let us go into the wilderness and set up a tent, he said.

let us eat foil dinners and roast smores, said she.

but,

the night progressively got worse,

and there may or may not have been

a few streakers found running through the camp.

august 20/21

AFG Reunion Retreat July 30 & 31

 gathering joy . preparing craft, quotes & packets . driving to midway . arriving at the wrong party .  cute katie hostess greeting me at the front door . her graceful mother battling cancer- an inspiration . registration . living the legacy- seeing old friends, making new ones . snacks . charlie baby . sharing quotes in a jar . simple gospel truth packets . song- when i feel his love . scrumptious dinner . recipes . craft time vintage bird canvases .  sara's touching story, song- he is . service project- special momento boxes for mothers of newborn loss . group fireside devotionals . family prayer . milk and cookies . headbands . morning scripture study . breakfast yogurt bar . uplifting workshop classes . yummy lunch . more fab classes . reminiscing . sharing stories . nest necklace . sisters of faith . time to reflect . a joyful heart . my cup overfloweth.

i wish i had taken pictures, but i was a little occupied with charlie in arms... thank goodness heidi took these wonderful pictures... thank you heidi!

www.wishfulthinkingphotography.blogspot.com

 

...and now for the baby...

REAGAN JANE

July 28

Sadies Baby Shower July 26