Gabrielle in Indiana

Rob and I went to NY for a week after 4th of July and when we returned to Indiana we brought our niece Gabrielle.  It has been a good time getting to know her better and for Abraham to have a "big sister".   It's been different to have two children to watch after and to feed.  Although, Gabrielle does pretty much everything on her own I have found that my work load has increased.   She has learned how to do laundry since being here so she has done all of the laundry a few times, I think she enjoys it.  I have not asked her to do it she just does it.  

Since we are living on the farm there are farm things to do like collect the eggs.  This too is something she enjoys doing and has asked Rich (Rob's Dad) if she can do it.  Today I took her school shopping (her Mom gave us the money).  It was fun to shop since I too am a shopper.  But I was amazed at the things she likes since the styles for her age are so much like what I wore in high school.  I should have saved those clothes and I could be handing them off....  although I am sure something would still look old to her.  :)

Well she will be with us about another week - Mooie and Poppie will come to town to visit and bring Gabrielle home.

Garden Time!!!

Now that we are in the states Rob and I wanted to have a garden.  Rob's Dad Rich plowed an area of the land for us and allowed us to have as big a garden we wanted.  I have really enjoyed being out in the garden and working it and watching all our veggies grow.  It will be something I think we will do every summer.  I will probably take a lot of the veggies and freeze them for the winter.  I did that last year with the tomatoes Rich had planted and we enjoyed them all winter.

So let me explain the picture because it could appear that I have a HUGE garden.  Behind me in the large field are beans growing  Rich allows a farmer to use the land for his crops and they get a cut of the profit.  Our garden starts with the two rows of beans at the bottom left of the picture.  The very large plants are zucchini and yellow squash.  We had  no idea how many veggies would come from just one plant so we planted all the seeds we had - so now it looks like we will have tons to give away or sell.  We also have about 12 tomato plants so again - we will give some away or sell.  Rich planted a bunch of corn this year so he is thinking he will have a small farmers market at the end of their driveway and we will more than likely contribute to it.  We also have cucumbers, onions, lettuce, peppers (hot and sweet), pumpkins, beans, basil, cilantro, cantaloupe, watermelon and a few flowers.

Tee Ball Ends, and A new Kitty

Today was Abraham's last Tee Ball game.  They all received a trophy and he was SO excited to get his very first trophy.  This league has been less than impressive so we were not sure if he would get anything at the close of the season so we were pleased to see all the kids received something.  He did great playing his first year.  The coaches all said he had a great attitude and that if he keeps on working at it he will be a great player.  We have him playing in another league currently.  This league they pitch to the kids and the games are more like real games where if they make an out they actually have to go sit down - because they are "out".  Anyway, he is loving playing and we are enjoying watching him be a little  more independent and to find things he enjoys doing.

The other exciting thing about today was that we added this little fur ball to our family.  Our friends had a cat arrive at their doorstep a few months ago and the cat was pregnant.  She is a very friendly cat and they began to feed her.  She naturally hung around and then after a few weeks had her babies.  She had 4 kittens and we were able to take one.  She is a long haired cat and so you can see from the picture of the kitten it too will be long haired.  Her kittens almost looked persian which made us wonder what she and the father are.  Anyway, we are excited to have this little fur ball we call Axel in our family.  I know my Dad will be appalled at the fact we have a cat, but what can we say......

Gone Fishin'

This Sunday we went back by the pond and did some fishing.  When I saw how Abraham was dressed to go back there I grabbed my camera.  I'm so glad I did.  He went out there with this bent out of shape cowboy hat and his cowboy boots.  He was so cute.  Then when he sat down to put his feet in and fish I had to snap a few pictures.  He has become such a farm boy since being back.  It's great to see him loving the outside and not being afraid of things.  He is starting to really like fishing too.  He will cast himself and sit and watch his bobbber.  He caught a few little ones.

Slip and Slide Fun!

Abraham got a slip and slide for his birthday from Mooie and Poppie (Beau & Ramona).  Today was finally warm enough that we got it out.  He asked if I would go so I told him I would "once."  The water was freezing.  He went down quite a few times before he realized he was cold!  This will be a fun gift to use over and over this summer!

Thanks!

Well now that I know there are people out there reading my blog I will keep it up.  Thanks for responding everyone!  And just so you all know I read yours as well so keep them going.  Rob has begun his own blogspot so if you want to read "Rob's Thoughts" you can click on the link on the right.

This is a Test

I was just wondering if anyone really looks at this blog....  so if you do can you let me know.  I'm starting to feel like I talk to no one!  ;)