Swimming

Last Friday, the sky opened up and we got over three inches of rain within an hour.  That means we've had lots of standing water and very hot and humid weather recently.

When I got home from work Friday evening, the kids came running to me in their swimsuits.  "Momma, we're going to the beach!" They meant our personal pond which had formed during the downpour.

They played in this water for about an hour.  True farmkids!

Normally, you would hardly be able to see the creek running through our pasture during this time of year since the water level drops and the long grass covers the little water trickling through.  I really want to take a tube down this!

 Our neighbor has almost completely lost his pasture to high water levels.  Here are some comparisons of the normal water level pictures I took less than 2 weeks ago and the current water levels.  You can also really see the haziness we've had with all the humidity the last few mornings.

We still have some standing water in our yard from Friday's rains, but it has become very stagnant and smelly.  So we pulled out the portable pool for the kids to cool off, and they've spent so many hours here the past few days.  This water doesn't look much better, does it?  Between the rusty well water and the dirt and grass the kids drag in as they jump in and out, the water gets pretty ugly and needs to be changed frequently!

We've also hit a few local beaches recently and took our boat out last evening to beat the heat.  Here are Mike and the kids at beautiful Lake Minnewaska Sunday evening.

After swimming, we had to have some ice cream from DQ along the lake.

The kids also love this hobo statue across the street from the DQ. 

Hope you are all keeping cool and enjoying summer!

Over the river and through the woods

I suppose technically, in our case, we go over the creek twice and through the pasture to get to Grandma's house.  The kids love being able to take evening walks to visit Grandpa and Grandma!  And Teddy always tags along, of course.

Sunset on the way home.



We had a pretty strong wind storm last Sunday followed by this beautiful rainbow.  If you look close, you might see the double rainbow!



I completely forgot...

When I posted this picture last week, my purpose was to point out the beautiful new handrails along the steps.  Alas, it was getting late that night, and in my want of sleep I didn't mention that it was my very handy hubby who crafted and painted these rails.  Thanks, Mikey!

If you want an old picture for comparison's sake, click here.

The trouble with going for a run around here...

...is that I spend just as much time taking pictures of our neighbor's beautiful pasture and the beautiful flowers growing in the ditches as I do running.

Yes, I know this is an awful thistle, but I still love its beautful flower.

July 4th a week late!

We enjoyed a beautiful weekend with lovely weather.  We had to stay around home since I was on call, but I only had to work a few hours here and there.  We still got to enjoy time at home along with golfing, boating, going to the beach and a big family barbecue.

Watching in awe as Daddy tees off.

This trapeze is an extra for our swingset, so it hangs in the garage.  We recently went to the circus, so Nora has been inspired to perform!  We really should hang the trapeze from the swingset, but Nora loves to use the wall to walk herself up and over!

An assortment

This is just a large post to catch up on pictures! 

Wearing Daddy's batting helmet.

Dane with cousins Zach and Ellie.

So happy for the fun presents from the Shepherds!

Writing thank-yous.

Headed out to play on the bales at the end of our driveway.

The garden (and all of its weeds) keeps on growing.

I had so neatly labelled all of our rows, but most of the tags have since been blown or washed away.

The vine garden and Sunny.

 The kittens also continue to grow.  Poor Mr. Oranges didn't pull through his sickness...

Almost as big as Momma Rosie.

Rough and tumble.

 More flowers blooming.