Mid-Summer Happenings

 I'm trying to remember that I craved "slow and easy" days during the school year, and I feel like that's what I've had this summer. It has been refreshing to wake up in the morning and have a flexible to-do list; although I have to admit that some days do feel long. I suppose that helps me appreciate my teaching job! In not particular order, here's what we've been up to:

Endless fixing and revamping in the shop:

Digging up potatoes and pulling up a generous onion crop!

Look at the size of that potato!

The 4th of July fireworks were outdone by the sky this year!

Enjoying my walks at sunset:

Many, many green beans to can and pickle. Thanks to the girls for cleaning and stemming them!

I had been keeping tabs on an Oriole nest near the garden, and one Sunday, I witnessed the "fly-away!" It was a noisy affair as the parents and babies kept calling back and forth. I almost can't get over the fact that I had time to stand and watch the whole affair!

One of the last babies, perched and ready to fly

Harvest came and went, with better-than-expected outcomes and this year, Caiden took on a little more of the combining, too!

A wettish June led to some beautiful evenings and pastures!

Finally saw Hamilton in Wichita in early mid-June. Oh my! It did not disappoint and it was fun to see it with all the girls in the family!

We are just loving our little ones this summer - as we always do!

Rolo

Crackle

Willis - who I rescued after his mother abandoned him. 
Thankfully, another mama took him on. He has thumbs - 
a precious reminder of his mother, Willow, who died shortly
after he was born.

I dropped Delaney off for her annual week at Camp Mennoscah. I am so thankful for the camp and for the connections she has made over the years. Even though her Goessel friends are always with her, she has managed to make a few friends from other places, too. There are actually a lot of Goessel people there this week as staff, too!

Talent Show

Singing Time

River time!

Moonbeams Campers: 
Lauren, Elaina, Olivia, Quinli, Delaney, Naomi, Mabel, Catherine
Counselors: Sophie and Addy

Delaney's counselors were so awesome and gave
each Moonbeamer a personal note and a bracelet specific to each girl!

Cambry spent time at MennoCon in Kansas City, along with Pastors Caleb and Lois, Colby, Eli, Natalie, and Levi. It was a  small group, but they managed to have a good time, I think. And I was appreciative of the messages they were able to hear!

And just to mark the occasion - we had to use store-bought eggs for the first time in at least 17 years! In early summer we had a chicken massacre in the barn as raccoons kept finding their way in. We sure appreciated the convenience of ALWAYS having eggs on hand, but we are not missing the washing!!