Picking we will go . . .

The only thing better than raspberries are fresh-picked home-grown raspberries.

Our neighbors have a wonderful raspberry patch.

They invited us to come pick while they are out of town.

We were happily picking when we realized that we were getting bitten by mosquitoes. We went home and lathered on the bug spray. After we we safe from the bugs, we went back and finished picking. At least one of us was whistling while we worked. Little Lady was filling up her bucket mostly from Grandma's bucket.

Grandma had to work fast to stay ahead of Little Lady!

We have been enjoying fresh raspberries with our granola for breakfast and I have been able to freeze quite a few for later in the season. Thanks neighbors for sharing your bounty with us.

It' not so much picking the berries as it is a kind of treasure hunt for the kids.

-Mike Skinner-

Start Your Engines

We had planned to spend the last day of Grandpa and Grandma's visit doing something fun together. It was raining, so we were going to go to the indoor miniature golf course, but it was flooded. The boys just love our local arcade/fun house. We actually have only been there twice, both times when Grandma and Grandpa were here. The boys had a turn at the bumper cars and then played some games. Then they talked Grandpa into going on the bumper cars with them. It didn't take too much convincing.

Digging Badger ready to go.

Crazy Fox ready for action.

Grandpa was trying to beat Crazy Fox in the Top Skater game.

We all had a great time playing together and enjoying each other's fellowship.

And we found out that some of us are better at Deal or No Deal than others. ;)

It is a happy talent to know how to play.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Curly-Q

Grandma and Grandpa were here for a visit last week and we had so much fun with them. This was just one of our many adventures.

We got Little Lady's hair wet and rag-rolled it.

Little Lady sat surprisingly still while Grandma told us stories about how her sister and her used to take turns rolling each other's hair.

She had so much fun with all her "bows" in her hair.

She slept soundly on her curlers. When we took them out the boys said "You look like a poodle!" This was fine with Little Lady, because she loves dogs and Cleo the poodle on Clifford.

We combed her ringlets out a little bit and pulled the front back into pony tails.

Here she is all ready for church.

Little Lady was very proud to look like her cousin Taylor. The curls turned into waves and then back into her beautiful straight hair after we washed it. It was fun to have a curly-Q for a day or two. Thanks for showing us how to do it Grandma!

Please be quiet. We need to hear a pin drop.

Bowling has always seemed like summer to me. My mom used to bowl in a league, so when summer hit, my brother and I would always get to tag along and play a few games. We signed the kids up for this great bowling program called Kids Bowl free. They had such a great time and the competition was fierce!

Digging Badger waiting for his turn. He bowled 2 strikes.

Crazy Fox was trying to figure out the technical side of the game (no time for posing).

Little Lady did great with a little help. She was a great encourager to her boys.

In the end Digging Badger won the first game and Crazy Fox won the second.

Four . . . and 1/2

We are always looking for an excuse to celebrate around here. So, last week we celebrated Little Lady's 1/2 birthday with half of a cake and a few friends.

Little Lady loves parties and cake and of course being the center of attention. She told me today that it sure is hard to be 4 1/2.

Sing a song of Birthdays

Full of fun and cheer

And may you keep on having them

For many a happy year.

- Anonymous