Picnic Time!

We decided to head outside today to eat a picnic! It was a beautiful day and I am so glad we did. Katie and I sat and chatted while the little ones played - it was nice to have a "grown up" conversation for awhile.

the hungry crew awaiting Mama (and the food!)

Jack

today's menu was - Tuna Melts for the kids, Tuna salad for Mommy, hard-boiled eggs, kale chips, flax crackers, cucumber and celery. Everyone liked it - the chickens almost snatched some of it right out of our hands!

Katie and Pippi

Lounging

Katie and Ginger

Park Day

Our local homeschool group has a bi-weekly park day - we really enjoy these, especially since the weather is nicer :)

Flax Crackers - Raw

For this recipe I use about a cup or two of flax crackers. I cover them with water (about an inch above them - I think it is a 1 cup flax to 1 1/2 cup water, but I don't measure) and let them sit about an hour. They should have soaked up all the water and still be easy to stir - not too wet, but not clumpy either - just kind of smooth. I then add whatever seasoning I want - some of our favorites are:
Garlic and black pepper
Curry
Salt and pepper

Then I spread it out on the teflex sheet (see below) and dehydrate it usually overnight. In the morning (or a few hours later) I break the big piece into smaller pieces and store them in a gallon jar - I have had them in there for over a week and they have been fine. They usually don't last that long though!

Master Bedroom Painting

Yea - we started painting our room!


with everyone helping of course!



Card painted almost as much as me :)

Boys Birthday - LONG!

Making Daddys' birthday cake

with his favorite - a steaming cup of coffee (oh yea, he quit coffee, so it is a steaming cup of tea)

making Cards' birthday cake - Card had Ezra over for his birthday and Katie got to invite Hannah to keep her company

birthday boy

Katie and Hannah went all out

Dad was over for Cards' birthday too

Bella telling Papa a secret

One of Cards gifts from Papa was Grandpa Kings coon hunting trophy.

Card also got a steel trap for his birthday and has had a great time trapping.

the next day the boys helped me put hole in these free cups I got at the resale shop - we used them as planters for starts

the kids playing in the loft. From left to right:

Ezra, Card, Bella, Hannah, Katie and Jack

Card



Jack ( see that "look" in his eye?)

Bella

Ezra

Jacks birthday dinner - all he ate were the sardines.

Katie made Jack Almond Butter Bars for his cake.



the big 3!

Katie at Bible Bee

Bible Bee 2010

Will hiding behind Jack


Waiting for Katie to finish her test


had to take this through the glass - she did great in her oral round

Jack at the fountain - right before his pants came off...

Bella - sweet, gentle, Bella

Will and Card eating

Amazing picture of all 5 kids looking at me!

Katie and Jay

Top 5 at local

ended the day with Tim Hawkins

Katie Photoshot

Katie was asked last month to be on the cover of the Virtuous Daughters magazine. That meant we HAD to go take pictures (mommy grins, Katie groans). Here are a few of them :)



Katie and a sweet baby goat


Trying to get Bonnie to take a picture

Caught ya!

Walking in the field with the goats

and this was the one that made the cover :)

Baby Days - General Pictures

Loveable, hugable, Jay Bird


Bella and Katie's piano teacher Beth Barrett



The boys and Lovely Lily

Bella likes to play dress up with Jack - she really needs another sister...