July Chronicles

Jean smiles a lot but tough to get to laugh. She likes to be with the kids, but not touched by them! She frequently has a 'deer-in-headlights' look that says something between "who sent me here?" and "are you people for real?!"

Enoch figured out how to climb out of the crib...trouble. Over the 4th Nate earned eternal bonus points with Enoch for inducting him into the Boys Sandbox Club. He loves chocolate popsicles(pronounced: clock-clet). His prayers sound like this:

"Dear Happy Father. Family...Jesus...family...where's Jesus? (looks around the room for a picture and whispers very loudly:) Right there!..family...Jesus...in the name of Jesus Christ, Oh Man!"

Quinn really likes eating the beans and peas from the garden. She scored two goals at one of her soccer games. It changed her whole game when we told her it was okay to take the ball away from the other team. She's still mostly in it for the half-time and post-game snacks. Every Sunday morning she makes a card for her Sunbeam teacher: Cox (not Sister Cox, just Cox).

Addie lost her first tooth! Her dad actually couldn't take it anymore and yanked it out. She made a lot of progress swimming this month and can swim in the big pool without a life jacket and dive to the bottom for toys.

Aaron bought himself a mill after 10 years of dreaming. Now if he could only remember some of those things he planned to make, "if he only had a mill!"

June Chronicles

On the way home from kindergarten graduation Addie announced:
"now I know what two new things feel like. I know what it feels like to be in first grade and I know what it feels like to have summer break!"
When Enoch returns from his adventures outside he always announces, "I'm home, mom!"
He likes to play with 'hick-up trucks' and 'dinoswords.'
Recently we were watching a little friend his age. I said, "say 'hi' to our friend Enoch." He smiled a mischeivious smile and then shot her a chilling scowl. He turned around and walked away long enough for me to gasp in surprise, then called over his shoulder, "only kidding mom!"
While working on our latest installment to our long-term food supply Aaron observed, "this is so inefficient. They could have a factory and machines and do this faster, cheaper and make sure it was done correctly." I offered that it would cheat us of the opportunity to be obedient and work hard together. Who wouldn't want to skip the crooked labels, fighting to push the button on the sealer and floor covered in wheat and rice grains?
The last few photos are my hobby photos as of late. Cooking is my outlet.