Where July went

It's August!  I just wanted to post some pictures to show where our July went.  Time sure does fly by during the summer.  June ended with a harvest of strawberries..(well there were only a few but next year there should be many more!)

 William and Miriam each caught a fish...

 We enjoyed a puppet show at the library...

 went to the water park with friends...

 And Welcomed Sister Rose Anthony to Amherst Junction for a week!  We hosted an open house for her with a treasure hunt.  It was so much fun!

 While she was here we went to Chicago to visit Uncle Chris, Aunt Mimi, and cousins Emma and Catherine who happened to be in Illinois for a few days.  The cousins had so much fun together, we can't wait to see them again at Uncle Steve's wedding in September.

Luke discovered the Sword and learned how to use one.

 Sr. Rose Anthony made matching aprons for Miriam and William.  We were so sorry to see her go and can't wait for her next visit..though it will be a couple years.  The kids loved having her - it was such a belssing and we look forward to visiting the convent again in Michigan next year.

After Sister left, we had a week to finish preparation for the parish Vacation Bible School: There's No Place Like Rome  that I got to design:-)  It was a fun but exhausting week - well worth the months of preparation.  Our friend Johnny came to visit and spend that Thursday night with us.  Miriam is wearing the lion mask she made for Vacation Bible school.

We finished off the month with a Celebration of Life for our friends the Parkers who were getting ready to welcome their little girl Kateri Rose (born August 3rd) into the world. 

 and I made strawberry freezer jam for the first time and I'm hooked - it's so easy and SO delicious.

Every summer day is filled with fun, especially when you mix in a little imagination!  I love the train the kids made.  We hope your summer is going well!

Photography from a child's Perspective

There is something about camera's that fascinate children.  Come to think about it, any electronic or other tool that we use on a regular basis seems to be an instant magnet for my children.  Lately I've been allowing William & Miriam to take a picture or two when I have my camera out an the pictures they take are fascinating.  Here are a few for your enjoyment:

  

Picture of Luke taken by Miriam

Close-up by Miriam

The Wood Stove by William

The couch by William

Taken by Miriam

Cars by Miriam

Dinosaur by Miriam

Race Car by Miriam

William's' Care Bear by Miriam

By Miriam

by Miriam



"I cut off your head Mom" by William

Gotta love the kids' view of the world!

Happy Father's Day, Phil!

Happy Father's Day to a wonderful Father and Husband.  I couldn't have asked for a better Father for our children!

Thanks for all the fun days you've planned for us!

Thanks for playing with me Dad!

You light up our lives Dad!

Thanks for helping us build things.

Thanks for helping us grow in faith!

Thanks for letting us help with projects.

Thanks for holding me Dad!

We Love you Dad...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY...Love, William, Miriam & Luke

A New Playhouse

Phil took a week of his vacation time this year for a stay-cation.  The past few months have been so busy! It was a blessing and quite refreshing for our family to be home and not feel the pressure of deadlines or having to be somewhere.  It was also nice to have time to work on projects around the house like our new kitchen and bathroom floors.  Phil took advanage of this time to build a playhouse for the kids with their help.  It was William's idea and request to build a playhouse.


Step 1: Lay the foundation and the posts for the walls.



Step 2: Put up the walls





Step 3: Now for some windows.






Step 4: Add the roof...

 



Step 5: Painting Fun

 


A look at the inside



And Ta Da the finished house!



We'll be painting and making it homey over the summer so check back for updates.



Let's go fly a kite!

On a windy day in May, William asked Dad if he could fly his kite. 

And so they attempted to fly it.  Miriam decided to make her own pink kite (with Mom's help of course.)

Though neither kite went very high - it sure was fun to try and the kids loved it.

The gardens are planted! Spring has finally sprung, just in time for Summer.

Our gardens are planted! Come see the Vegetable garden:

We planted zucchini, carrots, potatoes, onions, green beans, sweet peas, and broccoli.

 JMJ flower garden:

 Strawberry patch:

the strawberries are finally established, we're hoping for a good crop this year!

Here's a worm we found in the strawberry patch-I've never seenone so big!

Pumpkin Patch

and Apple Orchard.

We are so excited that Spring is finally here!

Luke is 1 year old today!

Hard to believe it's been a year since our Luke was born.  It's hard to believe he was so tiny!

Happy 1st Birthday Luke!