Boys in the wild

OK, our grass isn't actually THAT long, Ben is standing down a small slope

Hamming it up for the camera

Reading with Dad!

Our new big wheels!

About the house: Homesteading in August

Beer, bread, and now we roast our own coffee

The cats are no help whatsoever

The chickens are growing!!

And so is Ben!

Wicked awesome boys

Who me? Am I not supposed to be on the table?

Two dudes assembling what we now know as the worst made/horrifically expensive chicken coop known to man

Action shot!

Grandmere has the BEST lap

Free Range

The first of which is Zach BEGGING me to put him up in the tree. And not hold on to him. I am just out of camera view having a coronary. A free range kid

The fall squash is blossoming, I can only hope it grows!!

And we have some new additions!!! 6 pullets! They are still babies, but they are fantastic. We got a coop, and a pen to put them in the yard. These pictures are in the side yard where I've set them to tearing up the weeds and turning over some soil.

Much awesomeness

Hot and Sticky in August

Well, August finds us at a time of recollection and reflection. It has been an exceedingly trying year. But, Andrew and I spend a great deal of time counting our blessing. While I miss dad so very much, one of the most positive things that came out of it was a friendship with Dad's anesthesiologist. It isn't everyday that you go into the operating room, almost die, and come out with someone who is going to be a friend. But, such is the power of my dad. We went to go visit them this weekend, and had an excellent time! They have a trampoline! Zach and Ben had much fun!

Out in the garden, we've been having a blast. The tomatoes are coming in full force now. Every day we have another bowl to pick! I am dehydrating some of the tomatoes to use over the winter in lieu of tomato paste. The majority of the plum tomatoes are going to be frozen. And, we have eggplants this year!! Yeah us!!! Our beets and raab were a big fail. The watermelon plant looks lovely, but, nary a watermelon in sight.

Boys in the outdoors!

Boys About Town

Reading on the couch after work

At Grandma and Grandad's

Teaching Zach how to read the New Yorker while Ben practices his climbing skills