Oh, so fun to go biking again! . . . Believe me it has been several years since I went . . . Now we plan to make it a family favorite.  I biked alone (only one on my bicycle) . . . my dear hubby had FOUR!    One on his back,

two in the front of the buggy,

and one in back . . .  They all absolutely loved it! This buggy was a five dollar garage sale find.

I wanted to post this earlier but kinda forgot about it . . . everyone is here except my older sister and her family.  This would by my Dad’s brothers and sisters and all of us cousins. (Click on it for a closer look)

Our group picture taken at Uncle Charles house

Refreshing scenery . . . cool breezes 

Wet sand between our toes . . .

Sweet change . . . trading the misery of car seat for truly a "breath of fresh air"

My one and only . . .

Sisters - Sally, and Karen, and Karen’s boyfriend, Myron

Rachel, cousin by marriage, and Carrie, true cousin by blood discussing the all important topic of child training

Roland’s girl, Cheyanne . . . they hit it off quite well . . . friends from the get-go . . . that is after she became accustomed to the noise around Grandma’s now :_) They had seen us a bit Sat. the day we arrived and monday morning rolls around and Patrisha asked Cheyanne if she wanted to go over to Grandma’s for the day and play with her cousins. “No (sigh)” says Cheyanne. “Well, why not?” her mom asked. “It’s so noisy over there” Cheyanne sighs again . . .Yeah, we are quite the crew . . . I think we wore Grandma out!!!

Aunt Frances

Aunt Elva, Aunt Frances, Aunt Donna, and Aunt Edith

Aunt Elva, Dad, Brandon and Angela, Uncle Danny

One of Dad’s sources of income  is repairing the unloaders of Harvestores with Uncle Danny.  Sometimes he works for Brandon there on the farm, sometimes it’s sawing wood for a customer . . . you just don’t know who will call up and need help . . . and if nobody does then it’s getting wood ready for his next project(building their house) or messing around making something in his new shop . . . keeps life interesting . . .

Visiting at Uncle Danny’s

Aunt Mollie and Anthony’s youngest son, Jefferson

Some Sundays have more family time than others . . . it just is that way.  I find that Mondays go so much better though when things are more low-keyed and we have more family time in the evening . . .

Tonight I decided that I must defiantly make use of the fine, fair weather (This is warm enough to be outside with just a jacket and no mosquito’s out and about, pesking (isn’t that a word ?. . . I think it should be ), ok, I’ll use “pestering ” you. ) It is rather hard to kept on strumming away smoothly on the guitar when you’re “swatt’en”  them “skeeters”  Ok, I must not feel like talking proper tonight Anyway . . . Japheth joined me after we tucked the kido’s to bed,  I left the upstairs bedroom window open so that some of them could hear the singing going on outside.  I love it when we can play together . . .

I hadn’t played for quite a while because I was so discouraged . . . Being still in Kindergarten in my abilities on the guitar I could only strum in 4/4 timing . . . I just couldn’t get the 3/4 stuff . . . and about two months ago I was hit with the realization that I was just butchering the timing on many songs.  And that is one reason why we didn’t play together very much.  So I kinda quit playing . . . I just didn’t want to think about it . . .Well, tonight being so calm and quiet and delicious outside, I couldn’t resist taking the guitar down and sitting on the front porch steps . . .  and in bit here comes my dearest friend with his bass guitar.  And guess what?!?! . . . I made some progress . . .  I just started to get the hang of it just a wee little bit!!!  And though it is little it is enough to lift my spirits and say like the Little Blue Engine, “I think I can, I think I , I think I can . . .” that is -  if I keep taking some time to practice.   . . .And so God gave me some hope.

Uncle Cerwin and his catch . . . Northern Pike, I believe

Yep, we’re common folk . . . here are more pictures of everyday life around home

This is our children’s only Great Grandparent still living .   Ella High

Aunt Doris Jean thrilling their hearts with ANOTHER story . . .

Yep, we have some relatives that actually made it to our “far way country” . . . not many do, you see, . . . so this is something extra special to rejoice in!!

For some pics, you’ll have to view Aunt Doris Jean’s blog. ( I’ll probably post some later, but not as many I assure you. She is a camerawoman for sure!!! )

I vote Aunt Doris Jean one of the BEST teacher\entertainer for children . . . she had the oldest five, while I took Lynne and went to get groceries, my drivers license renewed, visit my doctor, etc. . . . This time I didn’t have a deadline to be home (It’s nice not to have to worry about the clock sooooo much, but I did make it back by 1:15 . . . She still played games with the children while I unloaded things, fixed myself some lunch and put little ones to bed for naps) Oh, what a gift!!! They all love her to pieces!

Just before my hubby’s grandparents arrived here on Wednesday, Japheth Jr. remarked that "today we get to see our Great Great Great Grandpa and Grandma!"  We encouraged him not to make them older than they already were!

We are enjoying the warmer weather and the ability of the children to play outside for more than 15 minutes without getting cold.  We also have fun gathering maple sap with Grandpa for syrup making.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Just returning with almost 100 gallons of sap.  It will make about 3 gallons of syrup.  Waffles, anyone?

Great Grandma has read a lot of stories in the last half week, and the begging still continues.  I think that she will have Curious George memorized till she leaves!