Why the blog, Jane?

I know everyone's lives are busy, mine is too, but I think I would like to clarify why this blog is so important to me. As we all know, our friends and family are spread across the country, that being said, our children do not have very much contact with most of you, although you are extremely important to us. Sending birthday cards and keeping up with the dates of all of our friends and family is impossible and I don't expect it from anyone. I keep this blog for a few reasons, one of those being that when my children are older they will have a comprehensive look back on their childhoods or lives depending on how far I take it. Narrated by their biggest fan (me!) but also with comments left from family and friends that took an interest in their lives from afar, showing them that family cares even when they aren't within the reach of a hug or a pat on the back. I've heard before that it's complicated to leave a comment...all you do is hit anonymous and then sign your name within the comment box. I'm not asking anyone to leave a comment every time or for every post, but just enough to show them you stoped by because you loved them! Those of you who do leave comments, thank you for showing my kids that it isn't just their immediate family that thinks they are special! I hope evereyone understands where I'm coming from...just trying to do the best I can for my children.

Thanks -

Jane

Update - Chicken coop!

Here is the "finished" chicken coop. We still have the roosting box to build and some interior tweaking to do, but the main construction is finished...thank the goddess!

Here's a shot of the inside, the nesting box is the shelf in the back. Under that is the opening to the run underneath. The floor has since been covered with plywood and the feeder and waterer are in the front by the door. The opening you see here is where the roosting box will be (that's where the girls go to lay their eggs). It will have a hinged top on it so you can open it to gather eggs without having to crawl into the hen house. The next step it to paint it and add the finishing touches...so there will be more to some! Stay tuned! Same chicken time, same chicken channel!

Beach Babes...

The beach was a great place to be on the hot days we were camping. The kids frolicked and played and threw sand at each other...kid stuff!
Kaleb waas all too happy to be burried in the sand by his sister and friend, Nick.And then he got up...he looked like the a sand monster! It took him hours to get all the sand out of his crevices!And Aliza was all too happy to laugh and play all afternoon!

Hiking McAfee Falls...

Hiking to a 78 ft. water fall is a must for any self respecting campers! We had a great time once we got to the falls, and had a blast playing in the water and admiring the scenery. Of course before I'd even taken in the first glimpse of the falls, Kaleb was scaling it!
Luke was quick to follow after him, partialy for the fun and partialy to keep him alive! I sweqar this kid is part mountain goat! The most precarious positions! And he never slips or loses footing, it's realy a sight to behold!While they daredeviled away, Aliza played in the water and hopped across the rocks enjoying the cool water on her pink toes!When Luke came back down he helped her across a more precarious spot she'd been eyeing! What a great father Luke is! I think it's safe to say Luke loved this part of our trip. We hiked another area that was much less populated and we had an extremely good time their, but the camera was back at camp...I know, I failed...but my heart took those pictures. Here's Luke with a smile that tells me he's finally falling for the alure of camping! I knew I'd win him over!

Scaling the Falls - Version 2.0

A short jaunt from our campsite was McAfee Falls, the highest water fall in Md. So of course we packed up and went for a hike! Here our the guys treking up the hill.Kaleb never fails to make friends with a bug or two...or three....or four...you get the jist!

At the tip of the falls my Mom, who came to visit for the day, met a very nice woman...who proceeded to pull out her dentures for Mom to inspect...I told her not to talk to strangers but she never listens! Look at her face!

Here is Joey - rocking flip-flops throughout the entire ordeal...like a pro! Izaak never fails to find a cozy spot to sit and contemplate life and it's true meaning! Hiking is good for the soul!

The First Camping trip of 2009!

This trip was to Cunningham Falls in Thurmont, Maryland - only about an hour away from home. We had the camp site next to Kaleb's friend Nick and his sister, mother and her friend. It was nice to have kids for Aliza and Kaleb to play with nearby. They spent alot of time at the park together and played Uno in the evenings.

Luke was a great camper! We installed a portable cieling fan in the tent (yes! they make them!) and he was quick to pad his sleeping spot with extra sweatshirts and every towel he could find! Once his comfort level was met, he was quick to help with everything and even foraged for fire wood!

Marshmellows are often the highlight of the evenings for the kids! Here are Aliza and Kaleb in their gooey glory!Of course Matilda always gets in her comfy chair once the sun goes down and the squirrels go to sleep!

Izaak and Joey - Camping!

Izaak's long time best friend, Joey came camping with us and the two of them (and me) had a blast! They took out the canoe, which was Joey's first time, and made it home alive! I thought for sure they'd have tipped it, but alas, the surprises never end!

Here they are trying to avoid crashing into the fishing boat! They gingerly manuvered their vessel and proceeded on their journey.Although Joey didn't have much experience camping, they were very helpful together, taking the recyclables to the trash and making sure no one got their eyes poked out with hot, gooey marshmellow sticks. Joey was pleased with our "Marshmellows and Memories" sessions around the campfire and often declared "I'm CRAMPING" from laughing too hard! I'm glad that Izaak had a cool friend to bring along!

Aliza's silly beach time...

While waiting for Kaleb to get back from a hike with his friends we had some time to relax with Aliza alone on the beach. She gave us quite the giggles with her silly antics!

She was busy cuddling her daddy and practiced her craziest faces for the camera!

She then proceeded to practice throwing herself around on the sandy grass...she sure won't get shown up by her crazy brothers on this skill anytime soon!

What a sassy chic!

Brookside Butterflies!

In one of the big greenhouses at Brookside they set up a huge butterfly show! It was the highlight of our day there! There were so many buterflies that they were landing on us! Bright blue, purple, oranges...they were all so pretty!The colors and shapes were amazing to see and we learned a ton! Now I know what to pland to encourage the Maryland checkered butterfly (endangered!) to come and breed in Narleeville!
We got to see the worlds largest moth also! It was about a foot from one end of his wing to the other! I would show you but my batteries died right before I found him...lame.It's running until late August if you want me to take you! I have a feeling we'll be going again!

Brookside Garden Mother's Day...

So, I loved Brookside Garden's with Luke and I knew my Mom would love it! Mother's Day was perfect weather so we packed up and rolled! We trekked all over the gardens taking in all the sights, sounds and smells it has to offer! Below is Eema and Aliza watching a school of bright orange Koi fish swim their way while they took a rest by the huge pond.

Kaleb was our tour guide for the day, using his Boy Scout skills and navigating with the map he grabed at the visitors center! He did a great job!The tropical plant house was wonderous and my Mom really liked the water fall they built into the landscape!Izaak stole a few quiet moments away on the other side of the pond. And here's everyone taking a rest on a butterfly bench...It was an awesome Mother's Day!!!

Brookside Gardens Date Day!

Luke and I have been making a point of spending some time together each weekend and a few weeks ago he surprised me with a new favorite place!

We got in the car and went just a bit south of us to Brookside Gardens, a free botanical garden that is several acres large and BEAUTIFUL! It has a rose garden, water garden, and many, many features that take your breath away!It was a beatiful day and truly relaxing to just be together in such a pretty place!This face is made of vines and is in the tropical house! I love this idea and the whimsical face is great!Turns out Maryland is full of fun, free stuff to do and we are on a mission to find it! I thought it was really great of Luke to think of finding a place like this to take me to...that's why he's the best! Thanks Baby!

Overlook Spring Concert

Kaleb and Aliza participated in their school's spring concert last week. They both sang with their classes and Kaleb danced with his dance group to their "Pirate's Life for Me" song! It was great to see them perform and they are just too cute all dressed up and smiley!

Eema, Izaak and myself were there to see their show and watch them light up the stage! Aliza did well singing out her songs, "Hush Little Baby!" - her favorite!
Look at those faces!

My! How fast they grow!

The chickens that is! Here they are a few weeks ago. This was one of their first outside outings. See how funny they look? Their feathers were just starting to come in. Matilda was a good girl and didn't chase them at all! She does look at me with those eyes that say "Just one chicken nugget? PLEASE Momma!?" But she always listens!

And here are the girls just a few weeks later! Filled out and fully feathered! They are mostly outside now, accept for at night. They scratch and peck around the yard, ridding Narleeville of unwanted fleas and ticks, grubs and the like. They LOVE my rose garden for some reason. I don't know what's in there but they just adore this area. Whatever the reason I'm loving the new blooms on my roses since this pic was taken, must be all that organic fertalizer!This is the beginning of our chicken coop. It will look great when it's finished! I'm so excited! The weather has not been cooperative though, it has rained every weekend since we got this far. Rain is not good when constructing with power tools. I'm very proud of this though! Those of you that know us, know that handy we are NOT! So this has been a great feet!The bottom is their enclosed run area. Atop that is mesh wire that will be the floor of the coop. There will be a window, nesting boxes for egg laying and two ventilation vents, and a roof of course! I'll post when complete for sure!

We have the chics named now also! That is big news, since Crispy, Nugget, Colonel, Popeye, and Quiche were quickly ruled out by the children, we came up with Camilla (the black and white), Poe (all black), Chicky (light blonde), Perch (medium blonde) and Jackie ( darkest blonde). Camilla is the ring leader and Poe is the chirpiest...their little personalities are coming out more and more! Chickens are FUN!