I've Fallen Out Of Blog World!

Wow, I didn't really mean to take 6 months off, without so much as a hello! I'm still alive though. What has happened since I blogged:

Little Boy was hospitalized three times-twice for pneumonia and once for and infected lymph node.
Little Boy turned 3!
Darlin' was laid off for 5+ months (temporary construction layoff).
Darlin' made two concrete benches at work last year and he installed them by out fire pit.
Spring is in full swing!
Big Boy is growing like a weed!
We've taken the kids fishing by Weatherbee Hill.
I've been going through our stuff and getting rid of a lot of it!
Planting.
Listening to the pond peepers.
In March I spent the night at Grammie's house-just because I could and it had been 16 years since the last time!!!
We celebrated our 6th anniversary.
And of course, lots of wonderful, every day stuff that makes up life. (You know, dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc., lol. But also the reading "I wish I had Duck Feet" 5 times a day, and other cuteness)
  Without further ado, here are some recent pictures:
Early May Darlin' went up to Chamberalin with Gump, Joe Lee and Tyler Lee.

The boys were excited to see Daddy and his fish! Darlin' made pickled white fish. It's still picklin', but I'll let you know how it turns out.

 My wax begonia the boys got me for Mother's Day. So pretty! Hanging on the rooster hook my Aunt Ellie gave me.

 Enjoying the hummingbirds!

Apple blossoms.

Butterflies and lilacs.

While I was taking butterfly pictures, I heard that familiar hum and looked up:

 I thought that was so cool! Pretty little female.

 The garden about a week ago. Since taking this picture I put up a little trellis for the peas. The two rows of green in the back are potatoes, the one closest to the front is peas. Also have spaghetti squash, kabocha squash, zucchini, corn and cukes. I have other things in the raised beds.

I was flipping through a Mary Jane's farm book that I hadn't looked at in a while and came across the idea of using tin can lids for garden markers. I didn't have tin can lids, but I had canning lids! These were fun to make!

Like clock work, my little snuggle buddies come down the stairs at 5 in the morning and join me on the couch. That doesn't leave me much time to myself!

Had to use the flash, too dark and too early!

I have a snuggle buddy next to me right now. I think blogging time is over, he is talking my ears off, I can't hear myself think! LOL.

ICE FISHING!

Waiting for some holes to fish in!

 Nana and the boys.

 Daddy and Gump drilling holes! 1+ foot of ice on Duck Lake!

 Big Boy's first fish!(Ice fishing). Nice little pickerel!

 Jiggin'.

 What are you lookin' at?! (Like the sucker?)

 Little Boy with the biggest catch of the day!!! I snagged this big pickerel on a jig pole, he broke the line and we lost all the riggin'. About a minute later Big Boy reeled him in and we got it all back!!!

 Best Buds.

Little jiggers

 Cookin' dinnah.

 MMMMmm!!!!!!

 More pickerel

Hot dogs!

 What a nice time out on the lake!!!

Behold our God

We sang this in church yesterday. Thought you might enjoy it. Blessings!

Easy Autumn

We have had a really mild Autumn for Maine this year. Here are some pictures I took a little while back:

 After a long period of no rain, the boys were itching to play in mud, so I filled a pail of water (about 5 times!) for them to make mud. They loved it! They are making mud soup here.

 On one of our nature walks, we gathered some things to make a little house together.

 Feet like these = happy boy!

 Making a braided loaf with Mama.

 Little Boy said he was all dressed to go outside!

 Big Boy lining up his counting bears.

 Little woodsman.

 Two little woodsmen.

 Watching Veggietales with cousin Keenan!

I hope you have a wonderful day! Enjoy the sunshine!!

A WARNING TO AMERICA ( MUST WATCH!!)

~Interview Question #7~

I interviewed my grandmother and this is the seventh question in the series. Hope you enjoy!

Question #7: What are some ways you kept your toddlers busy?

"It was always a challenge to keep them busy when I really needed them to be! Sometimes a little bribe worked-"If you play really good while I put the cookies in the oven, you may all have one as soon as they are done." This worked a good few times with the first three toddlers. As soon as they heard the oven door open, I heard "Cookies!" and they came tearing down the stairs! It wasn't always that easy. I tried to get them interested in their toys, etc., which sometimes worked. (And many times didn't)."

I'm In For It

Too long between posts. I seem to say that often, don't I? Sorry about that. Well, I just put up question 6 in the interview series. Now for a snippet about what we've been up to:



My adorable little niece, visiting at Gran-Grans

Darlin' made Little Boy a paper bag monster costume, he loved it! Big Boy thought it was cool, so he got one too!

The old one-bottom plow just behind the garden.

Little Boy (affectionately known as "Lemmels") playing monster truck at the picnic table.

Independence Day! Nana, Auntie  Kaelie, Keenan and Darlin' enjoying the fire.

Uncle Jay driving some golf balls

Darlin', playing with the fire.

Some fireworks!

Pretty wands from Gran-Gran

Uncle Chance taking Big Boy for a four wheeler ride! Aunt Foofie helping with his helmet.

Good people eating a lunch of BBQ chicken, hot dogs, baked beans and an array of salads.

Friends and family!

Aunt Foofie giving Big Boy and the two little nieces a wagon ride.

Lemmels and Belle-Belle playing in the garden

Uncle Pat-Pat, takin' 5.

A little "Pickin' and Grinnin' by the fire, waiting for it to get dark enough for fireworks.

Gump and my coolest nephew ever....(so far?-Hint hint Kaelie and Elise!)

Gram Osgood, having a good ol' time!

Our little tadpoles turned into little frogs. We got back from church a few weeks ago and one of them had jumped out, and I couldn't find it! Poor little guy, I felt so bad. So we all went down to the pond and let them go that night. It was a fun project, and I think the boys will be really excited to do it again next year now that they know what's going on!

I also have Homecoming pictures to post soon. Hope you all have a good day!