463 - last day of July!

Day 463 is the last day of July, what the heck! where is the time going? It was another great looking day, Sheldon and I were up by 8, me off to work and him enjoying the start of another 2 weeks off work! He watched some Olympics while drinking coffee and having cereal before heading out to take recyclables and garbage to dump then doing banking errands and such in town.

Shaina met me at the office to get her vaccine and was off to Dr office then worked later in the day at the Station then had a sleepover with Kaylin in the evening. Britt had a relaxing day watching Olympics & TV, suntanning and kitty playing.

I was done work at noon and stopped at the accountants on my way home to pick up my business tax forms. The afternoon was sent doing dreaded accounting and blog updating while Sheldon made 3 trips to the Hutterites for gravel. He then watered a few more trees. I went out and weeded the island again and worked in my garden watering and pruning and picking veggies. The darn cabbage moths are destroying my kohlrabi and some cabbage leaves and a few others.... GRRRRR.

Supper was another healthy mainly from the garden meal with chicken, yum! Sharon and Darren stopped by with a bale check and had a quick drink and visit, The looming storm finally came in just before 9 and with the rain it also brought hail. Lots of moisture came down in about 20 minutes totaling 1/2 ". But then the storms continued to threaten and at 9 a bit more and thru the night even more, by morning there was 1 inch total. Well needed moisture for sure.

 rain starts, then hail.. Sheldon and D sit on the veranda and watch and the hail gets stronger

462 - clean up day July 30

Day 462 was clean up day. The weather was lovely yet again. I was out watering and pruning in my garden while Sheldon putzed around. I started laundry, and cleaning the house including vacuuming. Britt was up around 10:30 but I had to force Shaina up after lunch.

Around 1 Sheldon went to town for more rails but took longer than planned. I weeded the island while continuing to tidy up and water trees. Shaina did bottle collection and put chairs away and picked up after the 6 dogs this w/e, she was fairly busy :-)

Around 3:30 Amanda and Asher came out to retrieve their goodies I had found including dog food, bike, cooler, food etc and joined us for a frozen lemonade. She also did Shaina's hair before she left for work at 4:30. Sheldon arrived home around 3:30 too and unloaded his rails as he came up the drive, Asher and I took him a lemonade on the quad.

For supper we cooked all on the barbeque as the 28 degree day was too hot to cook inside. Steel head trout, fresh beets and Sheldon's favorite zucchini casserole (from our garden) were on the menu. Britt fed the 2 skinny horses while Sheldon moved gravel up to the garage pad so I could finally return to parking in the  garage. He also ran over to help Rhonda with a travel trailer issue she had. I had a quick shower then updated accounting and blog. Shaina stayed in after work for sleepover at Jenna's.

461 - bellinis in the "sun-day"

Day 461 found Mom and Dad and Asher up early while the rest of us coming to life around 9, including Mya who was sleeping on our floor and had slept 13 hours! It was a great looking day. Amanda and Craig cooked up a delicious breakfast of apple filled pancakes, eggs and bacon. Uncle Don tried to make coffee his way but ended up leaving on important part behind so had to make it in our maker.

 BAHAHAHA that is marshmallow on his little face from last night

 then Aunty took the little ones out for a walk and to play with the kitties while the chefs created

It was a nice morning of visiting and eventually we all ended up on the deck enjoying a cold beer. Sheldon had to run to town for more as we were down to just a few, can't have that.

 quick family photo

 my little cuties

back to the bales, this time Asher joins the gang

Aunty and Uncle left around noon, I pulled out the left overs for lunch for all to enjoy. Then I started making daiquiris and pina colodas and everyone enjoyed them in the sunshine till we ran out of that. Shaina and Britt ventured between playing super Mario and enjoying the sunshine.

 Britt took Mya on the quad

 then Asher wanted to go but was not sure at first, then did not want to get off

 below he shows you his milk and oreo face!

Mom and dad packed up and they and Mya left at around 3:30. Sheldon and Craig were driven to town by Britt to get Bellini mix, diapers and milk and brought back to the party. Around 6 we started another fire and had the long awaited wiener roast. Darren came over to get the work truck and had a quick visit. Steve popped out to drive Paetz's home and enjoy a beer and visit. They headed home around 10 and soon after Travis followed back to Hanna for work. What a fun w/e it was, the vote was to have again every year!

460 - Ball/Walker reunion day 2

Day 460 had coyotes near the house at around 6 but once they took off we all slept till later. I was up at 8:45 and found Mom and dad enjoying a coffee in the kitchen.

the introduction of the big dogs who have never met..of course all went well, Cisco had the cleanest ears all w/e!

 then it was bale time

At noon, Aunty Mindy and Uncle Don arrived with pizza and we enjoyed visiting on the deck with great views and sunshine.

 the bow bun

 Mya helping hose the deck and water flowers

Craig and Asher came out after nap and Amanda after work, did Shaina's hair and then ran back to town to make her salad. Shaina headed into work from 5-10 then went to Rockyford Rodeo dance staying overnight at Jenna's.

Uncle Ron and his hired man Marlon joined us for a delicious steak supper with salads, roasted new potatoes carrots and onions, corn on the cob and chocolate cake and ice cream.

After supper the ladies cleaned up just  like good Hutterite girls while the men chatted. Around 9 Aunty and Uncle headed to the hotel,we moved to the deck then started a blazing fire. Some went to bed sooner than others but I finally headed in around 1:30 and the boys came in around 2. Even the Paetz's had a sleepover. It was a great day of laughs and visiting.

 big stick.. big fire