Fort Ricky Discovery Zoo...or at least I think that's right! ;)

I don't know what has taken us so long to find this place!  I keep saying we need to go to the Syracuse Zoo, but this place is a lot closer and awesome!  The girls LOVED the hands on capabilities of the "zoo".

Madalyn was VERY protective over "her" turtles.  No one was allowed in the box according to the sign, and Madalyn made sure they followed the rules.  She was even kicking adults out of the box..."The sign says you can't go in the box...you have to get out."

 

 

 My favorite part...I LOVE otters!

 Both girls seems to be taken with the ring tailed lemurs.  They were quite the characters. 

 They got to hold tiny pygmy goats...

 ...and feed swans.  This one was Marissa's favorite

 and this one was Madalyn's favorite.

 I'm not sure what he/she actually was, but its very pretty!

 Marissa's favorite was the owl.  She would copy his sound and he would respond right back.  She came to the conclusion that she could speak owl and was quite proud of herself!

 My Mom's favorite was the spider monkey...they were pretty cool!

 I have a thing with Nubian goats!  Someday I will own one!

This rabbit had to have been 15lbs.  I have never seen this big of a rabbit before in my life...of course this picture does not do justice to its size.

 I think this tortoise was close to being big enough for Madalyn to ride.  He was really neat!

 Dad's favorite...I have never been so close to a wolf before!  They are amazing creatures.  It was neat to see them wag their tails and whine like real dogs.  They have the biggest feet though!

 The girls felt bad for this little guy because he was all by himself.

 Mom and I decided to just take pictures when this guy showed up.  I'm good at a distance...

 ...the girls however did just fine with him.  And yes, "Boris" is setting his head on Marissa's head!

 We kept going back and checking on the otters.  They were just too cute!  I really wanted to take them home...

 ...I mean how do you resist those faces!

...and apparently they wanted to come home too!  They were going to town moving rocks and digging!

Grateful...

Have you ever noticed that in the midst of rough times and troubles that we forget all the good things that we have to be thankful for?  My head has been very full lately and I feel like I'm neglecting my thankfulness.  So I decided to make a list....Here goes!

-I have a wonderful husband, who is also my best friend.  He is always there for me and we have an awesome relationship.  I don't know what I would do without him!

-I have two beautiful girls who are healthy and happy.  The Lord is good!

-I'm a sinner saved by Grace!  With that comes the peace that God will take care of us.

-We have a job

-I have a great relationship with my parents/inlaws

-We own our own house

-I'm able to be a stay at home Mom

-I'm able to homeschool the girls

There is sooo much more, but I can see his is going to make for a super long post if I continue!  How about you?  What do you have to be thankful for???

Long overdue post...

I know its been a while.  Whoops.  Things have been a little crazy...I know you have heard that from me before!  I have been super stressed lately and havn't wanted to post anything until I was in a different state of mind.  I HATE depressing posts!  So we are just going to skip that portion.

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Marissa is starting school!  My baby is starting school!  I'm in shock.  How did we get here so fast???  Thankfully she actually isn't going anywhere.  Yup, that's right.  We are doing the forbidden homeschooling option.  I had no idea how much opposition I was going to run into when we made this decision.  It doesn't really bother me and I don't really care because we are still going to do it, but I was still surprised.  Anyhow, we decided to use ACE curriculum and I have it already and have already looked it over so I know what I am doing.  Yesterday we went and got school supplies for both Marissa and Madalyn.  Madalyn has a bunch of work books that she will work on throughout the year alongside her sister.  Now that we have everything Marissa is super anxious.  She wants to start right now!  I have to admit I'm a little excited to....I have no idea why, but I am!  

Today is garden day.  I have lots to pick, blanch and freeze.  I love this time of year!  Hope you all have a great day!!!

Daddy's helper...

...or child labor, whichever you choose to call it.   LOL!  Madalyn was a big helper today.  She heard Daddy start the wood splitter and ran to put her helmet on and then dashed around the side of the house to take over the "lever job".  She did a really good job!

Campfires and naughty Grandpas...

This past Sunday we got invited over to a friends house for a campfire on the Moose River.  It was beautiful and a great time relaxing with other Christians.  Now back probably a couple months now, my father taught the girls how to cross their eyes.  LOL  They have been told so many times since then that its bad for your eyes, however their response is Grandpa says its not true!  LOL  Somehow while we were at the Donahue's place, their fairly new trick came up and next thing I know we have adults trying it!  HAHA  Regardless, we had a great time.  Here are some pictures of our visit!  (Some of the pictures aren't the best quality, but again I forgot my camera so they are taken from someone else!)

 Just for the record I don't "think" my Dad taught her this...

however, I'm not sure where she got this from either!

He is responsible for this one though!  LOL

 Aunt Laurie joins in the fun...

Except one of her eyes doesn't work!  So freaky looking!

 3 Kayakers came down the rapids

 "Grandma" Bonnie and the girls relaxing in the hammock

Marissa didn't make it...

Life...

Sometimes life just down right stinks.  I'm having a low couple days I guess.  

It can only go up from here though right?!

(I'm trying!!!)

Meet Casen Joseph!

I definitely got my baby fix Tuesday!  He is so stinking cute!  

 Daddy, Mommy and little man

 Madalyn loved him!

 Marissa was so proud!

 All three grandkids so far on my side of the family

Content 

Some wedding photos....

I realized one thing this past weekend...its very tough to take pictures of a wedding when you are in the wedding!  So I don't have many and most of the ones I do have are "borrowed" from others.  Thankfully  Jonathan and Liz own the rights to the photos and I can't wait for the professional ones to come back.   For now, these will have to do!   

 Ashlin and Chelsea getting ready

Liz, all calm, cool and collected!

Liz and Avery

Liz's mom

On our way!

 Marissa, Chelsea, myself, Madalyn and Liz's mom leaving for the church

 The guys

 Chelsea and I

 Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Geiger!

 First time ever in a convertible...

 So much fun!

 LOVE the cake!

Goodbye!

Presents..

First off, I have never owned a purse.  I used to just carry everything in my back pocket.  Then I had kids and I carried everything in the diaper bag.  Now I have 2 potty trained kids and no longer need a diaper bag.  My Aunt Monnie makes quilted purses and I fell in love with them.  During our trip out for the wedding, she surprised me with one of my own!  It is perfect!

I am soooo behind!

Life has been a little crazy over the past month.   I can't believe how behind I am! 

 Here is an update on us...

We have been short handed on the farm, so I have been helping out again.  Doug has been doing some extra work outside of the farm to help out with finances a bit so I have been filling in for him as well.  Doug has applied to a paid federal fire fighting position at our local Army base.  He would be an Army Civilian so no deployment.  Waiting on news is killing us.  We have been told they are hiring 18 positions. We are praying and waiting on the Lord's timing and His will for us.  But it's not easy!  

Two weeks ago today, I became an Aunt again!  Casen Joseph was born in the afternoon and is 100% perfect!  We finally got to meet him yesterday.  I'll post pictures of our visit.  

Saturday, July 10th, my twin brother got married.  All 4 of us were in the wedding and it was sooo much fun.  We had a blast seeing family that I havn't seen in forever.  Now I just can't wait for Jonathan and Liz to get back from their honeymoon!  I miss them!!!

So there is an update on us.  Pictures will follow!