Strawberry delivery

Over my birthday weekend, Garrick was up north doing the bike race that he does each year, so we of course went south to the beach.

We also went strawberry picking, which I thought it seemed late in the year to pick, but there were lots of berries ready to pick, and then picked out some chocolate covered strawberries to bring to GQ in her new home.

 Lainey was our main concern, but she managed just fine. She plopped her booty down in a row and found plenty of berries to eat, and eat and eat.

 The big kids worked  hard, picking as many for the basket as they ate themselves.

The girls, still eating.

 And then we had a nice visit with Grandma in her new home and shared our treats that we brought. Everyone had a good laugh over Lainey and her stained face and shirt!

Pete's Vacation

We left Pete at my parent's house for two days on his own last week- here's what I got out of what he did... trains, bikes, swimming, trains, snacks, cousins, trains, trains. You get the picture! He had so much fun and LOVED the idea that he was a big kid getting to stay on his own at his "happy place." After looking at a few pictures of what he did, can you blame him?

Here is a link to the trains that they rode in the Dells: http://www.randgn.com/

Pete + Grandma = True Love

Pete says- I can do it myself!! He loves to stand and play with his "incrediblock". It has lights, buttons to push, and a ledge that he can hang onto and pull himself up on! He is so proud of himself.

Grandma Viv hadn't seen Pete for a while- so she came to baby sit Pete on Monday while I was at work. I think that they had a pretty fun day together. They sat and played with blocks, wa†ched the dogs play and read books. Pete sat on her lap after lunch, read a book with her and mom thought- wow is he sitting still!, He never is that still- she looked down and he was out like a light.

Canning with Farmer Erin and her assistant Vivian

We also are learning how to can fruits and veggies this year. Garrick's mom gave me all of her jar and supplies that I need, so we gave it a shot.

The first thing that we made were Dilly Beans. My mom and I made the first batch at her house...

THE GREEN BEANS

JARS WITH DILL AND GARLIC

STUFFING THE JARS WITH BEANS

MOM BOILING THE JARS

THE FINAL PRODUCT- ALSO WITH SOME APRICOTS AND APRICOT/PEAR BABY FOOD :)

It is so easy and kind of fun to do! I think that the jars are beautiful. Next we are going to make relish, peaches and pickled eggs. Just kidding about the eggs. My mom and I had a lot of fun doing it. Let me know if you want to help this fall with all of the tomatoes. I'm willing to take it!