See the baby hog???

SO CUTE!

Less than 12 hours old.

Following mommy around trying to nurse

but she was busy eating.

Why am I compelled to love any brand new creature?

I don't know but we watched him for half an hour.

Playing at the zoo. 'nuff said.

To capture the awesomeness of the

San Diego Safari Park is impossible.

I always wish I would go more and

every time I go, I am glad that I did.

 I don't like plums.

But I like green plums.

So delicious.

Love that tree.

Em helped with the croissants.

Perfect with Pumpkin butter (which has no butter in it).

And mint apple jelly to mix things up.

Some of my favorite things.

Coolest teepee EVER.

Hand made by the ever talented Aunt Rachel.

She does all the things I wish I could do.

And she does them better than me.

She actually measures and follows directions and pins before sewing.

Thanks Rachel.

Every teepee needs an indian.

Uncle Paul made the matching head dress.

With authentic Mexcian beer tops

and a quarter of course.

Hours of fun has been racked up inside the duck cloth walls.

And more will come as it is now a permanent piece of furniture in our home.

We are almost finished reading Little House in the Big Woods.

Before we started, I picked out a wood cabin and painted the characters on peg people.

The girls play and act out the scenes occasionally while I read.

It is a perfect 10 minute break in the day to calm everyone down.

We live in the country.

We have a lot of animals, insects and experiences that you don't find in suburbia.

Like when it is planting season, we can smell the tilled dirt and manure mixture.

Last week we had a California toad in the garage. 

I love listening to the toads at night.

And two birds in the house. 

One was a hummingbird and was rather difficult to get rid of.

Especially with two screaming, giggling girls and an overexcited dog.

I managed.

Bella.

The green beans have produced! 

Love sauted green beans.

Yum.

American Girl and the piano.

Either you know about American girl
and can appreicate that my husband
bought me the entire Elizabeth collection at once
or you don't know about her which means you are probably not into dolls.
It's has been fun to relive my childhood with my girls. 
Half of the stuff we do, is only because I want to.
Maybe there is an educational or moral value.
All I know is that I am having the time of my life.

I love this piano.

I grew up practicing on it.

So many hours, it is really special to me.

Now that it is in my home, I love sitting at it and practicing again.

Maybe one day I'll play as well as Jeri.

Who is so cool, she uses an Ipad for sheet music.

Guess how long it took for Katie 

to climb on top of the piano?

It was in the house less than 5 hours!

Ugh.

Hot days means baby wear a diaper only.

Auntie Becca is into henna.

Our two bearded dragons, Zeus and Godzilla 

have gone to the great desert in the sky 

so we keep a plastic lizard around to antagonize guests.

Isn't she beautiful?

Catching butterflies.

The fourth of July celebrations are a serious thing around here.

Dresses courtesy of Auntie Rachel.

She makes all the things I wish I had time for.

And she does a better job than I would.

Chocolate pretzel sprinkle sticks. Yum.

Double yum.

Gorgeous sky.

Tree fort perfect for keeping baby occupied for hours.

Snugly sisters.

And gobs of fireworks.

See the link to Rachel's blog to see the cool photos 

including synchronized sparklers.

click here 

http://rachelandaustin.com/blog/

Summer

Pig tails, slides, 

ducks at the pond and warm weather.  

Life is good.

 

 

 

 

A gift for Daddy.

A little snack for Daddy from the garden.

Katie loves them too.

Summer fun.

Isn't she adorable?!  So squishy. I love it!

Emily loves the boogie board.