Vacation and Back Again...

We enjoyed a whirlwind vacation up to Minnesota. We traveled through Chicago this time (yikes!) to pick up a new van that we had purchased on-line before we left. It's pretty! We were in Minnesota for just a few days, but we managed to pack in quite a lot of fun. Fishing, swimming, and visiting were the highlights of our trip.

These two fellows were kind enough to cook all the fish for us.

We thought we had left the land of 'gators behind, but no! AAARRGHH!!!

Remember the chefs? They also had some interesting sleepwear...

The Girl enjoyed climbing up a very tall wall.

And the older ones enjoyed a rousing game of paint ball! They all cooled off in the lake afterwards.

Mean Ol' Mama and The Girl think that something has come between them...

Poppins and Josiah enjoyed a game of horseshoes.

We also enjoyed our niece's beautiful wedding, and the kids had a good time sitting with the cousins.

Two pretty cousins giving it a whirl out on the dance floor...

Lots of happy memories with very special friends and family

And now that we're home again, just look what has happened to ChubChub!The kids won 1st place in 4H Forestry Judging. More photos are further down in this post.

We're trying to get back in the groove again; had company from Texas over the weekend, which was fun; figuring out schedules for everyone's activities; thinking happy thoughts about vacation; going going going....

In The News!

http://bainbridgega.com/news/publish/082311fourh.shtml

Time Flies Whether You're Having Fun or Not

The kids have been working on various aspects of their upcoming Forestry competition. Mean Ol' Mama baked two trays of delicious whole wheat cinnamon buns.

We enjoyed dinner with our friends, and Dr. Peter showcased his Italian heritage with a delicous cheese/fresh basil and tomatoes dish.We also enjoyed a very fun round of Balderdash with everyone. Having extra adults playing was the finishing touch for an enjoyable evening.

Poppins and his pal...

Mean Ol' Mama scored by purchasing William Bennett's book for just $.07 at a thrift store. We have his first book, so this is an exciting addition to our library.

What's in the box that just came in the mail, fellows?

Airsoft guns of assorted sizes and capabilities!!

Stennes has been volunteering at the Attapulgus Experiment Station where crops are researched, and he brought home a sample of good vs. bad corn.

Branch helped Pop butcher chickens, and he thoroughly enjoyed plucking the feathers. Yep.

We had 2 hogs butchered, so sorting the meat was a job that we all enjoyed. Yummy!

ChubChub had a bout of sickness this past week, and The Girl and Branch watched an educational DVD with him. Mo'M's college books are also on the sofa as she worked on this semester's syllabus.

Josiah invited 3 other boys over to spend the weekend and have an airsoft war. From Sunday morning to Saturday night, we fed 159 people in our little home. Lots of visitors!

The Girl got her first "stylish" cut by our good friend Don J. He's hilarious and talented at the same time!

Stennes had his Tifton Soil Profile on display at the local visitor's center.

Branch cleaned fans in preparation for our upcoming vacation. It's always nice coming home to a clean house.

Josiah made 13 keychains out of deer antlers. We're taking them for gifts on vacation.

Life has been crazy-busy as usual; we're hoping to head out soon to Minnesota; classes begin tonight for Mean Ol' Mama; lots of projects going on; busy, busy, busy...

Hot Summer Days

Mean Ol' Mama took Branch to a nearby field to release two of his homing pigeons. We then turned on the timer and raced back to the house to watch them return, 8 minutes later! Stennes made this unique knife that snaps onto the personalized sheath to prevent loss. He's quite a skilled fellow to make both the knife and the sheath from start to finish.

We did something rare for our family: a meal at a newly-opened restaurant! We really enjoyed the brunch buffet.

Our Very Important Cousin is at Stennes' left.

Mean Ol' Mama really enjoyed the 25-cent cup of coffee and a delicious cinnamon roll.

We also visited with some new friends on Saturday night. They're originally from India, so Mean Ol' Mama especially enjoyed plundering through the pantry and discussing recipes, spices, and interesting information about their home country. The sweet hostess made a delicious snack of potato and rice with spices and hot pepper!

This is a specialty flattened rice that was used in the snack.

And of course, chai...

Even the littles had their snack at a special table with their new friend. Good times!

We headed out to preach down in Quincy, Florida, but were rained out, so we stopped instead at a small group of trailers before the storm moved in. The sheep seemed to enjoy the music, too!

Josiah and Anders helped Pop build a special pen for pigs they were hoping to buy at an auction.

Which ones should we buy, Branch?

Two little pigs came home from the market...

Anders and Pop butchered a few chickens, and Anders thought that ChubChub might enjoy playing with the scrubbed feet. You know, pulling the tendons and watching the claws curl up. Hmmmm....

The Girl took advantage of Mean Ol' Mama's quiet office and did a few lessons in Spanish Bible.

Would you say that Mean Ol' Mama enjoys reading in the evening?

The Girl and Branch enjoyed a new math lesson: Algebraic Equations.

The older 3 boys helped put together goody bags from 4H to be given to local schoolteachers. The following photos are part of their upcoming portfolio competition.

Thursday morning all of the fellows went with Pop to pick up 7 free potbelly pigs. They got just a tad bit dirty. Some of the pigs were huge, and all of them had to be carried into the trailer.

They're outside right now building another pen for the pigs, and Anders was delighted to show his dirty arms to you. Yep, delighted! We'll post pictures of the dirty little kids...I mean PIGS in a few days.

Busy, busy with our crazy life; Mean Ol' Mama is trying to stay cool, in more ways than one; enjoying the fact that there's still room in our busy, crazy life for friends...who are also busy...and crazy...and fun...

In the News!

http://bainbridgega.com/news/publish/080111fourH.shtml