Work Day

Knowing that today was going to be a beautiful day and always being at least 5 steps ahead of me in the "work-to-be-done" department, Steve decided that today would be the day that we mulched our place.  As usual, we didn't order enough and will need to get another load, but we got everything weeded, cut back, raked, and mostly mulched.  It looks so nice and fresh.
The kids had a great time playing outside and worked very hard to help us.  Everyone even got a little sun-kissed.  Early in the morning, the girls each found a frog/toad (I do not know the difference).  They had so much fun playing with those crazy things.  The poor frogs, I think all the attention they got may have bordered on animal abuse, but they were still breathing in the end.
Aunt Becky, you may want to cover your eyes for the following photos.  I know how these things make you squeem!!!

Greta was not a fan.

The frogs even got their own names

...and their own little habitat, though that didn't last very long at all seeing that they jumped right out of the box.

I got these boots for Aaron for 50 cents at a yard sale.  They have contributed largely to his masculinity.  He loves to wear his work boots when helping daddy.

Doggie Roast

Last week a dear couple from our church invited our family over for a doggie roast in their basement.  Richard and Lois Sensenig are an older couple who also have Mennonite roots.  They knew my grandparents and lots of my family.  It's always fun to be with them.  The kids had a great time roasting dogs and marshmallows over the fireplace.  What a fun afternoon we had with them.  I am SO MAD that I did not get a picture of my kids with them (though you can see both of then in the background of both these pics).  We talked all afternoon and had to scurry away and I totally forgot.

April Fools?

What to do with a broken wash line?

Make it into a jumprope, of course!!

Second and Third sign of Spring

This extremely unattractive fly strip is a staple around here.  We live near so many chicken farms  that we are bombarded with flies.  They are already out something fierce this year.  Ugh...

Sister Lovin'

For a long time, Aaron has said that when he grows up he wants to marry Greta.  Just recently that's changed.  He's declared Claudia to be his favorite sister and says that he wants to marry her.  Tonight we were all together in the van and he was again expressing his desire to marry Claudia.  Steve went into some details that we typically just avoid, saying that someday he will have a girl that is not his sister whom he will want to marry.  The conversation went something like this:

Steve:"...and when you are old enough, mommy and I will help you find a good wife."
Aaron: "What's a good wife?"
Steve:"Well, someone that you love, someone who you think is pretty..."
Aaron interrupts, "Well, I love Claudia and I think she's pretty!"

We all laughed heartily and the conversation about not marrying your sister was once again dropped.

Favorite Pastime