Growing

The kids are growing, the animals are growing, and now the garden and orchard are growing. We're growing apples, apricots, peaches, pie cherries, plums, hazelnuts, mulberries, raspberries, strawberries, dry corn, dry beans, pumpkins, red potatoes, yukon gold potatoes, purple snap beans, onions, garlic, beets, 4 kinds of tomatoes, jalapeno and bell peppers, cantaloupe, watermelon, summer squash, fodder beets (for the sheep), cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, and several herbs. Whew! No wonder we stay busy, right?

Here are some of the lambs just a few days old. And a picture of them now that they've more than doubled in size. Aren't they adorable?! I LOVE having sheep. Who knew it could be the best hobby ever?

 The kiddos absolutely LOVE it when we get irrigation water, and we've been very blessed this year with irrigation. Every single turn we've had, we've been given at least one of our neighbor's turns also.

 Of course, when it's time to clean up after we get our water, there's a LOT of clean up.

 But it's worth it.

 The boys have been working really hard with Abram, building fences, planting, sifting rocks from dirt to make raised garden beds, and so on. Elijah's been working especially hard, and earning some money to buy fishing gear.

 The babies mainly "help" me in the house. They've also more than doubled in size.  ;)

So that's life at Meadowlark Homestead right now. Hopefully we'll get some of the biggest projects done this month and get to do a little more playing. I'm also planning to do some landscaping this week. I'm excited and a little nervous! I'll try to post some pictures when I get it going.

The winter

It's been forever and a day, I know. But I thought I'd write to you anyway, to let you know... (Di? What's it from?) 

We're still here! Mostly tucked in to our warm little home. It IS January, you know. We had the most magical Christmas we've probably ever had last month. Sawyer is getting into ev.ery.thing, and making us smile all the time. Heidi is potty trained! And talking SO well. McKay is learning to write his letters and never wants to wear anything but his underwear. Elijah is doing exceptionally well in 1st grade, and is really enjoying it now. Abram's principal told him yesterday that he loves coming to Abram's class, and that he (Abram) is the most improved teacher in the whole school! And I just keep busy with kiddos, the house, and most recently I made a conceal carry leather purse for a neighbor's wife, in trade for him helping Abram fix our truck's transmission.

So enough talk. Enjoy the random assortment of photos from this "long cold lonely winter".

 

Joseph helping Mary onto the donkey

New kitchen for Heidi and McKay

Chef Heidi, and McKay pointing at the sheepskin rug that Abram tanned for me!

Heidi going for a ride to help Pappa with chores

Elijah helping Pappa with the chores

Sledding up and down the road - the black blob on the right is Ranger speeding along with the car

Sawyer found a cracker under the table

Potty trained!

Elijah playing with Ranger after school

The front of the purse

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