Tooth Extraction {manly style}

Tying the thread around the tooth

Checking the integrity of the line

Ready to roll-and-pull

Having second thoughts ...

Brothers encouraging Ryland not to chicken out {mostly not wanting him to ruin their fun}

Later on in the evening, success!

Congrats, Ry-man!  You've been waiting to lose a tooth for so long now.

A New Beginning, again

Another First Day of School picture - hard to believe it's this time of year, again!

{Langston is super excited to be in Kindergarten and has already asked if he can please have homework every night this year.  Oh, how I love Kindergarten enthusiasm!}

A Few Photos

I'm entering a few pictures in for the photography competition at our county fair this week.

Anyone want to vote for a favorite?

{I couldn't decide either...}

 

Seascape

People

Historical

Miscellaneous {there was no category for most boys!}

Action - would this be Thirsting or Trying?

Leave a comment with your vote for favorite and maybe I'll be sending a prize out if you pick a winner!

Snapshots from Michigan

 

 

It's so hard to believe our week at Life Action Family Camp

has come and gone.

We look forward to it for only 51 weeks out of each year

and it always passes too quickly when we are there.

We were so blessed to spend family time together, time with our Canadians {we miss you SO much!}, time with a dear family from our little town here in Nebraska - and a surprise visit from our Mr. Kyle...the son who is not technically a son to either myself or my Canadian but we still claim joint custody of him.  I'm not sure how great that custody thing is working out, seems like Mr. Kyle is the one paying the price.  See photos below...

 

 

 

A beautiful view of Lake Michigan near St. Joseph, MI

 

'Ga-ga Ball' - a seriously dirty and fun game.  Braden and Joseph are kicking up the dust while Ryland waits out his turn.

 

Apparently carpet ball is not just for kids

Langston helping Mia down the slide.

{Oh, Langston.}

Braden and Tarver hanging on for a ride around Clear Lake

The Rocket

There were a LOT of teenage boys hanging out here during the week.

 

Oh, Amy.

Sweetest of all Canadians.  We need to do coffee again!

Date Night

Sunset after chapel time

Tarver, showing Mr. Austin how to appropriately flex.

 

Braden and canoe tug-of-war

{tossing hay bales all summer really helped give him the competitive edge!}

 

Ryland and buddy Brendan enjoying ice cream on the beach

Langston and 'Baby Nick', though he's technically not a baby any longer.

Soaking Mr. Austin

Our wonderful friends, the D family

Have I already mentioned how I miss you?

Trying to figure out which side of the border Mr. Kyle is heading towards -

good thing you have long arms Mr. Kyle

{and please don't show your real Mom what happens to you when your fake Moms are around!}

Our family - heading home.

Hearts full, Eyes fixed on Jesus.

Just a few more weeks and we'll get to do this again, yes?

A man with standards

This little hunk of cuteness was walking through the room today as I was painting my toenails a lovely shade of pink.  {Hello, date night tonight!}

"Hey, Langston.  Want to come paint your toenails with me?  I have pink!!" Teases me, the Mom.

"No way.  NO way... If I was going to paint my toenails I definitely go with red or yellow.  Never pink!"

Well, at least my little man has some sense of standards.

July Harvest Total

From our humble little plot of ground -

 

174.2175 pounds

40 eggs

9 bouquets of flowers

 

*To celebrate our bountiful harvest, besides just enjoying eating meals provided from our garden, I just purchased a book that's been on my wish-list  called

The Planet Whizbang Idea Book for Gardeners

by Herrick Kimball

I'm excited to read it and hopefully have an even more successful garden this fall and next year!