Bre is 40!

Bre turned 40 today! I can say this online as Bre has already said it online! ::grin:: This is a milestone for her....and Stacia pointed out it also means that she has been a part of Bre's life for half of her life now. Bre and the kids came over after VBS for a visit. We enjoyed an impromptu tea. 

Krista, Trudy, Annie, Bre, Gideon, Jojo, Bella 

For those who have wondered how long the pig hat has been around - here's a shot Bre shared of her18th birthday - so at least 22 years! LOL Bre, Krista and Josiah were VBS leads this year at JBER and Jared and Arielle were attending. I can't quite remember what Jamin did. He was a tweener then. 

Krista, Bre and Josiah

Wow! Forty years old. The realization that my 40's are a way behind me is starting to dawn on me. LOL It was a fun visit. The kids enjoyed playing outside. Everyone is fitting in as much time as we can with Krista before she flies out. 

Trudy

Annie, Bella, Gideon & Jojo

Last summer Cory worked over here 20 - 30 hours a week. We have been looking for someone like him  to help general projects, yard work etc. We have one young man who hopes to come over once a week or every other week or so - but we really need someone to give us some hours. Alex approached us about putting in some hours for us! He came over Saturday and helped Michael with some wiring and installing cameras. He came back today and spent another four hours filling in this trench, installing a camera, installing a light and knocking back some brush. He's saving the extra money to buy a car. 

Stacia finished her CPR training today - and trauma care. I feel so much safer. ::snort:: She came home from work and put the back on her quilt. I love it. 

In other news we're making appointments for vehicle maintenance, immunizations, dental work, eye check ups...all the things you do when you have college students with a bit freer time in the summer. 

Benny's Baptism

 What a joy it was to be able to be at Benny's baptism today. Cory and Benny went into Anchorage yesterday and bought a new Bible for him. He ran up to me at church this a.m. so excited to show it to me. He showed me all the features and then he pulled out a piece of paper that had his favorite verses written on it. Oh. my. heart. 

"Bachan, I wrote some of my favorite verses on this paper."  He was speaking my love language. Luke, Krista, Jared, and Jamin joined Allie, Stacia, GG, Michael and I at Wasilla Community Church for the baptism. 

It was such a fun morning...and such a joy to watch another grandchild make this faith commitment. 

FRIDAY!

 It's been raining a lot this week and so I've not gotten out in the garden as I'd like too. The forecast for today showed sunny breaks...my goal was to weed and plant one bed. Once I got started, I kept moving. It was so nice to have a break in the rain. I planted the rest of the direct seeds today; all eleven beds are now filled. I have plenty of in ground space - but I'm not sure the corn or potatoes are going to get planted... 

Before 

I planted some squash off the far end of the bed and the rest of the bed is seeded with beets. 

After

I planted zucchini off the far end of this bed and filled in space with more beet seeds. 

I had cleared all the spinach out of the green house yesterday. Today, I planted bush beans. I love this tool for mapping out a square foot garden. I KNOW it seems like a waste of money - but it's saved me loads of time for the past 6 years! This is the only spot I think may be warm enough for beans - at least this rainy year. 

These girls like to visit when I'm working in the garden. 

When the rain and clouds lifted, we discovered new snow on the mountain. 

It's far too early for termination dust but Michael joked it is signaling the termination of our summer.  Not the new bike path that runs along our road this year. 

Stacia called as I finished outside and asked if I'd like to meet her in town at the new coffee/bakery. I called in our Papa Murphy order and met her in town. 

The chicks are all doing well. They huddle under the heating plate when it's "cold."

Nolan, Alex, Luke and Krista joined us for Pizza and the next Marvel Marathon showing....Capt. Marvel tonight.  GG was happy to have them finish his puzzle for him before the movie started! 

My plan to plant the seeds on a sunny day and then let the rain over the weekend keep the seeds moist worked perfectly. We've had rain all weekend. 

Chick Day

 This shirt, gifted to me by Mona, was perfect to wear today. It's Chick Day. It's a bit later than we usually get chicks but shoot - last summer it seemed to be too much effort to order chicks. 

We have 18 new Black Sex links (they'll lay large brown eggs) and 6 Cream legbar (maybe that's the name) - they'll lay blue and green eggs. 

I waited in the park and ride for an hour until I got the text that my order was ready! They are cute. 

I'm glad we got our act in gear in time to order some chicks. Our older gals are giving up. Most weeks include a hen simply sitting down and giving up. The other hens are merciless when one does that, we try to get them out and let them enjoy their last few days away from the mob. We got less than 2 doz eggs last week. I've quit selling and am hoping for these older gals to keep us in eggs until the young chicks begin laying...about 19 weeks to go. 

They were so quiet this first night I was afraid they were all dead...but they seem to be doing fine on their 4th day. 

Happy Birthday Krista

 Krista and Luke have moved off of JBER and are staying in our RV until they leave for Japan.  Krista is working hard towards her last day of work (Friday) so we had lots of time to plan a quick surprise party. Really, I went shopping and Luke ordered pizza, invited his family and then the Gherkins began showing up.  Luke had ordered plenty of pizza, so we just kept adding more plates. It doesn't take much to make a party crowd around here. 

We milled around, visited, kids played, opened gifts and ate...it was fun. We missed Kaelyn and Rylan but hope to see them later this summer. 

A Grand Girls' Sleepover!!!!

This was fantastically fun! The grands are getting old enough for SLEEPOVERS! Bella got the ball rolling by asking Stacia and Allie what they would think....and Bre and Izaak were o.k. with their girls spending the night. I contacted Carrie and Luke to check on plans for Livie and Kaelyn to join us. Trudy, Josi and Ellie are still a bit young - but I'm dreaming of the fun we can have in a few years! Kaelyn was unable to join us, but Olivia, Bella, and Annie came and spent an evening with us! Yes, a grand bly sleepover is in the works - Papa and I are planning. 

While I baked pizza's the girls arranged their beds in Allie and Stacia's room. 

Liv, Millie and Stacia, Annie and Bella 

We had everyone's favorite types of pizzas. We let GG join us for dinner. Allie slid in as soon as she was off work. 

Stacia, Bella, Olivia, Me, GG and Annie

I sent the girls off to get their swimsuits on while I cleaned up and then we hit the hot tub. Allie brought her Bluetooth speaker out and we had fun summer tunes while we soaked. Annie does not understand the concept of "relaxing in a hot tub," and kept swimming underwater from one spot to the next. LOL 

Bella - 9 (BreZaak's daughter)

Olivia - 12 (CyRi's daughter)

Annie - 6 (I think - BreZaak's daughter)

I got out first, took a quick shower and set out the snack buffet...it was nearly 8:30 and I knew they'd need renewed energy to "stay up all night." I also suspected most wouldn't stay up all night. LOL 

A word about snacks - I had texted mom's for the favorite snacks of each girl and had them on hand. Here Stacia shows the girls the wonder of chopsticks for communal snacking...and just keeping one's fingers clean while snacking. 

We had an amazing selection of SNACKS.

Everyone got washed off, into PJ's, grabbed some snacks and we met in the living room for a Frozen marathon. Meanwhile it was 9 pm and GG had gone to bed so the sweet snacks weren't cruel. 

I finally had to gently limit Annie. LOL 

We decided one movie was all we were going to make it through. Next up was "masks at midnight." 

I swear Annie and I felt like we were smearing guacamole on our faces!

Honey mask. 

It peels! 

Twinkle lights and Hank the Cowdog were up next as everyone "settled down." 

Don't be fooled! 

I don't think anyone was up ALL night, but I also don't think ANY of us got much sleep. ::snort:: Stacia discovered she cannot sleep with twinkly lights and Hank the Cowdog on repeat. LOL 

It was no surprise to me Annie was the first one up! I knew if she didn't need me to call her Mom before the night was up, she would be the most excited in the morning. She was. She didn't want to go home! ::snort:: 

Everyone else started stumbling out. We decided to do our nails. 

Frozen 2 and popcorn was next on the agenda. 

While the others talked inside Annie and I went outside for a bit. 

I was aware all evening of the wonderful memories we were making. The girls are all at such fun ages! We didn't get our bracelets or suncatchers made - I guess we'll need another sleepover this summer. 

Note: Michael and Krista made it back to the valley this evening. It was great to catch up with them and their adventures in the hot tub.