Spring is Officially Here

 Summer is here...OK Spring is officially here. The garden won't be planted until June 1st...but the temps are in the 50's (52*), the snow is all melted (green grass to come), Reuben Haus is opening this weekend (IYKYK), it was light at 10:30 last night and at 6:30 this morning, there's no snow in the forecast. It's spring. 

We celebrated by buying Melia a new bike and ordering a bunch of photos for a photo collage she wants to create in her room. I found baby Melia photos online, grabbed photos we've taken since she's been here, and we are getting close to enough photos.  I tried to convince her she should ride home (from Wasilla). 

I had an unfortunate health thing on the way home and that cancelled our aquacise plans...but we switched gears quickly when Melia asked for s'mores. The first campfire of the season. 

We got out the trampoline and started to unload the summer things from the trailer. 

The chickens found the way out of the fence...and are enjoying the garden rather than the yard. 

I held the ladder and Melia climbed it to attach the netting around the trampoline. 

I jumped first until it was pointed out to me that a person with an ear situation probably shouldn't jump. 

Show off! 

Finally, the s'more of which she dreamed. 

Michael wins for roasting the "perfect" marshmallow - but the season is early. 

It finally feels like summer is really coming. It hasn't snowed since April 21st.  The snow has receeded to reveal piles of moose poop.  It's spring.  It's 9:44 and as bright as it was at noon. Melia is working on a paint by number kit and Michael is reading. Stacia should be home from classes shortly. She sent this pre-finals vibes shot.  If finals are in the discussion the summer is really truly on its way here....

Random April TIdbits 2026

 I am working hard to capture April's memories. I still have some specific posts to work on but here is the big wrap up I try to do each month. Glimpses of Gherkins near and far - 3 countries, 2 states and numerous households in this post. Enjoy. 

Imagine our surprise when Luke sent photos from the PHILIPPINES! He had a friend visit, and they decided to jaunt over for a week. 

Luke in tricycle built on motorcycle

Bre and Kids

There is certainly no danger of any of us thinking WE are living in the tropics. LOL Break-up, spring for the rest of the world, means lots of melting ice and snow. It's the busiest season of the year for Carrie. It tends to pool at the bottom of her driveway and overflow....Her Dad has promised a forever fix when he gets up here this summer.  This time of year, I begin to entertain the snowbird lifestyle....just a bit. I think I'd miss the rhythm of the seasons. 

Score for Bachan! Bella's new clothes fit perfectly, and she loves the stitch backpack. 

Trudy has a big girl bed in the girls' room - April 6th. 

Krista continues to recover from knee surgery 

Spring flowers are seen on April 10th - this year the moose didn't eat them. 

Jared and Noah took a trip to Seward. Noah took some good photos! 

LOVE his personality! 

There is a group called Atlas that sends doctors into assisted living and nursing homes. We have been using them, but have been less than pleased. In under a year Dad has had 4 providers. They are great providers, but they don't stay long. Also, I never knew when the appointments were taking place, Dad doesn't remember what they say, and I found him on a new med I didn't know about. When Atlas lost their last provider and Dad's care renewal was needed to be evaluated, we found a local doc. We have settled into a routine of me making his appointments just before or after a meal and combining it with a meal out. 

We appreciate the work Victims For Justice does for our community. Josiah had a ribbon at the remembrance ceremony. We didn't drive in this time. We just weren't up to facing another remembrance ceremony this month. 

Krista @ American Day - I think - in Okinawa.

This is Melia's mugshot  passport photo. I include it to show we have dreams to travel!!!! and this is her morning resting face. This is the face that greets me every morning when she has to begin school at 11:00 a.m. ::snort:: I sure miss the days when you could smile in official photos! 

Krista relaxing on a beach in Okinawa! She was working on a paint kit we gave her. 

A boy and his cat. 

Benny has started a much-needed business - clearing yards of animal poop. As the snow melts...

Ellie, taking care of business. 

Allie - living her best life. Actually, she's been HARD at work this month on a feature film project, which is like a giant month-long final exam. 

Ashton & Allie

I've become my mom....I have a computer that does random things requiring trips to the local Geek Repair shop. I know to save a bit locker key now.  Having to take my laptop in to get help in making it work has made me feel older than anything else that has happened to date. ::snort:: 

Bella had a friend party - here are a couple of glimpses. 

Well - Amazon has gotten quicker and their customer service is much easier to reach.  I contacted them about the way the tea arrives...I told them I still had tea, but that the bags split or get pokes in shipping and there's at least two kinds of tea in the bottom of the box. They refunded me the entire order AND told me not to send the tea back.  I was impressed. I asked for them to refund one bag, as there IS drinkable tea here.  

Another fun photo from Luke's underwater adventures in Okinawa. 

This one may deserve a separate post - but there aren't a lot of words to share. Carrie got this tribute tattoo. It's perfect. 

Annie celebrates spring! 

Cory is starting a new adventure that will culminate in a Master of Divinity! 

Hmmm....I don't have photos from Jamin but I have seen videos and viewed his videos. He's enjoying the beaches, exploring paddle boarding in FL and working hard. 

We're planning a summer trip to visit dear friends!!!! Tickets are booked and a BnB reserved.  

AND ALLIES TICKET HOME FOR SUMMER IS BOOKED!!!!!

Still, some snow...but oh, so pretty. 

Grand Friday

 We desire to know and be active in our adult Gherkins lives and the lives of their kids. We want our grands to remember time with us and to build relationships with us. We discovered life moves fast and we needed to be intentional to spend time with CoRielle's children.  All the kids really, but we don't naturally see their kids weekly at church etc. We all hit on the idea of us watching their kids every Friday afternoon for a couple of hours. This allows Cory and Arielle some down time to connect, hike etc without the extra activity four young kids bring. 

Benny and Danny have been working on memorization pieces in their homeschool. Today, CoRielle wanted them to recite them to us.  I love to see individual personalities emerge. Danny LOVES the stage. He wanted to go first, jumped up and recited a poem about the wind complete with big smiles. 

Benny doesn't like public speaking at all - even when the public is just his parents, grands and Melia. I understand. Cory was so gentle and encouraging to him and he did a great job overcoming his reluctance and sharing with us about trees. 

CoRielle left at this point. Michael and Benny discussed the poem. Michael has a thing about trees having grown up in the Red Woods. He also knows what a great skill it is to get comfortable sharing a message. They were cute together. Mike asked what several lines meant and Benny explained. Mike shared some of his love of trees with Benny. 

I purchased some dye for Easter Eggs, and we never got around to it. I was determined to use this craft kid. The kids paint cute little markers which I will eventually use in the garden - after the snow melts.