Summer-y

This post finds us at the end of summer with school starting soon (it's only a matter of hours...) and some lovely days of fall weather. Summer this year was so good. We didn't get to go on a big family vacation, but the months sped by with little trips and get-a-ways, friends and cousins, cookouts and camp-outs, and everything else :). Aside from the big events that we blogged about, though, there was just daily life happening ... fun mixed in with garden work. It's sad to see summer go :). 

to treasure all of the little things that happened throughout the weeks:

two batches of kittens this summer ;)

Making a trip to Bloomington four days a week made July fly past! Driver's ed had us maxed out there for a little bit, but we accomplished it all in one month... oh, so good to be done! (4 more kids to go, dad ... :).

Discovery museum one morning while I was in class...

 We loved having Hope here for a week in July! These three had all sorts of fun :).

they went and "fished" in a little "creek" near us :)

they took pictures...

... and set up a sewing/craft studio :)

come again, Hopie!!

The beginning of the summer, I hosted a surprise birthday party for a special friend! It was a lot of fun - thanks to all my great help :). 

one of our favorites parts of summer: the fresh fruits and veggies!

photo credit to Jared!

a loaded bus heading out to deliver our weekly vegetable baskets!

                                         We spent a couple days babysitting which we love :).

We raised two batches of broilers this summer (well, actually the chicken tractor is still occupied with the second) and our second batch of layers started laying which has been exciting :).

catching the chickens on their dooming day proved to be an interesting experience :).

Mom and the younger kids got to spend a day with cousins on a canal boat field trip! It was one cooker of a day, but I think they managed to still have a little fun :)

We've been absolutely loving our fresh raspberries!!

the first picking resulted in only a handful... I brought them in and protected them just long enough for a picture, and then....

... they were gone :)

Like I said, we love the homegrown freshness of summer!

 Jordan got to spend some time with us here and there. These two are quite the combo! :)

 And... oh yes... the tomatoes. Our picking on Thursday resulted in 320 lbs and we pick again tomorrow. If you're interested... the offer still stands! :)

filling up the jars...one by one

another babysitting day! the neighbors got to spend a couple days and nights with us while their parents took a short trip! They are the cutest :).

And that sums up summer... as the school year begins, we hope we can make it as good as our summer :).