Playing Summer Catch-up

Usually our summers seem to flow with relatively the same rhythm... weekend trips, cousin time, summer goals, bike rides, favorite summer recipes, and always, always, the gardens. This year is no exception! We've been filling our summer days full with a good mix of work and play. 

Marcus fills his time working long days as a farm hand, and we enjoy seeing him occasionally on his days off (usually we don't enjoy seeing him when he gets home in the evening until after he showers). Jared has become the maintenance and lawn care man around here. However, walking beans just started so we don't see him as much either! Dad has been busy as usual, but we've all been thrilled to see some exciting progress happening with Serenity Villa (see more below)! I've been thoroughly enjoying a slower pace since my summer class finished up. I fill my days with music students, working at Fairview Haven, and being here at home to help out. That leaves Mom, Lily, and Kenan here most days, putting lots of garden hours in! 

However, that's only the work part! We've had time to squeeze in lots of summer fun!! 

the annual cousins' week at Grandma's was a hit once again! We were glad to have Jared and Lily's help back here at home again, though.

Jared loved fishing with Grandpa, Cole, and Noah! 

Hope spent some time with us again this summer after cousins' week!

one summer evening while she was here, the family members left at home went into Fairbury to hike into the park! 

never know what they will dream up to do together :) 

The same weekend that Hope was here, some friends of mine from Indiana came to visit! 

got to go to Mexico with these fun girls last fall and so it was fun to reconnect! Looking forward to August :) 

the typical Sunday morning photo - be prepared if you ever visit over a weekend :)

On the 4th, we met up with the MJ Lemans and enjoyed some hiking and then supper afterwards! 

still wanting to get a post up from Jared about all his different poultry adventures the past few months... but not sure when that will happen. So for now, a picture of the meat chickens of whom we will be bidding farewell shortly... 

Along with Jared's job description of maintenance man and lawn care expert, we've discovered he is great at cleaning the vehicles. And not just cleaning them... but like seriously cleaning them. He spends a lot of time on them, but they are sparkling in the end! This right here is Dad's birthday gift:). 

we've played several croquet games during some family evenings at home. 

Lily has enjoyed babysitting this squishy dream and his brothers once a week this summer! Mom thinks he looks just like Jared did ;) 

We attended the ground breaking ceremony for Serenity Villa - the new memory support unit that is being added to Fairview Haven's campus!!! It's so exciting to actually be able to SEE progress being made on this project! 

we look forward to watching it go up throughout the coming months! 

Summer is a time for family gatherings!

Oh, and our sweet corn day - can't miss that! We were down a few hands this year and we felt it... it took us forever to get anywhere - especially in the hairing step! But we did eventually get it done .... plus canned/froze homegrown peaches, and picked/froze green beans. And we laughed a whole lot along the way :). All in a day's work! 

we love those rare moments that bring a little down time :) 

Haylie came and spent the weekend here a couple weeks ago! We spent our time taking senior pictures and also got to stop in and say hello to Scott, Jenae and Brecken! 

We're looking forward to enjoying a few more weeks of summer... more weekend trips, cousin time, work, and the gardens! Stay tuned for a post coming soon about our second trip to Michigan...