Cartoon & Computer Zombies

We were busy today.

Gage and Luke came over while mom worked and dad slept after working the night shift. Baby Kyle stayed closer in town so mom could visit him several times during the day.

They rode their bikes and ran around the yard and asked gramps a 1002 questions about everything. Grandma took Odie to the vet to have an ugly wart taken off the top of his head (another $138 invested in our million dollar dog) and then we had lunch.

More bike riding, wearing gramps old army dress hat. And then something weird happened......

Everyone was tired and the three guys went into the cougar room and turned into ZOMBIES!

Lifeless, eyes focused only on one thing, the screen in front of them, unhearing and non-responsive to anything.

The living breathing ZOMBIES!!!!!!!

Game Ideas

Well things are back to normal here on 4 acres. I finally feel rested and the house is clean and the yard is all picked up. I miss everyone already, in fact I started missing them Saturday afternoon. The house was too quiet.
I thought I would share some of the games we had for the kids.
Unfortunately I didn't get any photos of the kids playing these games as I was busy helping them play.
Obstacle Race- The kids had to walk across a 2/4 about 12 feet long that had balloons tied on it about every 3 feet. When they reached a balloon they had to spell their name. Then they had to grab a squirt bottle and spray a cardboard picture of a giant with water. Next was a water balloon toss and catch. A run through the sprinkler to a frisbee toss. Next was sit on a big balloon and pop it, climb a step ladder and then the popcorn race. We made small drink cups with rubber bands on the bottom. The child put the rubber band on over his shoe and we put popcorn in the cup and they had to walk to a bin and dump the popcorn in. The kids played this over and over until all the balloons and popcorn were gone.
Photo Hunt - About a week before I took pictures of things around the yard. Everyday objects like a faucet handle, a fence post, bird house, wind chimes, door knobs, sprinkler, etc up close look different when viewed in black and white. I downloaded the pictures on my pc and printed them in black and white and cut them out. I put a short clue on the back of each picture (birdies live here, turn this for wet stuff, etc).
The kids loved this one too, even the older 3 grandkids had a hard time with a few items. I showed them the pictures one at a time and they had to run and touch the item and then run back. Great exercise!!

Catching the Sun & other Joys in Life

Here is Joseph trying to catch the sun and almost succeeding!
The gathering of family is over and the house is back to its quiet, just the two of us and after a little nap, I feel restored to my usual tried ol' self.
It was unbelievably chaotic, fun and noisy but oh so rewarding to have the whole family all gathered together again.
JUST LIKE CATCHING THE SUN AND HOLDING IT CLOSE, Burning it all into my heart to hold it forever in my memories.

This is the purpose of life, family. This is eternity. This is Joy.

Shhhhhh, it's a semi-quiet moment.....

Here are some random pictures of our adventures with cousin camp so far. Happy little Kyle, the paper plate mask gang, Gage as Harry Potter, popsicle kids, cupcake face Ava, and crazy "evil" Emily.
It has been heavenly to have them all here playing, laughing, fighting, and keeping me awake most of the night, but still oh so heavenly.

Ah the Miracle of Life

I said I wasn't going to blog for a week, but then this little miracle occurred yesterday so I had to tell you.

Odie brought home a partially hatched egg and I, being the optimist that I am, thought whatever it was would promptly die.

Instead it was breathing and wiggling so Emily, Joe and Mason immediately took it under their collective wings and watched over it all night, making sure it was safe from Odie and warm.

And then this morning I found them with a cute baby mallard all hatched and fluffy. It had mostly "imprinted" on Emily. I know she lost the most sleep over it because she later took a nap.

A few hours later they had "Rudy" swimming in the tank with them. And even later, they were feeding him tiny grasshoppers.

Each day brings new surprises on these happy 4 acres!

The fun and chaos begins!

We pick up 2 of our grandkids this afternoon who will spend the next 3 days here and then Saturday we go get our daughter-in-law and her 3 kids to stay for a week, which means that the other 6 will be here also, along with their moms and dads.
So I will probably not post for a week or so.
I can't wait!! What fun, noise, giggles, fights, running feet, swords clashing, water splashing, crying, and laughter. Sounds like heaven on earth to me!!

Working Ahead

We have been working like crazy for the last month to get our house and property all ready for a family reunion which was going to take place in 2 weeks.
We have and still are painting our old weathered barn and sheds a lovely "barn red" and we have moved plants, planted grass and potted flowers.
We have painted inside, 2 bedrooms, one "Cougar" room and cleaned carpets and organized closets and shelves.
I have also been cooking ahead. At least 20 dozen cookies, 2 batches of brownies, cupcakes, enchiladas, lasagna, and other casseroles.
We have bought packaged snacks and game prizes and fun stuff for the grandkids.
These are all things that have needed doing regardless of any gathering of family and/or friends so I am very glad they are done, even though I am pretty much exhausted every night and my sweet hubby looks worn out all the time.
Then on Sunday, we found out that the "big" reunion was a wash-out. None of Gary's brothers or sister would be coming for a number of reasons. Sadness? Relief? Disappointment? I guess all of the above. I had been really looking forward to seeing everyone and have them all see where and how we live, but boy what a lot of work and preparation for one day of visiting!!
Our son and his family will be coming anyway, in fact our daughter-in-law and the grandkids will be here for a week ahead of our son coming and so all of the advance planning will make it much more fun as I will be able to relax and play with the kids instead of slaving in the kitchen.
I have found out that cooking two meals at once and freezing one for later is just as easy as cooking one meal.
I have found out that the yard looks much nicer and is far easier to maintain now that the work is done. I love the paint jobs inside the house and boy did those rooms need it!!
So nothing was wasted time or effort.
We should not be prideful of our homes and possessions. We should keep what we have in good repair and looking nice, but we shouldn't ever want to "show off" what we have. Our home is nice and very comfortable but it is not a mansion or fancy. Our home is livable, a place to relax and enjoy each others company. It is and always will be a place where our family can come and feel "at home"