The Bobcat: The Latest Addition

Here is the latest toy around here. This one goes by many names...including skid steer/John Deere/bobcat. I prefer bobcat because my adorable niece Reilly has been hearing about this bobcat that roger wanted to buy for weeks. She very gently reasoned that we cannot have a huge bobcat in our barn. There just isn't enough room for an animal that size that likes to run around and hunt. Additionally, when Brey finally gets her chickens it could be disastrous. Needless to say, Reilly was very relieved to find out that this was in fact a machine and not a predator. :)

This is supposed to be much easier on the grass, will help with continued clearing and construction, and is a new challenge for me to learn how to drive!!!  

Notice the pictures of the bucket that reads, "made in the USA."  We think that is AWESOME.  Proud to support the American industry!

I'll keep you posted on how it works!! 

Anne's Spot at Hearthstone

Sweet Anne decided to take matters into her own hands and decided to organize her fishing equipment. I just love this kiddo and her ideas. She decided on the old potting shed. She even built a shelf on her own with boards that uncle gave her. It is straight and level. I have to say, I am so impressed! She has a spot for everything.  After she finished organizing, she and Pap fixed their special fishing rod.  I just had to share this story and a few pics. :)

Father's Day Shrimp Boil

We had the BEST day today at Hearthstone celebrating these very important men in our lives.  The weather was definitely a bit off all day.  It was cloudy, sunny, spritzing, sunny, etc.  We had planned to have a huge shrimp boil out back in the barnyard on our new table.  Well, the weather had other plans as rain poured down just as we were about to serve dinner.  Now this is the part where I need to brag about my family for just a moment.  The average person would be annoyed and bummed that it literally rained on our parade.  Flowers, pillows, chairs, paper lined tables, tents, etc. all were perfectly set up.  My family banded together and I swear in about 5 minutes the backhoe was moving our enormous table up to the barn, while kids & adults were hauling in food, drinks, supplies, flowers, pillows, chairs up a flight of stairs into the top of the barn.  All with a smile on their faces.  The girls were running back and forth grabbing towels and umbrellas!  Anne, Pete, and my dad strung gorgeous white lights up on the rafters in the barn.  We sat down to a perfect stormy candlelit shrimp broil.  We couldn't have planned it more perfectly!  Of course just as we were finishing dinner the sun started shining again along with nothing but blue skies.  I praise the Lord for this moment where I can feel so blessed to have such an incredibly flexible, energetic family who is always up for anything.  Also, I am thankful for the rainstorm.  We never would have planned a dinner in the barn with so many gorgeous decorations.  Thank you to each and every one of you for making today such an incredible memory and for the pictures, too!  Love you all to pieces. Thank you for your smiles, hard work, and LOVE!  xoxoxo

Rolling out the paper.  Look, everybody is there and helping and available!

Teamwork!

HAHA...hmmm...a bucket?  Kara's?

LOVE this picture!!!

Kara and Laura are buddies!!!

Seriously, can we have EVERY family dinner like this?!?!

See the sun coming out?  Hmm...I think that rainstorm was meant for us!

Uncle with his Anne and Pete

Really? Do we have to leave?!?!

Happy Father's Day to these incredible men in our lives!  

We love each of you and thank you for all of the love and support you continue to give us.  

Picture perfect.

This following picture needs no words!! Feeling very blessed. 

Love This Truck

Spring House Cleaning (literally)

Last weekend I finally took the time to clean out the spring house. It had been a sort of collection area for all of our left over construction equipment and tools. Now it is an organized extra room. Everything is labeled, swept, vacuumed, and totally functional space!  Phew! Another thing to cross off the list!! 

Picnic Table

Here is a picture of my new gorgeous mahogany  picnic  table. This board isn't glued together, it's from one enormous tree. It's perfect for our huge family gatherings. I love it!  It's so cozy to eat a yummy BBQ dinner in this area. 

Lights On in the Main House

So we both arrived home last night to a warm glow of light from the main house's kitchen. It sounds silly, but I feel like its a huge deal to see lights glowing in there! It feels surreal after being so destroyed that this house has a bit of fight left. To some it may look eery, but I think it makes the kitchen look charming. It's crazy to think that in a few short years I will be unloading groceries into that kitchen! It'll be a huge change! Here are some pics.  Thanks rocky for the electrical work and surprise!!!