Happy Birthday Asher!

Asher turned 2 all the way back in May already!  

We started off the day with a pancake birthday breakfast (this was his cake since we were going to be gone all day). The whipped cream was the best part of course.

And since it was Memorial Day we went to the parade...Asher loved every minute of this, since he admires all kinds of vroom vrooms (aka trucks).  He has quite a few words under his belt since his birthday, but certainly is slower to talk than the others. But why should he learn to talk if can get exactly what he needs and  knows how to get it with out saying much, except pointing and saying "eh, eh, eh."

Silas' loot...

a large part of our church families children were there too.

We love you Asher! 

Go to the ant thou sluggard...

Way back in April we received 25 Harvester Ants to watch and learn from. They were watched quite closely for the first 2 weeks(by the kids) as they worked and worked at making their home exactly how they wanted it. We learned quite quickly what God means in Proverbs 6:6-8  "Go to the ant thou sluggard, consider her ways and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." Proverbs 6:6 

In the months that we had them we watched two amazing short videos. Here and here.

It was only last week that the last one died, so no more pet ants.  

Look closely you and you will see this ant trying her hardest to bring a piece of carrot to their food pantry. She never made it all the way up the hill. Can you carry something 5 times your weight up a hill?

After only a few days, this is what they had done. Amazing!

And then we attempted to make our own ants out of egg cartons...also experimenting with paint colors to make them look like our ants.

 and here they are.

Tabitha Jean

What excitement around here! My sister Esther had a little girl! A sister for Eric and Zachary. You should have seen the joy on Tia's face at the news. The second girl born in the VG family since my sister Hannah who is 20. What a cutie she is!

Homecoming! Welcome Tabitha!

 She couldn't wait to hold her.

 Kisses from big brother Zachary.

 Aren't these the cutest little "farm girl socks"

Such love and care Tia has for babies. 

The proud big brothers!

Springtime at the Farm

On Mother's Day weekend we traveled to the farm for another much anticipated visit.

What is more fun than a huge pile of sawdust with old diggers and trucks?

Even Tia who doesn't understand why Silas and Asher like trucks so much, occupied herself for a while.

This was the highlight for Tia...six little puppies for her to love and bottle feed.

  

Beautiful weeds and Grandpa's bees.

The morning mist of a beautiful day!

The barn swallows mud home.

Working with Grandma to make bread.

Her babies.

 Some of us went on a wonderful hike with gorgeous landscape pictures.

  And here is my boy, working and learning from his Uncles...this is all I saw of him. Silas was out to the barn milking before I woke up and didn't get back till 7pm dinner!

Cutting hay was the priority that week.