The hunt has begun....

To Benji there are 4 seasons:  Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall Hunting!!  Much to his delight we've officially entered into Hunting Season.  He's had quite a bit of luck this season with small game.  Handful of squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits.  And squirrel stew.

John cracks me up.  He always.always. holds the animal like a toy.  Holding it in his arm like a baby kitten.  It took some serious persuasion on Benji's part to get John to hold the chipmunk like this. (smile)  But don't get the wrong impression.  He's still 110% a mighty hunter.  Sometimes Daddy and Benji try to sneak out the door early in the morning, but John is quick to stir and quick to dress to get out the door.

Now the countdown begins for rifle season...

5 6 7 8

John turned 5 the other week.  So, until Benji's birthday in November, the kids are now 5, 6, 7 and 8.  When people ask how old they are, it makes me smile as I say, "five, six, seven and eight".  It also makes me wonder where time has gone that we have kids that old already.

Happy 6th Bday Meri!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear meri
happy birthday to you!!

Love,
Uncle Benjamin, Aunt Heather
Benji, Carolyn, Katie and John

Happy Birthday Wyatt!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear wyatt
happy birthday to you!!

We're wishing you a very happy 5th birthday.  Hoping you have a fun-filled day!  Miss ya'll!

love,
uncle benjamin, aunt heather,
benji, carolyn, katie and john

JOHN is 5

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear john
happy birthday to you!!

love,
dad, mom, benji, carolyn and katie

 

happy 60th grandpa ray!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear grandpa ray
happy birthday to you!!!

love,
benji, carolyn, katie and john

End of Summer Splash

We hit the local beach the other day to celebrate the end of summer.  Just like we did almost exactly one year ago, lacking 2 days.  This year we were also lacking 2 cousins who moved to CO this summer.  We miss them dearly and think often of them.  But times like this, make the reality of their move set in even more.

I can't locate the pictures from our trip last year at the moment.  But I'm amazed at how much the kids have changed in a year.  Not to mention the changes that have taken place in our lives in a year.  Summer is coming to a close.  Another school year is about to begin.  We're looking forward to what fall has in store.


 This picture is for you Larissa and Wyatt.. we missed having you with us this year!!

.

Peggy's Cove {Nova Scotia}

We were over 2000 miles from home on our trip, but were pleasantly surprised to learn that a friend (Sheila & Arnold) and her family lived nearby the area we were visiting.  John was equally pleased as they had 3 little kids close in age!  They lived nearby Peggy's Cove, so spent some time there one afternoon together.  It really was a neat place to visit.

This picture doesn't do justice, but this was a steep, rocky drop off.  They had signs everywhere warning not to go below, but of course there were quite a few people on them.  We were told quite a few people get swept off the rocks, most never make it back.  The day we were there the ocean was very calm, but most days the waves crash up against the rocks, spraying up on the top. 

I'm bummed that this is the only picture I got of their family.  No Mom/Dad.. just their kids with our kid.

The kids had a blast climbing on the rocks.  Kinda like mountain goats. 

Naturally they went the hardest route to get from point A to point B. 

 

Man, I love this man!

shores and fresh seafood