So Corny

Moses was a big strong man, husking the corn.  

I love it when children "playing" equals actual help.  

 Moses napping sideways.

I *FINALLY* changed the chalkboard after over 4 months.

And in one (half) day, Ineke memorized the new verse!

Corynn's ringlets made me swoon

I cut a lot of bad spots out of neglected tomatoes

Adele' refused to look at the camera (and husked like a dainty, strong woman)

The highlight of Moses' day happened... milking time.

Andrew had such a killer outfit, he deserves to be highlighted twice.

What a homeschooler.

Pulled pork melts and corn on the cob

 ~ Reading aloud before bed (and yes, under a blanket)

And lots more corn to tackle before I sleep

A Sunday In September

Highlights:

- Fresh flowers in hair for church

- Cheeseburger Soup

- Andrew, driving like a pro

- Ineke belting out the psalms (she was amazing at singing this week- and kept up with reading the lyrics so well. I was impressed!)

- Helpful children who rally together to clean like lightening

- a clean van

- Moses, being all intelligent:  "Mama!  We are driving on Jones' road!"  Not having a clue what he was talking about, I asked him "What do you mean?!" to which he replied "Look at the sign!"  So I looked.  And it said JOHN rd.  Not quite, but boy, did he sound his letters out like a champ.

- apple bars... and before that apple peel snakes

- dahlias that WoW

- Judah showing off Maine pictures to Nanny

- porch-eating when it called for hail and thunderstorms

- Cantrells come to visit. (Mom and Dad say "hi" and they miss you.)

ME TOO.

I'm supposed to be sleeping...

 

So much for going to bed early tonight.

Two more minutes and it will be an early MORNING.

Make that ONE more minute...

Orange you Glad I'm posting: the Newunion

Our annual Newunion happened way back in July.  

It did, indeed.

I love catching up with faraway family.  It's very special.

Are those not the cutest napkins?  

It caused a color scheme.

(and my toes matched.)

 I might have splurged for some blood orange soda to match, too. 

The day of the party, a Bobwhite Quail hung out around the patio and garden serenading us all morning.  

We would chase him around the house with the camera, trying to get a good picture, and he would run but always come back.

It was surreal how close he came to us, sometimes sounding like he might have been on the porch!  

I tried to be a bit more intentional this year about getting photos.  

(Though clearly not so intentional as to blog them immediately.)

Gary is the MASTER corn griller.

And it is always the first corn of our year- which makes it all the more delectable.  I am not sure if there is anything quite so good than the Gary's grilled First Corn of Summer.

A little entourage to check out Andrew's cabin.

(Gary and Linda brought over their side by side... man, are those things handy!)

 I have to include this outtake even though you can see Ineke's and my shorts under our dresses (what?!?  We like to PLAY! Also- we need to practice our big girl modesty skillz)  But really... look at that sweet little boy all cuddled in close?  So you're just gonna have to see my volleyball shorts.)

It's worth the shame and embarrassment to remember that sweet child of mine, my dearheart.

Ps.  For the astute observer, Judah is missing from the group photo.  This is because he chose instead to go on a private plane and fly to Maine, eat Lobster and camp/hike through Acadia National Forest.  (Weirdo.)

Every year is a gift with these wonderful people.