Surprises!

 One morning I stepped out on our front porch to see these rubber boots lined up.   Josh and the kids had spent the day before tromping around the farm and through the creek.  It was an instant reminder of a day of fun and discovery!

We are not cattle farmers.  However, last weekend we were returning home from a soccer game and this is the sight that met us in our front yard.  Our neighbor had been putting up fence and the cattle found a weak spot.  It was fun to watch the calves and their moms munching on our "greener" grass!  You just never know what you are going to find when you live in the country!

Bikes for Two!

The kids each got a new bike for Easter.  They had to go to a bigger size because they are getting so tall!

Four Wheelin'!

A few weeks ago, Randy had surgery on his right ankle.  This proceedure removed bone spurs that were a result of a severe break in 1998 (caused by a car accident).  For two weeks, he couldn't put any weight on his ankle, so they sent him home with a "Roscoe", pictured above, next to our Polaris Ranger.  Believe me, the Roscoe is not exactly a recreational vehicle!  It was only slightly better than crutches, and Randy was so happy to return it to the doctor's office when he was finished with it.  It is funny how much we apprecite our mobility when we have lost it for awhile.  My empathy goes out to all those who have to reply on support to get around.  I decided to snap this photo so we could always remember the not-so-fun 4 wheeler we had for a short time!

The Great Scavenger Hunt!

Mason and Maddison fill their bags with goodies from the scavenger hunt.

Mason is getting a little help from Maddison reading the clues.  Jessica and Scott drew Mason a map since he is not a reader yet.

A few years back, Randy spent the Easter holiday in the hospital with an undiagnosed infection.  It was a sad day for our family, so we made the best of it and changed the egg hunt to a scavenger hunt and we have been doing that ever since (I think this was year # 4).  My very creative daughter and son in law put together a series of clues (in poetic form) and drew a detailed map and sent Maddison and Mason on a hunt to find treasures around our farm.  It was a beautiful day and the kids had a great time.  The hunt's climax was two new bikes in the back of Papa's pick up truck. 

I ran into my parents at the store today, and Martha (my step-mom), mentioned that I have been absent from my blog lately.  I told her that I have been frustrated with errors when I try to down load photos here.  Does anyone else have that problem?  It downloads 2 photos fine, but will not do any more. 

I will try to be more regular, and I have several blogs in my brain, but I just need to exercise more patience and limit my photos to just 2.  What a drag!