Raised Gardens

 Last Friday Dad took the day off from work. It was in honor of my birthday and so Dad helped me (actually I helped him) build some raised bed gardens.

We started them out on a mostly level plane, and then moved them over closer to the barn.

In the background you can see one we finished.

We cut some of the timber into 2 foot sections for the jigsaw ends. 

Building them kind of reminded me of playing with Lincoln Logs.

  

Logan found a mini-sledge hammer.
By the end of the second bed he was not swinging real quickly.

In every tier we put about 9 nails that were six inch 60d (that means sixty penny which is really big)

Isn't that funny how my phone stretched the hammer Dad is swinging?

I did not pound any nails! 

But I did measure and cut the timbers as well as try to keep the timbers ready for the next tier.

We still need to finish some drainage near the barn before we can put the beds in place. 

But that will be another day. 

Weekend

There is not much better than a weekend at the beach. Even if the beach is so cold you are the only ones there. Amy and I have learned that Lake Michigan beaches are beautiful all year long.

Amy resting at Lake Michigan

Substitute Teaching

While Jimmy and Carmen (otherwise known as Dad and Mom) went to a doctor's appointment I helped  watch their girls. We had a blast.

They brought along their school work. I had forgotten how hard 4th grade was. Whew I'm glad to be done with that. Bethany is doing the same math workbook I did.  

Rebekah is doing very well with her 2nd grade work. In fact here she taking a moment to celebrate completing that entire math book!

Good thing Mom was available to help too. That school was a lot of work. Abigail had a phonics page about "aw" words. I figured out all the pictures except for the one with a chin. Mom helped us out when she said it was a jaw. Ha ha.

Logan said the only reason I wanted to have them over was just so that I could play preschool with Hosanna!

Mom has the Lang girls' pictures posted by the phone.
Hosanna is looking at her sister's pictures practicing their names.

We had such fun I invited them over again this week!

24 great things about yesterday

1.  I had my 24th birthday off from work.
2. Sitting in a sun beam.
3. Sleeping in as long as I wanted to.
4. A nice afternoon nap.
5. Working in the garden.
6. Talking to my Zambian sister on my cell phone.
7. Using my new bicycle tire pump from Mom.
8. Riding my purple road bike.
9. Eating picnic lunch at Dow Gardens.
10. Hanging out with Logan and Naomi.
11. Shopping with Mom and Naomi.
12. Receiving a Happy birthday text from my Joel.
13. Seeing KENDRA at church.
14. Eating a long john Logan bought at Hamilton's bakery.
15. Finding a package of gummy bears at my place.
16. A super duper blog post from Julie.
17. Eating Ghiradelli mint chocolate with Mom and Naomi.
18. Making a headband for my niece.
19. Relaxing.
20. Leaving the door open (first time this year)
21. Finishing lesson 13 in Perspectives class.
22. Checking my friends blog.
23. Brian brought me pizza for lunch.
24. Spending time with my family.

Camp Michigan

Last weekend Amy and I spent Saturday night at the Lake. Despite the formidable weather prediction, it was really nice. There was no snow, and it only rained hard while we were in our tent. 

We had the entire beach to ourselves!

We toasted turkey sandwiches for dinner.

Yeah, that is a deposit of iced leaves next to
our fire ring.

Just so you know, I started that fire with just one match. 

And yes I'm very proud of that.

Rebecca's Wedding

Little Amy and Aunt Lydia

waiting for the bride

the vows

the basketball hoop decor!

our precisely wrapped plastic ware ;)

Our parting words for the video man were "Have a nice life." 

Apparently that is the most overused phrase this season.

I'm so glad Rebecca invited us to join her. 

It was great to be a friend and sneak out to our campsite for the rest of the weekend.

Getting Along

Growing up in a big family is good practice for the real world. The world where you have to work with bossy people, admit your errors, and be willing to try again. This recording is not music, it is about socialization.

Finished

Lauren Mae and I have been working on this little quilt. 

Good thing there were only 12 squares.

Today I made a label for it and attached it as the finishing touch.

This is how we quilted each square.

It is finally done. Good thing too because it is needed this weekend.

p.s. sorry that last picture is sort of crooked :(