Summer time

After throwing his back out for Father's Day, Matt took it easier this week and got things back into place! Brenner has been having conditioning practice two mornings a week and has be very sore! Feel the burn, bug guy. Nola has been reading like crazy (Wings of Fire) and building a lego city in the playroom (complete with music studio/sound booth). I have been working - yeah me! All are well on this front - hope that you all are healthy as well.

A pretty sunrise on one of my walks with Baylee.

Nola and I doing ab workouts to Motown music!

Brooding tween.....

Don't let that smile fool you - she is devious!

Brenner just keeps getting taller and taller. He might have to retire that shirt!

Is Mr. Tickles winking at us?

Wavy his flapper.

A nice smile for his mom - thank you, young sir!

The grill master post braut/dog feast. The weather was gorgeous - not too humid for MO.

I made homemade ice cream and was wondering where the mixing bowl went......

It's pho- pho- Pho-day (Friday but we were excited for Pho...well Nola had fried rice).

Matt said the spoon that I gave him wasn't cutting it......

Oh Mr. Tickles. You are sweet when you are sleeping. Actually - he is pretty sweet with Baylee. They romp in the yard. Mr. Tickles slinks into the blackberry bushes then pounces on Baylee. Fun had by all!

Hiking fanatic and Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. I know I thought about my dad a lot today! We spent a lot of time talking with the kids about social justice and Juneteenth. I never learned about Juneteenth - not sure how I missed it - but I can fix my ignorance by educating myself and my children. Let's all own our blindspots and make this world a better place for everyone!

The boys went to Hermitage so Nola wanted to go hiking again at Rock Bridge SP. We went after I wrapped up work.

Nola was so excited to try some new trails.

About 3 miles in she rolled her ankle. I saw it - ouch! It was 1.5 miles back to the car - up and down hill. My legs were on fire piggybacking her!!!!! Nola said "ew your sweat got on me!" so I asked her if she wanted to lug around 60 pounds in 85 degree Missouri summer!

Found these on the front porch - any guesses!?

Wood bees that fell out. Brenner and Nola inspecting!

Matt and Nola chilling on the front porch one evening.

Nola just being silly.

I bought Matt some of his favorite port from Adam Puchta. I had trouble getting it ordered in times for Father's Day so Saturday was a road trip to Hermann.  The kids checked out the Missouri River.

Nola asked for this picture. Brenner doesn't really enjoy pictures (12 year old disease we call it) which is why you don't see many of him!

Whenever I drive to St. Louis airport for work, I see a sign for Brooklyn Pizza in Fulton. They claim to be from Brooklyn. I have wanted to try it for ages as a bit of homage to Uncle Chuck's NYC flare. So, we picked up a couple of pies and ate them at the park! It was delicious!

The unicorn wall has transformed into the Wings of Fire dragon wall. Nola loves to tell us about all the details of the books that she reads!

Father's Day means carrot cake for Matt. Brenner wanted to help with the icing. He decided on blue and decorated the top. Nice job, buddy.

Nola and her awesome teacher/neighbor Erica. Nola showed off her skills on Cocoa!

Matt's back went out Saturday coming home from Hermann, so he was down for the count on Father's Day. I tried to get the kids out of the house but they wouldn't go anywhere together. Nola wanted to hike so we went to Capen Park. She loved this view.

We were pretty high up!

Nola thought there would be more big rocks to climb so pretty much pouted all the way back to the car, ignoring the other trails (without rocks) that we could have explored. Sigh - yep - keeping it real! Wondering if she will ask me to go hiking again?

Graffiti shows up everywhere - even on hikes! I told Nola that while I don't agree with spray painting property that isn't yours, it does speak that certain people in our country don't have the voice/power compared to others. I plead for you to learn more! The National Park Service hosted Juneteenth: We Need To Talk to discuss how greenspaces like parks and the African American experience. I learned a lot - I hope that you do too!

Sociallly social distancing

As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, we are glad our county has only had 8 cases and no new cases for multiple weeks. Things are starting to loosen a bit but we are still being careful - and trying to be kind to our family and friends. If someone is saying or showing that they are continuing social distancing practices, please respect them. Don't invade their space or talk about this all being nonsense. Everyone has to make their own decisions, so let's just be kind to one another.

Nola met up with her BFF at the park. They played and hiked and laughed. It was wonderful - and this is the closest they ever got to one another for the 2+ hours.

Garden is growing and strawberries are just about done!

Ready for a bike ride on a hot afternoon. I tried to dissuade her but she had a mind of her own. Afterwards Nola agreed we should have waited!

Our tree frog friend showing us different colors from last week.

Matt teaching Nola how to hook up the tiller to the tractor.

Nola - what a cutie.

Brenner finally got his hair cut - into a mullet. Not my choice but hey - it is just hair. The only thing that I have said is that it reminds me of the Carol Brady mullet. He loves his "flap"!

Sunday we headed out to Rock Bridge State Park for a hike. Skipping rocks was a favorite of Brenner.

Now we know where Brenner got his form!

Group pic. It wasn't too hot - lots of shade at the park.

Nola decided she was a better fossil hunter than rock skipper.

Down to Devil's Ice Box where Matt proposed to me all those years ago!

In the cave!

Some signage to keep visitors safe.

I decided on this trail that ended up with a creek crossing. My bare feet were not made for rocks!!!

Matt showing the kids our hike on the topomap. We went about 4 miles.

Nola with Coyote. Such a lovely horse!

Loving your neighbor

How are you holding up? There is so much going on this world that makes our hearts ache. COVID-19 continues, George Floyd's death prompting national/international protests - these are historic times.  We want to encourage (by setting an example with ourselves) everyone to love those around you! Love your neighbors as God has loved you. We have been pondering the question Andy Stanley posed - how do people that don't look like you, experience you?"  Brenner and Nola are involved with these discussions. They HAVE to be - social injustice affects everyone. It also requires each of use to reflect on our own experiences and prejudices. If we do make this about our neighbors rather than ourselves, we will all end up in a better place. My mom and I have already had some really great conversations!

Boys were gone so Nola decided to teach herself some guitar chords!

I totally space on picking up Nola's school items. If I am being honest, I didn't even remember that I missed the appointment for a whole week!  Luckily, Mrs. Stock met up with us last week to grab books, supplies, games, etc.

The hot (literally and figuratively) hubby post-strawberry picking. It has been so humid here!

Brenner and Nola made rice krispie treats - on their own (mostly). Then decided the whole pan should only be four pieces - one for each of us lol! They were tasty!

Humidity and moisture has brought slugs to the garden this year. They have attached the strawberries.

What to do with a gallon+ strawberries a day when you don't can? Make strawberry sauce! We ate it on waffles and the neighbors ate theirs on crepes. Yum!

Matt came home with a small tractor. We put it to use by removing the shop gutters that were damaged by ice. I was so pleased because I was tried of the 2x4s holding up the gutter!

While we were working on the gutter, Brenner was mowing.

Nola begged to drive the tractor. She did great!

Post-mowing relaxation. He pretty much fills the kiddie pool these days!

Then it was slip in slide today. Mom "Did you put on sunblock?" Brenner "What?" A bit later Dad "Buddy, do you have on sunblock?" Brenner "Huh?"

Playing with Mr. Tickles.

Discussion later in the evening about the use of sunblock. Brenner also enjoyed/experienced chiggers - they are almost worse than a burn.

Fresh strawberry pie. My first attempt at homemade crust - it was easy and delicious!

Too hot to be outside so we played some games.

We all played Just Dance 2020. It was so hilarious!

Scoring (high to low) on a Backstreet Boys song - Nola, Matt, Jo, Brenner. I was really worse than I imagined (no video to share thank goodness!)

My geranium was housing a friend.

Missouri natives are blooming.

Love this one - gorgeous orange blooms! It is blooming for the first time.

Basil is growing! I can almost taste the pesto!