The WILD summer!

It was a summer of FUN!  A summer of PROJECTS, PREP, and PEOPLE.  Summer was soooo packed, that I couldn't make it onto this blog thing to post.  But, alas, a few moments of reprieve in which to update our interested friends of the happenings in our lives.  If YOU are just such an interested person ... read on. :-)

Oh, the PROJECTS .... Not a moment to rest around here.  Once the irrigation water comes on in April, its full-time water maintenance on this expansive grassy property.  Dwight and the boys handle the wheel lines ... the boys getting hands-on training every day.  Burnell has become Dwight's right-hand man when it comes to moving the lines all the way back (each week or so). Hand signals have to be followed precisely and timing is of the essence.  Burnell has really stepped up.  So fun to see him turning into a capable young man.

For some time now, the sagging roof in this mobile has needed to be dealt with.  However, life being what it is ... the project always winds up low on the priority list.  Until this summer!!!  The remodel project happened ... right before Camp!  Phase One (the living room) was done -- wood floor installed -- the night before Camp.  Whew!  Furniture moved back in, guest rooms readied ... Ah!  Then, a few days after camp, we began Phase Two (the next room).  With our consistent rapid pace and hurried life, we rushed through the project, staying up late painting, then laying carpet the day before our company arrived.  We then moved ALL the rooms around, furniture and belongings (Dwight and I to the new room, downstairs, they boys upstairs, and the guest room to the back). All this was done ... in a hurry!   We are still rearranging and settling in ... as is to be expected.  However, the remodel is almost done (a few trim pieces and painting left) and everything in its new place.  What an amazing difference it makes in this home.  Everything feels so much more cozy and insulated.  Loving it!!!

We've stayed pretty close to home this year (other than Dwight's travels with Bend Soap Company).  We did make one trip up the Dufur for a friend's wedding, and one blueberry picking trip with a stop off at Sahalie Falls.  Other than that, life has been so full and we have enjoyed you coming to us.  So fun to catch up with Daniel and Genevieve and their children.  My family from CO, MA, and CA all visited, and I got to meet my nephew, Reed Puckett, for the first time.  So much fun to have my family around.

It's been a summer of growth for our boys, as well.  Jumping off the roof onto the trampoline has been taken to the next level.  Now, back flips, front flips and all sorts of acrobatics are performed.  A summer by the pond has produced more efficient swimmers.  So much fun to be had!  

Milking and feeding the goats has become an official daily responsibility for the entire crew.  Each morning and evening, they all "load up" on the quad and head up to the goats.  Each "man" has his duty -- Burnell milks Chewy, Orin milks Patches (our new goat), Dwight milks Skitso, while Chance and Ty give grain to the doelings.  Then, they all feed together.  They've become quite the efficient team.  So proud of them!

Dwight has been wanting to take the boys camping all summer ... and they finally went!  Pretty sure it got down to freezing.  They had a blast!!  Apparently we have some interested fishermen in the family.  They spent hours learning how to cast, untangle their lines, recast, untangle, recast. :-)  Dwight said they loved it so much that when they came home, they had to go buy some more gear and then head out again to a different spot.  How fun!  Hoping they actually catch fish next time. :-)

It's about time to put up the hay again, and we've begun school again.  Enjoying the coziness of our "new" home.  Looking forward to a beautiful fall season (my favorite).