Fourth of July continuation!!

Our 4th morning started bright and early as we rushed off to the annual reading of the declaration at the historic court house.

It was a bit chilly that morning, but we still had a fair amount of people turn out.

The color guard.

We were led in singing the national anthem as well as many other patriotic songs.

Our good friend Mr. Ervin, who put together the event, dressed out as a colonial patriot and read the Declaration of Independence.

Vicki a friend from downriver came to spend the day with us. (sorry that the picture is a bit fuzzy, I believe Josh took it=)

Someone brought this cute little chihuahua along with his remote control motorcycle to the courthouse. I know he isn't' patriotic, but it was so unique I thought you might want to see him.
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Then dressed in red white and blue regalia we headed down to Hadley for their Annual parade.

The grand Marshall of the parade.

These adorable mini horses pulled a covered wagon in the parade.

There were also lots and lots of tractors, green ones and red ones and brown ones and rusty ones and... well you get the idea.
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Well, we rushed away from the parade and drove up to Marlette to participate in a patriotic chorale.


We did it at this adorable depot.

Because we were all singing we did not get any pictures of us performing. We had a wonderful time and hoped that we glorified God through it all.
May God bless this nation and turn it from its wicked ways and bring it back into His will.

~Chs

The Beginning of our Celebrations!

Our Fourth of July celebrations began on Friday this year with a patriotic gathering with our friends.

I had a great time decorating the deck before everyone came. Josiah and I helped Dad hang up this flag, and I hung streamers everywhere, which ended up stretching out and getting in the way=) But hey they looked nice at the start!

Grace made this lovely bouquet!

And we decorated the tables to perfection. (well almost anyways)

I even decorated Bubba's hair.

Sorry about the fuzzy pictures but Bubba wasn't thrilled with the braids and wouldn't hold still. I think he thought it made him look like a girl;)

A sweet helper!


Josiah was in charge of filling the water balloons (I don't know if that was such a good idea) but he did have the great idea of making a flag with the balloons.

Then everyone arrived and the party began!!


Baby Raya is the sweetest thing. Don't you just love her expression.


Faith's pretty flag cake.


As soon as we were done with supper, the games began. Here we are playing one of our favorite games water balloon volleyball!


Catch that balloon!


After we had run out of water balloons we went directly to our traditional races. First, wheelbarrow racing.


Run Grace run!!!


Josh and Uncle Warren enjoyed a game of Washer Toss.


Waiting in suspense for her ride.


The spectators of the races.

Sam pushing his little brother. Careful there Sam you're wheelbarrow is a bit tipsy.


Mumsie and Aunt Carmen watch the races. (They are Twins by the way)


Holding Baby Sister.


We also did a three legged race (which we got no pictures of) and then some relays with bean bags.


Ellie on stilts!


Most people had left by dark, but we did some fountain fireworks anyways.


So if anyone made it all the way down this long post, thank you for taking the time. I am sorry it is so long, but there were so many good pictures and they were so hard to choose from, that I just had to put on this many. I hope you enjoyed it anyways, and stay tune for pictures from the rest of our fourth celebrations.

~Chs

The Chickie Biddies are growing up!

Our Broody Hen's eggs hatched, releasing 5 adorable tiny chicks. She was so sweet with her chicks. They came running to her every call.

Meanwhile the poor 14 chicks which hatched from the incubator were completely motherless.

Soooo, we decided to see whether Grumpy, the Mother hen would accept the other chicks, and she did. Except....

for three little barred rock boys, who Grumpy decided she didn't like and kicked them out. The only reason we can think of, is that Grumpy thought she had too many chicks so she rejected the three boys because they had a white spot on their head.

Isn't she sweet with all her chicks? It is amazing when we let God do it His way, hens know how to take care of the chicks much better than us. Don't you think?

~Chs

The milking maids.

Our good friends the Hayse have just recently acquired a Cow and her Calf. Which meant that we had the privilege to go down and help them milk her. Her name is Dixie and she has had some trouble getting used to the milking process. Which means until then we have to be very quick at getting the bucket out of the way of her quick kicking hoofs. It's a fun challenge.


Mrs. Hayse and Dixie.


Yours truly, the back up milk maid. Right now I am stripping off, thus the bucket held up high.


Happy Dixie after we were done milking.


Job, is Dixie's little Calf, named for his great patience and trials that he has had since he was dehorned when he was too old. It's been great being able to get fresh milk each day. We've been glad to help out our friends since we can't have a cow of our own.

~Chs

The devastation.

As the water receded all the corn stalks from the field across the street and straw from the paths settled on the garden.


Oh look at this mess!!!!!!


And the clean up begins. Anybody want to come over and help? No, I'm serious, really!! Just give us a call and come right over:)

~Chs

Water Volleyball anyone!!

After it had stopped pouring, the boys decided that since they were already completely soaked, they should go play some water volleyball!

Everyone ready? Alright lets go!


Dive Dewey dive!


Bump.


Nice save!


Smack that ball!


Anybody wanna join?!

~Chs