Feeding the Birds

This made for such a fun family day!  We enjoyed the animals at a nearby metropark. Hannah and Isaac loved watching this snake...he slithered all over his cage while we were there.  

 then we went outside...black sunflower seed in hand and feed the birds.  

 Seth was skeptical...so of course, they went to him first. 

 It was such a fun experience for all of us!  

 a chickadee came close to eating from Isaac's hand...but poor Isaac couldn't help but flinch when a bird got close.  He still enjoyed being close to them though.   

 After lots of patience and persistence, Hannah was able to feed a cardinal right out of her hand.  This guy certainly became our friend!  She was patient and still and he came right too her.  I just love this picture!!  

 Another great day enjoying the beauty of God's creation!!  

Touch-A-Truck

Daddy and Isaac had a father/son day at touch-a-truck in our town while Hannah was at a bday party.  She heard about it and saw pics and was sad she didn't get to go.  A few weeks later a nearby town was also having one...so we made it a family day.  They both were excited to go!  

 so fun to climb in all of the big trucks  

 the basket of a cherry picker on the electrical truck.  

 Firetruck.  This firefighter was really sweet to the kids  

 ready to mow daddy's lawn :)  

 They ended the day with snow cones and face painting..not too bad ;)  

Strawberry Pickin'

This was the second year of our strawberry picking tradition.  The kids loved picking and were totally in a picture mood this day.  They kept climbing up on the tractors and asking me to take their pictures.  I just love their smiles and the special times we have together.  

ready to pick!  

They both loved taste testing the strawberries too..isn't that one of the best parts?!  At one point during the morning, Isaac handed me his basket and said here...can you just hand me the ones that are good for eating?!  :)  

juicy, fresh, and delicious!  

We went with my friend, Nita and her cuties. All three of them have great smiles!!  

We took our strawberries home and made strawberry freezer jam, fruit salad, smoothies and strawberry pancakes.  What a delicious treat!  This is the freezer jam recipe we use.  It turned out yummy!  Next time, I would like to try this sugar free one....I didn't have any apple juice handy and wanted to make the jam when I had the chance..so maybe next time ;)

24 weeks

....moving right along.  So thankful for this little one growing inside of me.  

Feeding the Ducks

So many days this summer it has threatened rain...we've chanced it, gone out, and been glad we did!  This was a beautiful summer day at the lake.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch, walking and talking with friends, and feeding the ducks and swans.  

My two cuties  

 they loved watching the momma with her baby ducks

 beautiful swans  

they were so excited to see a blue heron up close.  I love how Hannah is telling Isaac to be quiet as they sneak up on it.  

 ...sneaking....

 they got pretty close before he flew away.