Blueberries for Sal Part Two

We like to go berry picking in the summer. It's one of those annual family things that I always look forward to. I don't know what makes it special- the idyllic notion of picking your own berries, being out in nature, spending the day as a family, or the simple truth that this little outing has become a tradition in our family over the years. Whatever the reason, I just anticipate the day each summer. Here's the time two years ago that we went blueberry picking. And since as you know, I stopped blogging for years and years, I don't have a post about last year's trip. Bummer. Last year we drove up to Saugatuk, went to the beach, and afterwards went blueberry and raspberry picking. And I was hugely pregnant.

This year, we went up to Kendall's Farm, the same place we went two years ago. It's such a low key establishment, which is perfect. There's a little shed where you pick up your bucket, fields to go picking in, then once your done you return to that same shed to pay for your bounty. Simple, easy, and no gimmicks. Perfect!

So, there, uh, maybe, might be a lot of pictures. But don't say you weren't warned, okay? Okay.

This is some of the countryside that we past on the way there. I know. Beautiful. 

Mind you, immediately to the left of Bethy was a blue porta potty. 

With just a little zoom, it's a perfect setting for a kid picture. Right?

We're ready to go!

My husband has mad skillz with the camera I tell ya. 

I call this first series "Bethy and the Blueberry: A Step by Step Guide to Eating a Blueberry." 

First, pick a blueberry. 

Examine it...

Put it in your mouth...

Put your fingers in a well....

Ponder that sweet taste. And your finger. 

It's good! Success!

Wait. Wait. Something's not right. 

Get this out of here!

Spit out skin. 

I think our buckets are about half full by now. 

The kiddos are faithfully chugging on with their berry picking duties. 

This may or may not be a contrived shot by their mother. I won't say. But I do love it. 

And talkin' about lovin' it...

these two take the cake!

This also might be a shot in response to someone's request...

I'll never tell. 

It's sure hard work. Picking and picking and picking. 

Sometimes you just need to rest!

Or run away from your mother. 

Sometimes it hard getting a good shot of everyone where there are so many people involved!

I call this series "Bethy Discovers Sour"

And this is my favorite ever. 

All done!

Let's put our hands in it!

And if this isn't the face of a girl who conquered blueberries, I don't know what is. 

My last series is entitled: "Family Pictures: The futile search for the perfect shot"

Shot One: Set family up where you'd like them. No one is paying attention. 

Shot Two: Blurry and a head is chopped. Bethy's looking down. Try again!

Shot Three: Better. Everyone is in the shot, but Bethy apparently is still hungry. Or likes to bite Dave. 

Shot Four: Good Enough! We can just zoom and crop later!

And that's all folks!

A walk around the block

Yesterday, before dinner, we ventured out on a walk. I suppose you never know what might happen once you leave your doorstep, do you? ( Especially if one's husband brings the camera).

You might see this beauty, but don't let those baby blues fool you, 

 she can be cranky like nobody's business. 

You might see a boy who is fully clothed. For now. 

You might see an impatient wife with her hand on her hip. 

 You might see two siblings ride and run away together all the while melting your heart. 

You might see two rapscallions taking a break on some rocks. 

You may see a girl who is full to the brim with silliness. 

See? Told you. 

You might see a brother who doesn't want to get one upped by her sister who just got a picture of herself (see above photo), so he'll run swiftly past the camera to get captured as well. 

Then you might, maybe, see a half naked ninja. If your lucky. 

 And once you've about circled the block and are headin' home, you might see this little boy who, in his momma's opinion, is just looking a bit to grown up for your liking. 

But ahh...that sweet little boy is still there. 

You never know what you may see on a mid summer's walk!

Some uh-uh-updates.

In my last post I brought up two things that were uncertain variables in my life. The first was going to (and running with) Dave's cross country team, and the second was Bethy's inability to sleep soundly through the night.

Well I have good news!

Cross country practice was AWESOME. Not only did I complete the workout that Dave gave his kids (teenagers/young adult/what have you) to do (let's lean heavy on complete, and not so much on what state I was in once I was done...), but it was such a blessing to step in a be a part of his world. So often he comes home from practice, be it football, track, or cross country, and tells me stories. Stories of the kids, their families, the successes of the day and the failures. And I love these stories. I love seeing his heart come alive and his eyes spark as he shares these tales with me. It's his heart. His passion. Yet something is always missing. I've never seen these kids, never met them. If he tells me a story about a kid who has been behind all season but finally grabs a PR in a hurdle race, I'm excited, but only on the surface. I can't imagine this kid. I can't see the obstacles that he might have faced these season. I haven't seen the heartbreak hes carried on his face all season and the look of victory he wears at the end.  I only hear the stories. So to go to a practice, meet some of these kids, and even run with some of them, was. so. good. I have a face with that story now, a person who I can actually imagine and have interacted with. It's such a refreshing feeling to ask about so and so and actually have a real, true, live connection with them. Hopefully this summer will bring more of these experiences!

These past two nights of Bethy's sleep have been great. I wouldn't venture to say amazing, but I'll certainly take great. She's only woke up once, and that was at 5:45 to nurse and promptly go back to sleep. I can live with that. I don't know around what age they are supposed to stop nursing at night (Anyone?) so until I know, I suppose I'll keep this early morning feeding continuing. I think with Clara she just phased out nursing at night on her own, so I really don't know what I'm to do.  But huzzah for sleep! I feel like a new woman in the morning.

So those are the updates. In other news, we went to the zoo today. It was absolutely perfect and wonderful weather, an oddity in the humid state of Michigan in July. The kids were (mostly) good, and I love the zoo. Our zoo has this spot where you can feed the giraffes some little lettuce leaves, and the kids just about burst at the opportunity to do this.  And I'll freely admit it- those baby giraffes are darn cute.

July Tenth

Outside my window: It is pretty still outside. Dark, and in an odd twist of events, actually a little cool out. It's been pretty hot and muggy during the days lately. We just need a good thunderstorm!

I am listening to: The click, click, click if the mouse on our computer by Dave who is currently working on creating a website for a client. There's lot of clicking. And gum chewing (also by Dave). Otherwise it's pretty quiet around here. 

I am thinking: That I am tired. And ready for bed. But enjoying this hour of night where the kids are in bed and I can choose to do whatever I want, so do I want to waste that time by just going to sleep? Oh, it's a nightly battle. 

I am thankful: For today. The kids and I had a good time at the museum, Bethy was a good little baby (which trust me, especially lately, isn't always the case), and I just got back from a super encouraging women's ministry meeting/Bible study that has recently come to fruition. I am also very thankful for Dave, who has just been blowing my socks off with his awesomeness lately. And I'm eating chocolate, so really, life is good. 

From the kitchen: Not much! Those cupboards are in some desperate need of filling, which lucky for me, will hopefully happen soon as I plan on going grocery shopping tomorrow. 

I am wearing: Standard black yoga pants and a Broncos t-shirt. The shirt is at least from Forever 21 sit it is at least somewhat cute.

I am hoping: That tomorrow when I go to run with Dave's high school cross country girls in the morning, I don't embarrass myself too much!

I am praying: That Bethy soon starts sleeping better through the night! Seriously, she only need a pacifier in the mouth a couple of times a night, but that adds up my friends. I'm tired. I should be grateful at I don't have to get her up and bounce her or rock her back to sleep, but still. Through the night would be nice. 

Around the house:  I see a a lot of projects that I should be doing, but haven't started yet. Closets are overflowing, cabinets are disorganized, and drawers are in disarray. I fell like my house could just use a good thorough organization. I, however, don't feel like starting that yet. So for now, I guess it is what it is!

I am reading: Seven by Jen Hatmaker. Very thought provoking. Also, I just finished the Goblet of Fire so will be moving on to The Order of the Phoenix soon. Perhaps tonight. You know, since I am to using my time productively like sorting my closets or anything...

I am watching: Nothing really. We gave up TV this summer as a family, so only random movies or something like that. I did see "The Heat" with Corie and I did really, really like that!

One of my favorite things: Lately? Books. And chocolate. And chocolate. And books. Books about chocolate. Chocolate books. Any of those combinations are good with me!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hopefully a not disastrous cross country practice tomorrow, and probably the zoo on Friday. And of course, laundry and grocery shopping...tra la la....

A picture I am sharing:

When did my little girl get so big? I don't think she was really this small, ever. 

Independence Day

How does one write a blog again? I seem to have forgotten.

I think it has to do with entering words and phrases and sentences on certain days, consistently throughout the year.

Yeah, I must have forgotten.

...

Moving on.

It's the Fourth! I have to say, the way my little town celebrates this holiday of freedom and independence is just the best ever. I would gladly pit my town against yours in a "Which-town-celebrates-the-date-our-Founding-Fathers-declared-themselves-free-from-Britain best" contest, and know that my town would win. Yeah, it's that good. It has all sort of feel good Americana stuff goin' on all day that does make you proud to be an American.

There's the annual 5K in the morning, parade before noon, Rotary Club chicken grill out in the village square afterwards, and general good fun the rest of the day through. (I will say, though, that there is a little too much good-natured fun leading up to the Fourth and on the days following. Seriously. People like their fireworks. All. The. Time. I like my quiet and am a rather crotchety old women when it comes to fireworks not actually on the Fourth.  If you see a crazy lady in her lawn shaking her fists and her neighbors every time one goes off on July Ninth, that would be me. True story- I am listening to them now as I type this. Not okay.)

Here's how my family does it:

Don't mess with the one pullin' the wagon. 

I physically want to eat. her. up. 

And bless my heart this picture gets me. Can time stop just a little? Please?

My Delby. 

Watch out for this one, if you know what's good for you...

This girl. On my lap. Definitely makes my top ten list of best feelings ever.  

Parade lovers. And lovers of mine. 

And this is how we do Red, White and Blue!

Exquisite horseshoe toss form demonstrated by one strapping young male.  

Pickin' some mulberries

Lickin' some mulberries

That pretty red, white, and blue dress didn't last too long once we got home. I think underwear is more patriotic though, right? Our Founding Fathers would be so proud. 

The boys and their toys. 

Backyard fireworks.