Strawberries

Thanks to our wonderfully mild and extended spring, we have had the BEST strawberry season! On Tuesday, after my weekly shopping trip with the kids, I made a stop at the strawberry stand to pick some more of the delicious fruit. Much to my delight, they were running a "sale" on a flat of strawberries. Can you believe I got all these delicious berries for $12.00? I was so inspired. So on Wednesday, I spent the day making jam and strawberry pies. Altogether, I made 15 jars of jam and 6 pies. Needless to say, by the end of the day, I wasn't quite as inspired, but we did have fun passing out pies and jars of jam to many of our neighbors and friends. Fruit

Fruit of our labor

Norah's First Haircut

On Tuesday, I took Norah in for her first official haircut. I'd trimmed it a couple of times myself, but it was time to get it a bit more professionally done. She did really well... but it was interesting because she was uncharacteristically quiet; Evelyn even asked when she was done if she talked. I had to laugh because she's usually such a chatterbox! This is her "before" picture.

Of course Frigget (Frederick) had to watch the whole process

Pouty face!

Holding very still

And the "after" shot... not much different, just all trimmed up!

Camping

This past weekend, we borrowed a trailer from some generous friends, loaded up all our gear (including LOTS of firewood!), and drove an hour up into the mountains to go camping. Unfortunately, when we got there Friday night, the campground was full; fortunately, Jason and Ashley were there and were able to share a tent site with someone else. To make a long story short, a MAJOR meltdown was averted when we arranged (begged) to have the boys stay with Jason and Ashley for the night while we drove back down the mountain to sleep at home Friday night. Saturday morning we drove back up to the campground, got a spot, and enjoyed the rest of the weekend. The kids played hard. They biked, rode scooters, threw rocks in the river, played hide and seek, swung in the hammock, and enjoyed lots of campfires. We had a great time and it was great to share the fun with Jason and Ashley and our friends, the Boersmas. Despite all the work (once again, I realize what a labor of love it was for our moms to take our families camping!), I could definitely make this a tradition every Mother's Day weekend! The boys were up bright and early after their night with Jason and Ashley... why sleep when there is fun to be had?

Norah loved the hammock. She asked everyone around if they would swing with her. Here she is with sweet little Ella. The girls were so cute together!

Calvin was our little adventurer this weekend.

Swinging!

Norah and Ella playing with their doggies.

The kids actually dared to take a dip in the icy water!

Norah and her daddy

Our sites were right next to the river... it was so beautiful at this time of the year!

Most of the group gathered around the fire, singing on Sunday morning

Here we are. I love how cooperative the kids were to take a family picture!