Where the green grass grows...

Remember that song by Tim McGraw "Where the Green Grass Grows"...something like this:

I'm Gonna live where the green grass grows
Watchin my corn pop up in rows
Every night be tucked in close to you

Raise our kids where the good Lord's blessed
Point our rockin chairs towards the west
And Plant our dreams where the peaceful river flows
Where the green grass grows

Brian and I have been talking about where we are going to move next. We are staying in the area but more and more (lately Brian more than me) we long to live somewhere with some grass, lots of room for the girls to play, quiet nights, and lightening bugs. We love the city and are content right now but recently have really enjoyed some of the sweet outdoors of W. Kentucky.

The girls and I went to stay with Brian's parents for a few days this month to help Brian's mom after she had back surgery. Ruby loved being able to run, kick the ball and play outside. Here are some pictures from our time there.

The big backyard. Notice way in the back is their gigantic garden. I think it is almost time to start calling it a farm. :)

Telia enjoying her time outside

Ruby getting ready to do some serious playing outside with her shovel

What to do next?

A week later we went back to spend some time with Brian's Aunt Kathy, Uncle Mike and his cousins Kris, Kevin and Matt who were in town from California. Here are a few pictures of everyone checking out the lightening bugs in the evening (I don't think they have lightening bugs in California so that is why we are all outside looking). Ruby absolutely loved it and finally warmed up to "the brothers"...that is what she called Brian's cousins.

Little girl and her first experience with lightening bugs

I had to post this picture of Ruby and Kevin because this was pretty much the only time she interacted with "the brothers"

Enjoying her first ride on the swing

Ruby and her Uncle

Goodbye Great Grandpa

 

This weekend Ruby and Telia's Great Grandpa and Brian's Grandpa passed away. We are so thankful for the time we got to spend with him in the past 2 years and for the 97 years that he spent on the earth. He never got to meet Telia but I know he enjoyed seeing Ruby the couple of times that he did. Our prayers are with the rest of the family this week in California including his wife as they prepare for the funeral.

This has always been my favorite picture from our trip to California in 2008. He really enjoyed watching how excited Ruby was to see the geese (that she called ducks) and get to feed them.

New Foods and Recipes

We recently had the joy of tasting our first kohlrabi from our CSA! It was one of those foods that made us say "where have you been all of our lives" (spaghetti squash made us say that a few years ago). It was such a tasty snack and added a lot to our salad. We just ate it raw but if you have any other suggestions on how we should eat it please let us know. We will be eating more in the future.

I have tried 2 new recipes over the past couple of weeks. I made Crock Pot Split Pea Soup that really was good and was husband approved (I always know he approves when he has seconds and/or will take it for lunch the next day). I really don't like peas but I thought this one sounded good.

I also made my friend Cecilia The Pioneer Woman's Sleepin In Omelet after she had a new baby. I am not going to pretend like this is healthy because it isn't but it was tasty especially to a tired woman who just had a baby.

I really want to get back to meal planning and I think I will this week. Don't hold me to that however.

7 Months

This sweet little baby is 7 months old today!

Teaching Ruby

I found the idea for this activity on Chasing Cheerios. This is a great website by a mom who is home schooling her daughter Montessori style.

This activity is great for identifying letters and for developing motor skills. Ruby calls it our "game".

More Graduation Pictures

Celebrating

This weekend we did lots of celebrating! Saturday we celebrated our buddy Moses' 2nd birthday with a fun pool party. We didn't take any pics but Ruby and Telia thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Sunday we celebrated our niece Megan graduating from high school and her brother Alex's 15th birthday! Here are some pictures from yesterday!

okay, i have lots more pics but this isn't letting me upload and i have a crying baby and a salad to make so I'll have to finish later. that was a long run on sentence.