July 29 - Wild Choke Cherries and Basket wash Factory

One of our favorite kinds of syrup is made from wild choke cherries. When we lived in Texas, we couldn't find any, as they like to be near water. We were thrilled to find that they grew all up and down the John Day river. Early this morning Momma, Gabriel, and I all headed out to pick. We found one tree and from that tree picked more than enough for what we needed this year.

Couldn't resist taking this picture of Conrad, he looks as excited about the berries as we were.

Chicken brooding is in full swing as well. This particular hen hatched out a clutch of 14 chicks early spring, this is her second clutch. 

 Meanwhile back at the office the boys had a washing system going for all the picking baskets in the orchard, getting ready for the major harvest. By the end of the day they had it down really good...and were soaking wet!

Summer is such a beautiful part of the year here. We absolutely love working all together as a family!

July 23-24 - Cousin sleepover

We had a fantastic weekend with some of the younger cousins! The beauty of it all was our family doubled in size for a weekend and half of them were all the same age. We had a picnic by the river, swam ourselves into exhaustion, made a cheesy movie, and just made a million memories!

Missi is showing everyone the new song she learned with Janessa.

For lunch on the 24th we all went down to the river and had a bon fire and roasted hot dogs with daddy.

Daddy is showing Amy the proper way to make hot dog sticks.

Missi and her first of many hot dogs.

Kacy and two of her little buddies taking turns at making hot dogs. 

Shea and Royal finally arrive to eat, seeing as Shea is still in a cast, these two went to go get the kayak, so Shea could play with us. 

The taxi service hauling it's first load down river. On this section of the North John Day river fork the deep spots are pretty hard to get to from the bank, so we either walk down river or take the kayak. 

Both of our families stay very busy so getting play days are pretty rare and cherished1

July 22 - Fiddle Camp

Janessa and Zach had the amazing opportunity to go to a fiddle camp this weekend. They both came away with so much information and talent improved immensely.

They were close to one of the most amazing places in Oregon, Crater lake. Even with Janessa's good camera there is no way to describe the beauty of this place. Here are a couple of pictures that Janessa took, enjoy!

July 12 - He is Healing!

Today is the big day! Shea finally gets to get the pins out of his arm! We are beyond excited that this part of our summer is almost over! Before he went to the hospital we got these pictures of his cast. We, of course, all wanted to draw on it, but when we started with a silver marker, Shea thought he would draw his x-ray on it.  

If you look at his wrist area there is a black stripe through the bone, that is where the break was. For all who know Shea will understand the sense of humor behind this cast. His excuse was it kept him from getting bored.

Dad's encouraging message to Shea!

He is so happy to move his hand normally!

School field trip...at least that was what Garrett said for his reason to go to town.

They are out! Praise God we are all done, and he had a perfect healing! We ended up not having to do any physical therapy because he was active enough!

July 4 - Happy Independence day!!

The day of memorial for the greatest time in the history of our country is one of celebration all over. Way out here in the boonies is no exception. Both years we have been here, we seem to pack as much into this day as we possible can. These little towns around here sure know how to celebrate! There even was a huge bluegrass festival in Fossil, OR that we went to last year. 

This year we went over to Monument, OR where they host a community day, with a parade, lots of fun games, booths, contests, and in the evening an amazing firework display.  Janessa took so many fun pictures with her camera of the day.

Our astronomer wore this around all day, and had it stained on his face for 3 more. 

The bumper ball challenge was pretty intense between these two!

A very popular part of the day!

 Later in the day we went to Spray, Oregon to have a pot luck down at the river with our friends from church!

Then back to Monument for fireworks, Janessa got some amazing pictures!