Summer Fun

This past Sunday, Rod spent a bit of the day putting up a tire swing for the kids. I had a tire swing as a kid and loved it and I wanted one for the kids. We got a tire from my Dad's house when we visited last and Rod had to buy some hardware to finish it. When I was a kid I had rope tied around a tire and put on a tree, but Rod wanted something a little more fancy that the kids could all ride at the same time.


The tire swing turned out great and the kids love it. I am just hoping that our tree holds out. Rod tried it out and since he weighs more than all three kids, it should be fine.

Rod working in the tree.
The kids can't wait!

Rod making some more adjustments.

The test run.

Caleb joins in the fun!

Everyone gets to swing.

He's back and I made it!

Rod got back from his hunting trip in Colorado on Friday. We were all very excited to have him come home and we're glad that he made it back safely. He had a good time. He was gone for 10 days. I know that for some of you, that may not seem like a long time to be dealing with the house and kids on your own. However, for me it was an extremely long time! I am not used to having to do things without some break and Rod's help. I guess that Rod does help around here more than I like to give him credit for.

He had a good time in Colorado. He did see several Elk (what he went hunting for) and he did shoot at one in particular, but the Elk stayed alive in Colorado. Although, I know he had a good time, I know that he was also glad to get back home and see us.

The guy's home for a week.

Beautiful country, I would love to see it too, but I would prefer a cabin to stay in!

There is a mule deer in this picture, I think!

Rod did take the kids to the park and store on Sunday. They were gone much of the day and it was nice to have some time to myself. I definitely think that I have some more days for me like that in store as pay back! I am still not back into my normal routine. I am hoping to get back soon and hopefully I will become more regular with my blogging.

Thankful for Daddy and Snow

The snow started falling on Wednesday and the kids wanted to go out in it all weekend. It was just way to cold outside for them to go out or for the parents to go out. After we got home from church on Sunday, the kids got out of the van and wanted to go right into the snow. We told them that they could go out after lunch.

Cabin fever had really been setting in around here. Leah and Caleb had been fighting all the time. No matter what the other one had, they each wanted the exact same thing. It didn’t help that Rod had been working late in the evenings at the end of last week. Daddy really helps them unwind by planning rough with them. I was about at my wits end with all the fighting so it was good that they were able to have the time outside.

Rod and the kids got all bundled up and headed out. This is why I have titled thankful for daddy and snow because he is much more willing than I am to trounce around in the snow. Of course, someone had to stay in the nice warm house with Alissa who was sleeping.

The first thing on the kids agenda was to make snow angels, so they all laid in the snow and made beautiful snow angels, even Rod. Caleb refused to lay his head back in the snow so he made a headless angel, but he was still very proud!

Next it was time for the building of the snowman, but the snow was to dry and wouldn’t stick together to make a ball. Rod decided to get a bucket out and pack the snow in like you do sand. It worked great and the kids loved filling the buckets over and over again. The snowman is pretty small, but he’s the perfect size for them.

It was so funny to watch Leah and Caleb. They just loved rolling around and crawling in the snow. Leah decided to scoot on her butt down the small hill beside our house. I guess it’s about time I buy a sled!

After Rod got the side walk cleared, he decided it was time for a snowball fight. By this time, Alissa woke up and we stood and watched out the window. They had so much fun getting daddy and he was very into the snow ball fight as well.

Finally it was time to come in. Neither Leah nor Caleb wanted to come in, but their faces were so red and Leah didn’t have boots. We’ll have to have another play time in the snow soon and Rod says that I have to go out next time! We’ll also have to let Alissa see what it’s all about next time.