Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Our first month in Chicagoland

Reactions to the sleeping bear were:
Eve immediately transforms into a snarling, roaring bear.
Oak hesitates then runs for Mom crying "Scared!"

Eve the Mountain Goat. Let's just say it took a while to get the goat out of the mountains.

While Eve was being a mountain goat Oak was happy as could be with the baby turtle.

Here is Eve leading her horse down the streets of Chicago.

Our hike along the Illinois River while camping this last weekend.
Eve took this picture of Scott and me.

Eve the River Otter.

Our hike to a beautiful waterfall. I don't know if the kids noticed the falls since they were slightly distracted by the random chipmunks that would fall down the steep walls into the water, swim to the side and try and climb back up.



The kids were great at helping me find fire wood but unfortunately our camping spot was a bit on the boggy side. In fact the first thing the camp manager said when we checked in was "Hope you brought bug spray." Eve and I even got mosquito bites through our shirts. Not nice.
Anyway, back to the fire wood. Most of it was too wet to use which Oak picked up on pretty quick. He'd bring me a stick and say "Fire?" immediately followed by "Wet" with a nod of his head. He would then go put the wet stick on a stump. He built up quite a collection.

Post-Camping Trip Coma.

We've started a new tradition: Sunday Scones. For the past few weeks we've made fresh bread Sunday morning before Church having scones for lunch. It gives the kids something to do and also makes them look forward to Sundays.
Oak is not baking in the nude despite what it may look like in this picture.


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Laura Erekson alla Plein Air

A good friend of mine let Eve, Oak, and myself along with my niece Claire and nephew Isaac tag along while she painted a 4x4 foot painting at Riverbend Park (Potomac River). She paints in ink and then pours water over it creating a really cool affect. Here is a link to her website where you can see one of her finished pieces.

Super cool. We all wanted to become artists on the spot.

P.S. See if you can find Oak and me in the painting.











Sunday, May 22, 2011

Family Reunion in Williamsburg, VA

Isaac, Eve, Marta


Marta S.

Eve


Thomasin S. and Eve

Detail of Eve's dress

Meri L., Claire H., Grandma KLynn



Emil S.

Esther C.



Harriet S.

Eve and Esther C.



Yes, my mother sewed all of those clothes.

Give me liberty of give me death.

General George Washington (Isaac H.)







Isaac H., Thomasin S., Marta S., Eve

Making bone needles at Jamestown Powhatan Indian settlement.

Scraping hair off of a dear hide with oyster shells.


Claire H. learning how to make grass rope.


Throwing corn cobs threw a hoop.


Jamestown Settlement


Lily L.

Burned-out canoe

Cannon ball aboard the Susan Constant.


Will H.



Lawn games at Colonial Williamsburg.

The stocks.



Grandpa Bob and Oak.

Dinner out while Grandpa and Grandma watch the kids.

six scoops of ice cream







Emil the super athlete.

Viewing medical instrument at Yorktown