Last week we went peach pickin' in Fredericksburg.   Its the end of the season, but we got some great peaches.   My mom and sister joined us, and we ended up picking 7, 1/2 bushel boxes, including some for those who couldn't come along.   I got a 1/2 bushel box of Ouchita Gold for $15 and a 1/2 bushel box of Dixielands for $20 (we got a bargain - end of season, weekday and multi-box discount.    You think you know what a peach tastes like, but you really don't know, unless you've eaten a tree ripened Hill Country peach!  (ok, so I'm biased).

Sawyer rode in the baby backpack, and enjoyed picking a couple peaches as well (every once in a while I'd feel a peach hit my shoulder! :)

Real yummy peaches:

Picking peaches:

Sneakin in a bite:

Putting these boys to work:

We were able to put away 23 pints of peaches in the freezer, we ate several fresh ones with our cereal,  and I've already made a couple quarts of yummy homemade peach ice cream (that lasted all of about 5 minutes!)    Thankfully, we'll be able to enjoy these all year for tapioca pudding, peach cobbler, peach pie, peach ice cream, etc.   Mmmmm.

A few more "summer fun" photos.    The boys participated in the local library's children's program this summer, including some puppet shows:

A visit to our local fire department:

A swim party at our pool on the last day with 23 local children.   We live in a very small rural community, yet we have quite a few homeschoolers.   Of this group, 14 are homeschoolers:

Morgan:

Tristan and cousin Zak:

Luke:

the local crew:

And Morgan jamming out to Guitar Hero during our trip to the coast.   This is one xbox game I actually enjoy, but we'll stick to the picture of Morgan here:

and the little monkey, getting himself into a jam.   He's climbing everything these days, chairs, sofas, tables, walkers:

Chase:

For anyone who ever wants try something different with cabbage, this recipe is the most like the one served at Northwoods Inn in southern California. Every time I make this to bring to a potluck, everyone raves.  My mother in law was asking for this recipe, so I thought I would share:

Red Cabbage Salad

2 tbs fresh lemon juice
3 tbs granulated sugar
1 tbs crushed beef boullion powder (I've also used vegie buullion to avoid msg)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup wine vinegar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup oil (I always use olive oil)
2 tsps pureed garlic
1/4 cup grated sweet red bell pepper
1 small onion, finely diced
1/2 head red cabbage, shredded

In a bowl mix together lemon juice, sugar, bouillon, salt, vinegar, pepper, and oil. Stir in pureed garlic, red pepper, and diced onion. Pour mixture over the shredded cabbage and stir well. Let stand in the refrigerator overnight to blend flavors.

You can serve right away, but its much yummier and prettier the next day.

Few photos of our beach vacation in Port A.   The boys going out for a swim and boogy:

Looking for beach creatures:

Taking Daddy by the toe:

Sawyer spitting out some of the sand he put in his mouth (yes, I let my baby get the full beach experience :)

Going exploring:

Taking it all in:

And a nice tropical sunset:

On Monday we too a fieldtrip to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm.   It was just Karen, my sister, and her kids, my mother-in-law, and myself and the kids who went, but it was sooo interesting.   It is between Johnson City and Stonewall.   They run the farm just like they would have in the late 1800's.   We watched the cow being milked, and curdled milk and cottage cheese being made.   We saw where they stored the canned jars of vegies, the smokehouse, garden.  They also keep chickens, turkeys, sheep and cows.

I think the adults enjoyed it more than the kids, but Tristan was taking notes, as he says that someday he is going to live off the land.  

 Here''s a link to the album:    

I finally got all four boys together for a few brother photo shots, although I can't say they cooperated fully.  "You want me to do WHAT?"

"Maybe no one will see me pick my nose"

2 out of 4:

3 out of 4:

Finally, everyone is looking, and no nose-pickers, but oh so serious!

Oh well, looks like someone has had his limit!

And one of my nephew and nieces:

... and this is the only photo that came out ok with the birthday suit photos.    He definitely knows he's cute:

Does he look like his mommy just a little bit?

and then I met Jewel.   I'm torn.  Those sad eyes, those droopy ears.  Those cute little black and brown spots.   What a cutie:

Here's another video I took yesterday of Sawyer with Scampy:

We celebrated my great-aunt's 101st birthday on Sunday.   Here she is before blowing out her candles (which she did.... by herself).:

If you are a relative, and want a copy of this photo, you can go here to download or buy it.  I put a larger version on my smugmug site, although if you want the full 3.2mb size, email me.

Here's one of my blog readers, my cousin Denise, with Sawyer:

My grandmother holding Sawyer Kane.  Someone is getting a little sleepy:

going... going ... gone:

This was our view today from our property.   For more photos of the Texas Hill Country, I'm posting on a new blogger blog:   Texas Hill Country Beauty.

I tried taking three photos and blending them in photoshop for a panaramic view.  I can see where I blended, but just didn't have time to perfect it.   For a larger view of this photo visit here.

We had a picnic in the back of the ranch by the stock tank yesterday after church. It was a really nice day. Here's a few pics to share. 

Tristan wading in the water:

 Morgan striking a pose:

Lukey discovering his artistic side:

the small boy discovering all with his mouth:

 and hands:

Thanks again to Alyssa for the photoshop action.  I'm in love with it... and she may soon be sorry for sharing it! :)

A recent post on a message board about breastfeeding babies at church made me wonder something. Am I the only one who can not nurse in public ANYWHERE?   Now I have no problem nursing in public, I can be very discreet and modest, and I do nurse in public and don't worry about it.  

However, nursing in the pews is not an option for me because my baby is not the most discreet thing in the world.

A few weeks ago I had to get a new tire, so I took the van in to the tire place, and it was just Sawyer and I, so we went into the waiting area to wait. I was the only one in the small room, and Sawyer started fussing (it was time for him to eat) so I threw a blanket over us and he started nursing.

A few seconds later 3 people come in, an older man and a twenty-something couple. We're all in this small room, they look at me and sit down. Its pretty quiet in there... except for the LOUD smacking and moaning and groaning and pure exuberant joy that is coming out from under my blanket, with little baby feet sticking out.

The 20-something couple both have their cell phones, they look at each other and start text messaging each other (I imagine about us).

About an eternity later, probably 5 minutes, I take the little suckling piggy off the breast, and out from under the blanket. With a little milk mustache he smiles and lets out a big BELCH.

About this time the guy goes to the snack machine and gets some chips out. The older man has left by this time. Sawyer is staring at this young man and smiling. The girl says to her boyfriend, "I think he wants some of your chips."

The guy looks straight at Sawyer and says, "Sorry Dude, you already ate."

So that is why I don't nurse in the pews at church.