Updates

Let's see... what's happened since December?!

- Didn't get Christmas cards sent out for the third year in a row...

- Connor had another two rounds of strep, doctor won't take tonsils out until he's had it 7 times in one year.

- Jon's sister got married and we gained a niece and nephew

... and Connor did not want to take pics. He wanted to play with the peacocks.

- Connor graduated Kindergarten

- He played spring soccer, and Jon coached again.

- Connor's teeth were "clean" again. The new dentist isn't sure what the dark marks near his gum are from, but says it's probably a bacterial reaction. He did, however, have a cavity that was easily fixed. 4 months later, the marks are coming back.

- Oh, I got an embroidery machine in January and have been busy embroidering everything I can get my hands on. I've started an Etsy store and am doing some craft fairs. I've sold a LOT of these towels.

- Connor started first grade. He looked "just like Uncle Roy".

- We lost a huge chunk out of an already damaged tree...

... and it missed the house by literal inches...

... and now we have maple firewood and chip piles in the pasture. 

So Sorry :)

We're still here, everyone's fine :)

I have been meaning to update this, and as usually happens, I get distracted, I'll do it "later", life gets in the way. Everything's been going well for the most part. Connor's having lots of fun in school. He's reading simple books and loving math.

Quick run down -

Bailey (dog) turned 2 in September. She's getting so big!
Jon coached Connor's soccer team this season. His pre-k buddy Sarah was on his team.
Connor scored a goal in his first game.
Our fridge died, had to get a new one.
Connor had strep throat, tonsillitis and an ear infection all at the same time.
We didn't get to go trick-or-treating because the weather was horrible (rain, sleet).
We lost one of our bunnies, Carney, unexpectedly.
Jon turned 40 in November.
I lost my aunt Sherry to cancer a few weeks ago.
I've been busy sewing and am starting with polymer clay.
Connor and I have been attending an ELCA Lutheran church (and he loves it).

Banana Blueberry Muffins

I had 4 small bananas that were getting over-ripe on the counter. Mix that with some blueberries and viola!

Banana Blueberry Muffins

3 large ripe bananas (I used 4 small)

1/2 cup sugar (can sub brown sugar)

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup blueberries

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups flour

Mash bananas in a large mixing bowl.

Add sugar and egg.

Add butter and blueberries.

Combine dry ingredients and gently stir into banana mixture.

Pour into 12 well-greased muffin cups.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

Next time I will add a dash of cinnamon! 

Kindergarten!

First day of Kindergarten! 

He was so ready! 

Here we go! 

Pick up right at the driveway. He was fine, I may have had a few tears... 

First day lunch - mini chocolate chips, cheese crackers, grapes, peanut butter & jelly - all his choice

Kindergarten Orientation and Last Outing!

We have a kindergartner! 

Such tiny lockers! 

Love the cafeteria! 

The day before school started, my mom and I took him to a local arboretum. They have a railway garden!

and lots of frogs

and neat benches in the children's garden

Then we went to lunch at one of our favorite places. 

They celebrate American history from the steelworker era.

Flowers!

Zinnias

My first Evening Sun sunflower

The snapdragons I got on clearance after the Mother's Day storm

Red? 

I think I will do sunflowers behind the chicken coop again.

l-r Gloriosa daisies, Hopi Red amaranth, Black Eyed Susan

Gloriosa daisies

Can't see the chickens :)

Hydrangea is finally  blooming

Marigolds in the garden

More marigolds in the garden

Morning Glory about to bloom. Connor grew these from seed in his pre-k class.

First Harvest of 2014!

2 Jaune Flamme tomatoes

Handful of Green Arrow peas

Jaune Flamme tomatoes are an orange heirloom from France. They are about 4 oz, salad size, sweet with a bit of a zing. Pretty tasty!