Burkholder Farm

Saturday evening we had a BBQ at our friends' farm. Brian and Rachael and their three kids showed the boys how to pet and ride Midnight the horse. We checked for eggs from their chickens, walked among their cattle and enjoyed exploring along the creek. Plus, we ate delicious food including steak and pork chops (from animals they raised). I love that - making the distance shorter between the food source and the plate. I'd like to find ways to make that happen more often.

This tree is amazing. Toppled over with the roots splayed out for the whole world to see. It's amazing to see what's usually hidden under ground.

It was a beautiful evening - I'm not sure I can imagine better weather for an evening then what we had on Saturday.

I took these photos of the boys riding Midnight with Kara from up on a hill. My angle is poor, but I had to capture their expressions.

After the sun went down Ben and Brian burned an enormous brush pile. As we stood around watching the flames grow higher and higher it was a wonderful reminder of the power of nature.

A new season

It's summertime for our family. Noah finished his last day of preschool last week and we're getting our heads wrapped around the fact that we've got a kindergartener on our hands. But, before we get ahead of ourselves we've got a summer to enjoy!

Levi got in on helping Grandpa with a landscaping project.

As far as our boys are concerned, the milk barn is just about the most fascinating place on the farm these days.

We're hoping for a summer full of good times with good people.

Re-Growth

We went from this:

on March 26, to this on May 20.

Not bad for two months of wacko spring/summer/spring weather.

It's HOT outside!

Yesterday it hit 100 degrees in Central Kansas. The ground is parched, the flowers, trees and crops are struggling and the sun has brought us mid-summer temps when we were just getting into the swing of spring. Cooler weather is headed here later in the week and there's a chance of rain too - we'll see if that really happens.

So last night, Levi got a haircut on the deck and the boys ran through the sprinkler.

Pure joy - the simplicity of childhood.

They made a few rounds through the sprinkler without their shorts and undies. That had all four of us giggling.

Mother's Day

You gotta love those smiles! They hooked the wagon to the tractor and Levi wanted to give Rylee a ride to the shed. He didn't make it the whole way, but he gave it a good try!

We spent Sunday afternoon and evening out at the farm. It was great to see Erica, Sherri and Rylee again. Mom cooked us a delicious meal and we had a good time exploring the farm. Rylee loves animals so we always make sure she gets to see the calves and cows.

I think the highlight of my day was when Rylee first saw me that evening - she pointed and said, "Tina!" There's a first time for everything. :-) Rylee's been talking for a while now, but that was the first time I had heard her say my name.

I'm not sure I've covered this yet on the blog...Noah has become a busy biker. We regularly take his bike with us to the farm so he can peddle his way ALL over the farm.

He's learned how to get himself started and can stop himself without falling over. He's making a funny face in the next photo but that's because the wind was blowing sand in his face.

We played some games outside. Well I should say we tried to, the wind was blowing strong enough that we all ended up getting frustrated.

It was a great day. My pedicure/time away with friends was my Mother's Day gift. But, I did get a bag of chocolate and a lovely card from my 3 boys.

A little time away

It's rare, maybe once a year, that I go to a spa. But, a little while ago 4 of my friends and I went to Healing Waters Day Spa in Wichita for pedicures. The most stressful part of the afternoon was picking out what color we wanted our toes painted.

Otherwise, we sat back, relaxed, drank some wine and visited

while the lovely ladies at Healing Waters did the work.

Then we walked to Il Vicino for dinner

and Cocoa Dolce for dessert.

Oh me. Oh my. It was good, soooo good.

Not only do they make their own chocolates, they also make their own hot chocolates and coffee drinks!

And when our time away was over and it was time to get back to our families at least we had pretty toes to remind of us our time together.