Early to Mid-August

First cantaloupe.

Dominic solved two sides!

Hanging out at the pool at the Y.

Anthony was too young and short for the big slides, so he was stuck with Mommy.

He didn't mind too much, as long as there were snacks involved.

It was a good cabbage year.

Cleaned, cut, and shredded.

Mixed with salt and caraway seed.

Into the crock and pounded, it would soon be ready for sauerkraut-making.

The audience.

Dominic was big enough to do some mowing.

The third Monday in August...

...was the first day of school.

So we took...

...a bunch of pictures.

Dominic and Anne, 5th grade. Catherine, 6th grade. Anthony, Kindergarten. Joseph, 3rd grade.

The Twins Turn Double Digits

In early August, Dominic and Anne turned 10!  It's hard to believe our little twins are in the 5th grade.

Dominic chose to go to Jurassic World with Daddy as his birthday treat.

With popcorn!

On the morning of his birthday, Dominic helped decorate his cupcakes.

Anne got the horse trailer she wanted.

Time for target practice.

Happy 10, Dominic and Anne!

Anne got to get ice cream with Daddy.

She took Catherine along.

After a stop at the bookstore, they went to ride go-carts.

On your marks...

Playmobil!

Maze ball.

His most wanted gift: a Rubik's Cube.

Present from Anne.

Reading an awesome homemade card.

Catherine made Anne a little bat.

Another cool card.

Dominic and his super yummy cupcakes.

Anne with her horse cake.

July Jumble, #2

This summer, we had two litters of kittens born.  We did not discover either set of kittens until they were 2-3 weeks old.  One mama cat had 3 kittens, and the other one had 4.  

Anthony with the prized near-white kitten.

So cute!

Cat-hole into the shed.

Look at that little face peeking out!

Needless to say, the kids love it when there are kittens!

 The garden really began booming in July.

That is a ridiculous pile of cucumbers.

Shucking corn.

Beans headed to the freezer.

A pause for a week of Totus Tuus.  The four oldest attended.  Next year it will finally be Anthony's turn.

Performance at the Wednesday night potluck.

Who do you spy?

Anne front and center.

Back to the garden we go.

Scrub that corn!

Cucumbers and onions all sliced up and mixed in some salt.

Cooking in the big pot.

Bread and butter pickles.