An afternoon of WORK!

Last weekend Dad took some of the boys out to the P's to help cut down a tree and haul some limbs away. I tagged along with Missy (the Corgi) to enjoy the vast outdoors and get a few pictures of the working men for you all!! 

 Luke driving the pick-up.

He was pulling a trailer loaded with limbs and debris from the dead tree. 

 Matthew helping Dad open the back gate to let Luke through....

 The view anywhere outside of town is beautiful! Everything is so open and VAST!! Like one lady told me the other day "The sky just goes on forever!". 

Dad and Matthew waiting for Luke to get back from emptying his load.

 While Luke and David were hauling limbs and helping Mr. P, Daniel was getting 1-on-1 lessons from Mrs. P on how to work the riding mower....

Unfortunately he didn't get very far due to the fact that he was just a few (probably about 45!) pounds too light for the safety mechanism :(. 

He helped pull staples out of fence posts instead.

Luke and David taking a break to count the train cars as they went by. I think they counted 120. 

As we left to head back into town Luke said he hasn't done work like that in a long time. He wasn't the only one blessed :-). 

Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. P for giving us the opportunity to help! 

A Day at the Zoo

About 2 weeks ago We took the children to the "Local" zoo (It's a good 50 minute drive!). We were BLESSED!!! 

For one, the weather was BEAUTIFUL!!! 

It was about 70 degrees and.....

The animals were ACTIVE!!!!

This little guy (Raccoon) was just as curious about us as we were about him!!

Looking at all the carp (fish), ducks, geese, and swan!

Naomi, Marilyn, Elizabeth, and Lydia

Watching the buffalo come get his breakfast! 

We arrived at the zoo right after opening and due to a load of cat food that came in late the zookeepers got a late start with feeding which allowed us the opportunity to witness a few of the feedings and quite a few active animals that were very hungry! 

Spider Monkeys!!

Chimpanzee - - This fellow is about 8 years old if I remember correctly and has a nice reputation for his  LACK of hospitality. He welcomed the Mayor of the city with a handful of poop right on the side of the face and he told David he was done looking at his face by throwing a dust clod right at his mouth (perfect shot too!!)....

The lion brothers weren't very happy to have company either.... 

.....they did a lot of complaining!! 

a baby mini deer 

(I can't remember what the "real" name for this little guy is!)

- Best Friends -

- Elizabeth -

(14)

 -Luke -

(13)

Feeding the water-fowl and fish

All the boys 

All the girls

All of us together!

Headed back to the van for lunch!

** and guess what!?!? 2 Days later it was 20 degrees and we had 2 inches of snow on the ground!!

 Daddy and his little girls watching the crew clean up the debris from trimming trees

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What happens when you have a SMART, agile dog, an 8 foot fence and you are on the opposite side of the fence???

 

Did you know---

That if you chew chewing gum too long....

 It can cause your cheek to swell?

Which consequently makes it a bit painful to talk and chew your supper? 

And could even detour you from chewing chewing gum for a few weeks afterwards? 

(Just ask Daniel!!)