Wildcat Mountain

Yesterday was such a lovely warm day, we couldn't stay inside! So after lunch we headed off to Wildcat Mountain State Park and went hiking. We had lots of fun hiking, looking for wildcat dens (Leanna refused to go anywhere near rocks that had any sort of holes in them!), watching some deer meandering through the woods, and then we had a picnic supper. I thought you might enjoy some of the pictures we got of the children!

 

Deer watching...

 

So much news...

Okay, my deepest apologies. I have had my hands full lately, and time to record happenings has been scarce.

First of all, on July 25, Jaron took a tumble off his bike and hit his head. Which ruptured a vein inside his skull. Which led to a few days in the hospital and surgery to remove the clot. All right around the time I was due. He made an amazingly fast recovery, and today only has some residual vision issues that glasses seem to have corrected, thankfully. His helmet is now mandatory equipment!

Well, our daughter decided to wait... and wait... and wait! I was finally induced at 12 days late, due to her predicted size. She finally arrived, at a big 10 pounds, 15.5 ounces. (Can anyone blame me for just saying she was 11 pounds?) Candice Ruth hasn't stopped eating, or growing, since! Sweet girl!



A few weeks after Candice's arrival, we started school. We needed the structure of school days just to save some sanity with Mom not up to full power yet.

Jaron started 3rd grade officially, though he's doing some 4th grade work.

Eliott and Leanna both started Kindergarten. And loving it!

We went on a little family "vacation" when Candice was just a couple weeks old, to pick up a couple of wrecked vehicles, one of which is to replace our fast dying van and one to pay for the other one once it's fixed up and resold. We took a little drive out through Door County, and stopped on the shore of Lake Michigan to enjoy listening to the waves. I love waves!

The sisters.

Candice at 1 month old.

One day our Amish neighbors came to harvest the hay on our property. The children were fascinated!

I have big helpers when it comes to laundry!

This photo is a quick one I grabbed after biking a couple of miles on the state bike trail, then walking through the long tunnel, previously a train tunnel. It was a good experience, though Jere was the only one who actually enjoyed going through the tunnel I think!

Candice at about 2 months. Weighing in around 16 pounds. No, it's not my imagination all she does is eat, and all I do is feed her!