I love her

A minute after that Finnegan came into my craft room and I said, “Here comes trouble.”  Finn answered, “It’s just me, Mommy.”

I love him

Meet two new additions to our family.  Teddy the cat, otherwise known as Teddy Bear.  And “Stevie” the Saint Bernard.  (Blayne still wants to change her name.)  Our family has grown again with two new fur-babies.  I think our house is finally full and we are done with new additions!

Teddy was a barn kitty at my dad’s farm.  He was born in April and this summer dad tried to convince us to take him.  Apparently, he was a special cat – very loving and outgoing and social for a barn cat.  At the time our answer was no because we already had two dogs and two cats.  So, my aunt took Teddy, but her dogs kept trying to attack and hunt him so dad called us again to try to get us to take the cat.  This time we said yet.  I am so glad we decided to take him.  He really is the sweetest, most social cat!  And he still has a lot of kitten playfulness which is a lot of fun to have around the house.  The kids adore him.

When Blayne agreed to get another cat it was under one condition – that he was able to get another dog!  So, we adopted “Stevie” another Saint Bernard.  She is a year old and a very sweet, rambunctious doggy.  Ruby had a hard time adjusting to the new dog so the first few weeks were a little rough.  But now we are all one big happy family.  Walking three big dogs, especially in the icy winter, can be a challenge but we are all adjusting.  I think we are done with animals for now.  But I know we will always be a house with lots of kids and animals.  That just seems to be our way.  And I love it that way!!!

Mommy and Tavie from camping this summer.

Finn and Ruby taking a little nappy together.  Love this picture.

This is what our box looks like before it’s unpacked.  It’s almost better than Christmas!  Sugar snap peas, turnips, lettuce, kohlrabi, rainbow lacinto kale, pea shoots, garlic scapes, and granola.  WOW!

Last week we also got the best, best granola evah from the Birchwood Cafe – a big supporter of Riverbend.  Mmmmm.  I have to admit I was a little greedy with the granola and ate most of it.  And I don’t feel bad about it either

Our darling boy taking a nappy with Ruby.  Finn is a stinker when he takes a nap during the day now.  We can’t get him to bed until 11pm on days he takes naps, so we are really trying to get him out of the napping habit.  Young for not napping, yes.  But mommy & daddy like to have kid-free time at night.  We are going to move him to a big boy bed pretty soon.  The twins will get bunk beds.  Big kiddos getting bigger!

Finnegan enjoying his pancakes, or “papes” as our family calls them.

Sunny morning smiles.

Ruby having her breakfast.

Wakin’ up.

Muddy Kira sunning herself on a rock.

My family.

Ruby laying in a mud bath.

Iris is never very far away from a Harry Potter book.

Good morning Sunshine.

Ahhh, coffee.  Me, not Tavie

Our site was a bit muddy from all the rain we’ve had this Spring and I’ve never had so many mosquito bites in my life.  But other than those two complaints we had a great time.  I remember back in the day camping without kids was always so restful, peaceful, renewing.  I can’t say that I came away from our trip very rested, but the kids had a great time and family memories were created.  That is what counts.

We had two tents.  I slept in the big tent with the girls and Dez.  Blayne slept in the little tent with Finn and Ruby.  Our first night we arrived at about 4 and set up camp.  After all was settled we had a birthday dinner and camp pies roasted over the campfire for Mr. Finnegan to celebrate his 2nd birthday.  My big boy!

So, here are some pictures of our first night.  I’ll post more of the trip tomorrow.

B setting up the tents.  2 tents and 1 screen tent.  Jeeze!

Iris being helpful trying to get the fire going.

Finn being helpful trying to do some dishes.

Silly Kira

Still working on that fire.  Dez is being the cheerleader.

More tents and lots of love

Success!

Ruby chillin’

Yummy birthday pie baked over the fire

Making more pies to celebrate the birthday boy

We’re in the thick of getting ready for a camping trip this week.  I’m realizing that hike-in camp sites are probably not the best choice for us right now, much to my sadness.  We are exploring getting a pop-up camper, instead.  When the kids get older we can do things like hike the Superior Hiking Trail, but for now just getting out of the house is a big enough deal.  Our campsite this week is hike in – it’ll be a load of work but I’m sure it’ll be a blast.  More to come on the blog!

Family.  Kids.  Authenticity.  Being in the moment.  Love.

Kira and Tavie having a snack at a farm we visited recently to pick up some sheep fleece.

Finnegan – not sure if he’s eating catfood or a human snack.  He loves both.

Ms. Tavie at the conservatory at the Arboretum this early Spring.

Silly Ms. Iris with her nappy hair.

My Yarny girls.  Love this picture.  Need to get it framed.