Matthew

I always like looking at pictures of our son Matthew. He is so dear to me.

You still look like a baby to me here, dear Matthew. I love you so much.

Elisabeth

Elisabeth having fun

Outside helping Leah keep her step. This is Leah's first time outside walking with shoes.

Our pretty, little Elisapup.

Snow Day

We rarely get any snow here living so close to the ocean. Today was a real treat. Here is Elisabeth showing her snow filled mittens.

Brushing the snow off of the car

Their first snowman. They played for 2 1/2 hours outside this day and had so much fun.

Killing Chickens with Hannah

We let Hannah (3 years old) stay up from her nap today so she could witness daddy killing and butchering some chickens. She's a little sensitive to some things so we weren't too sure how she would handle this feat before her. Here, Hannah and Elisabeth witness daddy catching a chicken.

Hannah running with joy and elation after watching the first slaughter. See the chicken upside down in the cone in the background on the fence?

Daddy walking the already bled chicken to the table

Hannah after the second slaughter... maybe having second thoughts?

One of our chickens. See all the fat? This was an old hen... they have much more abundant fat than the roosters. Daddy ended up slaughtering 6 chickens this day.

Here's a few pictures of our chickens gathering together along the fence.

Our Family Picture

This was taken about a month ago. Though it is not perfect, it's perfect to me. I love seeing us all together and to think we have another on the way who will be with us in August just makes me giddy!

Our Day on the Bay

Across the street from us is a Bottle Beach State Park. We used to frequent it before it was officially turned into a park. The bridge my husband and kids are walking on wasn't there until about a year and a half ago. It was like our own private place to go. It is still so quiet and a place of solitude, even in the Summer.

It was 24 degrees outside. We have been shut in so much these past months that when the blue skies revealed themselves we had to make our escape.

As you can see, the bridge had some frost on it still.

Leah just didn't want to have any part of this. I think she was crying because momma was in front of her and she wanted to be held.

Elisabeth running ahead.

One of the views on the way to the bay.

Cattails I think these are called? Do you know you can actually eat them? We're not interested.

Our view from a little bridge we're standing on.

The first shot of the bay

Yes, that is ice... it takes a bit of wind and cold to make ice from ocean, salty water.

The kids walking ahead. You can walk out towards the left for a good half mile or more before you even hit water. Lots of little puddles and shells. We used to walk out there when I was pregnant with just Elisabeth. Matthew used to get sand shrimp and go fishing in the ocean later that day.

From farmer look to fisherman look. You sure look like a handsome fisherman here dear.

I love your new beard. Rrrrrr... and Leah, you look so cute!

Hannah playing in the ice.

Looking oh so cute!

Beautiful day

Oyster shell. These you can find everywhere.

Matthew trying to hold onto his collection of shells and walk at the same time.

Hi Hanni!

See how many shells there are?

Sitting on momma's lap after I walked her almost all the way back in the sand. She was cold and tired and I felt bad for her. With my early pregnancy I got so tired I took a nap right after lunch. Too much for momma.

Momma and Leah

Elisabeth looking silly. She finally tired and decided to rest in the stroller for a few minutes. What a good day!

My Little Finds

There's a good sized antique store in town I go to on occasion. I found these little special items one day while there:

A pretty bowl.

I want the kids to remember me making cookies and special things in this bowl.

It connotates "home" to me.

Beautiful cookie press.

Shhh, it might be a stamp but who cares...

I think it would be perfect for making beautiful cookies. Maybe next week.

A pretty, simple egg holder. Anyone who has chickens on their farm should have a pretty egg holder. Now if I find they have the other one there still the next time I go, I will have to pick it up for a friend.

Homemade Mayonnaise

I have been wanting to make a good mayonnaise for over a year now. I tried it using olive oil but it was too heavy for me. I decided to buy some refined (unflavored) walnut oil and I am a happy camper now. Rich in vitamin E and healthy with proteins and good fats, not to mention the delectable flavor... I am very well pleased. I can enjoy our good albacore tuna sandwiches once again. I will post recipe later tonight.

Collards and Sauerkraut

Good ole lactic acid, enzyme brewing and healthy collards and sauerkraut. It tastes even better than it looks.

Tucking in the Babies

Each morning when daddy heads upstairs to get the girls for breakfast, he walks into their room to find that they have been playing house. He wanted me to take some pictures of their little animals all tucked in for bed.