Life is kind of back in full swing…and I think I miss quarantine just a little bit!

I think we should have had a more gradual start back to life, don’t you?

It’s summer time though, and life always seems more busy in the summer – all of my crew has seasonal jobs after all, and their hours are long during the summer months.

Summer means some beautiful summer skies!

Look what God did!

Now that the world is open again, we did run errands for a full day a couple of weeks ago.

We had some needs – like new shoes for Chad who grows in his sleep every night.

We were thankful that there were a few stores back open and that he was allowed to try on shoes!

Since the other kiddos never got out of the van, we had some treats and lots of Adventures in Odyssey episodes to listen to!

Addie and I spent another chunk of time in town one morning.

She is a fun one to run errands with too!

We usually find lots to do here at Twin Oaks!

We have been here almost three years now, but still have not finished everything that should have been done in the building process – especially outside.

The guys finished the rock under the deck, and they hung a third tree swing for us!

Those tree swings are a hit with our kiddos and anyone who comes to visit as well!

We also got the rest of the garden planted!

I had to order some seeds and they finally arrived!

Lane keeps the grass looking good!

We usually finish up the mowing and trimming in the evening when the other guys get home because it is just too much for one mower.

Our hens are doing great and loving summer as well.

They are still giving us three eggs a day!

We have had a few camp fires in the evening.

I completely blew the grocery budget one Friday and stocked up on gluten-free, healthy, and safe smores ingredients!

Don’t ask how much, but it was so worth it to see how excited the kiddos were!

I stopped at Wal-mart one morning after taking Chad to work and got a bunch of floats for the pool.

These two were diligent in blowing them all up!

No words needed for this next photo.

Except to tell you that I love him!

My kitchen helpers are shorter than they have been in recent years, but they are learning quickly and are all QUITE helpful!!

I did not stop smiling the day we had some of the grand babies over to swim, then Kay came with the rest of them for dinner, then I gave all my grand babies a bath and got them in their jammies and helped load them into Kay’s car to head home for bed time…..

IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!

We were so happy to help Kay particularly during that time of the day because she does not have morning sickness, she has evening sickness and David works long hours too!

Seriously, how cute is this photo?

Tate went home with Kay that evening to spend the night with his nephews and nieces!

Speaking of those grand babies, we LOVE to spend time with them.

One Friday evening before date night I played a quick game of cards with this cutie.

When I got home from date night our score card was framed in a Lego frame on my dresser – very funny, Lane Stevan!!

Speaking of date night – it is still as life-giving as ever and we are enjoying being very consistent in our Friday nights together!

We have been doing some book work here and there!

I just like to keep their minds moving and following a schedule is ALWAYS better than no schedule.

Eliza is growing and changing right before our eyes!

Her legs really are this long!

She loves getting her toes painted.

Our sweet Eliza needed one of her spacers in her mouth removed.

We talked and talked about it, trying to prep her for the appointment and the “tug” that would probably happen to get that thing out.

SHE WAS SO BRAVE!

That’s why she has a new stuffed puppy named Spark.

Would you believe that spacer literally fell out of her mouth!!??

We could not believe it either! Easy peasy!!

We have had many places to be these last weeks!

Not only appointments, but wedding showers, baby showers, graduation parties, weddings….

TAKE THAT, quarantine life!!

We were super duper blessed to be able to serve the reception at a beautiful wedding of two beautiful friends.

Here are two of my favorite people as they headed to a graduation party!

We still have plenty of down time.

Time for naps, books, games and just being together!

I am reading chronologically through the whole Bible this year!

It has been amazing, challenging, wonderful, encouraging, hard, life-giving and life-changing!

I think this beauty is one of the twins that lived on our land last summer.

She spends Bible time with me some mornings!

We celebrated River’s third birthday!

He is PURE JOY.

Of course we have been outside enjoying this summer weather and that beautiful swimming pool.

My trio is very fun to spend my days with!!

I did not really have any expectations for what life would look like once the world opened back up.

Expectations can really lead to much disappointment!

I can’t wait till we can take the younger three somewhere besides church – like the library!

I just ordered them seven chapter books on Amazon today, because this no library life is HARD!

(curb-side pick-up is kind of tricky!)

We are enjoying summer though for sure!

Happy summer days, everyone!