Monday, March 11, 2019

Spring Break Visitors!! Saturday and Sunday......

As soon as we woke up Saturday morning we grabbed our coffee, hopped in the truck and headed down to do  critter chores. The sky was dark and storms were on their way so we were in a hurry!
As soon as we got out of the truck, the rain started! It rained the entire time we were feeding the animals. I wore my plastic crocs not thinking it would get too muddy too fast - and I was wrong. My crocs got caked with mud and were so heavy it was much easier to kick them off and go barefoot! I felt like a real country woman now!! After the chores were all done - and we were totally drenched - the sun came out and the clouds blew away! It was pretty for the entire rest of the day!

Louis Dean has been working on clearing out the bathroom and cleaning everything up.
We were expecting visitors Saturday night!
I cooked up a big batch of spaghetti with meat sauce and made a garland salad, and garlic bread plus some Jalapeno Poppers and an appetizer tray.

By the time we did all we meant to do - it was time to do critter chores again.


Evening chores are much easier than the morning ones.
As soon as the ducks see me going to the feed bin, they march to the small pond, swim across, and go straight up into the duck pen!


Louis Dean and I came back up to the camper and had a glass of wine on what we call the sunset deck.


This is where we put the work bench we found on the curb not long ago.
It makes a good cooking table.
All was right in our little camper home and we were ready for our company to arrive.


It was after dark Saturday night when Amber, Mike and the kids got here.
Amber had just come off 48 hours of being sick and then it took all day to pack and prepare for their spring break camping adventure.


The kids were beyond excited!!


Kailey came in screaming, "Granddad!!! GRANDDAD!!!"

We had such a good evening!
Dinner was ready and all of us ate while Mike was putting up the tent.
He had to eat last but at least the hard part was done.

After everyone was ready for bed, I joined them in the tent to hear Amber read a couple of chapters of The Boxcar Children. I loved reading this when I was a little girl! It made my life seem not so strange when I would read how other children managed to live on their own and cook and care for each other. By the time Amber read the last page, all four were sound asleep!

The geese woke everybody up this Sunday morning right at 8:00!
I guess they noticed the tent and waddled up to check it out.
I went ahead and got up because I knew the kids would be coming in any minute.
I looked out the window and, sure enough, they were spilling out of the tent - and the three horses were standing behind it just watching everything.

I made us all coffee!
I had my regular coffee but I made a separate little pot of weak coffee and lots of milk.
They each put one sugar cube in their cup and I poured in a teaspoon or two of hot coffee. They stirred it to melt and then added the coffee from the small pot. Amber had left bags of small donuts so we had our own little coffee party and watched Mr. Jackson's cows and donkeys while we sipped and ate.

Then it was time to do the critter chores but now I had four helpers!


They are such big kids now!!


We love.....MeeMaw!!!


The horses loved Logan and she loves them.


We carried carrots down for them to eat.

We fed the ducks and the chickens, the peacocks and the guineas.


Then we walked over to feed the goats.


It was pretty cool!


Back up at the camper, I made a big country breakfast using the eggs we had just gathered!
Some big eggs......some small banty eggs. I cooked them all!

We spent the day doing all sorts of activities.
Lots of teachable moments......


Mike showing Harrison how to whittle......


Granddad explained how to mix cement.


Louis Dean used the old steel bumper from the camper to make a curb stop for when he parks the truck. He showed Harrison how to build the form, mix and pour the cement and then we all put our initials in it!

Sherry came back from Dallas late this afternoon and took each one of the kids on a ride in her red tractor!


They all loved it!!!!
Kailey calls her "Aunt CHERRY!"

I took a nap and Louis Dean worked in his shop while everyone else went down to fish.
It was one adventure after another!



Logan made this art project on her very own with things she found right around the camper.
Pebbles, gravel, rocks, wild flowers, and a piece from a wind chime - all artistically placed on a found piece of wood.

Amber cooked a great dinner tonight!
Grilled smoked sausage, roasted corn on the cob, roasted potatoes and zucchini.

Aunt Sherry provided the evening's entertainment - fireworks!
It was a wonderful day!
Everyone is asleep now except me - and I will say good night now and go to bed.
Hopefully the geese know what's happening now and won't wake up up so early!!




22 comments:

Bluebird49 said...

Talk about "fun like a party"! None of you will ever forget this spring break.
It's all just too precious for words!

Kathy said...

Love that you have a country place for the grandkids to experience. Such fun having everybody together.

Carol said...

What a fun vacation idea for the kids! I believe all children need more farm life and animals. Imagine what our world would be if they each had a life to be responsible for instead of so many video games.

Susie said...

Linda, That sounds like the best time ever. Oh to be a kid again. Logan is going to be an awesome crafter. I bet riding on the tractor was so fun. The kids all seemed happy to feed the animals. Yes, I would love the horses the best too. This is going to be a fun spring break for all. Blessings to everyone, love you, xoxo, Susie

Estelle's said...

Oh how I adore the horses....and it's heartwarming to see those precious chidren enjoying life in the country....love it!

Vee said...

Oh wow! What a fabulous weekend and the children loved it. The joy is all over their faces. I loved the Boxcar Children, too, but your reason for loving it was poignant. I am glad that The Lord provided comforts even in the reading of books. The art project Logan created is simply wonderful! You have a vignette and talented archivist on your hands!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I can only imagine the excitement for the kids being there on the ranch. So much to see and do ! Glad they got to experience your happy place! Happy times for sure ! they do look like they've grown a lot. Seems like just yesterday they were babies. So nice you can be a part of their lives as they grow. Hope you enjoy your Monday. Sound like they will still be there when you get up!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

We all wish we could bring our tents and camp out at your place! What fun! And the breakfast looks amazing! Love these precious kiddos ...watching them grow up! Enjoy your week!

Changes in the wind said...

The Grands will never forget this experience, so happy you could give it to them.

The Feminine Energy said...

Oh what wonderful tales of adventure... and happiness!! Out in the country! I think you should wear a Wonder Woman cape, dear Linda... for that is what you are. Love, Andrea XOXO

MadSnapper said...

Dean and Sherry's farm is the perfect place for a camp out. critters that can be petted and fed, not he wild kind. Country Adventure with the Quads. the are so grown up now, I can't belive how tall they are. Logans art is beautiful and all of them are so smart and talented.

Debby said...

What a fun time. They sure love Granddad. They love you, too, how could they not.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow, combining some of the best parts of your life! The quads will be learning so much from this visit, too. And I am impressed by Amber cooking a big meal right after being so sick. Your little camper kitchen is so cheerful and pretty!!

photowannabe said...

Linda, you live a magical life and your grands are so fortunate to have you and your dear husband.
When I grow up I want to be just like you...(:0)
Sue of photowannabe

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Creating more great memories for everyone !!!!
Hugs.
Joy

Carole said...

Lovely post. I am going to research what a garland salad is. Cheers

Chatty Crone said...

You thought of everything - except one thing - ME! Oh that looked like fun!

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

That’s just the best! What an awesome weekend!

Jan said...

That sounds wonderful! The quads are getting so grown up!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

What a lot of fun to have your family there, Linda. You and Louis Dean really know how to make these times together so much fun for your grandchildren and it's nice to see them doing things outdoors. Today, so many kids are so attached to electronics and miss out on the good things like fishing, whittling, and learning how to make cement too!

Hootin Anni said...

Oh my gosh Linda...I just can't get over how grown 'your' kids are!

I'm a barefoot type gal too!

Haddock said...

That picture of grandpa explaining about mixing cement...... some of the things that kids will never forget.