Neighbor Cows

This is to show that the cows really are almost in our front yard. I'm not sure how good we are for the cows though, the other day I saw one with one of our big pieces of packing paper in its mouth that had blown away when we still had boxes of paper in our driveway. She looked like she was trying to eat it.

Here is a calf playing with a ball that blew over the fence last night in a storm. One of our inflatable boats that we used in the pool also blew over to the barbwire fence where it met its fate...

It was fun seeing the calf play with the ball this morning...

Homeschooling with JB

Does JB look interested in reading? Normally it's like pulling teeth getting him to read to me lately, but I think I may have had a breakthrough and I hope it sticks! The other day I had him read to me while I was fixing dinner. He did so much better when I wasn't sitting there with him, prodding him along. He read faster and stayed focused when I only occasionally came over if he needed a little help. This would be great if it works like that every time because I could get something done while listening to him read and wouldn't have to get frustrated trying to keep him focused all the time. We'll see if it works...

A widdle wizard... I mean, little lizard...

Cooling off in the pool

We have really enjoyed having the pool in our back yard. It's a great way to cool off right before or after dinner, which is when we usually end up taking a dip. It has helped JB and Gloria become better swimmers as they get thrown around in the pool by their dad.

Benaiah is also getting more comfortable in the water although he still does not like floating on his own. He wants someone (preferably mom) holding onto him at all times. The bravest he got was yesterday when he had floaties on his arms and he wanted me to let him go and hold onto my arms while he kicked...it's a good start!

Sparklers

This picture was on a camera that we haven't downloaded pictures from in a while. This was from early July. It's cool how the camera followed the light of the sparkler as it moved.

Our Backyard Oasis

Basil was planted near the fountain at some point and now I have plenty! Our potted plants are growing new leaves again after having traveled in the open flatbed trailer and losing almost all their leaves! The kids have been watering them constantly from the fountain and they love the heat.

Max mowed and trimmed yesterday which made the backyard feel clean cut and even more refreshing!

Eating popsicle on the fountain rocks.

Happenings in our new home...

Gloria got creative with the camera. Makes me look kinda tall, not to mention round...

Benaiah found a "fwoggy" hopping along on the back patio. I thought maybe he was hurting the toad when he held it funny, but that was nothing compared to when JB and Gloria got a hold of the toad. Let's just say he had a few rides in the "waterfall" of the fountain.

Max drained the pool and we moved it to a different location where it was more even. It is now filling again. Thankfully, we have a well, so we are using all of the underground water Oklahoma has.

Benaiah digging and "chopping" a tree.

Critters

Can cows be considered "critters"?

Gloria loves catching butterflies and have them stick to her as her "pet".

JB holding a horn toad (that's actually a lizard). We kept it for a few days before the kids took it outside and it ran away. Those are Benaiah's fingers about to tug on the tail.

Benaiah touching the horn toad. They are actually sweet little critters.

We bought live lobsters from the Altus aquarium (aka Walmart) in celebration of our new home and as a thanks to Michele for helping us out so much. She did a full week of painting trim, doors, and bathroom cabinets white and doing two construction projects as well as help with the kids! I wish I had the energy! The kids enjoyed playing with the lobsters before we steamed them in the pot...oh, the cruelty!

Cooling off in the fountain...you know, when you can't make it all the way to the pool...actually, it was being set up still.

COWS! JB still wants Grampa Larry to startle the cows with him!

Looking back toward the garage and tennis court fence and our beautiful Gloria!

Benaiah helping set up the pool. It is very refreshing after a 100+ degree day!

It's actually all set up now, but I don't have any pictures of it yet. We may have to drain it and move it or level the ground better because one side is sinking into the ground...guess there was a soft spot in the ground.

We're here!

Kids playing on the tennis court...so it hasn't been played on for a while, but the net is still in fine shape. We've already played 3 out of the 5 evenings we've been here and it has doubled as a firework launching pad as the sun goes down, not till about 9:30. The kids have been going to bed really late due to spending the evenings on the tennis court because it is the nicest time to be outside here.
Playing on the fountain in the backyard. The water is bubbly because Max put something in it to kill the algae. See our plants that barely survived the drive? We're really enjoying the backyard, especially since Max put in the "outdoor air conditioning" which is a long hose of misters spraying from the roof.

Benaiah watering the parched backyard. This is where we would put a swing set eventually since it is in the enclosed part of the backyard and has a bit of shade and grass.

View from the tennis court. Sometimes we get a bunch of cows at the "watering hole" which doesn't have much water in it at all. We really like the view from all sides of the house.

Benaiah watering the backyard with a view towards the house. I will post more pictures of the inside of the house once it doesn't look so cluttered and more "set up". We have our furniture pretty much placed where we want it, but now we have emptied boxes and the contents are all over...this is one of the hardest stages of moving.

Halfway there...

Tamsey pulled the Uhaul

Max pulled the "Beverly Hill Billies" trailer. We tried taking our plants on this trailer and they ended up with no leaves. We're hoping they will have new growth by next year...