End result of hard work

The boys worked hard in their watermelon/melon garden this year, they got a lot of watermelons and we froze a lot of melons for eating later.

Team work!

Slicing open that first watermelon

Pure yumminess!

Missouri State Fair!

2nd place in a photo contest!

Such a proud moment for our daughter!

We walked around enjoying all the various exhibits, and then it was time for the rides!

A wonderful end to a wonderful day :)

Happy birthday to a wonderful 15 year old

Do you know how beautiful you are to me?

Do you know the hopes and dreams I have for your life?

Flowers picked by her brother to decorate the table

Not birthday cake.. rather a milk tart :)

Fruit salad at her request.. I fancied it up a little ;)

Happy birthday sweetheart, I love watching you turn into a wonderful Godly young woman.

Macaroni and Cheese Casserole.

Growing up, my mom used to make a macaroni, egg, tomato and cheese casserole.  I have no idea exactly how to make it, only that the cheese went on over the tomatoes and it made a good dinner.

I can't find the exact recipe I used, but it was good and my family all gave it a thumbs up!

Yum!

Silkworms

This year I tracked down a source for silkworms so my kids could experience raising them.  DH and I had them when we were kids, and it was always interesting to watch them grow and then see the cycle of their lives.  If you have an abundance of mulberry trees, you should try some yourself :)  The cocoons from these little guys is where silk comes from.. yes, really.

Munching on mulberry leaves

Spinning his silk cocoon

Everything's growing

 The flowers are growing beautifully....

The corn is growing, thirsty work keeping them weeded....

 Bandit is growing, as are the weeds....

The collection of farm junk is growing... (but this WILL be a nice little trailer someday!)

 and... the piglets are growing!

I love this life.

Blackberry jam

A friend was nice enough to invite us over for a morning of blackberry picking.  We picked.. and picked... and picked.

And made 7 lovely jars of blackberry jam :)