Field Trip pages

So, my Hubs was on vacation this week (plant shutdown, really, without pay, so it wasn't exactly a vacation,) sooo we tried to pack in a lot of (cheap) family activities. Hence the belatedness of my posting. On the 7th, we headed out to Devil's Den.



We had planned to hike the trail until we got all sweaty, and then head to the water.


The picture below was taken about 10 minutes before NatureMan (9-yellow shorts) fell, running downhill, and cut his knees, elbow, and hands.

I couldn't tell how badly he was hurt, with all the blood blocking my view, so we rushed him to the visitor's center for first aid. I only carry a few band-aids in my backpack, and that just wasn't going to cut it.
We had some excellent help, rangers that got him cleaned up, doctored, and bandaged. Poor kid.
Creek play was out for him. And out for all of us, seeing as how the water is SO low, there was no creek. ;/
So Fred took the kids out on the lookout...and then we drove all the way back home.



But I'm thankful for...
time spent in the van, talking to my Man...
peaceful time traveling with all of the kids, while they played games and drew pictures...
the time I had to do artwork, with no pressure for anything else...
a way to hold these memories in ways I know how...
special treats when we got home, for good behaviour...
decent attitudes in spite of the circumstances...
help for my NatureMan when he needed it...
a chance to show the kids that memories can be built and a good time had, even when things don't go as planned.

{love} Rock Art

It's not as if I ever post my Family Pictures on time, right? I just need to aim for once a month.

If you know me at all, you know I spend A LOT of time outside when the weather warms up.


I've taken to making rock art with the kids, when we're at the creek. Spread the love.



The water banded snakes at our most frequented creek. They look a lot like water moccasins, but they're not as thick and don't have the same buoyancy.


My littles. Yes, The Girl wore jeans to the creek. Jeans. okay. Whatever floats your boat, hun.


And this lovely lady is my Mom, and her dog Sally. My Mom (Noni) is a total outdoorsy creek-lovin, cave-explorin', water-raftin', mountain-bikin, marathon-running superwoman. My sisters and I are carrying on the nature love with our families.

Farmers' Market in Small Town, and my other loves

I absolutely did not forget to take our Family Picture on the 6th , I'm simply behind and didn't get it posted in time! Hi, kids! (we didn't have a good place to set the camera for a timed family photo-- maybe next month)
That was taken on May 6th at Hobbs State Park, on the Shaddox Hollow Trail. Yes, my kids still have chicken pox. I had to take them out in the boonies, on a deserted trail for our family day. :D And it was gorgeous! More on that soon.

Yesterday I ventured over to our Small Town Farmers' Market. I love taking pictures of random people... especially older people and kids. This guy just belonged there.
(I've told Fred before that if I were invisible, I'd just wander around taking pictures of everyone! He says it would be a total waste of a superpower, but I'm not convinced.)

Below is my beloved Miss Samantha (Sammi-girl) chef-extraordinaire, seamstress, nature girl, jam-maker, veggie-grower, mom-to-all-boys, precious lady. I splurged on her lemon pound cake (with real violets on top!) and her son's prize-winning fudge... /drool

....plus a bunch of walking sticks. Get this: hand-carved Mimosa walking sticks, complete with drilled holes in the top with leather bands...

what would you expect to pay?

They sell comparable ones at Silver Dollar City for $20+.

Sam's boy is selling them for $2.50! Yeah.

I couldn't believe it. I bought 4, with an order for two more (I need shorter ones made for my two little boys.) When we got home, Fred wood-carved our names on them.
There were houseplants, bouquets of peonies, greens, heirloom tomatoes....

plus all types of needlework...handmade soaps... oh, and raw honey!

I love Farmers' Market! Someday I'll have my own booth there with veggies, plants, balloons, face-painting, and sewn items. Someday. When the booths don't cost so much, and I actually have time. It'll be my own little party booth.
I did actually draw and paint some of the veggies, but not going to post those until I finish up. :) Allllsooo, I know it's Mother's Day. I sent my Man off to see his own mama today, and he'll be back in a bit. He's already given me the most fabulous weekend, and I am so grateful for this weather, this home, these kids... I feel so blessed. I hope you all have an amazing day, slow and peaceful, with time to recognize and receive the many gifts all around us.

And, Mom, I LOVE you!! Thank you for nurturing all of my passions with unending art supplies, creative approaches, and so many experiences. You are amazing!

Family Portraits April 6th

I almost didn't make it! But--look-- at least here in Arkansas, it is still before midnight. In case you missed the last ones, I'm trying to take a family picture every month on the 6th. ( because there are 6 of us.) And, due to the fact that I have not yet figured out how to use my camera remote or how to set the timer, Fred and I took turns taking pictures. We were in goofy moods. Have I mentioned that sunshine makes me giddy? The Muscle Pose Zombie Pose And Silly Faces Like one of my sweet friends, I'm going to *try* to include ...um... 'da grown-ups in these pictures. Yes, yes, I will.

March SIX

You know, 12 years ago I intended to take pictures of myself every month, as my stomach grew and bulged, nestling my first child.
Then I intended to take pictures of my baby girl in the same place every month, to show how fast she was growing. Same thing 10 years ago when I was expecting my first son. And then 7 years ago when I was pregnant with our surprise-to-me baby boy. And even 4 years ago when I was expecting the "caboose child." Well, by gosh, intentions just aren't good enough. I have a lot of pictures, but no month-by-month photos showing the growth and changes of my children.

Until Now.

Dash (6),Little Lad (almost 4), NatureMan (9), TheArtist (11)

No more talk; it's time for ACTION.

I love Steph's idea at Adventures in Babywearing. On the 4th of every month, she takes a picture of her four! I also have 4 kids, but it's past the 4th, and I want to start now...so I'll do it on the 6th of every month, because we are a family of 6!

(and it's past the 6th because I got behind....ha)

kids exercising with me this morning,

you can catch a glimpse of my new green door behind The Artist

And so begins our Monthly Family Photos! Better late than never, right?