Family photo flop...

Ok, it was not a complete flop, but it was not what I was thinking either. :) I have been wanting to get a family picture since the 4th of July and it has not worked. Finally, Saturday night we were dressed and pressed and all ready. Except for Paul. As you can see, he did not feel in the mood to smile, or even look at the camera. This was the best shot out of many.
Oh well, we will try again soon! (Doesn't Scott look sooo handsome! :)

Aunt Dorie, Victoria and Heather....

Thursday night brought my Aunt Dorie, and cousins Victoria and Heather all the way from NY to Kansas! Mom picked them up at the airport in the evening, (you don't want to ask how their flight was...) and brought them home. Friday night Scott, Paul and I headed to Mom and Dad's for supper and a long over-due visit. Dorie is Mom's only sister and she has flown out at least once a year for the past 7-8 years while Grandma, (and at first Grandpa) live near here in a nursing home. We always looked forward to her visits, and her trademark treat- fresh from the bakery NY bagels! Yummy! You could always SMELL her suitcase, it was scented with garlic bagels!
We have not been able to see her children or husband as much, but this time she brought her two oldest, Victoria who is 19 and Heather who is 17. We had a great time talking, laughing and hugging. Saturday they came over for a while to see where we live, but moved along as Scott and I were butchering. :)
Saturday night found us back at Mom and Dad's for a campfire and smores. They left today with Esther as tour-guide and headed down to Rebecca and Andrews for the night before flying home tomorrow. We loved our visit and miss you already!

Victoria with Paul at Mom and Dad's.

Heather and Paul

Aunt Dorie
Thanks for coming!

Our joy boy....

Paul in his little "Lord Fauntleroy" outfit made by Great Aunt Beth

Peek-a-boo!

Where did Paul go? :)

Trully children are a blessing! Paul is such a joy! He is moving very well now- not "offical" type crawling but very close. He loves being the center of attention, :) and much prefers you to sit and play with him, than play by himself. He sat up by himself for the first time last Wednesday, and continues to work on making it a smooth skill. He does well sitting, but sometimes forgets that there is nothing behind him and crashed backwards on his head. Ouch! I think it always frustrates him more than it hurts!

A few months ago we began training him to go to bed without being rocked or snuggled with. When it is bed/nap time, he gets kisses and prayers and lays down. He has been doing really well and after the first few rough nights, he now hardly ever cries and goes to sleep quite quickly. This has been really nice when we are out and at other's homes. We can just put him in the portable crib and he knows what is up.

Other things our little man loves...
Tickles with Daddy
Playing with the puppies
EATING :)
Riding in the "back-pack" carrier
Visitors
"Talking" on the phone
Smiling
Visits from Grandma Sue!

Busy, hot summer....

Did I hear someone say supper?

The Joys, Schreiners, Gurnseys and Ansons
(And a few Ulmers too!)

Just chewing on toys with Aunt Esther :)
Dear Friends, I have really fallen behind in blogging. Yikes! Hopefully I will do better in the coming weeks. June finished out very warm and busy. Scott turned 30 this year, but we kept it small and I did not make a huge deal about it. We were actully on the road some of his birthday as we went down to Salina to test for the KHP. This marks the second summer Scott has been trying to get on the Kansas Highway Patrol. It is a long process with trips to Salina for tests, Topeka for a polygraph test, back-ground investigations and waiting to hear results. Last year he made it to the last cut. THis year we are praying he will get on. If he does, he will train Monday through Friday at the academy in Salina. He gets to come home on the weekends, but we would sure miss him during the week! We would have some time to prepare though, the academy does not start until January.
Near the end of June we also enjoyed attending Esther's graduation party at my folks house. It was a lot of fun. Andrew and Rebecca were up and we had a great time as family.
July started hot and has been getting hotter. We traveled up to good friends the Schreiner's near Lincoln Ne. for our annual July 4th visit. Scott always takes joy in purchasing a bunch of fireworks and he and all the guys put on a great show! We had a terrific time up there- the Schreiner's had opened their house to many and we had a great crowd of friends.
July also brought my birthday, and that ment surprise dinner out and out to the movies- my husband is so sweet! We brought Esther and Elizabeth and had a great time.
As you saw by Scott's post, we finally finished our chicken plucker. What a blessing! We are hoping to finish all our chickens this week. Please pray things go well! :)

Paul is such a blessing. His little smiles and noises keep me grinning all day. He is eating veggies now, carrots and squash have been the start. Saturday he had a bad day. Overtired, strange schedule and teething ment a fussy boy ALL DAY LONG. But thankfully, Sunday he was much happier and we are hoping his teeth will cut through quickly or not cause him so much discomfort.
I will try to post again soon!
God bless! Lydia for the Ansons

The plucker liveth!!!!

The parts I was getting machined finally came, and we fired up the plucker on Monday night. After a few final adjustments, I gave it the green light for Tuesday's butchering. It is amazing!! It will take 99.5% of the feathers off of two 4 lb birds in about 30 seconds. And the best part is that it is 'hands off'. Just drop them in, keep them wet, and the plucker does the rest. It has easily doubled our efficiency. What a blessing!
Here also are some fun pics :)
Keith came to visit last weekend. Here is a picture of Paul and Uncle Keith. And there also a picture of Justice and Uncle Noah. And here also is a picture of the pups.