hoorays, honeysuckle and hay!!

May 29, 2009 : Friday afternoon, we gathered in Maw and Paw's backyard to celebrate Coleen's new job with refreshments. It was a fun evening of family togetherness and summertime activities.

The girls enjoyed being pulled by Aunt Julia in the wagon and riding with Commie on the 4-wheeler.

Then we took a walk to observe Trey and Big Daddy in the hay field across the road. On the way, Commie showed Ava and Isabel some honeysuckle growing on the fence. It smelled wonderful, and the girls tried their best to get just a drop out of the little flowers!

Ava helped Trey unroll some hay that had clogged up the rake and then couldn't help but dive right in, and of course, then Isabel did too. Then, Trey put Ava on top of a haybale and showed off by running and jumping up there with absolutely no effort. (for the record, I could climb and jump until I passed out and never get up there. Trey climbs a tree with the same ease. It makes me sick, really. But then again, I should be glad my kids have half a chance of being athletic.)

Big Daddy finished up the hay and then Isabel got to sit in the tractor with him. As it got dark, Trey and Big Daddy showed Ava and Isabel the stars. The big night sky and the smell of hay made it one of those perfect moments when time just seems to stop while you take it all in.

On the walk home, Ava caught her first lightning bug!

Back in the house, Maw called everyone into the kitchen for a hardboiled egg and glass of milk, Really! And before we all parted ways, Maw read to Ava and sang "Mary had a little lamb." This is the kind of day that really makes me count my blessings, and be so thankful we're raising our girls close to family and in the country!