Red House Lake

Jeremy and the older boys went fishing so Bean, Chief and I headed to Red House Lake. The beach was wonderful and the sand felt so good on my feet. The water temperature was 75 degrees and the entire week didn't get above 80. After spending time at the beach Jeremy and the boys met us at the snack bar where we had Turkey Hill Ice-Cream. It was a delicious ending to a perfect beach day.



Bean had fun making lots and lots of mud pancakes. I loved doing this when I was younger.


It was hysterical at the beach. No joke little boys all over the beach were spending lots of time digging their holes in the sand and filling them up with water. Chief kept running around the beach and would then occupy the holes that they dug by sitting in them. Chief met several boys from Pennyslvania and Maryland this way. Several people on the beach kept laughing at little Oliver and how busy he was. When I got to the parking lot when our day was over an older man and his wife smiled and said, "Bye Oliver!" It was funny because I didn't even know them and I am sure they felt like they knew him because the whole day I was saying, "No Oliver, Stop Oliver, Come Here Oliver, you have to stay in the shallow end Oliver, No eating mud Oliver, Don't drink lake water Oliver,Don't rub your eyes with muddy hands Oliver, don't take their shovel Oliver, don't dip your cracker in lake water Oliver, etc. etc....."

Chief leaving his mud hole.

Chief was covered from head to toe in mud after every beach trip. He had the time of his life playing in the mud and water. I couldn't help but laugh as a little girl his same age sat quietly on her towel under the beach umbrella totally content with a squirt gun! What the hek? Chief doesn't sit still unless he's asleep.

Fourth of July Fireworks at Quaker Lake

I love love love the Fourth of July and fireworks. This year was absolutely perfect. The weather was gorgeous, the sunset was beautiful and we didn't even need jackets! Since 2007 we have watched fireworks at Quaker Lake. I especially love to watch them up there because you are surrounded by "mountains." When the fireworks go off you also get the loud echo that follows, which I love just as much as the firework itself. When I was a child we used to watch the fireworks and try and guess the color that they would be next. It is a fun tradition that I have carried on with my chickens. I love this holiday and look forward to our yearly tradition up at Quaker Lake.

Jeremy and I.

My little blondie is one beautiful boy! While waiting for fireworks to start he played in the tall grass, ran up and down the grassy hill and dipped his toes in the lake.
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I am one lucky mama to have Chief in my life. He is brings me so much joy. I love this little man and his wild ways.

Goose and Granny waited on top of the car for fireworks to start. Once they started they hopped down and came and sat with the rest of the family on the grass. Those two boys are best buddies. I wonder what they were talking about on top of the car rack?

Mt. Seneca Bear Caves 4 Mile Hike

We have been to the bear caves on many occasions, but this is the first summer we hiked the entire four miles with the chickens. It was a gorgeous hike and although the first little while was straight up hill the kids didn't even complain. By the end of the hike Chief was exhausted and fell asleep in the backpack.

Goose decided he needed a little break and decided to rest here.

It is so green and beautiful here. One of the things I love most about living here.

Granny going inside the bear cave. Watch for spiders!

Following the leader.....

Me and some of my chickens. This place is so green and beautiful! I love the moss covered rocks.

Jeremy with the kids standing near the bear caves.


It seemed like Goose checked underneath every single log for creatures. He was on point to catch some lizards.

Goose and Bean had fun exploring. On our hike we saw lots of fuzzy caterpillars and centipedes.

Chief was so happy and content riding in the backpack. He didn't complain at all on the four mile hike.

Even though we're outnumbered I am so glad I have a girl!!

Chief, Bean and Dad.

Playing in the Streams

Chief crawled around in the stream all afternoon. He was so content until I tried taking him out of the stream.

Chief's favorite thing to do was to sit or stand in the stream and throw rocks. It was hilarious to watch. He was in heaven!


Chief took many daily trips across this bridge down to the stream below.

Fishing and Catching Crawdad's in Allegany

Hours were spent catching crawdad's in the stream near our cabin. One older gentlemen was in the stream searching for crawdad's as well. After about 15 minutes he hadn't caught a single one. He came up to Goose and asked what his trick was. Goose at this point had caught about 30! In all the children's crawdad catching summers we have never seen one as big as this one. It looked like a lobster, it was huge!

Goose with some of his finds. Gross!


Goose is a crawdad catching pro!

Granny with his find.

The kids and Jeremy love to look for crawdad's underneath the rocks in the stream.

Chief and his first crawdad catching lesson.

I think Granny might pass up Jeremy in height in no time.

Jeremy and Goose getting their poles ready and Granny fishing in the background. It was a beautiful evening.

An evening at the Grove

We love living so close to the Sacred Grove. It is gorgeous and so peaceful. The kids always comment on how lucky Joseph Smith was to be able to have so much space to run. The farm is such a wonderful place to visit and I always think how great it would be to raise kids on all that property. A little kids dream for sure.

Bean and Granny were being silly the whole time. This picture is taken from Joseph Smith's Farm. I love how you can see the Palmyra Temple in the background. Beautiful!

Granny loves Mr.Bean. Here he is pulling his best Mr. Bean face.

Bean in front of the frame home.

Of course they have to stop to see if there are any fish in the stream.

The kids love walking around the farm.

Granny and Bean being silly.

The kids in the Sacred Grove.

Perfection

We picked our first tomato last Monday. It was perfect in every way. I love fresh tomatoes!! Hopefully there's many more to come.