Retirement Gift that keeps giving

My sons-in-law decided to get me two trees for a retirement gift. One, a magnolia tree, will provide some privacy from the new house in our backyard when it gets a little bigger. The other, a crape myrtle, is by the deck and has already started to bloom. Both are doing very well in spite of the summer heat. Thank you, guys!

My garden is also doing very well this summer - zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, carrots, and maybe some beans. No limas - got too late a start.

Daniel's Workday

Since Daniel has moved in with us (as of Memorial weekend), he has found a lot of things to do. A typical work day may include some of the following activities...

Watching the "diggers" work at the new house going in on our street.


Helping Grandma with the weeding and digging in the yard.

Riding the tractor and helping by mowing the lawn like Pop-pop does.

Working on the computer alongside Grandpop.

Resting with Grandpop after a busy day. (They were actually sitting in the rain under the umbrella.)

Kids of all ages like the train!

We drove to Strasburg, PA, to take a train ride through Amish territory. Thomas the Train was getting a bath in preparation for a big weekend at the train station, so the kids got to see him, too. We had the train car pretty much to ourselves. The kids had fun looking out the windows and pointing out the sights.

Family Photographs

It's been two years since we had the entire family together, so we decided to ask Cindy Roth Photography out to the house for some family photos on Monday, June 6. We had a great time, as you can see!

Kat with Daniel

Jason with Daniel
Laurel, Leah, Luke, and Lars

Sharon, Ella, Leo and Mark

The whole gang!
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Wearing Grandma Mitchell's hats!

Fireworks, Baseball, and Tractors

More fun cousin time!

Our little princess learning to hit the ball and run bases in her pretty dress...

Luke couldn't wait to ride the tractor Grandpop bought for the kids. He and Daniel took turns all weekend.