Lake Murray

We went to Lake Murray this afternoon for a bike ride and walk. I walked while Corey and the kids rode their bikes around the entire lake. We had so much fun. Hannah, who is usually not into bike rides really wanted to ride today. She was determined to go to the end and make it all the way. So they rode and fed the ducks and birds the bird seed that we brought. The sun was out and the weather was perfect. With all the rain over the last few months the flowers are beautiful and there are blooms everywhere. Here are some pictures in a different format, from the afternoon.

Click here to view these pictures larger

New garden growth...

Walking around the property we can see the tell-tale signs of new growth. A new rotation of crops in the garden. We don't have much in the garden department (unlike our old house) but what we do have is coming alive! We are so excited to have witnessed almost an entire year in this house. April 1st will mark our one year moved-in date!

Since we've had a lot of rain this season and the ground is very soft, we have been working on planting fruit and nut trees now so that they can provide for us in the years to come. There are more trees with new growth out there but below is a small picture sampling of what we have. We love to watch the progress from branch to bud to flower to fruit. It is very exciting :) And the best part is the sampling, we had lots of oranges, lemons and clementines over the last few months, but now they are all gone...so we wait again!

So far we have different types of avocados, apricots, peaches, a grapefruit, a pomegranate, a black walnut, loquats, a kumquat, lemons, oranges and an almond tree. We have plans to plant more trees: apples, figs, tangerines, pluots and more nut trees too. There are two citrus trees that didn't fruit over the last year but they have more flowers and small fruit on them now so we should find out what they are soon enough! It is so exciting!

We are also working on our vegetable garden and have lots of little sprouts in the starter box. We are going to put them in the ground this week and we'll see what success we have with them! The kids have started everything from seed: round zucchini, peas, green beans, sunflowers, pumpkins, tomatoes (for the little lady who LOVES tomatoes), zinnias, larkspurs, snap peas, and there are some others out there too.

We have started an herb garden with rosemary (so far!). I have missed my rosemary bush this last year so I'm really looking forward to having it in my garden and available for cooking and teas.

Yay for gardening!

Hannah's daisies with a visiting bee

Apricot-the only one on the entire tree!

All-in-one Almond (fuzzy part in the middle is the almond growing)

Apricot (gold kist)

Baseball...

Ben is playing baseball this season and he is pretty good at it! He hasn't gone a game without hitting it and making it to 1st base. He has scored a couple of points for his team, but he's a little new at it having never played on a team before. :)

Video of a hit and run to 1st base :)

More random pics...

Hannah's tooth is looth :)

Ben's Pinewood derby car is the one in the middle-it has black and red flames and an orange top, with a little green on the tail...another pic is below

Ben and his 1st pinewood derby car, he came in 2nd in his den

Random recent pictures...

Escondido Children's Museum

Exploring with colors and light

Noah loved the message tube

Magnifying glass

Big bubble

Gardener girl

Bugs found while weeding---ick!

Helping Daddy control weeds

Helping Mommy make bread

Lounging on compost bags

Smile!

Yum, tomatoes

New year...

It has been forever since I've posted anything here. We are all doing great and keeping very busy. The new house is doing well also, lately we have been busy with the yard, pulling weeds and planting trees since it will get hot out there soon. With all the rain it has made for easy plantings.

Ben is still a builder and can be found creating something somewhere out of anything at all times. Hannah loves to paint and draw and sing. Noah loves to play with his Bionicles or Bakugans and ride his two-wheeled bike! Rebekah is growing and walking and exploring all day long. She loves to walk around the property, collect fruit and eat it. Her favorites are tomatoes and oranges, though she is starting to pick apples too. We have been working on signing with her and she loves to say "more" for everything.

I have pictures :)