A Busy Couple of Weeks

Last week, after her blessing, Betsy whipped up this beautiful quilt made from the fabric squares from the lovely women in her life.

We had a great visit from our friend Curt Kling. He's always good for making us laugh. He does some pretty good stand up. Not to mention he makes some pretty awesome computer/video games.

My love.

Going in for the hug.

Loving it

Good end

Curt's Zombie walk/

Our final Curt picture. I'm not sure what the inspiration here is exactly. I would say the theme is hair.

Last weekend we went camping in Patapsco state park and found this jaw bone. Oh, did I forget to mention we found it in a museum when we wandered into Baltimore? Anyway, check out this crazy, old school dental work.

Some Mayan tooth jewel implants!

George Washington's dentures!

We did some relaxing in the woods too. 

We were playing with our new camera at the creek and came up with the pictures that remind me of birds...see the head in the front.

Man discovers fire

SOREN! He arrived...and we got to meet him!

He is so cute and squishy and beautiful!

He was so sleepy, but...

he opened his eyes for me!

My sister, Emily, visited this week with my nephew, Ethan. I think we'll be getting a number of family visits in the next few weeks before we head out of town. Anyway, Emily, Ethan, and I saw some Virginia wild life at a park near Natural Bridge. The park was pretty sketchy, complete with a drive through safari in your own car, where you're encouraged to feed the animals. It was everything my Dad always told us not to do...feed wild animals, pet wild animals, and encourage them to come up to your car. All in all, Ethan was terrified, I laughed until I cried, and Emily pulled a bucket of feed away from and Elk, showering us with a billion pellets. A great day.

So, maybe not Virginia wildlife

After we let Ethan sit in his seat away from the window he promptly fell asleep.

A little close for comfort.

This was the culprit who tried to steal our bucket.

This guy was also pretty aggressive.

Abigail's "Stomping Grounds"

We took a little trip up to PA for Memorial Day weekend. We stopped in to visit David and Anita's, but most of our time was spent near State College at Abigail's parents' house. James and Leanna came along for the full childhood tour complete with an inside/outside tour of the first house I (Abigail) grew up in. It was a fun trip of nostalgia.

Dietrich reading to an uninterested Atticus

Checking out David and Anita's new peeps

 Atticus' welcome

Neighbors

Contemplating the taste of wounded butterfly.

Abigail's first house in Gatesburg

A nicely renovated living room

This was a bedroom my sister, Emily, and I shared.

 I pooped here...actually where i first learned to poop in a toilet.

 My parents' room

The attic steps

check out the size and length of these floorboards

 I lived in this house for eight years and totally forgot it was on Rhodes farm lane!

My beautiful nephew, Ethan.

I love these people. 

This was back when Dietrich was a little person.

An old family shot...nice mullet, Ezra.

The porch at my parents' house.

Just another day in the life of...

So, we've been pretty busy crafting and applying to Americorps positions around the country.  We have a few interviews set up, so hopefully something materializes soon.  This weekend Mom and Dad and Abigail and I are going to PA to visit with Anita and David and Sam and Sherry (Abigail's parents).  We are looking  forward to visiting Abigail's "ol' stompin' grounds."  I'm still holding it down at the ol' Sharp Shopper, making sure the veggies and fruits are fresh and tasty (I can't taste test everything, but if a watermelon happens to crack open I can't just sell it, right?:)).  This is really random, but I just have to include that we indulged in some artichokes last night (is eating 3/1.00 artichokes really indulging?).  We also have a cool new house guest, Emily, who is staying for the week.  She's a friend of a friend and it's been fun to have her stay with us!  Here's a wrap in pictures...

Our corner lamp 

Reversible dress (created by Abigail)

Messenger bag (designed and created by Abigail)

Leather wallets (designed and created by Abigail)

We headed to Showalter's Orchard in Timberville to sell our wares...not much traffic and no sales!

Picture Perfect

These next few pictures are called "Creme Brulee - A Guide to Bodily Expressions of Inanimate Objects"

Creme Brulee 1

Creme Brulee 2 (Our friend, Melissa Redd, helped us out with our sale)

Creme Brulee 3

...You can let us know which one resonates with you and your experience of creme brulee!

-Dietrich

New Camera!!

These are a few pictures from our newly acquired T2i Canon Rebel camera.  We've been crafting a lot around here.  More info and pictures to follow!

My babies are growing up...okay, Peter and Ilse's babies are growing up.

 

One of our favorite activities is playing eye spy through the window that faces the neighbor's window. Things we often see include, but are not limited to, grass, tall grass, a "green thing," a dog, a squirrel eating a blue tarp, tires, and occasionally a Robin. Simon is learning bird calls and the Robin is by far his favorite.

 

Simon looking innocent and sweet

 

Nina loves books. She likes to be read to but usually prefers "reading" to herself. Some favorites: Did you See the Baby?, Where Is Baby's Belly?, and Good night zoo. I'm telling you she may just be a genius.

 

This is the "I'd rather you hold me than talk to me" face.

 

Simon hates to eat most things green...unless they're still in the ground. Go figure. His favorite treat is fresh Rosemary.

 

She's usually as sweet as she looks.

 

So is he.

I've been having a pretty good time with these guys lately. Simon is now officially three. He is telling some interesting stories, is more willing to play "pretend," and likes to make silly faces and noises to make Nina and I laugh. Nina is more and more of a handful. She's sweet and snuggly, but she occasionally bites and scratches if things aren't going her way. She also seems to have no fear, none. She runs towards steps, roads, and strangers. She climbs couches and stairs with no hesitation. Needless to say we don't do a lot of sitting around.

Dietrich's Birthday...we don't have internet so this is a long time coming.

Surprise!

The crew minus Ben and Alyssa

I thought I would throw in these pictures of the comforters we made for Christmas.

A little home group Christmas partying...crocheted beard, check.

Santa's favorite, mine too.

Emily and Brandon's comforter

My mom and dad's comforter