The Jasons Great Outdoors

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Gammy is Here!

Gammy arrived Monday afternoon, and we have been enjoying her company for five days now. Hard to believe her stay is half over. She just fits in so well with us and our routine. Maybe she should stay. Sorry Dad. Anyway, Monday was all about getting her settled in. A stop at H.E.B. for yogurt, berries and wine and Mom's food needs were taken care of for the next ten days. The weather has been extraordinary this week. High 70's, low 80's and sunny, sunny, sunny. Gammy went on a great field trip with the kids and I back to The Sam Huston Museum. This time we actually entered the museum (last time we just toured the historic homes on the site, never realizing there was an actual museum building. Home school high five for that one!) After that we headed further north to the Texas Prison Museum. Wow. It was pretty powerful. They had the electric chair that killed 361 people. Also listed some of the last meal requests of the inmates, the gun used by Bonnie and Clyde, and tons of fascinating artifacts crafted by inmates past and present. On our way home we ducked into Annette's for some ice cream sundeas and milkshakes. Yesterday Gammy was able to watch as the kids cantered, and trotted with out using their hands! Tough on the legs! Mom and the kids have taken walks to feed the ducks (and 23 new ducklings), bike-rides around the neighborhood and Fiona and Ethan taught her how to play "Four Square". We all went to the movies on Wednesday to see the new "Beauty and The Beast". The girls loved it. Ethan is still not sure...it being a musical and all. Today was a beautiful day for a ball game, and was made even better by the fact that Ethan's team beat the top seated team in the league 10 to 3!!!!!!

On our way to the airport!

Got ourselves a Gammy.

Their puzzling has begun...

On the drive to riding.

I will miss this road.

Proud momma with one duckling.

Ahhhh! There's too many!!!!!

Gammy really has an eye for fungus. Look at this disgusting and suggestive one she spotted. That's just wrong.

Playground for 12 and older.

On Sam Houston's homestead.

Right??????

In case you forget you're in Texas.

Those nice inmates make children's toys. Thank you inmates.

Disturbing.

These two prisoners were just going about their day.

Visitation time is so bitter-sweet.

Gammy and Fiona switched glasses.

My quilt is coming along.

Kitty and Gammy get along swimmingly.

Just before the big win.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

The Easter Money Came!

The Easter Bunny was oh so generous this year and stuffed the eggs with coins!!!! The kids enjoyed their baskets in their room before Scott and I were awake...and then it was time for the fast and furious hunt. Ethan made out with the most money! $17.75!!! Fiona managed $12.00. Not too shabby. Later on in the day we met up with CJ's family at their church's egg hunt. We snuck in for the hunt, a quick visit with our friends, and then back home. Kids managed a huge bag off chocolate stuffed eggs from this little spree! Dinner was a nice ham, some twice baked potatoes, and delicious maple carrots. We thought of family back home through out the day. The weather in New England was gorgeous for Easter!!!!
Kitty is still coming over every day. She has left us a few surprises/offerings as of late. At latest count we had two rats, one mouse, and a wren. We should call her "Killer".
Last night we enjoyed the third part in a four part National Geographic lecture series. It was given by a jet propulsion engineer who has helped to develop the rovers that are currently exploring Mars. His photos were mind blowing, and his lecture was equally interesting. It is so uplifting to see what humans can achieve! Also thrilling to hear from someone who absolutely LOVES their job and was literally bouncing around when he talked about the new problems they face daily, and how exciting it is to get to solve those problems! Other news in homeschooling...we are working on identifying the trees in our own yard. Turns out its harder than we thought! Also, BIG news! The kids sent their art work into one of the magazines we use for current events, and their work was selected and published in the magazine! So VERY exciting!!

Here are the kids with the contents of their baskets.

Ready, set, go!

$$$$

More $$$$$$$$

That silly bunny brought silly string!

Awwww...

Our photographer (Fiona) suggested the "look over the shoulder" shot.

Fiona, Ethan, Tess and Nathan at the church egg hunt.

Big hugs for Daraugh (Tess and Nathan's older sister)

I get a kick at how similar Ethan and Nathan look from the back.

Ethan went to town on the driveway earlier in the week.

The kids are famous artists! They got published! Ethan's is top left, and Fiona's bottom right.

Tree I.D. work

One of Killer's favorite spots.

Mmmmmm, thanks kitty.

Wierdos dyeing eggs.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Farm Fresh

Been a busy week this week. Lots of playing outside due to the great weather. Sunny and low 80's everyday. I am not bragging...trust me. We are out now because we know that the broiler oven heat is just around the corner! Kids had two riding lessons this week, which was a bonus. We are finally done making up for what we lost during our little flu epidemic! I am so happy with their progress. Both Fiona and Ethan get those horses from a walk to a canter with a little "kiss, kiss" sound and fly around the ring with confidence and ease. Another perk to riding is a stop at "Sunshine Farms" on the way home. Fresh greens that the kids are allowed to cut, handmade soaps and creams, farm fresh eggs, herbs, and delicious lettuces from the hydroponic green house! Yummy!
There has been a lot of swimming this week as well. We want to make the most of the pool while we have one! C.J. and her four little ones were here for a day of hard play on Tuesday. The kids always sleep well after a day with those kids! Non-stop outdoor movement! In the pool, playing ball in the driveway, back in the pool, rollerblading, back in the pool...you get the picture!
Ethan had a busy game week as well. Three games in six days! All won!!!! Yesterday he and Scott went to the big "machine pitch" tournament, and Ethan's team proceeded to win that as well! The Diamondbacks are on fire!!!!!!!!!!! Fiona and I enjoyed a nice mother/daughter day while the boys were playing ball. We spent some gift cards leftover from Christmas, and took ourselves out to lunch at "Freebird Burrito".