The Barn Martins are back........

Can't get a picture to come up - have a new printer, and can't get it to "talk" to my Photo Editor - will work on that when I have some time......
Anyway, the flying bugs have been horrible, especially when I am mowing, so I have been watching every day for the Martins to come for the summer. They keep the air cleared here in the valley of all sorts of flying critters, including mosquitos......and last night when I went to the barn to feed the cats, there they were - flying in and around the barns like crazy - guess they were glad to be "home" for the summer - and believe me, I was glad to see them. We always open the barn windows and doors in March to welcome them.
Also, last evening I saw one lone lightning bug here on the river - so guess summer is here!

Sunday on the River

Andy and the boys at the island.....they threaded their way through the rocks on up into Selmier's. That's Bear swimming out to them, but couldn't figure how to get on, so gave up and swam back.

Ashley decided early on it wasn't going to be safe on the boat with all those fishing poles and hooks flying around, so she opted to ride up to the island with Mamaw on the 4-wheeler and wait for them.

The island is like another world - right now full of wild flowers, and shiny mussell shells to pick up......

More energy to use up....They found a project Mamaw had going, digging out a fence post with shovels and lots of DIRT...so guess who got in it.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Tessa

Such an exciting day - family and friends, cousins, a party at the park, balloons, cake and yes, even presents.

What a nice place to have a birthday party - a neighborhood park with all sorts of fun things to play on and explore, one area for older kids, and one area for the younger set. They didn't want to leave!

Our little girl is definitely growing up - a Bike for her birthday....She got off it, at one time, patted the seat and said, "I wanna keep it"......

Did someone say Cake?

The Farm in Full Bloom

Apple trees at "The Old House".......we just enjoy the blooms, the deer get most of the apples.

Bluebells - back on "The Island".....the area is in full bloom.

Buttercups - native to Indiana, always a pleasure to find

Little white wild flowers grow prolific on the hillsides

The Redbuds, native to this area , outbloom everything we plant and try to grow

Is a beautiful Spring - everything is trying itself

The Dogwoods are just beginning to peep out...

The Magnolia tree at the house......

A Crab Apple Tree in full bloom

A little White Lilac Bush in full bloom - absolutely wonderful perfume!

Easter Sunday on the Farm, 2010

The children came to The Farm for Easter Sunday Dinner and the traditional Egg Hunt.......Was a beautiful warm sunshiny day, picture perfect.

We missed having Amanda, Chris and Leia with us - but we all do what we can.......

Steve, Linda, Kelly, Bill and Ashley opted to eat outside on the deck.......was a beautiful sunshiny spring day.

Terri, Sarge, Laura, Jeremy, Tessa and Charley - around the dining room table. Andy and Becky and boys had Easter Dinner with her folks and came later.

Getting ready for a Cousin Group Picture - Andy is changing David's shoes- he had them on the wrong feet........Kelly hollered to Ashley "Put your knees together, look like a little lady"......So hard to sit still, when the eggs are all hid and they can see them waiting out in the yard....

Ready, set, GO......A group shot of the cousins before the famous EGG HUNT

Part of the afternoon fun was blowing bubbles.....surprising how soon the littlest ones caught on!

David and Charley - To heck with hunting and putting the eggs in the bucket......they found out there was candy inside, so they pitched the buckets and got to the insides.......Note David's cheeks puffed out - he is stuffed with "Peeps".....