Wouldn't it be Loverly?

Ada was pretty in love with the Cabin this summer, and would randomly ask if we were going to “The Cavin?” and start crying if we said No. We finally experienced the ‘Ol “Dog Days of Summer” Labor Day Weekend when Peter, Esther and Markus joined the Eides and ourselves for the annual sleepover at the Cabin and Oyster BBQ.

Lazy Sailors: Bjørn and his father relaxing on the lake.

Toilet paper procedures at the cabin.

Oyster Feed: An Eide Labor Day Tradition. We grilled up 5 dozen oysters, and threw in a couple of crab as well.

Little Ru and her daddy enjoying the Oyster Fest.

Momma and the girlies.

A fantastic Lynden Antique Store purchase later, Bjørn and I drove home with a teak patio table and chair set in late June. We promptly put them to use in what we later dubbed the “Gardenview Café” under a plum tree in our backyard, next to the garden.

Looking back, scenes from the Café pretty accurately portrayed our visitors of 2011.

Bjørn, the first visitor to the Café shortly after opening in late June.

Dinner Parties with the local Greenwood Folk in June.

Canada Day Celebration with College Friends.

Tea Parties in August with the Girlies.

Granpda and Grandma’s visit in early September.

A lot of our warm spring and summer days were spent out in the garden. We got Ada a shovel and rake, and everyday she spent time helping me weed, harvest, clean and even cook from the garden, while Ruby lay on a blanket close by. I gathered tons of recipes for using the different produce we grew, and feel I did a much better job this year of using what we grew. In order for us to remember for next season, we tried to document the process and growth along the way. Here is a taste of the process.

Memorial Day Weekend

Due to such a late Spring, we planted mostly all from starts, except for the corn patch and the carrots.

The Serious Gardener. As you can notice behind him, Bjørn tried “raised” beds (obviously without the wood framing). Made weeding a little weird, but it was successful in keeping Ada from walking all over the plants!

The planted garden

Closer view

The reason our garden turned out: Bjørn and Uncle Michael. They planted, watered and weeded. I highly recommend hiring them.

Planting the Front Garden Bed. Ada’s helping Daddy plant Basil.

Our perennial herb bed: rosemary, thyme, chives and sage somehow survive every winter.

Early July

Enjoying the view after a hard day of work ;)

We didn’t experience pests of the normal variety this year. But I am a little suspicious what a jealous neighboring gardener was trying to accomplish in burning so large of a brush pile in such close proximity to our garden!

Mid July

Uncle Michael built an official raised garden bed and did a second/late summer planting in Mid-July. This is a couple weeks after the planting: leeks, beets and couple of lettuce varieties.

Late July

Progress.

Gary, the Scarecrow who came to watch over the garden.

August Harvesting

Ada helping Mommy gather corn.

Harvesting is tough work.

October

Beginning of October, Bjørn rototilled most of the garden and planted rye as a cover crop. Since it was a pretty mild fall, we were able to still reap produce including pumpkins, butternut and hubbard squash, potatoes, leeks, and beets through November.

Well, actually Bjørn and I forgot until recently, that we still have some potatoes in the ground that we should probably dig up before the next gardening season starts ;)

And a better question, “Jenny where did you blog posting go?” Due to “technical difficulties” (that’s the official term right?) the blog was down and I wasn’t able to post for 4 months. And then, due to “memory difficulties” (I continually forgot that I could use my blog again), the rest of the year disappeared.

Anyway, since I did keep a little up to date with posting pictures on my Flickr, I have a series of 5 or 6 posts to sum up May through December 2011. And just to prove it, check out my Garden post.

Ada delighted with Dandelions.

Ada disgusting Mama. (She tried to shave with Daddy’s razor and gave herself a pretty good cut… Yes, that is definitely blood.)

Ruby disgusted with Mama.

Between Ruby’s teething and thus random crying fits, Ada’s diaper removal and wetting her bed every night, and Mama’s subsequent loads of laundry, Mama, Baby and Big Sister are all quite distraught these days!

Good thing God’s mercy is new every morning. Sometimes we really need it around here!

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Adalweiss,

I’m not really sure where to start. You have become a new person, taken on a personality all your own, and a stubborn, strong will to accompany it over the past 6 months!

You can say two-word phrases, joke, laugh heartily, play hide-n-seek (it might be you standing in a corner with a blanket on your head, but you’re getting the idea of it), understand Mommy & Daddy’s directions, pretend you don’t understand Mommy & Daddy’s directions, sing to yourself, color, manipulate play dough, and much more.

Cock your head to the side, smile big and say, “Noooooo,” as if you can persuade your way out of what we ask you to do.

Make “balls” with your play dough.

Tell people to “Seeet… down,” and play with you.

When you first wake up, you ask for “Lunch?”

Every morning you run into the room and say, “HI Ruuuuuu-ee!” to your sister.

Tell Mommy to put “Baby fing” (in the swing) when you think I should stop nursing Ruby and come play with you.

Sit next to Mommy and “nurse” baby doll Bella when Mommy is nursing Ruby.

Run to the garage door and ask to go see “Guncles” in the office.

When an aunt comes to visit and you want to go to her house, you grab your boots, say “Bye Mommy” and try to head out the door with her.

You call a button “butt” no matter how many times I try to correct you.

A car is still a “go, go, go.”

You still love to go “side” (outside) and play in your “fing” (swing) and ride on your “zeeba” (zebra bouncy toy).

Daddy’s guitar is a “hui-tar.”

You LOVE to dance to “usic.”

Every yummy fruit is a “staw-beyee,” even your grape flavored “fouride” (fluoride).

You look into your play computer and try to talk to Papa and “Shower” (Far mor).

You love to invite people to your “Tea (water) pardies.”

Every nap time and bed time, after we say goodnight, you blow a kiss for “Ruuu-ey” and then tell us “I got it!” You’re still getting the hang of what blowing a kiss is, but you’re adorable when doing it!

A VERY strong will. If you don’t like it, you “NO, LIKE IT!”

Your inclination to run away and hide when Mommy or Daddy give a command you do not like.

Tantrums. You are just starting to learn what these are, but you’re already pretty dang good at ‘em!

Your aggressive side. This includes pushing other kids down, death grip hugs, and clenching your fists and teeth together and screaming at the top of your lungs.

On the upside, you have a very repentant heart, and always apologize with sincerity, a hug and a wet kiss (which is good because you’ve had a lot of friends you’ve had to apologize to!). Some of my favorite times with you has been getting to pray before every play dough session, meal, going to bed and other random times throughout the day, watching your excitement to read the “Bye-ble,” and when you asked me if God was coming to your birthday party?

As always Ada Lynn, your Daddy and I are honored and humbled to raise you up to live an abundant life.

Our prayer is that you will choose to live this life. And we will do everything we can to help you to do so!

Love,

Mommy (& Daddy)

A reflection from Ada Lynn:

Have you guys ever been to a party?! WELL, I just learned about them this last weekend, and they are fantastic! You see, I just turned TWO on Friday, and we had a birthday PARTY on Saturday to celebate. Mommy taught me all the ropes on how to throw a great party.

Step 1: Invite all your favorite people - Grampa, Gamma, Papa, Show-er (Farmor), Mawkus, Guncle (Mike), Mar-TI, John, Kay, Kesee, Judin (Jadyn), Oli, Asheeer, Daddy, Mommy, and Ruuuu-y.

Step 2: Make play dough with Auntie Kay and then put it in the jars with Daddy.

Step 3: Put the play dough in a pretty favor bag with Mommy, throw in some candy and tie it up.

Step 4: Decorate the table.

Step 5: Let the Party begin! Eat pissa and blow out the candles on the straw-bewee shortcake.

Step 6: Open presents. Get good back up, like Daddy and Jadyn to help.

Step 7: Play with presents while getting obligatory photo with parents.

Step 8: End the night as a magical fairy.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here [in the tomb] but has risen.” Luke 24:5-6. Jesus cannot be contained by death. Amen!

Though this is two days late, here’s a little Easter wish from the best friends.

And Ada after her first Egg Hunt.

Recently I’ve been noticing Ruby picking up a bit of an attitude. One day I looked up from playing with Ada and outta nowhere she was flipping me the bird. [see below]

I brushed it off as nothing, but then the next morning I walk out to find her sitting on the couch like so…

Jeans, designer top, and acne to match. My little baby is becoming a teenager! HOW did this happen?!

One of the newest and hottest activities in the Bulthuis household the last week or two is play dough. Ada Lynn can literally play with it for 45 minutes at a time and be completely content. She first learned how to make balls.

We then moved onto pretending the play dough was food.

Probably my favorite part of the whole experience is that Ada refuses to let anyone eat her play dough until we have prayed for it at least 2, sometimes up to 4 times. This had led to a fun time of teaching Ada how to pray. Our prayers have started out pretty simple.

“Jesus. Thank you. For…” and then she usually inserts in “Baby, Daddy, Mommy,” and other family. It’s a pretty special moment when you first watch your child fold their hands and ask to pray.