Memorial Day Weekend

For Memorial Day this year, we went to Temple to see Michael's parents.  It was Andrew's first time to Temple to stay at Grandma and Grandpa Z's house!   He also was excited to meet his 2 great grandparents for the first time!

We had a lot of fun over the long weekend.  We went down to the land where Michael's old house was where they grew up.  They have about 80 acres there.  Michael was wanting to pick the wild dewberries that grow out there.  Unfortunately it was pretty rainy so I was in the truck most of the time with Andrew.  He and his parents got a good amount of berries though...just perfect to make homemade dewberry jam - and boy is it good!! 

Sunday we went to church and then went to see Michael's brother and his family and their new house. Then we went out to the pecan orchard for some more nice outside time and of course for Grandpa to take Joseph on an eagerly awaited tractor ride!  So great to see them share something so fun and special!    We then went and saw the cows but the new young bull was being a little too aggressive/confrontational for us (me especially) so we called it a day.

While we were there, Michael and his mom tried several new recipes to help find some things I can eat with my dairy free/soy free diet.  They made a great homemade bread so Michael has now been making us homemade bread each week!

We had a great visit with Michael's parents and it was nice spending the long weekend with them. Joseph of course had a blast and Andrew did great and had lots of fun coo time with his grandparents!

Andrew meeting Great Grandpa Zajicek who will turn 95 next month!

So sweet with Joseph

4 Zajicek boys!

The dewberry harvest

Taking a break from berries to admire our little bitty



Time to can the jam!

Andrew meeting Great Grandma Springer

Having some coos with Grandpa

Down by the river at the pecan orchard

Ready to drive the tractor with Grandpa!

Joseph was so excited he got to steer all by himself

He loves tractors!

Andrew having his first turn to sit on the tractor with Daddy (it wasn't on)

Time to visit the cows!

"I'm outta here!"

Faith admiring her youngest grandson

Pickin' Peaches

For Memorial Day this year, we went to Temple to see Michael's parents (that post will be coming next).  On the way to Temple though, we decided to go and pick peaches from a local orchard.  This one was in Hempstead so just outside of Houston and on our way to Temple.

Michael was off a half day that Friday so we were able to go in the afternoon.  We were actually the only ones there which was nice.  The orchard itself was really pretty.  The peach picking experience was a little difficult though.  We had a hard time finding peaches that were ripe enough.  Then when we found some to pick, you wouldn't believe the bees, yellowjackets, and flies swarming all over the trees!  They were after the rotten ones that had fallen to the ground but it sure made it tricky to get in and grab the peaches!  

We did get our box full though and enjoyed them in Temple.  Unfortunately we didn't know to put them in the fridge right away and by the time we were leaving on Monday half of them were rotten.  :\   So we were able to salvage the rest by putting them away in the freezer to use later.

We were really bummed that in our peach pictures and Temple pictures, we had a smudge on the lens of our camera so you will notice a blur in a lot of the pics.  We still got some great shots though.  Joseph had fun too and I love getting to introduce him to new experiences!  Andrew slept the entire time in his stroller - I think he enjoyed the fresh country air!  :)     I've declared this is our summer of fresh picked fruit, so stayed tuned for the next couple of posts about our other fruits we have picked!

Michael and Joseph ready to pick

On the wagon ride to the trees.  Mommy and Andrew were right behind!

Love this little action shot

Michael with the peach trees

Helping Joseph pick a peach

Haha - as you will notice the peach in mid air approaching the box, I had to teach Joseph that we don't throw the peaches in...we place them gently.  ;)

Sweet little buddy

Having fun carrying the peach box

He lost interest after a while and enjoyed just picking up sticks

My turn to pick some peaches

There's a pretty one!

Our final harvest

And here's my little Roo-Roos asleep in the stroller....didn't want to leave him out of all the pictures!