Now for the tree stumps!

A few months ago I took out a Rose of Sharon bush but never got the stump out. Then early this spring when Oma and Opa Shumway were here, Spencer and Opa cut down one tree. So that was stump number two. Then after the missionaries and Brother Davis pulled out the pear tree some of the stump was still there so stump number three needed to come out. I got the stump for the Rose of Sharon out but the others were a much larger and harder. Brother Davis came over to help me cut up the pear tree so I could get rid of it and he saw that I was trying to get the stump out. He took pity on me and helped me finish getting it out. While I was digging it out trying to do it by myself my neighbor walked by and said in her best English. "That work is for husband." I agreed with a smile but said he is gone for two weeks. I think she thought I was crazy. :) Then the next day I started on the next stump. As I started digging the stump got bigger and I gave up. Then my other neighbor, an older Chinese man, came over and in his best English said "You need this" and gave me a pick. But I still didn't feel qualified for the job so I called my neighbor Suzzy to see if her husband had a chain or any other ideas. Well that evening they came over eager to help me. So John and Christopher came with a hatchet and used the pick.

They did it! Stump number three was out! I am so grateful for ward members especially when Spencer is gone! It felt so good to get these things done. I am not the one usually receiving the service. It was very humbling to ask for help and to have people it the ward be willing to help so quickly. Thanks again for all who helped me! Now I need to go buy another fruit tree and get it planted. Oh the joys of owning a home. :)

Great Hometeachers and Missionaries!

Brother Davis and the missionaries came over for hometeaching and when they were leaving I told them that I was going to cut down this pear tree. It is an old tree and is diseased. I asked around to see if I could buy some spray for it but in Germany they don't believe in spraying for this kind of thing. So I decided I needed to tear it out and plant a new tree.

Well, as I was telling this to them Elder Harris says "I can pull this tree out with my hands!" I said "Ya, right! I'll give you fifty bucks if you can do it!" Well, about ten minutes into it Spencer the Younger looks at me and says "You better watch what you say Mom. He is going to pull it out." :)

Well they did it! It was a bit harder then originally planned but they really did pull it out with their hands. Elder Harris did most of it and his nice white shirt was a bit dirty. But then I was in a little dilemma. I shouldn't really pay him fifty bucks since he is a missionary. So I do owe him some treats from the commissary. Life cereal and IBC cream soda. Yummy!

Fathers and Sons

For Fathers and Sons the boys went with Spencer to Lorraine American Cemetary in France.

The camp fire and fireside was great!

Zachary got chosen to do the stick pull.

In the morning for a service project they cleaned the gravemarkers for fallen soliders.

The boys look forward to this campout every year. They talked about all year long. Sometimes it is referred as "the campout that Mom cannot go on". :)

Happy 1st Birthday Brandt!

Today is Brandt's birthday! It has been a wonderful day! Zachary and Rex helped with the cake and the decorations. They even helped Mom clean up for the party. After Hawaiian Haystacks and cake and ice cream we played blocks. It was fun to build towers and let Brandt knock them down. He really loved it. It was fun to have a special day for him. Happy Birthday!

My First Birthday Cake!

Brandt enjoyed his first birthday cake!

Super Yoda!

Isn't it great! This is Spencer as SUPER YODA! He cracks me up! I think it is so funny how kids can put a costume together. Yoda, Transformer, and cowboy boots. Also just FYI the Yoda costume is 2T. :)

Brandt and Zachary

These two are so cute!  I think Brandt will look like Zachary.

Backyard

Today was a nice day.  It was warm but overcast.  We enjoyed our morning in the backyard.  There isn't much to it but here is a picture.  It takes Spencer about a minute and a half to mow and only one picture covers it.

Roses and Weeds

I finally got all the weeds out from under the roses!  I let them get way out of control this year.  I knew it would be a big job because it had ivy, weeds and herbs growing all over them.  Last year I didn't get all the roots but this year I did!  I love roses but they sure are a pain because of the thorns.  I poked my pinky finger and had a piece of torn in it and I couldn't get it out.  I had to wait for two days until Spencer came home. It hurt pretty bad. But now the roses are so beautiful so that is all that matters. :)

Brandt

This is Brandt's first time playing in the sand.  He loved it until Zachary came over and tried to build a sand castle on his head.  Gotta love older brothers. :)

Spencer's Science Project

Spencer did a great job on a bat poster for the Science Fair. He researched information, drew a picture, put together a poster and then at school his teacher help him create a video. Here is the video. Enjoy!

Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark! It was really big and it is only half the size. I guess they are in the process of building a new one that is full size.

Zacharys loves zebras. He couldn't wait to find one.