Grasshopper

Yesterday we came home to find a little green grasshopper in the house. The girls went nuts. They thought it was so cool and wanted to play with the poor little fella. I told them it would be okay but not to pick it up or try to touch him because we didn't want to hurt him. For a good fifteen minutes there was a lot of laughing and giggling and crawling around after him.

Then Camille said, "MOMMM, the grasshopper is dead."
Me: "Are you sure? or is he just not moving."
Mil: "He's not moving and he's dead too."

So, I go to investigate. There was little Miss Natalie with the grasshopper body in one hand and his head in the other. Yup, the grasshopper was dead.



My apologies Mr. Grasshopper I did not intend for you to meet your demise in my house but thank you for the entertainment you provided to my children. You led a good life.

Ready for bed

My two little matching geeks!

Camille is into nightgowns, so I found a pattern to make her one. With a few adjustments and the left over cloth Natalie got one too.

Day Trip

We love the fact that Brad has every other Friday off. Last Friday we took a day trip up to Mesa Falls and Island Park.

We stopped to feed the fish at Warm River.



We walked out to the old train tunnel by Bear Gulch just to find that it's blocked off.


Nice "sad" faces Abi and Millie!


This kid couldn't get enough of the wildflowers!


The kids enjoyed the waterfalls and the little museum at Mesa Falls.





Look what we found that the museum.


Lunch stop at Warm Springs


Big Springs to feed the seagulls and go into the Johnny Sack cabin. (The first time I've ever been there when it's open!)
Nattie spotting a gull...




Chillin' in Johnny Sack's chair.

A Summer Secret

A Summer Secret
The Mysteries of Middlefield Series
By Kathleen Fuller



Mary Beth Mullet is a typical 13 year-old girl. Her brothers annoy her and she seeks to have a break from them. Yes, she's Amish but still human and working on being a better person. She finds her refuge in an abandoned barn, at least for awhile. When her twin brother discovers her there the two of them realize someone else using this barn for refuge. What to do about this stranger and why he's there becomes the main story of the book.

This is a great read. It's quick, easy, and entertaining but easily "solved". I didn't mind cracking the mystery so early in the story. It made me feel smart. (Yes, I realize it's a young adult book!) The peek into Amish culture was an appealing aspect for me. While I realize it's not 100% accurate, I believe the author did a very good job portraying the Amish lifestyle and making it easy to identify with the characters from another culture. I quite enjoyed the theme of the book. These Amish kids really live what they believe and are not afraid the live the way God wants them too. It made me hope that I can be more like that in my life: do what God would have you do no matter how scary or hard or silly it may seem at the time. What a righteous influence and example can be provided by truly living what you believe. I would recommend this book with the footnote that it is a young adult novel. I would love to read the next one in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Hart Family Reunion Highlight

Grandma Myrna rocking Guitar Hero!