Papa's Retirement

After 42 years of work, Papa finally retired from the Illuminating Company!

His coworkers had a retirement party at the office and continued the celebration

after work hours at the Bone Yard. One of his parting gifts was a lamp made from 

an electrical meter. Kiera and I played hooky for a half day of school to go to the

festivities then the guys joined us later in the evening at Bone Yard. 

Posing in front of his cubicle 

Walking out for the last time as an employee

Cheers! Time to raise our glass to 42 years of hard work 

and dedication! 

Game Face On!

The Shoregals have their game faces on!

For Kiera's birthday she got pink colored eye black. She brought it to

the game and shared it with her teammates. Not only did it help block

the sun glare, it made them look extra cute and color coordinated! 

Shoregals Softball

Kiera is playing travel softball this year...She's an Avon Lake Shoregal! 

Her favorite position to play is catcher and she's currently in a hitting rut.

She's got a powerful swing, but isn't making contact with the ball. Thankfully, she's not 

letting that ruin her fun! She's signed up for a hitting lesson mid June, 

so hopefully she'll get her bat going.  She has a new fondness for dill pickle sunflower seeds. 

Dave is helping coach. 

 Trying to look tough

Farming it Up

We've been enjoying the spring weather on the farm. 

This toad relaxed all day on this bed of moss in front of the cabin.

Joyce and Tom came for a visit

 Hiking

 Brooke came along too, and hurt her leg along the way. 

She was a three legged pup after that, limping along.

We took her to the vet when we got home and it she has a sprain.

 We took our first swim of the season in the pond;

The cool water felt great after a busy morning of work!

 Always doing gymnastic moves in the water...

 Smoking the bees before giving them some sugar water...we give

them a little boost in springtime when natural food isn't as easy to find.

 Fixing the tire on the zero turn mower

(Note Dave's signature pose!)

 Just as we were turning onto our road, we spotted this

painted turtle! Kiera hopped out of the truck and kept him for 

the weekend and released him in the stream (not the pond so he 

doesn't eat all our fish!)

Until next time, Mr. Turtle...

 Always weed wacking and mowing...

These beauties will be ready mid-June!

 There was a flash flood warning...look at the water

on our drive home! This happens quite frequently.

If the water is below the guard rails, the truck can make

it through if Dave drives in the middle of the road.