The Fourth of July!!

We canned another batch of green beans this morning before setting off to visit family. We headed to the lake to join Todd's aunt, uncle , cousins, and parents at his aunt and uncle's house at the lake. We had a great "potluck" lunch and then headed out on the boat. We took turns riding the double intertube. We had such a great time just playing. We rode and rode and rode. This is the first riders of the day!! Tanner and his cousin Sam.

Then Sydney (aka "the fearless one" ) took her turn and laughed so hard I was sure she would eat bugs because her mouth was open so wide! She really grabs life by the horns!

Even Jessi got on and rode with Daddy. At one point I had to remind him to not hold onto the float with BOTH hands --to hold HER!! ha ha ha I was just sure she would bounce right out (at least from my view). She was loving it until she asked to get me in and ride with me for some reason she no longer liked it :( . Oh well.....

We headed back to pick up Todd's aunt and cousin who stayed back at the house for a few zzz's. Jessi to a good long nap on the boat and the kids swam. The back out in the boat til time for supper!! yummmm

We just had the best time visiting and laughing with his family. We don't see this part of his family very often (except his parents) and I am not sure why because everytime we get together we have the best time.

Then back to Athens for the FIREWORKS!! It was a really good show as usual. Then home to get lake water washed off and to BED!!!! What a great way to spend the day!!

Green Beans

I have officially been shown the "art of canning". I have canned my first two "runs" of green beans on my own. We picked our beans Monday morning at my father-in-laws from "our row" of beans. The three kids and I went to pick and I was so proud of how well they did. I thought I would be alone in the garden, but they went right to work and were so set on getting their buckets full the job was done before we knew it. They were just as helpful at stringing and breaking. Who knew?!! I have never done this (as an adult) and they hadn't either and I was just happy to see how eager they were to help and do such a good job.

Here are some of our beans after we strung and broke them---didn't think I would ever call green beans "pretty", but now I am. Aren't they pretty?

Here they are on the stove and in the jars!!! YEA!! A very long 3 hours on the stove and to beatit all we had to do it again for 3 more hours----worth every minute to have these in the cabinet to enjoy later.

So, now we get to do this again. I hope the kids are as helpful and eager the second time as they were Monday!!!