We Had a Dream

In July 2010 we attended Nature's Harmony Farm Business School for a weekend seminar.  We came away realizing we already had the perfect customer base--our kids and grandkids.  We had moved to Zephyr Hill Farm on a whim, but that summer weekend the whim became a dream.  We dreamed of Zephyr Hill Farm as a place our children and grandchildren would love to visit, to experience God's amazing creation--especially His creatures, and to build lifelong memories.

On December 23, Jim and Monique arrived with Charis, who turned six on the 28th; Kol, who will be four in January; and Eden, who will be two in April.  Jenny, Jean-Marc and their dog Tai arrived from Ohio on Christmas Eve.  Kara had already been here for several days with her dog Bonnie, cooking, baking and decorating up a storm.  Katie and Cameron could not join us as they were heading to New Zealand the day after Christmas.  We missed them, but the celebration went on . . .

All kinds of fun were on the menu, like jumping off the Kubota . . .

getting horsey kisses . . .

and tickles!

Kol and Charis lifted Eden up for a horsey kiss, too . . .

while Julie was just her perfect size.

Not even big, tall Romeo could faze Eden, a truly fearless animal lover.

Charis discovered the fall leaves . . .

and everyone piled right in.

On Christmas Eve we sang Christmas carols around the table after our dinner of fresh Ohio tamales and homemade grass-fed beef chili.

Christmas morning began with one of our favorite traditions.  Everyone has to stay in their room until Dad and Mom (or Didi and Mimi) turn on all the Christmas lights.  Finally, when everything is ready, I give the cue to come downstairs by turning on Percy Faith's "Joy to the World" at 99 on my Bose player.  It definitely wakes any stragglers!

This has for many years been our way of beginning Christmas morning with the joyous announcement of the birth of Jesus.

Full of exuberance while she waited for the slow grown-ups, Eden raced around and around the room . . .

while Charis and Kol clapped their hands over their ears to dim the pealing music and followed suit.

Like the rest of us, Jean-Marc enjoyed a cup of coffee while Santa Herb distributed the presents, assisted by Aunt Kara the Elf.

Jenny kept her camera poised to capture Christmas memories.

Eden helped Jim open his gift of grass-fed Zephyr Hill Farm beef.

Charis and Kol exercised enormous artistic talent and generosity this year, and Aunt Kara was the beneficiary of an original Charis work of art.

Monique shared Eden's joy over a stuffed doggie from Aunt Jenny and Uncle Jean-Marc.

And finally, after a treasure hunt through the house, the children found Didi and Mimi's present in the basement, an HO train complete with an antique village from Mimi's childhood, a mountain tunnel studded with real West Texas rocks, and a little farm with a pasture full of animals.

We were blessed by five full days with the family, loving every minute (except the ones I spent sick in bed). Sunday found everyone heading for home, whether Ohio or nearby Chattanooga.  Before the grandkids left, they had a few last requests . . .  Eden got to say goodbye to the animals.

Charis got a birthday kiss.

Kol and Eden talked to the cattle over the fence.

And there was time for one last romp on the hay bale playground Jim and Didi had built in the hay barn.

Although we made many happy memories this Christmas, there's one I'll always remember.  Monique told us that when Kol woke up the morning after Christmas, he asked her, "Mama, is this a dream?"

"No, it's real," she reassured him.

But she was wrong.  It was a dream--our dream come true!

A Weekend on the Farm

Charis and Kol spent last weekend with us from Friday night through Monday morning, and we had a marvelous time!  (This could have been a "Wordless Wednesday" post--except I didn't finish it on Wednesday and I can't do "wordless!")  However, a picture IS worth a thousand words, so I don't need too many . . .

Happy to be here!

Misty helps wave goodbye.

Off to feed the animals Saturday morning.

Siobhan is the perfect, un-scary size--and she loves petting.

Back from a long morning walk with Didi.

Good thing Mimi came to the rescue with the Doodad!

A Hotdog Man for lunch . . .

. . . revives tired bodies and spirits.

Fall evening + Pony = Perfect Farm Fun.

Julie is ready for supper, and so are we.

Marbleworks always fascintates.

Some good, old-fashioned fun.

A Sunday Bible story fills a quiet moment.  You might not know it from the busy photos, but we have lots of story times here.

Face Time with Dada, Mama and Eden.

Ah, the wonders of modern technology!

What goes up . . .

. . . must come . . .

. . . down!  We proved that one over and over!

Only one aunt in the entire world . . .

. . . would let her niece and nephew climb and slide all over her new truck.  Aunt Kara rocks--and Tacoma is Kid Tough!  (Are you listening, Mr. Toyota executive?)

Tractor Supply is fun for kids, too.  Charis and Kol show off their new toys--Pegasus-Julie and a blue truck.  (Eat your heart out, Aunt Kara!)

All good things must come to an end, including fun-filled days and time at the farm.  Good night, sweet kiddos!  We loved having you here!

A Recipe for Old-Fashioned Summer Fun

This is a time-honored way to have fun on the farm in the summertime. Here's the recipe: Take two children, place in a tank of warmish water, add a hose, four measuring cups, and a puppy or two. Mix together and see what happens!

At first the kids weren't sure what to do.  Bonnie thought it looked like fun.

Then Didi added a hose and some cold water, and that broke the ice!

It's too funny when your little brother gets cold water down his back.

They were bailing as if their lives depended on it.

The more splashes, the more fun it is.

Jet wasn't too sure . . .

... and then he was sure--no splashing for Jet!

Falling down on purpose is fun, too.  I didn't catch the big grin a second later, but trust me, it's fun!

Fifty-five years ago my sister Barbara and I had a ball doing this, and it's still great fun!

Watching the kids fling water to the winds is a great way to spend a summer afternoon!