Spring Break

(Jacob and his friend Justin)
Spring Break was more than a week ago, but because it takes so long to upload pictures and then the writing (I have a dial-up connection) it's taken me forever to find the necessary time to sit down and write about it. Anyway, the kids had 5 days off and Trent was able to take 3 of those days off himself.
If it were up to the boys they would spend their entire week sitting in front of video games and the computer. The weather was a bit crazy, one day it would be gorgeous outside and then the very next we'd be on the alert for tornadoes. On one of the nice days we took advantage and went to a park on Post.

(James and Matthew enjoyed climbing in the trees. Once on the ground a group of them found fallen limbs and a 'sword' fight ensued)
Originally, it was going to be just the little ones and myself, but after all the sitting around I informed the rest of my brood we'd all be going. I told them we'd have a picnic and then they could go fishing. Of course, most of them grumbled and complained, but they did help with the food and found all the fishing equipment. Once at the park the majority of them took off to find the lake. James stayed behind and played with Rachael. They fed the ducks in the stream and then he pushed her in the swings. When everyone returned we ate, and then some fished while others explored the very large and inviting trees. (My boys love the movie 'Swiss Family Robinson'... can you guess why?)

During some of the other days Trent decided it was time to put everyone to work. We have a pole that carries electricity to the barn, and whenever the wind blows it takes the pole with it. So, to stop this from happening, Trent made a cage and needed it filled with rocks. Ah, rock collecting, sounds like a perfect activity for sedentary boys, and a busy little girl. While they were doing that, Trent kept working on his duck pen.

We bought some Mandarin Ducks several months ago and Trent has been building a pen for them. Working full time, being a dad and a husband affords him little time to actually work on the pen. These few days he took off allowed him the time he needed to finally complete it!!! He did an amazing job, the ducks have places to nest, swim and get out of the sun or storms. Rachael and I are outside quite a bit, watching the ducks, and they really love their new home.

(Until the pen was complete the ducks were in the chicken coop with the chickens)