my first harvest crew")2008

This was our first year with a big garden! We had a few more things than pictured below, but that was earlier in the season") This summer, we harvested zucchini, pickling cucumbers, a couple of strawberries, green beans, & spinach! Today, we picked a ton of green and red tomatoes, super sweet corn, jalapenos & a sun flower. Of course, everyday, we get a mix of red and white eggs! It's been a great season and we can't wait for next year! OK, so my first "real" gardening experience was pretty good. I spent all winter, studying my organic gardening book my mom got me for my bday. I mapped out my garden, researching where to put plants for proper sun, you know, so I don't shade my garden with my corn or things like that. My dad and sister, Allison, and Ryan, all helped me dig out my "wide, deep, loose" rows (by the book) and I was set. What I learned....definitely start seeds in a green house or your house, so if we get another summer like this one...I'm not harvesting tomatoes at the end of September! I also don't need to make so many rows, or necessarily dig out my walk ways. This next garden, we are extending it so that all the corn and pumpkins, and other melons can go crazy and not take up my "regular" garden. I am also going to only have 3 REALLY wide rows") Plant about 1/4 of the tomatoes that I did this year and plant tons more beans") Oh, and this next year, I vow to stagger my planting, so I have veggies going all summer! I can't wait for next year! I think I'll spend this winter planning") Here's to a great season")

Ryker had his 1st football game as a Lion, Sept. 4th, 2008. He is number 28 and was one of the captains for the coin toss. They lost, but Ryker had a great game with 2 interceptions and over a dozen tackles! I was a proud mama")

Jenner and I went to the concert Cheep Trick, Heart & Journey at the white river amplitheater in Auburn Washington. We LOVED HEART the most") We went with our cousins, Kristy and Kayleb. We stayed the weekend at another cousin's house, Nanette! We had a great time catching up and hanging out with family! Kristy is an avid thrift store shopper, so she and Kayleb hit a couple while we were there. She scored for all of us! I got 7 new sweaters and a couple shirts! It was a great weekend!

First day of school 2008

My 1st baby is in HIGH SCHOOL!!!! Here is Ryker, age 14, on his way to his freshman year at Kennewick!

My 2nd baby is in MIDDLE SCHOOL!!! Jenner, age 12, is on his way to 6th grade at Horse Heaven!

My 3rd baby is in pre-K at Little Treasures! He is quite annoyed that his friends and cousins are in kindergarten already! He keeps saying "one more pre-school right mama, then kindergarten."

Ryker was lucky enough to participate in this years Mormon Treck. His Ma and Pa for the Treck, was uncle Brad and Aunt Gloria Beauchamp. It was fun to put what he needed together (Gloria did most of the work for me) but Ryker used his Grandpa Eby's old work boots and hat, and he and I went shopping at the 2nd hand store for the appropriate attire. According to his aunt and uncle, the girls like him, and he pulled his weight pulling the cart! It was a good experience:)

We spent 4th of July 2008 out at my Granny & Grandpa's old place, we like to call "the Cottage". Pictured in the middle is my Grandpa Bob, and starting at the top, Ryker (14) Jenner (11) Morgan (10:cousin) Baylor (4) Hunter (1:cousin) & Lane (14:cousin)

Baylor is 4! Happy Birthday Baylor! Even though this is Feb. we had a beautiful day in the sun! It was like spring! Baylor got a new swingset built by his daddy, grandpa Eby and uncle Cooper. There must be over 1000 pieces to these things! Amazinly, they got it done that night! Baylor wanted white cake with strawberries") He had a great day!