Berry Pickin' at Gizdich Ranch

We had such an amazing time on Thursday.  We got up early and headed to Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville.  Gizdich is a big farm with berries and apples and pies and lots of fun stuff.  We got there just after it opened and started off picking strawberries.  Anna and Matthew had so much fun.  Anna was actually good at getting the berries and Matthew was really good at eating them.  Later I made strawberry syrup and jam with them.

After the strawberries, which were plentiful, we headed to the boysenberry patch.  There weren't as many of these but the kids were just as enthusiastic.  We got enough to fill a gallon bag in the freezer.

After spending the morning picking berries, we headed to the barn's eating area.  There were lots of picnic benches and a big sandbox with riding toys to play on.

We had such a nice day together.

We Love Our Books

I have a couple of random pictures from May and they're all of us reading books.  We love books at our house.  In fact, I have to regularly purge them from our collection or they'll take over the house!

The first couple of pictures were taken during our going to bed time.  We have a little routine that we follow.  First, we get the kids all ready with pjs and teeth brushed.  Next, we all gather on Mom and Dad's bed.  Someone gets to choose a calming down song (Abide With Me, 'Tis A Gift, etc) and say the evening family prayer.  We then read a page in the children's scriptures.  Anna and Matthew take turns choosing a story and the other choosing a song.  Here's we're reading one of our favorite bedtime stories, Grandfather Twilight.

The next couple of pictures are of Steve and Matthew sharing some quality book time together.  Steve is trying really hard to read, but Matthew is just being too cute.