Let the fun begin!

Well I haven't been too good about posting on here have I? In my defense with my limited access to internet on my computer and my phone not liking the next blogger format it's been a little difficult. ANYWAY we've been quite busy. As many may now Ben and I have been moving forward with our project of building a house. There's been a lot of leg work for the last few months, admittedly mostly by Ben, but we're finally getting to the point where there will be physical work done. The last two weekeneds have already been filled with speding time out on our lot hooking things up, cleaning up trash, and now moving dirt to prepare the pad for our house. We are still a little ways out from starting construction but it is coming quickly. Hopefully everything goes according to plan but you never know what's going to happen! Here's just a couple pictures of one of the biggest progjects we'll ever take on!

Life Lately

I promise I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, just busy. Here's some highlihts of what I've been up to.

We purchased more chickens. These are strictly meat birds, meaning we plan to eat them. We got 4 that mature really quick and will be ready to eat in about 6 more weeks and 2 that will be ready in 14 weeks. They are quickly running out of room so Ben is going to have to come up with a solution since the big chickens will kill them if they fraternize together.

We had a baby shower for my dear friend Erin. I was in charge of decor so that's why there are a lot of pictures of decorations. This first picture is of my dearest Ruthie and her baby boy Luke.

Instead of playing baby shower games we made little girly headbands for baby Brynn.

We made the headbands with clips so they could be clipped on headbands and then later into hair!

Brynn's mama Erin.

A giant smiths maple bar from my work crew for my birthday. It was AWESOME.

We had a rather nasty wind storm here yesterday. Elsewhere it was probably raining, we got dust.

Just a cute one of Henry I forgot I had taken. My picture spaces are quickly being taken over by pictures of my nephews. Oh how I adore them all!

Sunday afternoon...

If you were in the central valley this weekend you might have noticed the weather was awesome! We decided to take advantage of it on Sunday afternoon.

After church we barbecued some pork chops. My Ben makes a mean pork chop.


We took a walk with these girls. They got nice and muddy. (This photo is pre-muddy)


Then Ben had a double header softball game. He hit a triple right after this picture. Woot woot!

It was a relaxing, refreshing, fun afternoon!

Dominican Republic

Well we're back! We've been back for a week but wow it takes a while to get back up to speed sometimes. The Dominican was beautiful! The weather was a balmy 80 degrees with humidity and the occasional rain shower, perfect tropical weather. Our room was huge with it's own jacuzzi tub! The resort we stayed at had 7 different restaurants to eat at and great food. All of the staff were really nice and helpful. We went zip-lining one day which was quite an adventure. It took us an one hour truck ride to get there and then they had a 12 line course through the canopy. It was a great course and it was cool to see the country side and more rural areas. Another day we went snorkling with sting rays, sharks, and all over the reef with tropical fish. All in all it was a great trip. It was quite far away though. 7-8 hours of flying time depending on everything. Coming back through customs is never fun but Miami is sooooooo busy!

This is what humidty does to my hair. The white girl afro.
This is me unsuccessfully paddleboarding.
This is me successfully paddleboarding. It's much easier to maneuver while on your knees but I wanted to be cool so I tried to stand up for a while. I eventaully had enough of dunking myself and stuck to kneeling.
Beautiful view from where we snorkeled and paddelboarded.

Beach bums! Lots of reading and sunbathing.

Our view everyday.


Walking down the beach

Ben reading....the only time he really reads books is on vacation. He'd rather read things on how to do his gunsmithing or read a catalog to see how much things cost. I like stories, he likes to read for information.

I kind of felt like a queen in this bed.Sitting in LAX, we arrived at long term parking at 6:00 a.m., got to the airport, got our tickets and checked in luggage, through security to our gate, in 25 minutes! That has to be some kind of record, thus we were reallllyyyy early and had time to kill.

Riding around with "That farmer Ben"

It's not too often Ben and I get to spend time together on Saturday afternoon. He usually works, which is fine because he's happy as a clam when he's working. The man can't sit still for much longer than an hour, he's always keeping busy. Today I got to ride around with him a little which is always fun. The reason I say with" that farmer Ben" is because of my nephew Henry. One night Ben was late for dinner at mom and dad Fast's and Henry turns to me and asks" where's that farmer Ben." Oh he makes me smile.

Goodbye mustang

We sold my mustang this week. It was a bittersweet thing. Bitter because that was my first car, sweet because of the little extra money and no more insurance bill. I loved that car while I had it but it was time for something with more hauling power.

Hamburger and fries

One of my favorite comfort meals is a hamburger and fries. So when I came across a recipe in my "mad hungry: feeding men and boys" cookbook (thanks mom Fast!) For fries I was sold. I took some ground beef and made my own patties with herbs and fetta cheese mixed in. Oh and you can't forget the grilled onions. Then I made fries, oh so wonderful fries. You slice up some peeled russet potatoes, throw them on a cooking sheet, sprinkle liberally with italian herbs,salt, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and pile on some Romano or parmesean cheese, add a little butter and bake at 400 for about 50 minutes. Yes I know, they aren't exactly heart healthy but I have to just go all the way if I'm doing fries. In the word of Rachel Ray YUMO! Ben was a fan and I have to say this cookbook is great. Loved everything i've made so far!