What Kept Us Busy?

Now that I've returned from my blogging break, I thought I share a "few" photos highlighting some of the things that kept us so occupied.

1.  Mr. B spent several weekends working with the littles on their shooting.

OG missed that one.

EJ not only shot this one but a total of 9 out of 10

2.  4-H and County Fair

OG & Samson receiving a blue ribbon in the 4-H dog show

EJ's Best in Show for his archery display

OG's Best in Show for her shotgun display

EJ with his Interview judge for his shotgun project

The front of our 4-H club's parade float

No one ever told Mr. B the b-day hat should go on TOP of his head!

Just a cutie riding in the county fair parade

3.  Hauled home and stored 35 straw bales for our chickens, lambs and garden.

4.  EJ's and OG's 1st day of school.

All dressed and eager to go ...

... to 1880's country school!

EJ at his seat w/ his slate behind him.

Recess!

The 1880's school room.

5.  Grandpa had another birthday!!

Chocolate cake w/ chocolate frosting is Grandpa's favorite.

 6.  More tractor & clean up work.

 7.  EJ played pee wee football and had a TON of fun!!

Although the orange team has the ball in this photo, our blue team was undefeated this season.

EJ is down front in the nose guard position

 8.  Food preservation - this may seem like a lot to some folks, but if the freeze had not got our garden so early, we'd have had 2-3 times this.  As much as we harvested, we are still a very long way from supplying our family for a year.

33 qts. carrots; 60 pts. green beans; 12 qts. spaghetti sauce; 4 pts. salsa; 7 1/2 qts. dill pickles; 15 pts. bread & butter pickles; 3 1/2 pts. bell peppers; 6 1/2 pts. green onions; 8 qts. zucchini; 9 qts. yellow squash; 2 gal. broccoli; 14 pts. turnips; 29 cantaloupes; 1 pumpkin

Well, that's some of what we've been up to during the past couple months.  I am now preparing for Christmas.  I have two of the children's homemade gifts completed & 3 more to go.  Upon completion, if I have any time left I will make a few gifts for extended family and close friends.

What have you been up to?  Are you finished or just getting started with your Christmas preparations?