Building, Mourning, Celebrating...Together

At the time of our last post, Grace had just finished an interview with Zoe Martin of Iowa Farmer Today. 

Grace after the interview....

That same weekend, The Big Guy's brother and his son, came from Colorado.  It was a party--all four of our children, the Big Guy, the Uncle, the Cousin and the Boyfriend (I'm really glad we're past calling him her "special" friend!)--worked together on the new shop office between Christmas and New Year's.

The jefes making a plan (Spanish for "boss," used frequently at our house).

Matthew staining windows while the Cousin sweeps.

Grace's boyfriend, The Boyfriend, the carpenter.

The Friday after Christmas, we hosted a youth event at church and brought appetizers: little smokies, spinach dip in a bread bowl, and a layered Mexican dip with chips.  That made lunch on Saturday easy-peasy. 

For lunch each day the crew was here, we loaded up food from the house and set things up in the poker corner (a large, round conference table in the upstairs loft of the shop).  After a holler, each person grabbed a drink and headed up the angled stairs.  I think we had a great time--then again, I wasn't eating my meal at shoulder level from a lawn chair!

That Saturday we decided to open the mysterious hay bale.  I was bringing food down from the loft when the man-door on the shop opened and slammed.  Laura's wailing echoed across the aluminum walls.  Her new bunny, Cutie, was dead.  She'd gone to say hello after lunch and found a still, lifeless body.  After hugs and consolation, she set to work crafting a coffin.  Needless to say, none of us could handle the sight of another death that afternoon.

So, we continue to wait for "the un-baling."

On the up side, a few weeks later, everyone is back in the rhythm of school and work.  The Big Guy is trekking to and from various elevators. Matthew has started his second semester at college and the girls are well into their third quarter of the year.

We celebrated the Big Guy's birthday this evening before he headed in to a school board meeting.  If you want to know more about the cake, Grace may have it on her blog in a day or two. 

Happy birthday, Big Guy!  We love you.