For the past several weeks we have been battling grasshoppers. They have been driving us crazy. We can't even go outside without being covered by these pests. Nate came up with the perfect solution...Guineas and Chickens. Nate and Justin went to the dairy at night when the birds were roosting and captured them. They brought them home and released them in our garden. Guineas are loud birds but luckily they don't stay by the house all day. At night they all come back and roost on the swing set. As you can see they have made themselves comfortable.

Gavin wants to play with Owen, but doesn't realize he isn't old enough to play. Gavin loves to climb and roll all over Owen. Most of the time Owen hates it but sometimes he doesn't mind. Owen likes to watch Gavin and you can tell he wants to join in with him. I can already tell that when Owen is more mobile they are going to be good buddies.

The entire Bliss family was in Delta for Independence day, so we decided to get family pictures the next day. I think they turned out well. Everyone looked so good. Gavin did not want his picture taken, but with 31 kids one is bound to be upset.

This year we planted our first garden. We started most the seeds inside but when we planted them outside they died from a big rain storm. We bought more plants and now the garden is growing well. We planted peas, carrots, beets, green onions, sweet onions, squash, zucchini, cucumber, okra, lettuce, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, watermelon, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, and cilantro. We planted some plants too close together, but altogether we did a good job. Next year we will learn from our mistakes and improve the garden. We are loving the Squash and zucchini right now. I have been making zucchini bread and Nate and Gavin can't get enough. Here are some before and after pictures.

On Friday we went to the Res with all the cousins. All the kids had a blast playing in the sand and water. Owen loved laying in the sand and tried to eat it. Gavin loved digging in the sand and playing with his cousins. It was a fun and relaxing day.

I've been trying to teach Gavin how to eat with a spoon on his own lately. The other day I made mush and I was trying to help him eat with his spoon. Gavin did not want me to help or even touch the spoon. He was so frustrated that he couldn't do it on his own but was determined to do so. I had to leave the room to tend to Owen, but when I came back, Gavin had the bowl in his hand slurping the mush down. I can just imagine him saying in his little head, "Forget the spoon! It's easier eating straight from the bowl." Surprisingly he ate most of the mush and didn't make too big of a mess.

Owen is getting stronger day by day. He is now supporting himself in a sitting position. I was able to snap a picture of his first time doing this. Owen loves to bounce and move all over the place. It's hard to hold him because he will not hold still. He doesn't stay on his back long if I set him down because he instantly rolls over to his tummy. He always has to be moving and loves all the attention he can get.

Owen is rolling over from his back to his tummy all the time now. He is my little sunshine baby. He is always smiling and giggling. He sure is growing up fast.

Gavin is always on the go. He loves to climb, explore, and be outside. Gavin is learning lots of new words. Today he learned truck. It is so fun to watch the boys grow and learn new things. They sure bring us lots of love and joy.

We had a fun day on the boat at the res. Gavin loved the water and didn't want to go home. We spent the rest of the day taking a long nap, eating good food, enjoying good company, and having fun.