Game Day!

 So our first lacrosse game of the season was a home game on Wednesday the 26th against Methodist. We lost 5-8 and unfortunately I didn't have anyone to take pictures. Today we played at Hollins University and we won 9-1. Since mom was there to watch the baby, she took lots of pictures for me.

 First, we had to make sure that Reagan stayed nice and warm in the chilly afternoon weather.

 Sometimes I could hear her say, "Go Mommy Go!"

 I am number 53. Ryan wanted me to have it since it was his football number.

By the second half of the game the sun had come out and it had warmed up enough to lose the long sleeves.

So in the picture below, I'm the one that's scooping the ground ball.

 Okay, so the photo below is the moment right before I scored. The ball has just barely left my stick and it will score in the top right corner. Mom thought she filmed my goal, but instead she just took a picture. Oh well, it's better than nothing so I'll take it.

Reagan celebrating afterward.

Urban Homestead

As some of you know, Ryan and I are in the process of purchasing a home here in Buena Vista. It is a two story home built in 1898 right in the middle of town. What makes it a little different is that it sits on two lots so the yard is larger than most found in the city. 
For years we have been talking about starting a hobby farm, but we are not yet to a point where we can afford a lot of acreage. We have decided to go forward with some of our plans anyway and begin with what I have dubbed our "urban homestead". Ryan laughs at that because Buena Vista is a rather rural town nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, but the house is in city limits and just around the corner from a post office, park, library, and shops therefore I call it 'urban'. So here are some ideas I have had for our urban homestead.
Chickens - I enjoy raising chickens and who doesn't like farm fresh eggs? I am considering Rhode Island Red, Araucana, Black Sex-links, and Barnevelders. The latter are beautiful birds known for laying dark brown eggs:

 Notice the double laced pattern on the feathers. I think they are stunning. Just because I love them, here's another picture:

Dad and mom raised Araucanas which lay blue/green eggs:

I also want to get a bantam hen or two as pets for Reagan. Maybe a Silkie or Sebright. Here are some coop ideas:

 I like this one because I can put an herb garden on top and save some space.

Garden - Since space is limited I have had to research some unconventional gardening ideas. Here are some I have gleaned from the internet:

 I'll have to start saving my 2-litre bottles for this one.

 Ryan could probably build this. He can build anything.

 This one and the one below are called "gutter gardens". I'd like to put one in along the fence.

 With this one you can grow your own salad in limited space.

I believe that this one is a vertical hydroponic garden. Ryan has long been interested in hydroponics and aquaculture.
If the chickens and plants survive the summer then next year I'll add more to my little farm. I'd like to raise rabbits and worms (vermacomposting) as well. Unfortunately, the goats and other livestock will have to wait until we move to a real farm outside of the city. 
So what do y'all think? Have you seen any neat urban homesteading ideas?  

Biker Baby

Reagan loves bikes. Motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles - it doesn't matter, she loves them all. She had her first motorcycle ride in Idaho with Uncle Cody. The entire circle around the well house at 5 mph was quite thrilling to her!

 Annnddd when it was time for her to get off she threw herself to the ground and there was much weeping and wailing.

 Cody took me for a ride out on some trails by the river.

 And Reagan got a picture with mommy on the motorcycle.

 Then in Mississippi Miss Reagan decided that she wanted to ride on the moped again (she had ridden it for the first time back in June). Oh the fun she had!

 And Grandpa made sure that she had a "righteous" helmet to wear.

And we're going to ride off into the sunset....... at 6 mph.

Edisto Day 5

 Our last day on Edisto Island! Since we had to leave around lunch time, mommy woke me up early and we went for a bike ride around the island. We were gone for a couple hours. We stopped at the resort and they let us play at the really cool playground!

 It was built like a pirate ship!

 I saw this cool turtle and ran to him! Mommy said we should play a game called "Putt putt", but when she asked if we could play the man at the resort said we had to be 'hotel guests' to play. It's okay, I had a blast at the playground!

 We took several bike paths on the island. Mommy liked this jungle path!

 Then we went back for one last beach outing before we had to depart. Mommy was carrying me out in the water when all of the sudden she started yelling and running for the beach.

 She said she got stung by a jellyfish. I like jelly on my sandwiches. Silly mommy!

 Since it got both of her ankles and feet, Nonna poured vinegar onto them while she sat down. I tried to help pour the vinegar, but then I realized I wanted to be like mommy so I sat down and asked Nonna to pour it on my feet.

After lunch we packed the car and drove home to meet daddy. He was so happy to see me! Oh, and mommy too.