9/30/2020

 

Here come Jacob

Jared here...  We were sitting inside and all of a sudden a huge thunder clap happened.  We saw some small hail falling -Adam stepped outside and said something about the small dark cloud overhead.  We all stepped outside to see.  There was a small dark cloud overhead and the thunder was constant -it never stopped.  just constant constant thunder for more than 5 minutes. -  just constant.  Well we were outside and then a few small hail started to fall and then one large quarter size piece fell.  We were standing there just wondering what was about to happen… then we heard it.  Coming in from the north this sound.  A sound of something coming through the trees.   and then it hit.  Huge huge hail and lots of it.  size of a quarter but flat.  We scrambled for the cars and quickly drove them into the barn.  Then stood there going deaf at the sound of the hail on the metal barn roof.  Large quarter size pieces that were more flat than round.  Adam of course was out in it just enjoying himself.  Jacob was in the house but came running out to join us in the barn.  Huge pieces of hail… it went on for a  long time.  To the south it was clear - could see blue sky in amongst the clouds.  over head it was dark.  So we needed to go to soccer practice and the hail had stopped.  South was where soccer was and it looked clear.  We started to drive east and caught up with the hail.  Parked under a tree but the hail didn't stop.  So we headed south towards day light and got out of the hail.  Then jogged back and forth east and south till we made it to the soccer field.  On the way there, close to town, the clouds to the north were so black.  I mean black black.  Never have seen clouds so black.  It was really amazing.  We made it to the soccer fields and the lightening was going on there and the storm was growing in size and moving south towards us.  We decided to wait to see if we could get on the fields.  Well the storm was growing behind us and heading our way.  I had the window down and once again this sound started—I’d just heard this sound earlier.  then it hit- more hail.  lots of hail… smaller pea size hail but lot and lots of it.  it was over quick but we decided to head home around the back of the storm that had mostly passed now.  quite the adventure.  quite the small storm that grew quickly.  

9/29/2020

 

Getting birch logs for Aunt Bippi

This morning I pulled handles for my mugs.  I had 11 big mugs and 1 small mug.  I trimmed pots and then took pictures of the few pieces of pottery that turned out in the firing. We posted those on etsy.  I put handles on my mugs and was almost finished when I had to go get the boys.  I was talking to Vikki on the phone and she said she really wanted to find some birch logs.  She wanted to put them in her wood holder by her fireplace.  Adam said we had some that consumers had cut down by the ditch down our road.  We drove down there and to look for them.  Eli climbed up the steep other side of the ditch through picker bushes.  He threw them down in the ditch to Adam and Adam threw them up to me.  I loaded them in the van.  At home I washed the mud off them.  Later Jared cut them up with the chain saw.  They look so cute.  We made chili for dinner which was yummy.  Adam ate turkey chili with me.  The boys loved the chili.  We went outside to play a game of soccer.  Read to the boys and tucked them in bed. 

9/28/2020

 

The kiln finally shut off before we went to bed last night.  It ran for way too long!  We opened it up today and found out that the kiln didn't fire hot enough.  The top shelf fired to between cone 5 and 6 so some things looked ok on that shelf.  The other 3 shelves didn't even fire to cone 5.  Glazes didn't look good.  It was such a bummer!  We are going to be replacing the elements.  It was a very rainy day today.   I made some large mugs.  Adam had soccer practice this evening from 5:30 to 7:00. The rain stopped soon after practice started.  We kicked around the ball with the boys on an empty field.  

9/27/2020

 

Daddy picked this soccer ball out for Jacob for his first birthday.  

Talking minecraft

Jared worked on filling in this low spot by the barn.

Eli came into our room shortly after 7am saying there was a great blue heron by our pond.  We got up to see it but by then it was gone.  Eli lost a tooth yesterday and left a note for the tooth fairy asking if he could trade a drawing (minecraft fox) for his tooth so he could keep it. Jared went to get the second load of round bales and loaded them in the barn with the tractor.  We played a game of soccer with the boys.  Went to town for groceries and got pizza's for lunch.  After lunch Jared worked on cleaning out the compost in the barn.   I cut down some plants that didn't look so good any more.  The boys played minecraft.  Jared and I took a walk in the woods and sat on the swing.  Then we sat on the back deck and called Grandma and Grandpa.  We played another game of soccer with the boys.  This evening we had popcorn pop and ice cream and watched Miracle.  

9/26/2020

Eli's game

Adam's game

Who's tallest?

 I finished glazing pots while Jared went into town to get Sat goodies.  We went outside and played soccer with the boys.  Eli practiced being goalie.  Shortly after noon we headed into town to get Eli some goalie gloves.  They can't provide them this year with Covid.  The boys had soccer pictures at 1:00.  Both their games started at 2:00.  They only allow 2 spectators at the games and we all have to wear masks.  Nana got to come watch the games this week since they are both playing at the same time.  We watched the first half of Eli's game.  He played midfield and did great.  At halftime we headed over to Adam's game and Daddy came to watch Eli.  Eli was goalie for the second half.  Adam played Center defense.  After the game Pastor Scott said he was sorry he didn't give Adam a break in the second half of the game.  He said the team really needed him to stay in.  Adam didn't mind.  He loves that position and plays it very well.  At home the boys played minecraft.  I washed the bottom of my pots.  Then Jared and I loaded the kiln.  Jared went to Dan's to get the trailer with 4 round bales.  The tractor needs a new battery so it wouldn't start.  We pushed the bales off the trailer.  While Jared took the trailer back the boys and I rolled the round bales into the barn.  They were very heavy to turn so they would roll in the right direction to the barn.  Adam had a great idea of using grain bags.  We rolled the bales on top of some grain bags and then they turned so easy.  We will get 4 more bales tomorrow. We ate dinner late and had sloppy jo's.  The boys gave us their weekly tours of what they've been creating in their minecraft worlds.  They plug their computers into the tv so we can all see.  I love seeing what they've been working on.  

9/25/2020

Eli had so much fun building this little house.

It was really foggy this morning on the way to school.  The boys had a half day today so I picked them up at 11:15 and we headed to Nana and Papa.  Even thought we had to social distance we had a great time. Vikki and the kids came over too.  Vikki made us some yummy coffee. We sat on the deck and visited. Mom made pizza for the boys for lunch.  She gave me some yummy baked potatoes.  She had lots of yummy treats and little ice cream cones.  Went to the shed to see what Dad was working on.  He is working on a mantle for over Vikki's fireplace.  The boys put on their cleats and kicked the soccer ball around.   They said they love Nana's yard for playing soccer.  We got home a little after 6pm. Jared had burgers on the grill.  He made a couple ash glaze samples to try.  After dinner the boys played minecraft.  Jared and I worked on glazing pottery.