Reward Friday

Baruch

Mary

Abi and Cob

It has been a low key morning around here.  This is partly due to a run to the library yesterday and partly due to a stomach virus!  We went to the library yesterday to get books (of course) and part of our reward - Mary Poppins DVD.  The other part of the kids reward for being diligent on their school work this week WAS a visit from their cousin Anna.  They are all thankful this morning that we got the DVD because there is no way Anna is going to enter this puke zone!  Other than a huge pile of laundry on my bed waiting to be folded, the dishwasher waiting to be unloaded, every room needing a 10 minute rescue, cob webs growing in the corners of each room, meals to prepare (maybe not with the stomach the way they are), and a basket filled with summer clothes waiting to be packed into bins I have NOTHING to do but hold puke buckets.   SOooooo I think I will read some books to Baruch and Abram. :-)

Abram Asleep After a Long Night of Throwing UP!

James and the Great Adventure

Here is Jacob's latest story.

Once upon a time there was a small boy named James.  He was not to large but very tough.  Some people teased him.  James didn't like teasing.  One day he was walking around.  The yard had green grass that shone like emeralds in the sun.  Just then a small band of boys leapt out of the bushes and carried him to the roof of an apartment.  "Your doom  is near little bug.  They pushed him off the side to his doom, which was a 50 foot drop off from the apartment roof.  He fell a few feet then thought,  I'll give flapping my arms a try.  He flapped a few then found he was soaring upward.  He soared miles upward.  Soon he was floating over the clouds.  Then a shower of arrows flew at him.  Then he  opened his eyes.  It was a dream.  He woke to the bright world.  He was at a ranch.  He found his cowboy cloths beside his bed stand.  He had two six shooters.  Once he dressed he went downstairs.  His father and mother were there and the man who had let them come visit.  Then his mother and father left.  Then James heard a Bang!  Bang!  He rushed to the door but some robbers were already carrying off the dead body's of his mother and father.  James took a horse from the corral bare back and rode it toward the robbers.  The robbers truck zoomed away.  James quickly saddled and bridled his horse.  He rode down the road.  Then he heard a Bang!  A bullet flew at him from a bush.  It whammed into his horses leg.  The wounded horse toppled over and James got off and drew both pistols.  A robber jumped from the bushes.  James dodged a bullet and shot the robber.  He saw he was a partner of his mother and fathers death.  James rode back to the ranch.  He worked and worked then ate and slept.  The next day he heard some bad news come from the ranchers mouth "Two of our best beef cows was stolen."  "I'll catch the robber" said James.  "Don't you try little boy" said his new father.  James knew he should try to catch the robbers of the vast plains of Texas.  James got on his horse the next day and rode away.  He soon came upon a truck filled with a large cooler.  James caught up with the truck pulled out a whip with a grappling hook on the end.  He whipped it out and it caught on one of the coolers.  He pulled himself onto the truck and told his horse to go home.  He looked inside the cooler and found it full of beef.  He knew the beef was worth a lot of  money.  So he took out his pistols and shot the tires flat.  Then he got on the top of the cab of the old pick up.  When the truck stopped five wicked cowboys jumped out.  James with great care shot their guns out of their hands.  He tied them up and threw them on top of the meat load.  James knew the hide was in the cab.  It was by the drivers seat.  He knew he didn't have a license to drive but he drove it back to the ranch.  His father (new father) was pleased and let him take the robbers to the sheriff.

Weekly Memory Verse

Psalm 121: 1 & 2

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains, from where shall my help come?  My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth.

Gail Modeling Her Winter Wear

Drew Amidst the Excitement

Sunday Fellowship

We enjoyed a wonderful day of fellowship with our friends Jeremiah
and Laura and their lovely daughters, Cora and Violet! The wind blew
in a cold front brining snow flurries and hail. After our friends
left we brought up the winter bins to figure out who needs what this
winter. Drew could hardly take the excitement.

Violet, Baruch, Drew, Cora

Mary's Birthday

We all enjoyed Mary's Birthday Celebration at Uncle Ron and Aunt
Kari's. Aunt Kari took some family pictures when we first arrived
(hopefully we will send one out for Christmas). The weather
cooperated perfectly. Then Mary opened her gifts. The truth in
God's Word, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" shone in the
eyes of the givers. Next Drew, Ron, Bill and the boys headed over to
Luke and Anna's prospective home while the girls and I played "Five
Crowns" - Mary's gift from Jacob. After a lovely taco supper we sang
"Happy Birthday" and had Carrot Cake, Almond Bars, Cup Cakes and ice
cream! We headed home about 7PM with a van full of worn out kids.
Unfortunately Chloe cried almost the entire hour drive home. Hope
you enjoy the pictures below.

Mary and Her Best Friends!

Truly more Blessing comes in the Giving!

New Muffs

Yes! An Engraver! Thanks Grandma and Pa

Conversation with the Great-Grandma

Lighting the Candles

Whose Birthday?

Anna and Luke

Abram and Pa

Hiking at the Big M

Chloe Sits Up!

Chloe sat up for the first time today! She turns five months on Oct.
24th.

Story Behind "Can I have Chedons"

I posted some pictures of Abram Oct 7th and wanted to post the story behind them but ran out of time (Running out of time seems to happen often in my life). Trying to live on a budget causes creativity. With the recent increase in prices I have been trying to use my leftovers more wisely. I was looking for ways to use up my leftover oatmeal. What Can I Make With It suggested refrigerating it in a bread pan, then slicing it like spam and frying it. This turned out to be a bit messy and not a huge success. A little farther down the same site someone said they used their leftover oatmeal in smoothies. The kids and I all love smoothies. I fix them frequently. Recently I switched from homemade yogurt to homemade kefir in the smoothies. I add a frozen fruit and blend for one minute. Well the next time we had oatmeal for breakfast I serves smoothies with our lunch. The oatmeal made it really creamy, almost too creamy. The kid reaction was not so hot. As I sensed complaining on the tips of tongues I reminded everyone that Phil. 2:16 says "do everything without grumbling or complaining" and that God wants us to give thanks in everything. Then I started saying "Wow this is creamy! So delicious! I don't think I've tasted a creamier smoothie. Mmmmm this is really good." Before long Abram ( the kids call him repeat) said "Mmmmm this is really creamy. Can I have checondsh Mommy?"

Mary's New Hair Cut

I cut Mary's hair to match her grown out bangs. It is quite a
change. I really like it and am happy Mary does too!

Pictures of the New Cut

Family Game Night

We have dubbed Thur. as family game night and are all enjoying it.
Last night we played Racko'. Last week we played Quiddler. The week
before it was Spoons. It is a blast to all play together. Drew and
I take turns playing while the other plays puzzles or legos with the
little ones.

Abram enjoys a few cookies

Drew and baby precious

This Weeks Memory Verse

James 1:2,3

Consider it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Practicing the Memory Verse

Snipe Hunting

Who remembers snipe hunting as a kid? Drew took Baruch and Abi snipe
hunting Tuesday night when we got home from the paper route. Of
coarse they searched and searched and waited and waited finally
coming in the house to find out snipes aren't real. Mary E.
remembered when Drew took her snipe hunting and got a big kick out of
the whole thing.

Snipe Hunting

White Water Canyon Again!

We had another wonderful hike at White Water Canyon today. We took
the Creek Bottom trail!

Passing a Corn Field

Hiking the Creek Bottom Trail

Cob and Abram

Wildflowers at White Water Canyon

We visited White Water Canyon this morning. We ventured to the
scenic overlook for a breathtaking view. We all enjoyed beholding
the fall colors and the meandering stream at the bottom of the
ravine. Fields of wildflowers surrounded the first part of the
trail. Then the trail led us through a wooded area. What a
fantastic hike!

Chloe and I

Mommy can I please have checonds?

Pa and Grandma come for a Visit!

We enjoyed our time with Pa and Grandma. We went up to a field at
the top of the cemetery to let the kids run around a bit. Jacob and
I walked up as I badly needed the exercise. On the way up I thought
it was such a beautiful day we should take a family picture. Easier
said than done. Difficult doesn't describe getting 8 people to look
at the camera at the same time. We did get some really good pictures
though, just not a GREAT family one. Here are some of my favorites.

Me and My Leader

Mary E. and Pa

Drew and Mom

The Chief and I with the Tribe

Pa and Grandma with the Tribe