Wednesday, December 30, 2015

THANKSGIVING




17 kiddos on my side gathered for Thanksgiving.
Including the two from Idaho.

We thank the Lord for all these blessings.

5

Travis turned 5 at the end of November.
It feels like a lifetime ago already!

Around here, we make a big deal out of turning 5.

His breakfast of choice.





Party day.
This after is was rescheduled because we were hit with sickness.

He and his buddy.
The kids are able to invite some friends if they want for their 5th birthday party.
This guy was the only one he wanted.



 We had the party at the firehouse
and as you can see, it was Ninja Turtle themed.





Happy 5th Birthday, Boogie Boy!

Saturday, November 21, 2015

ONE




 photo credit tarachristensen

Friday, November 20, 2015

CORN MAZE

Back at the end of October, we went to the local corn maze with a group of homeschool friends.

As always, the kids had a great time.
It was really, really windy and chilly--though the pictures don't show it.

Getting ready for the wagon ride!


Corn maze!
It was actually warmer in there, the corn blocked the wind!




Observation deck in the center.


He really wanted that corn!




All done.
Taking a break and enjoying an apple & lemonade.





Playing in the corn!
Much better than sand!



A few more minutes on the slide

















I tried for a group shot.
Key word there being, "tried."
Grant was done.




Always a fun time!
Til next year!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

ACTIVITIES




This school year has brought us some new activities.

We are continuing 4-H garden club.
Michael joined a 4-H shooting club (archery & rifle)
(he is doing awesomely by the way!!)
The girls are attending a karate class and pioneer girls.

We all attend a co-op once a week.  Michael takes a class called "How Stuff Works" and Lego club.  Carina and Rian are in an art class and "Jesus Storybook Bible." and Travis is in art and lego club.  Jared and Grant hang with me in nursery one hour and then come into the class that I teach.
  
Jared just exited the Early Intervention program, but will continue speech services at a clinic.  

I am also teaching the Pre-K Sunday School class this year.

We have missed a month or two due to various other things, but we also still have Family Fellowship Group with church as well.

This has been the first time in about 5 years that we have NOT done soccer in the Fall.
Well, let me modify that--
we signed Travis up for an age appropriate soccer club that met once a week.
I asked him multiple times if he wanted to do it and he seemed psyched to do it.
He is probably our most athletic child, Carina being the second most at this point.
Anyway, so we signed him up and when it came time to actually go practice, he refused to participate.
Mike even went onto the field with him to encourage him and it did not matter.



We tried for 3 or 4 weeks and then just called it quits.
I had my reservations about doing that because #1, we paid for it and #2, who wants to be a quitter or say that quitting is okay??
However, it really was a waste of time and he just wasn't ready.  I won't sign him up for anything else until he initiates it or shows some signs of being ready.

I had asked the other kids at the end of summer if they wanted to do soccer, this or that.  Soccer was not at the top of the list and so we didn't sign up.  I can't say I'm sad.

I think that is about it for scheduled activities..until baseball season that is!

Add that all onto our regular stuff and it is rather busy this year!

What are you up to?

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

MOUTHING OFF

This guy recently visited the emergency room.


He slipped on the ladder to the bunk bed (wearing footie pjs) and slammed his mouth somehow on the ladder causing the gums to separate from his teeth.  On top of it all, there was an actual hole in his gum.  LOTS. OF. BLOOD,

Mike brought him to the ER while I stayed home with the rest.
The ER doc didn't want to touch it and said go to see an oral surgeon first thing in the morning.

After searching for an oral surgeon that #1 took our insurance and #2 took pediatric patients--(not an easy task!) he was off.  

He looks pretty happy in that picture, no?
A little bit swollen, but even that is hard to tell--all the nastiness is inside.
Thankfully, the oral surgeon said to leave it alone and it should heal up.
I can only imagine the trauma it would have created in this one, who doesn't even like regular check-ups.  

So,, that is the story.
I hope never to repeat it.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

1 & 3 & 8


Hi!  We are still here.  Plugging along.
I have missed on updating so much!!
I don't know if I will play catch-up or not, we will see.

November is always so crazy around here and this year has been no different.  
In fact, it has been worse!
If I can find the time, I will elaborate on that a bit more.

Today, I just want to share some of our blessings.
In the past 5 days, we have celebrated 3 birthdays.

Carina turned 8!




She made a card for herself and read it out loud to all of us.
What a character she is!


Jared turned 3!


 He is a quiet, sweet little boy.
Carina was not feeling well yesterday and when he saw her up this morning, 
he went and asked her "Carina, are you better?"  If you know Jared, you know he has speech issues and of course it was not articulated so clearly, but it was just soo sweet of him.



Grant also turned 1!


He is developing quite a personality!
He is taking steps and babbles quite nicely, with a few intelligible words thrown in there too.


We had a small open-house style celebration with family for the three of them and of course on the actual birthday, they got to plan the dinner menu .  For the record, Carina chose pizza and 
fish sticks (!!) with some sides and Jared chose waffles.  It was easy for me anyway.

Birthday night for Jared and Grant.
Michael made brownies.


Birthday buddies waiting to blow out the candles.


One more November birthday to go!