11.6.11
You know when life gets crazy or I get so overwhelmed or run over, it's nice to look at the proof in the pictures that we are okay. Life has been busy and the most exciting thing recently- as in this morning at 7:30- was Harold excitedly rushing in to notify us that it was snowing and there was snow on the ground!!! The kids waited patiently for us to join in their celebration but because it was not so motivating to us, they suited up in there best blizzard gear and headed out to make a snowman. Now there was only a skiff in fact it was mostly melted by church but they had fun making snowballs and reveling in the early snow. Harold prays for snow, Anna prays for it not to snow... and the rest enjoy it either way. Needless to say church was full of eager to experience winter kids and the reverence level was a bit more on the exuberant side than peaceful. As always in a faming community we are grateful for water and thankful most of the crop is in.
2 weeks ago one of the speakers in church talked about a wrestling match and at dinner GReg informed the kids that while we didn't have much wrestling experience or knowledge we had a family member from the turn of the century... or thereabouts... who was a world champion wrestler. Thus we called Grandpa Saunders up to educate us on some family history. He had pictures and stories. It was really fun to learn and see what life was like way back in the 1900's. We will be learning more from him throughout the winter.
As you all experienced, Halloween was this week. I am trying a new approach to the holiday season and thus began costuming a week early, instead of saying we weren't then caving on the 31st. So we shopped and planned and it worked out nicely. Hoping thanksgiving is going to go this well too.
We carved pumpkins with the help of my parents on Sunday night. My dad is a master craftsman. The sticking out objects on the pumpkins are 3-D noses and ears. Ears are very important to pumpkin carving. It was a fun night and tradition we have. We (Greg & I) really appreciated the two extra set of hands as it gets hard to be creative and different for 6 pumpkins. The kids dressed up as follows- Anna Hawaiian girl, HArold football player, Aliza cowgirl, John Knight/King, Mark cow, Adelaide princess, Reed spider.
They had fun. They ate over half their candy in between grandparent houses and as Harold informed me in the morning. "I didn't throw up at all last night mom..." Thank goodness, guess mom was just being over concerned. UGH so much candy.
Aliza got awards for being a scholar and top reader in her class. The three kids in her class were the top readers in all the second grade. Competition is a very good thing and the ice cream sundays for every 20 books is a major plus too.
We finished canning this week!!!! We ended with pie apples. Anna and Harold were great workers and made it look easy. It was such a relief and happy time to put stuff away for next year and know that is not hanging over our head any more, now to clean house for thanksgiving.
In the Roald Dahl book we read they talked about a delicious treat called "Toad in the "HOle" doesn't that just sound appetizing? For my kids it was amusing. Well when Anna read a story about a girl in the FRiend that loved Toad in the Hole we had to try it. Checked out allrecipes.com and lo and behold it is a real dish. Didn't sound too gross as in no cooked frogs or frog parts so we decided to have it as a treat this morning. That's what it looks like and no Mark has not tried it he's just being a goon. It was okay. We served it with syrup on the Yorkshire pudding, no onion gravy for us weak Americans. Not that we will be doing it often or even every month or so but it was okay and interesting to try something new.
This week Harold got his wolf award and 2 arrow points. Tonight we had an Eagle Court of Honor so GReg was in full dress too. I really do like the scouting program as mentioned and am thankful for the skills it teaches and introduces to young men at just their level. We are still looking forward to many many more years of scout meetings and pinnings.
I personally served on Jury Duty this week. What an experience. STaying at home I get to create or live in the environment I choose. I choose to be pretty secluded as I am busy enough without the extra turmoil of media and popular culture... It was a great reminder of how grateful I am to my husband for giving me that gift of being home and being how I want to be. What a refuge our homes are even if we don't realize the havens they are. So life rolls on we get reality check-ins periodically and it makes me re-double my efforts and resolve to be better, do better, and try harder. We are grateful for you doing the same and for the winter holiday season that is rapidly approaching. We hope you get to have some snow fun and are enjoying your safe havens. Best to you all.
2 weeks ago one of the speakers in church talked about a wrestling match and at dinner GReg informed the kids that while we didn't have much wrestling experience or knowledge we had a family member from the turn of the century... or thereabouts... who was a world champion wrestler. Thus we called Grandpa Saunders up to educate us on some family history. He had pictures and stories. It was really fun to learn and see what life was like way back in the 1900's. We will be learning more from him throughout the winter.
As you all experienced, Halloween was this week. I am trying a new approach to the holiday season and thus began costuming a week early, instead of saying we weren't then caving on the 31st. So we shopped and planned and it worked out nicely. Hoping thanksgiving is going to go this well too.
We carved pumpkins with the help of my parents on Sunday night. My dad is a master craftsman. The sticking out objects on the pumpkins are 3-D noses and ears. Ears are very important to pumpkin carving. It was a fun night and tradition we have. We (Greg & I) really appreciated the two extra set of hands as it gets hard to be creative and different for 6 pumpkins. The kids dressed up as follows- Anna Hawaiian girl, HArold football player, Aliza cowgirl, John Knight/King, Mark cow, Adelaide princess, Reed spider.
They had fun. They ate over half their candy in between grandparent houses and as Harold informed me in the morning. "I didn't throw up at all last night mom..." Thank goodness, guess mom was just being over concerned. UGH so much candy.
Aliza got awards for being a scholar and top reader in her class. The three kids in her class were the top readers in all the second grade. Competition is a very good thing and the ice cream sundays for every 20 books is a major plus too.
We finished canning this week!!!! We ended with pie apples. Anna and Harold were great workers and made it look easy. It was such a relief and happy time to put stuff away for next year and know that is not hanging over our head any more, now to clean house for thanksgiving.
In the Roald Dahl book we read they talked about a delicious treat called "Toad in the "HOle" doesn't that just sound appetizing? For my kids it was amusing. Well when Anna read a story about a girl in the FRiend that loved Toad in the Hole we had to try it. Checked out allrecipes.com and lo and behold it is a real dish. Didn't sound too gross as in no cooked frogs or frog parts so we decided to have it as a treat this morning. That's what it looks like and no Mark has not tried it he's just being a goon. It was okay. We served it with syrup on the Yorkshire pudding, no onion gravy for us weak Americans. Not that we will be doing it often or even every month or so but it was okay and interesting to try something new.
This week Harold got his wolf award and 2 arrow points. Tonight we had an Eagle Court of Honor so GReg was in full dress too. I really do like the scouting program as mentioned and am thankful for the skills it teaches and introduces to young men at just their level. We are still looking forward to many many more years of scout meetings and pinnings.
I personally served on Jury Duty this week. What an experience. STaying at home I get to create or live in the environment I choose. I choose to be pretty secluded as I am busy enough without the extra turmoil of media and popular culture... It was a great reminder of how grateful I am to my husband for giving me that gift of being home and being how I want to be. What a refuge our homes are even if we don't realize the havens they are. So life rolls on we get reality check-ins periodically and it makes me re-double my efforts and resolve to be better, do better, and try harder. We are grateful for you doing the same and for the winter holiday season that is rapidly approaching. We hope you get to have some snow fun and are enjoying your safe havens. Best to you all.
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