I'm Back!!!!

What a wild couple of months. I have had a lot going on and not enough hours in the day. Let me get you caught up with our life. First my youngest turned 8 and we had a pirate party for him. It was a total blast.

 

my birthday boy

We made our own ship for the party guests to play on. The cake was made by a local bakery here that I use for every occasion.

 He was so surprised by the cake that he didn't want us cutting into it. It was amazing. I don't know how they do these cakes like that but they are miracle workers.

The ship we made was done out of card board and my mother in law painted the front of it. The cannons are paper plates, and she made the octopus out of an old blanket. This was a hit with all of the kiddos.

After a much deserved rest, haha. We prepared ourselves for my oldest sons talents in the play "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". It was amazing. I can't get over that it is only a high school performance. These play sold out of all 3 performances both weekends, and they added an extra show which sold out as well.

He is on the left. He was part of Augustus Gloop's entourage .

I would like to add that during the first weekend of the play, my neighbors house caught fire and now has been deemed a total loss. There oldest daughter was in the play with my son and  it was during this time that I was truly inspired by her. She is  a senior in high school and her attitude towards losing everything was remarkable. She continued to perform spot on every night even after being displaced for several days. She wrote this on facebook the night of the fire and I wanted to share it with you. It left me speechless. She is a remarkable person. I honestly do not think I could have had this much grace at her age  in the face of  this kind of tragedy.

"Thank you to everybody who has given their love and support: We are all okay, but the house is gone. We have to thank God for our blessings, of which there are too many to count, not least of which are our wonderful family and friends. God has a grand plan for us, and I have put my complete faith and trust in him."

Then one of my beloved girls died after passing a rather large egg. Peep will be greatly missed.

Peep was the white one.

The egg on the left was the egg that killed her.

 After many family discussions we decided to get 2 new chicks to replace Peep. (We only wanted 1 chick, but baby chicks don't do well by themselves so we decided to get 2.) They are so cute. The boys can't leave them alone.

This is Peep and Hobo. 

Finally, Its Spring Break!!!!! I have lots of pictures of our many adventures of the week, but Spring Break officially ends today and I have to get kids ready for school so I will post our Spring Break week on here this week. TTFN (ta ta for now)

The Band of Misfits

I had such a surprise when 2 weeks ago we had visitors. I went to check my chickens and was shocked to find 2 turkeys and a chicken walking around outside. When they saw me they ran away, and I cracked up at this sight. After that they have become regular visitors to our yard. I had to name them so the chicken is Henny Penny, The first turkey is Thelma, and the last turkey is Louise. They are getting brave enough to come to our front and back porch. They have even roosted on our railing out back. I will keep you informed of there comings and goings. I laugh myself silly at the sight of the traveling chicken and turkeys. My mother in law thinks that Thelma and Louise can't have kids so they have adopted Henny Penny. What do you think is the story behind the band of misfits?

 

The band of misfits

Thelma

Henny Penny

Louise

Snow!!!

"I want to wash my hands, my face and hair with snow." We are covered

 with snow, and the kids are loving it!! Sophie is loving it too!!! 

Field Trip

Friday was Preston's first second grade field trip. We went to the science center and he had a blast!!!

we learned about animals.

he learned about building a safe road.

 his favorite was the space capsule. He wouldn't get out of it.

 

Nature Pictures

I recently put pictures on the computer from my camera and found some really amazing nature shots that I forgot about. I tried all summer to get a picture of the humming bird that came to my mother in laws house to visit. I fianally got it!!!

 

I love this picture!

I took a picture of the sky in late November and had to share.

I love horses. I just think that they are magnificent animals so I had to put a picture of my father in laws horses.

The brown one is Vader and the white one is Kat.

Merry Christmas

After an exhausting week of Christmas, I can finally get on a wish everyone a belated "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!" We had 4 Christmases is a roll. It was so fun seeing the family and spending time with everyone. My kiddo's LOVED there gifts and we have been playing with all the new things ever since. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

My kids opening their Santa sack full of toys.

Our First Big Snow

Last week we had our first big snow of the season and the kids loved it! I couldn't get them in the house. They got out of school 2 days early due to bad weather but they weren't complaining ha ha. If the weather stays like it is we will be having a white Christmas.
On Saturday we hosted our company Christmas party and today we had my Dad's family Christmas party so I am worn out. Tomorrow we are planning on a little lite shopping and then seeing a movie. After a crazy weekend of parties I need a slow day!

Christmas Cookies

Last night we started our Christmas cookies. 

We rolled and cut out dozens of gingerbread cookies.

We waited for them to cool.

I gathered my helpers to ice the stacks of cookies.

After all the work here are the finished products. I had a ball watching there creative little minds working. They competed over who's cookie was better.

Homework

Remember, I didn't haha!

I have spent an hour helping my son study for up coming finals for Algebra. I HATED Algebra in high school and it seems to run in the family haha. Next I have to help my youngest with his homework. I know his won't challenge me. God help me if I can't do second grade homework lol.

See the difference. I am going to have to brush up on Algebra before tomorrow. We have to start studying Chapter 4.

Ornaments

Last night I made some ornaments for an upcoming ornament exchange. I love messing with clay. It reminds me of my childhood days playing play-doh for hours on end. I still have to make 9 more ornaments for my advent calender, and was asked by my  nephew last night if I could make him one. I guess I'm making one more calender. Wish me luck, the last one about did me in haha.

This is my happy tree

 

 

Here is my Santa

Follow the Star

This is my grandpa

Friday night my Aunt and I took the kids to "Follow the Star" at my grandparents church. It was so neat. You are assigned a family and then travel to Bethlehem. You have to pass the Roman soldiers (which scared my youngest. lots of yelling). Then we meet the 3 wise men and they told of there journey in search of a new born king.We followed the path and meet Shepard's and the angel Gabriel appeared and told us of the birth of Jesus. We went to the town of Bethlehem and then found Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in a stable. They had live animals which my boys loved. The camels where amazing. We really enjoyed ourselves, and can't wait to do it next year.

Advent Calender

I have been trying to do an advent calender for my kids. I got the idea from a fellow blogger homemade by Jill, who made a challenge to anyone willing to do it. I have poked myself millions of times with the needle. I have screamed, and trashed felt ornaments ,and swore I would never do this again. haha . I am not finished but I am getting closer so I thought I would post some pictures of my progress so far.

I finally got it done!

Happy Thanksgiving

I know that I am posting this early, but I am going to be extremely busy for the next couple of days preparing for Thanksgiving and I don't know if I will have time to get on here. I Wish you and your families a very Blessed Thanksgiving.

Tree

We put our tree up tonight. I love this time of year. My kids are getting bigger and it seems like time just flies by. It's little moments like putting ornaments on a tree together that I truly cherish. I get so sentimental when I see there little master pieces of years ago. My favorite ornament of my 15 year old was his hand print when he was 5. My favorite from my 7 year old is his first clay ornament he made when he was 2. It seems like only yesterday we where celebrating  Their first Christmas.

 See they are adorable!

Two years ago we had my oldest blow his own glass ornament. That was a blast!

I would like to show you all my Christmas box. My mother-in-law, made this for me last year for Christmas. It is absolutely beautiful.You have to check out her blog.

hopewellcreek.blogspot.com

school project

finished project

My husband and son surprised us by making the cutest tee-pee for a class project. They used felt, glue, yarn, and sticks from our yard.

Funny

I have to share this joke with all my blogger friends who have husbands like mine. I hope you enjoy it.

 A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day… 30,000 to a man’s 15,000. The wife replied, “The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men. The husband then turned to his wife and asked, “What?”

I am asking for help from everyone. I am hosting Thanksgiving this year and I'm looking for some recipe ideas. Anything would be helpful.

I  FINALLY made a necklace! I have been meaning to, and meaning to, and then I got into felting and oops.... anyway tada!!!!! haha  I keep looking ahead going "oh wait, the holidays are coming." I have to do ornaments soon, and cookies, and fudge, and candy,..... I don't know how I will balance crafting and the holidays, but I can't wait to jump into it all.

Sophie (the dog) loved this, Callie (the cat) not so much haha!

With the holidays rapidly approaching, I thought I would show off last years Christmas card picture. I am trying to top it and I would love some ideas. I'm thinking elves this year.

Felting, Felting, Felting