Happy Valentines Day!

OK, so I have been not so faithful once again....It is very crazy at our house sometimes.:) We are doing well and have been doing lots of fun things with the kids up in Muscatine. This week we are headed to a humane society and them to watch the obedience training. Last week we had a man come in and give us a talk on search and rescue dogs. He was training the cutest puppy. Then we had a lady who trains service dogs. She brought a very large golden retriever with her. He is planning on being a seeing eye dog. It is fascinating to hear all the requirements to pass the tests for that!!
Needless to say, we have been very busy and have really enjoyed ourselves. However, it has been hard to keep you updated... so hopefully I will download and post some pics for you soon:) Maybe even later, if I get really inspired!

Lindsay looking at her maize book--dressed like a pioneer

dipping candles

Making biscuits

making rag dolls and covered wagons

Well, things have been very busy here. We have joined a co-op that we do once a week. The kids are having such fun. THey have been doing frontier life and have made rag dolls, covered wagons, maize books, embroidery, making a pattern, candles, butter, biscuits, and an old fashion meal to top it all off. It has been so much fun.

Our new theme is pets and pet care. We will be having a lecture from a lady that trains seeing eye dogs, she will bring atleast one dog. We are taking a trip to the humane society, doing a collage on pets, breeds and classes of dogs. We are making dog biscuits and trying to find which one the dogs like best... Oh, it will be fun... I think I am having as much fun as the kids. :)

I hope this January everyone is staying warm. We have had nothing but cold, cold weather!!! I am very tired of the cold. It seems to never cease this winter.

Anyway, you have been duly caught up on our lives and hope you feel very informed:)

4-H Fun

The kids had a volley ball tournament in Muscatine this past Saturday. 4-H does that on occasion. It was lots of fun! Emily was in the older group, Travis in the younger group. It was exciting.

Jeff made this beautiful oak hope chest for Emily for Christmas. She was so excited. They picked out the style together and talked about it for a long time. He was worse than her and was up before anyone else on Christmas morning so he could get it under the tree. It was so sweet!

Here is another picture of the kids at our Christmas program. The little ones came on the stage next. They said parts and did a great job, too. I don't think I have any pics of it. I am a horrible picture taker.:)

This pic is blurry, but it's Travis having the coveted part of "Joseph" of which he was very proud.:)

The kids are doing all sorts of things in 4-H and are loving it! One of them is volleyball. They are having a tournament against another 4-H homeschool group tomorrow. I'll have to take some pics and post them.

We also joined a co-op that does unit studies and the kids are having a blast making all kinds of stuff. We are studying frontier life and resourcefulness right now. It is interesting and informative. Well, I'll write later.

Happy New Year!

Just thought I'd get this updated and let everyone know all that has been happening in our lives.
We had Christmas with Jeff's family in November, and our own Christmas at home on Christmas morning. Then we went to my parents and had Christmas with my brothers, sis-in-law and kids, and my parents. It was busy and fun.

Lindsay had a birthday and turned 6 just before Christmas. Who has birthdays just before Christmas????sigh...:)

Here is the picture I promised of the snow. We had tons of it. It is mostly gone now due to a warm snap that didn't last.:) More ice and snow due tomorrow....

We also had a Christmas program and it turned out really nice. I'll post more of that later.....

Here is Lindsay who was an angel. She memorized parts and did really well.

Well, it has been a busy month and a new year has begun. Hope everyone is well and having a great start to there year!

November snowstorm

This was our first snow this winter. It happened early this year.

I am going out to take pictures of our snowfall from last night. We got 6 inches on top of sleet and rotten ice. It is beautiful and messy! It is up to 11* degrees this morning and it feels better than -1*. However, 25* after this cold, feels wonderful! You feel like it isn't too necessary to have a coat. Funny how you're blood thickens. Anyway, better run outside for those pictures or you won't be seeing them for awhile....:)

Thanksgiving Vacation!

We went to Uncle Kenny's house while in Louisiana and had a great time. Here are my cousin-in-law with my cousin's daughter and Emily.

We had a Thanksgiving feast for our family and Jeff's parents. It was nice, peaceful and very enjoyable!

Jeff and his mom at the park where we went crabbing.

Another picture of our Thanksgiving dinner!

We had a blast on our Vacation! We went crabbing, rode the 4-wheeler(well, some of us did):), played games and just sat around and visited or read books. It was very relaxing. Beautiful weather, too! 80* some days. I loved that part! We are glad to be back in our own little house, but it was so nice to have a fun trip!