Our week, June 16-22, 2013

This was an active week for us.  That, and the fact that I had a sore throat/cold virus from Wednesday until Saturday made it a little miserable for me.  I think the children enjoyed the fact that I had no voice for three days!

Sunday, June 16, 2013 

Father's Day picnic with Uncle Marvin & Cousin Kevin from North Dakota, previously blogged about.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Three of our newest kittens that are getting big.  We had a big rainstorm on Saturday night and then on Sunday one kitten was left behind from the bunch.  We gave him some milk and even took him to church with us.  By Sunday night we found his mama and three siblings and all is well again.  

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

The funeral for my cousin's husband, previously blogged about.

And our picnic with friends . . . previously blogged about.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wednesday was a huge day for us . . . we chopped our hay instead of baled it.  I have lots of pictures and hope to post them soon.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

An elaborate Thomas the Train track system.  When the weather gets warm outside, we head for the basement.  That's where our train tracks and larger farm set stuff is stashed.  Their train set was a good investment over the years and they all still like to play with it. 

Friday, June 21, 2013

A couple weeks ago, on our way to town, we happened past a garage sale.  I tried not to look because I didn't want to stop but I saw a telescope in the driveway.  We made a u-turn and purchased it because the price was right.  It has taken us a few tries to get it figured out, just in time to view the "super moon" on this particular weekend.  

Saturday, June 22, 2013

It was hot.  Hot enough to get out the Kid Wash that we made in 2011.  We found all the pieces, although we had to take a break and pull up a past picture of the contraption to get it all together correctly.  The kids love it!  

Picnic with Friends

Tuesday night we had a picnic with our couple's group.  Just another way to kick off the summer and our children always enjoy interacting with one another.  It was slightly hilarious when we all started unpacking our coolers of food.  Jello, Jello, more Jello, another Jello salad and yet another salad.  Too funny!  We were all thinking the same!

One activity of the night involved several balls, a tree and a brave man who climbed the tree to rescue two stuck balls.  

After several attempts by those on the ground to get the stubborn balls loose, Seth "borrows" a ladder for our host's garage and starts climbing the tree.  He was pretty high up there and pretty far out, too!

Those on the ground watching the one in the tree.  I was a bit nervous, especially with all the tree limbs crackling and falling.  But, he remained safe the entire time.  

Seth is in the middle of the picture and the red ball is in the center right.  

There was a football game kind of going on for a few minutes.  Emmet played some.  It was a bit comical considering he's never played football, never seen a football game on tv and has never been to a football game.  

The girls enjoyed time in the clubhouse AND playing with the kitten.  Some of the time they were chasing the cat who found a good hiding place in the corn field.  

Time for a group photo!  They stood there . . . and stood there . . . and stood there (once we had them herded into the corner, that is).  It was remarkable that they continued standing there . . . even after the photos were all taken!  All those children ages 2-10!

Time for a funny photo!  

Saying farewell

Last Monday night we had the funeral visitation for my cousin's husband Curtis.  He fought a courageous battle against cancer for over 4 years, but the cancer finally took his life at the young age of 45.  He will definitely be missed by many.  He leaves behind a wife and son and a large extended family.  His funeral was Tuesday, the 18th.  

Here are just a couple of photos: 

Most of my Aunt Karen's grandchildren (the nieces and son of Curtis)

Back row: Maddison, Chelsea, Morgan, Ariana, Christopher and his girlfriend Alix, Macey

Middle: Lindsey, Staija, Jordan

Front: Reagan, Hailey

The only one missing is Amelia who had a baby boy just days before and will spend many weeks in the NICU since he weighed only 1lb 15oz at birth.  

The funeral procession was led by a tractor, just one of the many features to the visitation and funeral that made it unique and exactly the way Curtis wanted it.  He had everything thought out and pre-planned, right down to the red gumballs in the gumball machine!

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  II Timothy 4:7-8

The girls enjoying some daddy time while they wait for mommy to finish visiting with some cousins I don't get to see very often.  

It was a tough day and many tears were shed.  A life gone at such a young age.  But yet, we rejoice in the promise of heaven.  His service was a nice celebration of his life.  It was also a call to action to finish what Curtis started . . . a passion for saving lost souls.  

Father's Day

Father's Day was kind of busy for us.  First we had church.  Well, actually first we had to greet at the main door and Seth had to usher on the west aisle.  After church, we toured the parking lot to see all the vehicles the dads drove to church.  This year we didn't bring in the Cub tractor like we did last year.  Maybe next year?

After church, we visited Elizabeth and then it was off to Seth's parents' for a picnic with his Great Uncle Marvin & cousin Kevin.  

But let's back up .  It is Saturday night and Seth was actually home for supper.  The children were bathed and we decided to give Seth part of his Father's Day present a bit early.  I quickly wrapped it (in the Hy-Vee ad--see photo below--they had some nice steaks pictured--perfect for a dad who likes steak).  He opened it and it was a new movie to watch that evening!  I had bought Honey I Shrunk the  Kids on DVD.  We loved it!  It was a blast from the past for Seth and I.  

Later on Sunday he opened the rest of his present from us:  a couple of cattle health books and a Hank the Cowdog Audio CD for the van.

A nice Father's Day photo.

(Now, my astute readers will notice a couple of things:  1.  If this was Father's Day, then Emmet's not wearing the same shirt he's wearing in the VBS picture in the previous post ON Father's Day.  2.  The girls' hair is done up different than the previous post ON Father's Day.  3.  That's not our church.)  

Okay, you got me.  We took this photo a couple days later at my cousin's funeral because we didn't get one taken ON Father's Day. 

Happy Father's Day to the best!  He works hard for us.  

He plays hard with us.  We love him lots and lots! 

We thank God for the blessing he has been to all of us!  

And for a gift to the 2 Grandpas and 1 Great-Grandfather, we gave a small donation to Heifer International.  A gift of trees will be passed on to some deserving fathers in another country.  

VBS part 2

As a follow-up to VBS the 2nd week of June, all the children in church on Father's Day went up front to sing during 1st and 2nd service.  It gives the congregation just a hint of what went on during VBS.  

Singing the "Investigation Destination" theme song.  

Ephraim's in the back, Emmet's in the middle in the red shirt and the girls are in the middle front.  They did a great job singing and are already asking about next year's VBS theme!

Here are a few more pictures from VBS, sent to me from my friend Theresa!

Eden (in the yellow) during praise & worship time.  

Ephraim taking a turn riding on the PET cart on Friday.  

Ephraim driving the PET cart.  He's driven one before when Grandpa Harold brought one home to sample.  

That's me explaining the thumbprint nativity craft to the preschoolers.  Some people might not want the job of preschool crafts but I'll take it any day!

Emmet during craft time.  They made prayer sticks.  Each day we pull al stick from the cup and have a specific request to use for guided prayer. 

Ephraim during activity sheet time.  

Whew!  VBS is always a great time with great memories.  We have two more VBS programs to attend this summer (hopefully).  Those are in July and they all have a different theme.  It is kind of nice to have them spread out.  We do enjoy VBS and the fun and interaction it gives the kids!

Our week June 9 to June 15, 2013

Sunday, June 9, 2013

We celebrated Great-Grandma's 96th birthday, previously blogged about.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Emmet had a ball game, that's him in the outfield with his hand on his hat.  

And here's how we watched the game . . . from the concession stand since it was our turn.  

After VBS, the children played at Angie's house while I worked a few hours.  

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

This was our week for VBS, previously blogged about.  After VBS, the children played at Stacy's and had a great time with her 5 kids.  

Also on this day we had our two beef cows taken to the locker.  Won't be long and we'll have a freezer full of steaks, hamburger, dried beef and roasts!  

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

We bought a couple more cheap rain gauges to capitalize on the boys' interest in weather right now.  We bought two that resemble test tubes and one with about a 2 inch opening.  They've been mounted to the fence posts and now we can measure and compare the amount of rain we get in 4 rain gauges.  

A look at my garden.  Inside the fence I have lettuce, carrots, beans, popcorn, zucchini, tomatoes and onions.  Outside the fence I have pumpkins, cucumbers, flowers that the girls planted and chicken treats.  Still need to get a few more items in the ground, but so far it is looking good.  I'm staying ahead of the weeds and the rain hasn't washed anything away.  

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Emmet had his last ball game in Pella on this night.  He had Grandpa Harold & Grandma Twyla and Great Aunt Marilyn in attendance.  Mark, John & Aunt Michelle also came to cheer him on.  

Emmet had a nice hit but the opposing team caught the ball before he made it to first base :/

He got an award and a nice medal for participating in the season.  Emmet did enjoy participating in Rookie Boys Baseball this year.  He did make the comment once about "Why am I playing ball if I'm not going to do this as an adult?"  Good question, Emmet.  Way to think 'big picture'.  You're playing because you wanted to at the beginning of the season.  Because you're learning teamwork skills and having fun with friends.  We'll see what he decides about playing next year.    

Friday, June 14, 2013

The closing ceremonies at VBS, previously blogged about.  

Friday night found Ephraim at a friend's house.  Emmet and Daddy spent some special time together in the cattle pasture, camping in a tent in the cattle trailer.  I hope to make that a post of its own.  

Saturday, June 15, 2013

The girls were playing "vet" and one would bring in sick or injured pets and the other would administer medicine or advice.  They had their vet office set up behind the couch.  Here is an anteater coming to the vet because he ate too many ants.  It can be so neat to listen in while play!  

Our week, June 2 to June 8, 2013

Sunday, June 2, 2013

We celebrated Alyssa's birthday and Amber's birthday at Mom and Dad's for Sunday lunch, previously blogged about.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Seth with the field auditor from the NRCS.  Ugh.  Apparently we were randomly selected for a field audit.  We haven't heard the results yet.  We were supposed to have the sentencing for one of our thieves on this day, but it got continued two hours prior to it starting :/  That's pretty typical for the Judicial Branch.  

Emmet also had a ball game tonight.  

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The girls are working on one of my preschool VBS crafts.  They are making the sample for the other children to see.  

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

We're doing the "Around the World in 60 days" activity that came in our Thriving Family (Focus on the Family) magazine.  It came with a free map and free activities to do.  Our first stop was New Zealand where they have 7 sheep for every one person.  Our activity was to hide sheep in the yard and find them.  We hid 5 sheep of all sizes and had a great time!

Making a strawberry pie (that won't last too long)!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Gotta love it when you daughters pick you flowers . . . roots and all!

Emmet had a ball game and he got to be the catcher for one inning.  

Emmet made me a present and wrapped it himself.  It was a cross necklace that he made from sticks and yarn.  Too sweet!

Friday, June 7, 2013

Eden and Emmet were both helping wrap up pigs in a blanket for supper.  Apparently I haven't made this in years because they thought it was hilarious to call them 'pigs in a blanket' and at the end of the evening, they would have preferred just plain hot dogs.  

Also on this day, we visited my cousin at the hospice house.  Her husband has had cancer for over 4 years and the cancer is winning.  It was nice to visit for a few minutes and to let them know we are praying for them on this difficult journey.  

We did a few errands while we were in Pella, one of which was to finally get rid of an old TV and a few other broken electronics.  They've been sitting in the basement for a long time and there's a place in Pella that recycles them.   Whew!  One more thing crossed of the list.   

Saturday, June 8, 2013

We picked strawberries in the morning and made strawberry syrup, previously blogged about.