4-wheeler ridin'

On Emmet's birthday was the much-anticipated Cadet 4-wheeler ride.  This year, the girls were invited, too!  With an extra 4-wheeler from Neal, we were all set with 3 sets of wheels.  It was a beautiful day and fun was had by all!

 

The girls enjoyed a little free time driving themselves. 

 

The boys were more than ready to cut loose and have some free time on the 4-wheelers. 

And there was a little mud to be found. 

Eden and I having a good time :)

Their smiles say it all--having a great time.  We let them have the two smaller 4-wheelers most of the time.  The rest of us rode with others or on the big 4-wheeler. 

Seth and Eden trying to keep up with a dirt bike.

Whoops, got it stuck in the crick crossing!

Yes, that's Eliza pulling Emmet out.  Eeek.

Eden was a screamer, no matter if she was happy, excited or scared, she was screaming.

We enjoyed a time of fun, fellowship, laughter and snacks.  Thankfully, it was also a safe afternoon.  The children enjoyed themselves and are already anxious for next year.

 

 

 

"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go."

Psalm 91:11

 

Emmet is 10!

Ten years ago . . ..

 

 

 . . . and here is that same "little" boy!

Emmet was able to open his gifts on Saturday, the 17th.  His birthday is the 18th, but since that is a Sunday and we had busy morning with church commitments, we let him open his gifts early. 

 

This is the model plane he wanted.  He fixed it all by himself and it is hanging in his room now.

He also got a western shirt and some duct tape.  His other present would be his bow and arrow for Archery. 

Emmet wanted a blue Lego cake. 

At 10, Emmet loves Legos and playing farm.

He enjoys reading historical fiction books or books about tractors or trucks.

He can play with his brother or with his sister and likes to be included.

He enjoys working hard on the farm.

 

This is Emmet's new bow so he can compete on the Archery team.  He got a bow, case and a few arrows for his tournaments this winter. 

 

 

"The father of godly children has cause for joy. 

 What a pleasure to have children who are wise."

Proverbs 23:24

Birthday 8s x 2!

From this . . .

to this . . .

Oh wow.  They are growing up in all ways--their size, vocabulary, interests, everything! 

They are 8 years old now. 

 

Their birthday was a Saturday, so we had pancakes with pink and purple sprinkles.  And our traditional Saturday morning cinnamon rolls, too.  Oh, and we had eggs from Eden's bantam Rhode Island Red.  We'd had been saving them for this occasion. 

They were surprised in the morning with helium balloons above their bed and streamers in their bedroom doorway.  Simple, yet they loved it. 

"New" dresses for them, pink and purple, of course.

A DVD with episodes from the older tv show, Full House.

I put together a fun little bag with bath wash, hair ties, chapstick and other things in pink or purple.  Eden was ecstatic about the bath wash and scrubber.

Eliza wanted this Longhorn bull.  Eden got some pink gates for her farm set.

Opening a book with easy quilting and sewing patterns for children.  We have since made two items and the girls love it!

We have to have cake on a birthday.  Eden choose a pink heart. 

Eliza wanted a circle with grass and a sky.  They did a lot of the decorating.

 

Eliza frosted her name and a dog on her cake.

 

They were thrilled with their finished cakes!

Happy Birthday to you!

At this age, the girls enjoy playing both dolls and farming. 

They love their homeschool gymnastics class. 

Eliza prefers Math while Eden likes reading. 

They weigh the same and are the same height. 

Both enjoy crafts. 

Eden likes to write stories while Eliza likes to draw pictures of animals. 

You can already tell that they are good friends AND sisters. 

 

"Children are a gift from the Lord,

they are a reward from him." 

Psalm 127:3

 

Grinding corn

Now that the ear corn is picked, it has to be ground up into feed for the calves.  We have to do this process every 2-3 weeks.  Sometimes the children and I help out. 

 

Scooping the corn into the auger.

 

 

The corn comes up the auger, is ground up and ends up in the bin of the grinder/mixer.

The work-force.

The supervisor. 

 

"Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,

 and establish the work of our hands for us;

yes, establish the work of our hands." 

Psalm 90:17