Well my kids are running around all excited about today. I on the other hand am not as excited. Halloween is my least favorite holiday. I just don't like all nasty costumes and spooky things that are associated with this day. We were never allowed to trick or treat when we were kids. I do let my kids trick or treat and it is fun to get them dressed up and see their excitement. Halle had her costume parade yesterday at school and Arianna has hers today. I will go trick or treating with my sister tonight and her kids. It makes for a busy day- as soon as Arianna gets off the bus we will take off.
I really want to limit a bit how much candy they get this year- every year they come home with this huge bag and then every time I turn around they are eating candy- not good!! We'll see how well I do limiting it this year. Wish me luck!!
I'll post pictures tomorrow of their costumes.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
The Shack- The disturbing event
As I've stated- we had a great time. However- there was a very troubling event that happened on the last day- Sunday no less!!
We went out for a walk and when I got back Mark says to me- Cheri look at the top of your van! Well much to my dismay this is what I saw:
Now If you can't tell what that is let me bring it a little closer for you:
Yes it is a squirell! Not just any squirell- but a DEAD SQUIRELL!!!
You see this squirell was along a path and we had seen him earlier in the weekend.
Somehow this animal ended up on top of my vehicle- Isn't that the strangest thing!???!
I can not even begin to fathom the kind of mental disturbance that must be happening in some member of my family to put that on top of my vehicle- not to mention the psychological scars that has been afflicted on my girls. Halle thought we were going to bring him home.
I would be VERY VERY afraid if you are the perpetrator. I'll just tell you that my mind has not quit since it happened and the ideas I have come up with well lets just say they are NUTS!!!!! (get it?? squirell- nuts)
It really was very funny and we all got a huge laugh out of it- just one of the many laughs we had this weekend- Thanks Grandpa for the wonderful time!!
We went out for a walk and when I got back Mark says to me- Cheri look at the top of your van! Well much to my dismay this is what I saw:
Now If you can't tell what that is let me bring it a little closer for you:
Yes it is a squirell! Not just any squirell- but a DEAD SQUIRELL!!!
You see this squirell was along a path and we had seen him earlier in the weekend.
Somehow this animal ended up on top of my vehicle- Isn't that the strangest thing!???!
I can not even begin to fathom the kind of mental disturbance that must be happening in some member of my family to put that on top of my vehicle- not to mention the psychological scars that has been afflicted on my girls. Halle thought we were going to bring him home.
I would be VERY VERY afraid if you are the perpetrator. I'll just tell you that my mind has not quit since it happened and the ideas I have come up with well lets just say they are NUTS!!!!! (get it?? squirell- nuts)
It really was very funny and we all got a huge laugh out of it- just one of the many laughs we had this weekend- Thanks Grandpa for the wonderful time!!
The Shack- Take 3
Every night you get to go to the main house for banana splits! Oh my goodness did we eat well this weekend. It is really time for the treadmill!
Here's a picture of Grandpa with all the grandkids
Here's a picture of Grandpa with all the grandkids
The Shack take 2
My sister Mari prepared a bunch of games, crossword puzzles and word searches that related to our family. She did a great job. One of the games was she spray painted a bunch of pebbles gold. She had the kids search for gold all weekend. Whichever family got the most got a prize. Here are the kids looking for gold. Also here are a couple pictures of kids escaping their rooms!
The Shack- Take 1
We had a great time at the Shack this weekend! We had beautiful rooms- ours had a full kitchen in it- the kids had their own room and our room had a hot tub in it.
The living room had a fireplace- it was really a cottage! The weather could have been a little nicer on Saturday but it only rained in the morning. In the afternoon the guys got to go shoot clay targets and they had a great time. We played pool, ping pong, card games etc... It was just so fun to spend the time together.
On Sunday we did our own church service- that went really well. My brother in law did the message and wow- what a great job he did!
I'll tell more about the weekend on the next post.... To be continued
The living room had a fireplace- it was really a cottage! The weather could have been a little nicer on Saturday but it only rained in the morning. In the afternoon the guys got to go shoot clay targets and they had a great time. We played pool, ping pong, card games etc... It was just so fun to spend the time together.
On Sunday we did our own church service- that went really well. My brother in law did the message and wow- what a great job he did!
I'll tell more about the weekend on the next post.... To be continued
Friday, October 27, 2006
The Shack
The time has finally come! My dad is taking the whole family- brother and sisters and families to the Shack for the weekend. The shack is a beautiful retreat on a lake. We have fireplaces and hot tubs in our rooms! I can't wait- we always have a great time together. I'm sure I'll be sore from all the laughing. Not to mention all the great food they have there and banana splits every night!
I'll post all about it when we get home on Sunday!
Have a great weekend!
I'll post all about it when we get home on Sunday!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Roller Skating Party
Last night we took our whole Wednesday Night church group roller skating. We had a really good time. It was fun to see the little kids trying to skate for the first time. It was pretty amazing how fast some of them picked it up. I even put skates on and went around a couple of times. It's equally amazing how fast you can lose the skill of skating. It wasn't pretty or graceful but I did it and I didn't fall. The picture of Mari and Heather just stading at the wall was the dissapointing part of the night. They didn't even try to skate! I think they owed it to the kids to try but no -they just stood there at the wall trying to get blackmail pictures of me!The picture of Halle at the end laying down was at the end of the night and Frankly that's what I felt like doing to!
This is Halle just getting the hang of standing up- in her words "This is pretty tricky!"
This is Arianna doing the Hokey Pokey- Shake it all about!
This is Halle just getting the hang of standing up- in her words "This is pretty tricky!"
This is Arianna doing the Hokey Pokey- Shake it all about!
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Fall Baking Day
I just love this time of year- a crisp feeling in the air- that means it's time for my oven to go on and bake!
When we were in Shipshewana we had a pretzel and it reminded me that I hadn't made pretzels for awhile. I make the dough in the bread maker and then bake them. They are delicious and the kids just love them. Halle had to help- we had so much fun rolling them out. After we were done with that I thought it was time for a apple pie. I love the smell of an apple pie baking. It was pretty tasty too!
Here's the recipe for the pretzels if you want to try them. You may want to be prepared to make them again the next day- I only have 2 left and the kids were fighting about who got the last ones.
Pretzels:
3/4 c. water
2 c. bread flour
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. yeast
1 egg beaten
1-2 T. coarse salt
Measure all ingredients into bread pan, except egg and coarse salt. Select dough cycle. Preheat oven t 450. Divide dough into 12 pieces and roll into 8 inch rope. Form int pretzel shape. Place on greased cokie sheet, brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
When we were in Shipshewana we had a pretzel and it reminded me that I hadn't made pretzels for awhile. I make the dough in the bread maker and then bake them. They are delicious and the kids just love them. Halle had to help- we had so much fun rolling them out. After we were done with that I thought it was time for a apple pie. I love the smell of an apple pie baking. It was pretty tasty too!
Here's the recipe for the pretzels if you want to try them. You may want to be prepared to make them again the next day- I only have 2 left and the kids were fighting about who got the last ones.
Pretzels:
3/4 c. water
2 c. bread flour
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. yeast
1 egg beaten
1-2 T. coarse salt
Measure all ingredients into bread pan, except egg and coarse salt. Select dough cycle. Preheat oven t 450. Divide dough into 12 pieces and roll into 8 inch rope. Form int pretzel shape. Place on greased cokie sheet, brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Noah's Ark
This past Wednesday night at church we had a group activity and we went out behind church to the field and we got to set up the outline of Noah's Ark.
The kids got to measure out 450 feet long in the field and 75 feet wide and we pounded in
stakes and then tied rope around the edges so the kids could get a feel for how big the ark was. We also had a fire truck come in and raise it's ladder to 45 feet high in the air. It was really neat to see how big it really was! I think the kids really enjoyed it. Sorry the pictures aren't great- it got dark and I didn't have my camera so these are from another teacher- but it gives you a little idea. On the 2nd picture Arianna is in the purple coat pounding in the stake.
On a side note- Nick did great last night. We were so proud of him. His youth pastor said some very kind words about him and how he has touched a lot of lives at church. It just melted my heart. What a gift he is to us and we are so thankful God blessed our lives with him.
The big day will be coming up on November 19. I can't wait!
Monday, October 23, 2006
A great Saturday!
We went to Shipshewana with Nate and Brenda on Saturday. We just love to go down there and walk around the shops and then top it off by eating at the Essenhaus.
This was the best trip down there ever. The weather was perfect! We couldn't have asked for better weather.
We walked around the shops- I got a stocking stuffer for my mother in law and then we went to the Amish grocery store. We got cheese- yum! Mark got his frosting- he loves the frosting they make- he puts it on graham crackers for a snack. I know it's really healthy!! I wanted badly to get some of the ham for lunch meat because it's so cheap down there but it was too warm out. Next time I'm bringing a cooler.
Then Nate suggested just driving around the back roads. That was the best idea- I'm so so mad that I forgot my camera. We saw 4 horses pulling a harvester, all kinds of the little dwarf horses- sooo cute, the hay all bundled up into like tee pee shapes, there were so many pictures that I wanted. It was really neat- we will be doing that again next time.
We had just absolute belly laughs- we had to walk out of a furniture store (Brenda and I) because we were about to roar with laughter. The guys didn't hear it but there was a little boy sitting on top of his dads shoulders and all of a sudden he just let one go and it was loud. We couldn't contain ourselves. The worker at the store thought we were nuts I'm sure but it was so funny!
So, good times, good laughs, good food- who could ask for more!!!
Thanks so much Terri for watching the kids we really appreciate it.
PS- please pray for Nick. Tonight is the night that he goes before the consistory. I'm sure he'll be nervous. For that matter pray for me too- I'll be nervous too- also pray that I don't break into tears and embarrass him!!
This was the best trip down there ever. The weather was perfect! We couldn't have asked for better weather.
We walked around the shops- I got a stocking stuffer for my mother in law and then we went to the Amish grocery store. We got cheese- yum! Mark got his frosting- he loves the frosting they make- he puts it on graham crackers for a snack. I know it's really healthy!! I wanted badly to get some of the ham for lunch meat because it's so cheap down there but it was too warm out. Next time I'm bringing a cooler.
Then Nate suggested just driving around the back roads. That was the best idea- I'm so so mad that I forgot my camera. We saw 4 horses pulling a harvester, all kinds of the little dwarf horses- sooo cute, the hay all bundled up into like tee pee shapes, there were so many pictures that I wanted. It was really neat- we will be doing that again next time.
We had just absolute belly laughs- we had to walk out of a furniture store (Brenda and I) because we were about to roar with laughter. The guys didn't hear it but there was a little boy sitting on top of his dads shoulders and all of a sudden he just let one go and it was loud. We couldn't contain ourselves. The worker at the store thought we were nuts I'm sure but it was so funny!
So, good times, good laughs, good food- who could ask for more!!!
Thanks so much Terri for watching the kids we really appreciate it.
PS- please pray for Nick. Tonight is the night that he goes before the consistory. I'm sure he'll be nervous. For that matter pray for me too- I'll be nervous too- also pray that I don't break into tears and embarrass him!!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
The day that is every parents dream
We had Wednesday night program at church last night. On the way home Nick says to me
"There's something on my mind that I want to talk with you about."
I said ok- what's up? He then told me that he wants to make profession of faith.
I know that he's been thinking about it for quite awhile now- but he wanted to wait until he knew he was ready and was doing it for the right reasons. I can't even explain the feeling you get as a parent when you hear that your child is ready to stand up and profess what he believes.We are so very proud of him!
I know I'll be very nervous when he goes before the elders because I know he'll be nervous but I know he will do just fine.
We love you Nick!!!
"There's something on my mind that I want to talk with you about."
I said ok- what's up? He then told me that he wants to make profession of faith.
I know that he's been thinking about it for quite awhile now- but he wanted to wait until he knew he was ready and was doing it for the right reasons. I can't even explain the feeling you get as a parent when you hear that your child is ready to stand up and profess what he believes.We are so very proud of him!
I know I'll be very nervous when he goes before the elders because I know he'll be nervous but I know he will do just fine.
We love you Nick!!!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Halle's Acrobatics
Here are the steps to achieve this routine- as stated by Halle!
1. Get a good start
2. Get a good gallop
3. Get a good charge
4. Go!
Don't be surprised if yours isn't as good as Halle's- it's taken awhile to perfect!
You may want to listen to it twice- it works better the 2nd time through.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Third Day concert
The Third Day Concert was last Thursday and I'm still gushing about it.
What an amazing night that was.
I'll just start with our seats- we were row 10! I felt like I was right next to them.
That's why I was just sick about not bringing my camera. I was sure they wouldn't allow them in and they never even checked. Thank goodness Diane brought hers. The concert had Hyperstatic Union, The David Crowder Band and Third Day. They all were very good. I was really impressed with David Crowder. I didn't think I would know his music, but I knew a lot of his songs, He does a lot of praise and worship music. He's also very funny.
I had never been to a Third Day Concert so I really didn't know what to expect. I truly can't say enough about it. The day after got even better.
The concert was 3 hours long and we ( and the whole auditorium) stood the entire time except for 1 song where I wanted to just pray so I knelt down. Yes my feet got sore but it didn't matter.
One of the things that I just loved was that our group was all in their thirties. The auditorium was filled with people our age, some younger and some older. We were jumping up and down praising the Lord and it didn't matter that you might have looked stupid. It just didn't matter! You could really tell that they believe what they sing, the joy on their faces was very evident and real.
What a show they put on. The next time they come to town- I won't miss it!! What an incredible, awesome, moving experience. Third Day Rocks!!!!!
What an amazing night that was.
I'll just start with our seats- we were row 10! I felt like I was right next to them.
That's why I was just sick about not bringing my camera. I was sure they wouldn't allow them in and they never even checked. Thank goodness Diane brought hers. The concert had Hyperstatic Union, The David Crowder Band and Third Day. They all were very good. I was really impressed with David Crowder. I didn't think I would know his music, but I knew a lot of his songs, He does a lot of praise and worship music. He's also very funny.
I had never been to a Third Day Concert so I really didn't know what to expect. I truly can't say enough about it. The day after got even better.
The concert was 3 hours long and we ( and the whole auditorium) stood the entire time except for 1 song where I wanted to just pray so I knelt down. Yes my feet got sore but it didn't matter.
One of the things that I just loved was that our group was all in their thirties. The auditorium was filled with people our age, some younger and some older. We were jumping up and down praising the Lord and it didn't matter that you might have looked stupid. It just didn't matter! You could really tell that they believe what they sing, the joy on their faces was very evident and real.
What a show they put on. The next time they come to town- I won't miss it!! What an incredible, awesome, moving experience. Third Day Rocks!!!!!
Monday, October 16, 2006
Halle's Acrobatics
Here are the steps to achieve this routine- as stated by Halle!
1. Get a good start
2. Get a good gallop
3. Get a good charge
4. Go!
Don't be surprised if yours isn't as good as Halle's- it's taken awhile to perfect!
You may want to listen to it twice- it works better the 2nd time through.
Robinettes
Every year in the fall we make a trip to Robinettes. They have the most delicious apples, donuts, apple cider etc... This weekend was the time. We went on Saturday afternoon after Arianna's soccer game. It was very busy- but it always is there.
The weather could have been nicer- it was quite cold. Thank goodness we got a table inside to eat our donuts at. The kids played for awhile outside and then we were frozen so it was a quick trip this year! It was still worth it though- especially since I have cider in my refrigerator and 6 more pumpkin donuts on my counter! Yum!
The weather could have been nicer- it was quite cold. Thank goodness we got a table inside to eat our donuts at. The kids played for awhile outside and then we were frozen so it was a quick trip this year! It was still worth it though- especially since I have cider in my refrigerator and 6 more pumpkin donuts on my counter! Yum!
Friday, October 13, 2006
the Critter Barn
Yesterday was the day for Halle to go to the Critter Barn with her class. This is a field trip that Mark always goes on with the kids so he met them there. The weather was not cooperative at all so they didn't do the outdoor activities. The saw a baby bunny, cats, chickens, and lots of other animals. Mark and Halle both had lots of fun. Mark went to put on his coat later after he came home and I came to the stairs and asked him if that happened to be the coat he wore to the barn. Yes he says- why can you smell it? Oh yeah could I smell it!! That coat will be washed pronto!
On a different note- I will tell you all about the Third Day concert in a day or 2. I didn't bring my camera because I didn't think they'd be allowed in. I was wrong. No one checked anything. I was sick about it. One of the other ladies did take her camera and she is going to email me a couple of pictures. When I get those, I will post on it.
I'll just say this-----THIRD DAY ROCKS!!!!!!!
On a different note- I will tell you all about the Third Day concert in a day or 2. I didn't bring my camera because I didn't think they'd be allowed in. I was wrong. No one checked anything. I was sick about it. One of the other ladies did take her camera and she is going to email me a couple of pictures. When I get those, I will post on it.
I'll just say this-----THIRD DAY ROCKS!!!!!!!
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