A Day in the Park

Several weeks ago we spent some time at the park in Hudson. I've included some pictures of our time there. It was a beautiful fall day!

Chase driving with his eyes closed




Who will be the last one standing?




Not Chase or Katie!




Hudson loved the swings




Hudson's Funny Face




How to do the Monkey bars





How NOT to do the Monkey bars




Girls on the tire swing




Who will be the last one standing (again)?


Shannon will win at all costs!

"But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18

Football is Over

Our G-R Rebels football season is officially over, although Alex started his off-season training schedule today. Alex was able to dress for the varsity football game vs. Dike-New Hartford Friday evening. He didn't see any playing time, but not all of the Freshman were asked to dress, so there is some honor in just being able to stand on the sidelines. The Rebels played a great game against the Wolverines and beat their long-time rival 13-6 to end their season.

Bryce had his final flag football game yesterday. He won 2 out of 4 games this season.

Chase's final game was rained out on Oct. 14th, and they chose not to schedule a make up date, although Chase begged for one more chance to smash someone. Alas, he'll have to wait until next year.

Jackson's team had a pretty dismal season, although he had some impressive individual stats. He, too, would have liked more opportunities to play.

We hardly know what to do with ourselves now that we aren't going to three games per week.

Basketball practice starts November 12th.

GO REBELS!!

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

New Babies

Last weekend we were doing some shopping in Marshalltown, and stopped at Theisen's. Outside their door were three boys playing with four little puppies. We had Colton, Katie, Naomi and Hudson along with us, so we all went to pet the puppies. The boys told us they were selling them for $50.00. Just the week before Jackson had told us he wanted a puppy for his birthday, and since we hadn't gotten him anything yet, we decided to bring one home. About that time, the boys' dad came over and talked to us. He told us we could pick whichever one we wanted, and could take it for free. EVEN BETTER! We called Jack and gave him the choice of a black or white one. He chose black, so we finished our shopping, including some Puppy Chow, and loaded up and went home. The little guy snuggled in my lap the whole way home.



We had a youth group activity that evening, and the pup came along, too, just because we couldn't bear to leave him home his first evening. Sadie didn't react too badly to him, although she did seem a bit jealous.

Alex got a notion in his head that he should have a dog, too, so Sunday on our way home from Ben's birthday party we contacted the owners and got a white pup. This time they wanted their $50.00. It was still two for the price of one, so who could resist?



We named the black pup Domino and the white one Checkers, in memory of "the best dog ever", Yahtzee. They really seem to enjoy being together, and have been much more content. Domino spent quite a bit of time yipping during that first lonely night with us. Apparently Sadie didn't snuggle up against him. Although Sadie was a little less excited to see another puppy appear on Sunday, she has since taken care of them, and they all snuggle together when sleeping, now.

"A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor..." Proverbs 17:8a

Geography Cooking

In school this year we are combining geography with a cooking class. Each week we study a different state, and cook some recipes native to that state. We're working on the eastern states now, and have covered Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut. The recipes we've made include Vermont Apple Stuffed Pork Chops and Maple Cream Pie, New Hampshire Frankfurters, New Hampshire Maple Syrup Pie, Connecticut Bread Pudding, Massachusetts Corn Bread, and Maine Molasses Cookies. The kids enjoy cooking, and it's one less meal (or snack) I have to prepare!

This is the Maple Cream Pie

"When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you;" Proverbs 23:1

Jackson Turns 13

On October 14th Jackson turned 13. We celebrated on the Friday prior to his birthday by inviting his 7th grade football team over to our house after school. What's 16 more boys running around the yard?!?



They were all very well behaved, and pretty much stayed outside as long as there was food available. We had spent the morning baking cookies, cakes and brownies. Grandma Shirley even brought a batch of chocolate chip cookies out for us, just in case we ran out. I made made-rites and had chips and juice for them, as well. After 8 gallons of juice, I had to cut them off and serve them water.



They held a football tournament before dinner, and continued to the championship after we ate. Once it turned dark, they moved on to Ghosts in the Graveyard. There were a few tense moments around 9:00pm. Shannon had been outside playing with the kids, when a group of them ran up to him and told him there were a couple big things out in the field behind the house, and they were coming toward them. All of the guys ran to the garage and grabbed weapons such as tiki torches, skateboards, fishing poles, and even 2X4's. Shannon started heading out to the field to check it out, with his fearless (fearful?) companions anxiously hanging onto his arms. In the meantime, a couple other guys and Jackson headed back to the house to get me. I had been inside with the little ones watching TV. Jack told me he had been calling for Shannon and he wouldn't answer. The other boys wanted me to get the gun. Knowing that last fall there had been cougar tracks spotted less than a mile from our home, all I could think of was, "What am I going to tell their parents?!?". Jack and I headed out into the field (without any weapons) to check out what was going on while the other two boys decided they would stay inside to watch the little kids. Sure enough, off in the distance there were two large black objects with a light shining behind them. If one looked hard enough, it did look like they were moving closer. All of a sudden we heard screaming. Jack and I took off running toward the noise, and soon came upon the band of boys with Shannon. It ended up that the two big black things were silos in the distance, with a combine light shining and moving behind them, making them appear as if they were moving closer. Of course, at that point, all of the boys admitted that they were never even scared, just trying to scare Shannon.



After all of that excitement, we headed inside for cake and ice cream and a rousing game of Bingo. We took all of the boys home around 11:00pm, thankful that none of them had been mangled by wild animals. We'll be sure to remind them of this night in about 5 years.

"Do not be afraid if sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." Proverbs 3:25, 26