Mud and Books and Fun.....

The kids have had so much fun in this little mole run/dirt pile this summer.  They have spent hours out there in the heat and never complained once.   Why is it when you ask them to clean up, "But Mom, it's SOOOO hot!"  Hmmmmm......

 They like to add water to the dirt.....

 which results in MUD!!!!!

 Thankfully, Ashlyn's perch is high enough to stay out of all that mud and fun.

 Kristyn LOVES to read.  That is an understatement.  She lives to read. (like her Aunt Misty)  So she made a little perch in her favorite tree.  (Don't mind the skirt. That is her absolute favorite dress-up skirt and would wear it 24/7 if I would let her - shudder)

 She enjoys her baby sister, too. :)

 Miss Ashlyn is crawling all over the place and standing up.  She has two teeth and likes to say, "Mama and Dada"  I'm not quite convinced she knows what she's saying, but I still like to hear her say it. :D

 Squeaky clean and ready for bed....except for the leftovers from bed time snack on those cheeks. :)

Camp Out!

The other night the kids asked if they could sleep in the tent.  We promised them on Friday night, they could.  We got Elise's little tent, (our family tent would have filled the living room) popped it up in the living room and the kids were thrilled as can be.

 They talked Elise into crawling in there and reading them a story before they went to sleep....

 Wonderful choice of reading material right before you go to sleep, don't you think?

 This little lady was thrilled as can be and she didn't even know why. :D

 Turned out to be a wonderful camp out complete with all the night sounds of summer.....

the best part is, mom and dad still could sleep in their comfy bed - and we all enjoyed the air conditioning. :D

First day of School....

I'll make a long story short. :D


Our computer has been dead for several weeks.  It's now up and running again, so catch up time for the blog.  There are several posts - ENJOY!!!!  Thanks for stopping by to see us. :)

Thursday was the first day of school.

 Owen wasn't too sure about going to school.  He told me the night before as I was rocking him, "Mom, I know I'm starting school tomorrow, but I'd still like to come visit sometimes."  :'(  I told him he would still live here and I would come get him every day, just like I did Kristyn.  He felt much better after that. :)

 Kristyn is in the second grade,

 and Owen is in Kindergarten.

 Daddy came up to walk them to school just like he did on Kristyn's first day of school.

*******

After they came home, I asked them what their favorite part of the day was and Owen replied, "coming home"  Kristyn liked her new teacher. :)

 Owen sporting his cowboy hat that he made.

 Jeren and Megan were so happy to have them home - notice the ball gloves? :D  Jeren was ready and waiting.

The first thing Owen did when he got home was get is glove on.

Back to business as usual.

The Lord has answered a huge prayer for us this year.

The school needed a new teacher and they have searched high and low, contacted numerous teachers and none were able to come.  Keith has noting to do with the hiring of the teachers, but I knew it was weighing on him.

Well, Elise graduated from college in May and moved back here this summer.  She was planning on attending nursing school and she tried every available school in the state, but it seemed like God just closed all the doors for her.  She was trusting God, but was rather confused.  Then a light went on and one night she talked to us about teaching here and Keith told her to call the chairman of the board about it.

She called him.  They had a meeting to interview her.  Hired her and her training started the very next day in IL and the next week (last week) God provided a darling little apartment for her to move in to. (pictures to come)

She told me later, she didn't really have any leading to nursing school, but was just moving forward and knew that God would direct her if He had other plans.  I'm SO happy God had the school in HIS plans for her life.

Isn't it amazing how God works.  Elise is SO happy and loves the kids.  Of course, the kids LOVE her to pieces.

God is so good!!!!!

Just Stuff....

The kids have been saving their money for a long time.  The other day they spotted two treasures at a garage sale and suddenly that hard earned money was burning a hole in their pockets.

Kristyn bought a butterfly house with her .50 and was extremely proud when she caught a butterfly to put in her new house.

 Owen spent his $3 on a bow "just his size" he said.  Keith showed him how to shoot.

 "I hit it!!!!!!!!"

 Megan didn't find anything too impressive, so she saved her money - smart girl. :)

 We have been enjoying ELISE this summer!!!!!

The Last Family Day of Summer....

Saturday was the last free day before school started, so we decided to pack it full of fun things.  One thing we had been wanting to do was ride the Katy Trail on our bikes.  This was our first time and certainly won't be the last.  We had a GRAND time!!

The only thing missing was candy to throw at onlookers - they thought we were a parade. :D

 The trail goes along the great Missouri river!  Absolutely beautiful!

 We took a little break to watch the river.

 Megan kept up the pace very well. (don't you love her glasses?)  I was surprised, but eventually her little legs got tired and she hitched a ride from mom and Keith strapped her bike to the trailer that Jeren and Ashlyn were in.

 Owen asked to take a picture of mom and dad. :)

 If you ever get a chance and like to ride bikes, I highly recommend the Katy Trail.  It's flat (great for kids) and small gravel, so pretty much a smooth ride.  We rode for seven miles.  I was so proud of the kids.  We saw some Turkeys and a snake. :D

 After our ride we were starving, so we found a park and had a picnic.

 Keith demonstrated his great talent of flipping out of the swing - HA!  He really did land on his feet...... :D

 I love these ladies!

All tuckered out after a fun filled day!!!!