Fieldtrip!!!

Over New Years weekend, (yes i know the blog post is over a month old...but hey...I'm a busy person!)...we had a visit from some friends we hadn't seen in years. While they were here, we went to the National Historic Arms Museum, in Louisville. That was a lot of fun, and the kids got some "schooling" in while we were there. Ah, the beauty of Homeschooling.

At the entryway, there is this big poster board of a Norman Rockwell panting. All of the kids just had to put their heads in the hole to see what they looked like.

Glorianna

Zion

Azariah

This cool statue is also in the entryway. I tried to get a decent picture, but that is impossible with 3 non serious kids.

One of the cool things that happened today, was the Sword Fighting Demonstration. We have seen this several times already, but each time they do a different type of sword play. This one was based around the Knight era. Those guys are awesome to watch. The kids love to go to the museum just to see this. After the show, the guys let the kids try to lift the swords, as long as they held the blade down. Glorianna decided to give it a try.

At another section of the museum, there was an old timey bow in a glass case. But you could reach in and pull the bow back to see how strong you are. This was a big hit with the kids and we had to finally just drag them away. Here is Alexandra giving it a shot.

I loved this huge model boat. Awesome detail!

In the World War II area, there were several "hands on" activities for the kids. Here is Zion trying to lift one of the parachute backpacks. Trevor helps him while Jaden and Glorianna watch and wait for their turns.

One of the suits worn during WWII .

Trevor tries on the backpack.

All the kids took turns "driving" to different places in this old WWII jeep.

Azariah trying on a uniform.

"this helmet is heavy."

Mommy's Little Salad Mucher

Most kids go to the fridge and ask for cold pizza...or leftover chicken...or climb the cupboards in search of junk food.

My kid...she asks for "salad". She loves lettuce and Ranch Dressing. On this particular day, she ate 4 bowls of "salad". They were small bowls, but still....that's just crazy. I finally told her she couldn't have anymore.

I guess this is a good thing?

More Christmas Pictures

I realized after the last post that i had forgotten to add some pictures. It was much eaiser to just add another post, instead of trying to edit it. So here's yet another Christmas Post.

Trevor, I and the kids, opened a few presents on Christmas Eve. The kids were happy and it drug the excitement out a bit longer too.

I bought Trevor some juggling rings. He wasn't expecting these , so he was quite happy.

Trying them out in the house.
They work much better outside.

Trevor got me some weight watchers cookbooks. Thanks sweetie! I love these!! They've got some awesome recipes!

Another wonderful Yardsale find!! A bag full of ponies. Glorianna was quite happy to get these!

Christmas Part 3 (Christmas Day)

Christmas Morning. The food was ready since I baked all day the day before, so this morning I prepared the ham, threw it in the oven and filled the punch bowl.

This is what Trevor was doing Christmas Morning.

This is what I was doing Christmas Morning. Making Homemade Biscuits.

Zion volenteered to read the Christmas Story this year. He did very well. The kids all shared what they liked best about Chirstmas and what they thougth the most important part of Christmas was. They have been listening, after all. =)

After reading and prayer, I handed out the presents in an orderly fashion. I love it much better that way.

So here's a few pictures of the special day.

Dio-Transformers...Great hit...but note to self...(never buy transformers from the Dollarstore. Its better to spend the extra money and get the real thing)

I bought Trevor Wii Fit Plus. He was very excited about it as has already used it a lot. It's much better the the normal Wii Fit.

We bought the boys some more "history comic books". They love these books and were excited to get some more.

Trevor insisted on getting Glorianna a huge dog. She loves it and has named him "Floppy." She likes to drag him around by his ear and pretend he is chasing her. It's hilarious to watch.

I bought her this doll at a yardsale, then made it and her matching dresses.

The boys favorite gift was the Wii Games.

Glorianna finally got her dollhouse, which she's been wanting for a long time. Thanks Grampa Lloyd and Grandma Sherry for sending the "christmas present money". It helped get this dollhouse.

Playing the new Leapster (a present for all the kids, even if she plays it the most) and snuggling with "Floppy."

It was a wonderful day. My brothers, Amos and Samuel, My brother Isaac and his wife Sunny, and their kids, came over for Christmas lunch. Later in the afternoon, we played Bible Trivia, Message Jepordy, several games of Apples to Apples followed by a few games of Canasta. It was a blast! Isaac and Sunny came over again the next day for leftovers and another game of Apples to Apples.

Christmas Part 2 (The Food Prepping)

I spent most of the day on Christmas Eve, cooking , baking and preparing the food for Christmas Dinner, which was to be held at our house. So for those of you who don't care for food posts...please skip this one.

The boys wanted to make Gingerbread cookies, but I planned for this way too late, and the stores were out of cookie cutters. So I had to make do with what i had around the house.

They had lots of fun making cowboy boots, sheriff badges, the Alamo and cutting out their own little men. Glorianna and Trevor even joined in.

My traditional Christmas Wreath.

Trevor wanted peppermint cookies, so we crushed some candy canes, made the normal sugar cookie and then added the crushed mint to the top. Very good.

A little decor...

The punch bowl is decorated and ready to be filled.

All set up and ready for Christmas Morning! We have cookies, punch fixin's, candy, a nut mixtures and the wreath ready to be eaten.

Christmas Part 1

This is the beginning of a serious of "Christmas Posts". We were able to spread out Christmas this year, so it seemed to last a while and was a lot of fun.

My parents were planning on taking a small vacation over Christmas weekend, so on the Friday before, we spend the afternoon at their house and had Christmas with them. It consisted of my parents, my brothers, (David, Amos and Samuel) my brother Isaac, his wife, Sunny and their kids, Isabele, Ava and Ella and last but not least....us.

My mom made scarves for all the grand kids. The boys got "Daniel Boone" scarves. They were made of some very soft wool and leather material. The girls got "sparkly" scarves made from a very soft and sparkly yarn.

(Left to Right) Zion, Ella, Azariah, Glorianna, Ava and Isabele

My kiddos

Out of Isaac and Sunny's 3 girls, Ella (the youngest) is the only one really into baby dolls. So I bought her one with a passy. She loved it. And since she still takes a passy, herself, she was very happy to have a baby with one.

My brother, Isaac, in his natural habitat.

My parents bought the boys "A Barrel of Monkeys". This is the first time they had ever played it, and really had fun trying to see who could catch the most monkeys.

Glorianna waits patiently for more presents.

Webkins toys for all the kids.

My kids also recieved some "Narnia" toys, which they were very happy to get. They love the movie and now have the toys to go with it.

A Knight Suit!!

I painted "Sunset Mountian" and had it framed for my parents.

After leaving my parents house, we stopped by "the square" in Charlestown to see the lights. They are timed to music. Very very cool. The favorite part was the "talking snowmen". The snowmen told corny jokes and got into a snowball fight. This was all done with lights. I must say, I was quite impressed.

Ice Skating

Over the weekend of December 19th through December 23rd, we had the privilege of hosting 2 very special friends. Marie R. from South Carolina and Alyssa W. from Australia.

Saturday evening, several people from church headed over to Iceland, in Louisville, to go iceskating and we decided to tag along. Alyssa had never been ice skating before, so this was quite the adventure for her, but she did well.

Here's some pictures of the event. (excuse the bad photography. The camera doesn't take well through glass or with motion)



This was also Zion's first time skating, as well as Azariah's. They both did good. Zion was actually able to skate alone , in the middle of the rink without too many mishaps. Azariah fell a few times and mostly stayed near the edge.

Trevor carried Glorianna around a few laps, but she didn't care for it too much. She said he was going to fast. I chose to stay outside the rink and take pictures, babysit purses and the kids when they weren't skating. Wasn't that nice of me?

Alyssa, Marie and Azariah bravely make their way around. Marie , who had some past experience skating, helped both Azariah and Alyssa quite a lot. Thanks Marie!! You are a true friend!

The First Snow of the Season

This morning started off in the usual way. I got up early, took my shower, had my coffee, read my Bible, caught up on emails and such. Ahhh, the quietness of the early morning...

About 30 minutes later, Zion comes stumbling down the stairs in his usual "half asleep, half awake, I don't do mornings," self. He sluggishly walks over the the door in the kitchen and opens the blinds. "It snowed!!!" Rings his now fully awake voice.

About that time Azariah comes down stairs. "Riah! Look! It snowed!!"

This then started the very excited, "we can' t wait to get our chores done, and go outside", conversation.

A few minutes later, child number 3 wakes up. She's her usual groggy, grumpy self until she too sees the snow. Suddendly she's this wide awake, happy, excited, wonderful kid.

After breakfast and chores, that were done in a blur of fast movements (why can't they always get done that way?) , the kids bundled up and headed outside to play in the snow. I decided that school could be postponed this morning , since the snow will probably be gone by this afternoon anyway. Why not let them enjoy the first snowfall of the season?

So that's my morning and it's only 9:00.

Here's a few pictures of the kids outside. Enjoy...I'm now off to do my own chores and prepare for this afternoons schooling.

Zion makes a snowball...

SMACK!!

Azariah decides to try...SMACK!

Jumping on the half frozen, snowy trampoline.