A short and sweet visit with some cousins

A few weeks ago, a couple of Todd's cousins & an uncle and aunt were in Missouri - We (those of us who were home at the time) went over for a day and saw them.  It was really nice to see them.

Welcome to teenagerhood, Emily!!!

We love you so much! 

Happy 13th Birthday!!!

Apples!!!

We planted a couple of apple trees several years ago, and last year we finally got about half a dozen apples from them. This year, we got a few more. I knew there were several, but when I asked the kids to pick them, and they asked if I wanted them to pick all of them, I said, "Sure..."  I had no idea that the trees had produced so bountifully this year. After 8 of us washed, and cut and cored and sliced for a few hours, we still had over 160 left to wash... And cut... And core... And slice...  Anyway, we're very happy to have several bags of ready to use apples in the freezer!

We have a comedian on our hands.

We're on our way home from a convention. Trying to quiet the car down I suggested singing. We made it through part of a song with no success in the quieting down department. Lincoln suggested we each mention something we heard at convention. I said it was a good idea, so he nominated Garrett to start. Garrett couldn't come with anything, so Emily said, "Garrett just say anything that you heard at convention..." Garrett answered, "Garrett, be good.". We all erupted in laughter. " Yes, you probably did hear that, laughed Emily."  Then Emily said, "No, what did you hear from one of the workers?" (One of our ministers). "Hello, Garrett!" He answered her. By this time we were all in stitches. He was so quick with his wit. She tried one more time... "What did you hear from one of the workers, in MEETING?". " We can sing grace, now...". We dissolved in laughter and Emily gave up.

It doesn't get much fresher than this.

Emily, Heidi, Lincoln & Garrett went out and picked some apples from our tree this afternoon and then came in and made some crisp for supper. Yum!

You had running water?!?

Garrett came to me fresh from his bath this morning with a question for me.  "Mommy, when you were a little girl, did you play a game in the bathtub... wait, you probably didn't have a bathtub with hot water when you were a little girl, did you?" "Yes, Garrett, I did..." I responded, trying not to grin. "You Did???" He said, in utter surprise and disbelief. "Yes, I really did." I answered, now, trying not to laugh.  He explained his game and asked if I had played that game. - "No, I didn't." I said. He said,  "I did, when I was younger." I asked him if he had played it this morning when he took his bath.  "A little bit." he said.

Labor Day Weekend Plans

Finishing up (well, actually, pretty much starting) school planning... The kids thought I could just skip the tradition this year - :)

:'( No more little boy smile.

Critters on the Lam

Recently, we took a cow (Independence) and one of her grown calves (Washington) to the butcher. Independence was getting old and wasn't able to raise calves anymore.  Washington had always been skittish and would run away any time we got near him.

We were a little concerned about getting him loaded in the trailer. The 3 oldest girls were away helping with preparations at the Mt. Sterling convention grounds, so we had fewer hands to help get him corralled and cornered.  We didn't need to worry, though. It was the easiest cattle loading we had ever experienced.  I (Tamara) and the rest of the kids weren't home when Todd got home from work, and Todd put a little grain in the front of the trailer, and by the time he walked around to the other side of the trailer, Independence and Washington were already up in the trailer ready to have the door shut.  Since it was so easy to load them, and the place we were taking them has good gates and pens, Todd just took the two boys along with him to deliver the cattle to the processing plant. We figured he'd be in and out and on his way home in a jiffy!

Emily, Heidi and I stayed home and milked one of our cows and were just getting started on some house cleaning when the phone rang.  It was Todd.  "The boys are back at the processing plant with one of the people who work there and I'm trying to catch the cows 4 miles away! Can you come help me?!? The girls and I threw some sandwiches together for supper and jumped in the car and headed out - it seemed to take forever to drive the 30 miles to get there.  We got to the plant, and the lady who was there told me that Todd had been back to pick up the van and the boys and had headed back out to look for the cattle.

Here is the story according to the boys and Todd:

They backed the trailer up to the pens, opened up the back door and the cattle got out as easy as anything.  Then Washington and Independence heard and saw the hog in the next pen over... they'd never seen a hog before and this one had plenty to say.  Independence and Washington turned and ran and hit the gate.  Todd was holding the gate closed, but he was no match for 2 butchering sized bovine! Then they were all on the run! Independence and Washington, followed by Todd and one of the men who worked at the plant. They were soon joined by half of the town (give or take a few) some on foot, some in vehicles and some on 4-wheelers.  The local sheriff even got in on the excitement with his lights flashing.  I guess none of them knew that if cattle are on the run, and you start out after them with engines roaring, they're just going to run faster.  Anyway, Todd was chasing them on foot and every once in a while someone would stop their vehicle, throw open the door, he'd jump in and go for a while, then he'd jump back out and run some more... By the time the girls and I got there, someone had taken Todd back to the van and he had found Independence and had her calmed down. He was able to catch her by the halter and lead her into the trailer and get her back to the plant.  He backed up again, opened the back door, she got out, heard and saw the hog and was ready to head out again! This time we were ready for her and had the gate more secure.  She got to spend her last night next to a very talkative hog!  We never did find Washington - hopefully he found his way into another herd of cattle and someone else can enjoy his steaks!

(Update - Someone did find and catch Washington, so now we know he isn't out there eating his way through cornfields and walking down the roads)

Westward bound

The kids spent the morning building a wagon and heading west to discover new lands. They packed up their grub for dinner on the wagon and headed out.

Packing up the wagon (Swing-sets can be used for more than just swinging and sliding!)

The wagon
(The back of the wagon is a hammock I got for Todd for Father's Day - maybe 15 years ago or more.  I don't think he has even spent a total of 2 hours on it, but it has gotten a lot of use over the years - most recently, obviously, as a wagon - but it has also been used as a house, a train, a pirate ship, an orphan ship that orphans escape from their mean uncle on, a regular ship, and I'm sure many more things of which I have no idea.) 

Inside (Complete with a BB Gun for hunting along the way)

Lincoln driving the team

Garrett driving the team

On their way

Pa, Ma and the chil'uns 

It's been a long ride!

Keeping busy on the trip

Graduation

Jordan Creek School has celebrated its first graduation!

 Laura graduated May 9th with a small and short ceremony at a restaurant. Before we left, Laura's classmates played Pomp & Circumstance on their violins, and Laura opened a few gifts. Todd's Mom, Tamara's parents and our family celebrated with her.  

Last Saturday, (June 6) we had an open house for Laura. It was a wonderful day.  Several of our family and friends were able to come help her celebrate this milestone. A few snapshots of the day.

Yes, this really does say CLASSS... 

We ended the day with a bonfire (which never really burned well but it was hot enough out that a bonfire wasn't really necessary), a cookout and a volleyball game.

Our sweet friend Kelsey

This photo bomb cracks me up!

Trying to get a picture of this crew is always a joke

Better... sad that we were missing some cousins

These 3 are great buddies.

Summer Strings!

Summer Strings is a free, all volunteer orchestra. Members range from about 6 years old to about 76 and range in skill from early beginners to accomplished professors at EIU. Every Tuesday evening for six weeks, they get together for an hour and a half to practice and then they give a free concert in the Kiwanis park in Charleston.
Tonight was the first practice and over 50 musicians were there! This is the third year our children have participated and each year it has grown.
This year the concert will be at 7:00 on July 21.  Save the date!

Violin Recital - Spring 2015

Happy 9th Birthday, Lincoln!!!

Happy Birthday, Lincoln!!! We love you!!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Happy Birthday!!!! We love you!

Work in progression

The traditional book chopping and burning ceremony (by Todd)

At this time of year the children start finishing some of their books.
Here Garrett is helping Lincoln chop up his spelling book before they burn it.
What a way to celebrate!