Co-op Friends & Fun Filled night . . . .

Co-op started Thursday with kids having classes from 9:00 a.m. till 2:30 p.m.  There are sixty families in the co-op and great classes offered this fall session.  It was great to see old friends – it was like we have never been gone. 

This is a vital part of our home school experience because it gives the kids a social environment as well as educational opportunities in a classroom setting with their peers.  Our kids are enrolled in literature classes, an anatomy class, a sewing class, a history class, choir, and an art history class.  They will learn so much and gain a much needed experience. 

The co-op also organizes monthly field trips and t(w)een gatherings which are also very important to their academics and social growth.  Being part of such a group is extremely important for us as homeschoolers so the kids get socialization and have abundant opportunities to interact with their peers. 

We had hosted a bonfire in the past and our kids along with others had requested another and they were hoping it could happen while Jay was in town.  Apparently he is a big kid and they don’t mind his presence.  Yes, he is Dad, but he is a cool dad – so I’ve been told.  He is GREAT with kids – of all ages – and he especially can get teens to willingly participate without grumbling!! 

So, Friday night (the night after co-op started) we hosted a t(w)een bonfire.  It was a great night!!  There were thirty-two, yes 32 kids present.  Now this is a night for t(w)eens – 5th gr. and up, but having just returned to town we had a few borderline guests to enjoy in on the fun.  NO ONE seemed to mind – they all played together GREAT!! 

The first hour was more of just hanging out socializing as the kids arrived . . .

Then they ALL gathered together and played Capture the Flag while Jay moderated making sure everyone played by the rules and he instituted jail breaks when needed.

Daniel decided to roast another hot dog while he was in jail.  The guards even served him while he was imprisoned. 

Then the girls decided they wanted war paint for Ghost in the Graveyard, so Alyssa did the application.

While the kids waited for the next game to get started – some where ready to go immediately – others gathered and chatted . . .

while others roasted marshmallows and enjoyed smores!

Many just sat around

and got to know each other.  We were happy to see some of the brand new families join us for the fun!

Before the kids took off to play Ghost in the Graveyard, they gathered together for a group shot.

Some of the boys weren’t around for the group shot so we got them – plus a few others – for another shot.

The girls wanted to show off their war paint!

After running around for quite some time, the kids decided to gather around the fire while Alyssa played Cassie’s guitar.  The kids sang a few lines, chit chatted, and roasted more marshmallows.

It was a great night.  Our kids had a great time with friends.  I want to thank all those families who allowed their kids to come for the evening, and I hope they had as much fun as my hubby.  LOL!!

Only a week . . .

It’s hard to believe we have only been in town for a week today, actually tonight.  We have been going non-stop!! 

We got to town, unloaded the van and got situated as much as one can as a guest in family’s home.  Then it has been go go go ever since . . . Girl Scout troop meeting, cookout with friends, overnights with lil’ Odie, co-op classes, thrift store shopping, t(w)eens bonfire, Tractor Sunday service with a potluck, and more time with friends. 

It’s been a great week.  It was so awesome seeing our niece and nephews, and they weren’t scared of us – they warmed up quite quickly and we had good times.  The time we’ve spent with lil’ Odie has been precious too.  He is adorable and loves his “Assie.” 

Today will be our last full day with Jay.  We are very sad and will miss him, but he has to go back while we stay and help take care of family.  Hopefully he’ll be busy while we are away – I know we will be busy with family and educational opps.

A tiny critter

Okay, we were sitting around the table on my parents’ deck conversing and all the sudden my sister went . . . well, you would have thought something BIG and scary was near.  Don’t get me wrong I would have freaked too if there was something unknown hopping up my leg, in the dark, too!!!  It was tooooo funny . . .

But look how tiny it is.  This tree frog sure could JUMP!! We kept trying to get its picture and he just kept jumping away.  Zack put him inside this outdoor lantern on my mom’s table and we took a few pictures – then he finally sat still long enough on Zack’s finger for a picture. 

My Dad & Chloe

My dad’s dad raised/breed Saint Bernard dogs.  So, my dad grew up with them. When I was a kid we had one too; her name was Penny and I would ride her like a pony. When we’d go over to my grandparents’ house we’d interact with the dogs – so having a St. Bernard only makes sense to me. 

She might be a HUGE dog, indoor dog, but she is the most loving dog.  She has a BIG bark which is very intimidating, but she would rather have you rub her belly than anything else!!  Saints are people dogs – want to be with their people – so where ever we are she likes to be right at our feet.  Sometimes she tries to be a lap dog, but I’m sure you can understand why that is not encouraged. 

I am so thankful that my family let us bring her for our visit – she is almost 6 yrs. old and has never been boarded.  This is the second time she has been a guest in my parents’ house and I think everything went well.  At least her tail – that whipping & wagging thing - didn’t break anything!!!  

My dad got down on the floor with our gentle giant and she made herself comfy.

Hmmm . . . what cha thinkin’?

Thanks Mom & Dad for letting Chloe visit too. 

Never too crowded

There’s always room on the couch . . .

Can you believe it’s been . . .

16 years since our wedding. 

Our family and friends joined us in our celebration which was a simple yet beautiful outdoor wedding. 

We were ahead of the times – we wanted Mickey & Minnie Mouse on our cake and there were no such cake toppers to be found.  We ended up finding these pose able pieces and I’m glad we did as they have become a permanent fixture of our house decor.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!!  I know I am not the easiest one to get along with, but I am truly grateful you have put up with me.  I am looking forward to our endless years together.  I love you more than words can express.  OXOXOXOX

A Part of history . . .

Last night we were part of history at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium.  We were one of the 19,500 fans that saw a chapter of the Omaha Royals close.  It was a neat evening with all the people, activities, and fan giveaways. 

After the Royals won the game they had one last fireworks display. 

The fans filed out and then relished one last memory from the front. 

Finally . . .

Of course we were excited to see all of my family, BUT we were most excited about FINALLY meeting Thomas in person. 

The first night we were in town, my bro & his wifey brought Thomas to the house so we could meet him.  He is just plain cute – even though he looks like a mini Matt (my bro) - and has the biggest eyes I have ever seen on a baby!!

We all took turns holding him and just oohing and awhing over him.  I’ve been an aunt for over ten years on my hubby’s side – known as Aunt Angie, but Thomas is my first opportunity to be an aunt on my side of the family.  Well, the other night when my mom called me Aunt Angela - she rarely if ever has called me Angie - she said Aunt Angela just didn’t ring quite well and then she said Aunt Angie and she thought it sounded better – still weird but flowed better. 

 

My mom has the privilege of caring for Thomas on a daily basis, which is really awesome while he is so little and fragile.  So we met for lunch the other day and got to spend some more time with Thomas.

When we got back to the house, we Skyped with Cassie so she could see him.  Unfortunately it will be a while before she gets to hold him – hopefully he won’t be too big to hold by the time she gets to meet him in person.

He’s eleven weeks old now but he still seems so small.

Stormy weather . . .

If you may recall, three days before our trip back home in April we had a severe winter storm that knocked out power.  The kids and I hung around for a day, but then decided to leave two days earlier because we didn’t have power.

WELL . . .

three days before we were suppose to leave for our Ohio trip again we had back to back thunderstorms with severe lightning, hail, down pours, and wind.  Guess what.  It knocked the power out!!

Luckily it was only out for an hour – the first time – and less than an hour the second time.  We got one storm system that knocked it out and then the power company got it restored.  Then the second round of storm systems came through and we lost power again.  In about a five hour period, we had three different strong storm systems come through, and then when it was over you would have never known it had been a rough morning. 

Our huge St. Bernard, Chloe, is as terrified of the lightning and thunder as my children.  She found her safe place in the master bathroom (we had no power, so we used the natural light from my window).

This toad was funny to watch – he wouldn’t hop.  He kind of crawled across the sidewalk.

The rain would come in down pours and flooded our driveway.

In between storms, this toad found a safe place in the greens around our house.

 

Shortly after Zack put this little guy down, the third round of storms came through.  Because of the big open skies of N. Dakota, once one storm passed we could see where the next one was coming from – 100 miles away.  A little eerie!!