Hunting

The last two weeks Jeff has taken the kids hunting. He took Livy last week and she lasted about an hour. This week was Josh's turn and he stayed out the whole time. He had so much fun and saw a lot of deer. When they first got to the woods they saw several doe in the field. Jeff  was on one side of the truck getting himself ready and when he turned around to get Josh ready he wasn't there. He found him out in the field chasing the does. When they were in their spot a couple of nice doe came back into the field. Jeff started calling her in then Josh thought he should start trying to call her in also. Let's just say the doe didn't care for Josh's call and ran off.  They didn't bring one home (I wonder why), but the time they spent together is most important. Now it's mom's turn to go!

I can't wait until I can start bringing my bow like dad.

I like spending time with my dad.

Nate didn't understand that he was to young to go hunting.  Instead, with daddy's help, he went out back to shoot his Halloween pumpkin.

Snow!

In flip flops and steak on the grill yesterday. Boots and veggie soup today. Only in Indiana!

Catching the first snowflakes of the season. They were out at 8:30 this morning to enjoy the falling flakes. But it ended quickly as they became cold were ready to warm up with some hot chocolate. I don't think we were really ready for the cold after a beautiful weekend.

Ready, Aim, Fire! They were able to gather enough snow off the table to each make a snowball.

Eucharisteo

....it means thanksgiving. Last month I read the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Other than the Bible, this book has transformed my thinking and living. One Thousand Gifts...it's a challenge then it becomes your way of thinking sinking into the attitude of everyday. To give thanks to God for everything in your life, no matter the circumstance. To take time and realize when there is a gift right in front of you and embracing it. To pursue this life to the fullest and enjoying the moment. To slow down, and give thanks because,

" Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle."

I started my list of One Thousand Gift on October 20th. Today I listed my 100th gift. Everyday the scales are being peeled away from my eyes to see the smallest gifts He has given me.  Moments that I have always taken for granted are now being seen in a new and thankful light...a light of eucharisteo. Gifts that He has given me to capture and hold onto because this life goes to fast not to savor every single gift He has lavishly given a sinner like me. I, we, must take time to be still, enjoy and capture the smallest of these gifts. Above all we must  be thankful to the one who has given them to us.

Go Broncos!

The tickets I got Jeff for our anniversary were for yesterday's game. He was so excited to be there that I hope he will be able to go to more games in the future.  He took me to IKEA before the game and that is like taking a kid to the toy store. I love that store.  No matter what we did,  it was nice to have the whole day ourselves and to enjoy each others company. The Broncos winning just made the day a little bit sweeter. We couldn't have had such a wonderful day however, without the help of Grandma, Grammy and Andrea. Thank you all for watching our kiddos for us.

I think I did pretty good on picking out our seats. Hubby was impressed.

Trick or Treat

I didn't make any costumes this year. They had Awana right after trick-or-treating, which they were to wear their pj's. So, Livy is to be dressed for a slumber party, I had this blow up police costume to put over his pj's and Josh put on a monster hat to be a the character from book There's a Monster's under my Bed.  It worked out to everyone's satisfaction.

We decorated our pumpkins when we had nice weather last week.

Have a boo-tiful evening!

Relaxing weekend

Hubby had the weekend off and we spent it doing nothing around the house. We enjoyed a Friday evening laughing, and growing closer with our small group. We love the friendships, and closeness we have with our group. Saturday we surprised the kiddos and took them to Guffey Acres to enjoy the beautiful fall day. Today we spent the day in worship and then relaxing around the house. Hubby even told me to take a nap while he watched the kiddos. What a good guy he is. Have a great week!

It was a beautiful day to play outdoors.

Josh rounding up his cow.

Daddy giving Livy a ride on her cow.

Nathan loved lassoing the cows. 

The popcorn jumper was a hit for all of them.

Taking a tractor ride. I think Liv is getting to big for this one. 

Jumping on the hay bales is always fun.

That's one big checker board.

To finish up our day we did the corn maze. We only got lost a couple of times, but that's what makes it fun. 

Why I love CM

Today I took the kiddos to the park for their nature study. It reminded me why I love teaching them using Charlotte Mason's methods. This kind of learning is not something they can get from a book. One must witness with the eyes the wonders of our great creator. I can't express enough how much using Ms. Mason's methods of teaching has blessed their lives and allowed them to see and experience so much more than I ever imagined.

"Children should be encouraged to watch, patiently and quietly, until they learn something of the habits and history of bee, ant, wasp, spider, hairy caterpillar, dragon-fly, and whatever of larger growth comes in their way." C. Mason

"An Observant Child should be put in the way of Things worth Observing" C. Mason

"They must be let alone, left to themselves a great deal, to take in what they can of the beauty of earth and heavens."  Mason

Savoring the season

Watching bees and butterflies is so captivating to our little guy.

Making a huge, dirty mess in the sandbox is always a favorite on a beautiful day.

We love getting dirty!

Remembering that just as fast as the summer passes, so does the time with have with our children at home. I just can't believe how fast the time is going as Olivia is becoming a beautiful young lady in so many ways. 

Day Trip

We took the kiddos on a day trip to Chicago last week. It was a very long day, but thankfully the weather was beautiful and the kiddos did great. Here are a few pictures of what we did.

Our first stop was to the museum of Science and Industry. There is so much to see and learn.

We enjoyed seeing a lot of things we had learned about in space last year. Here is astronaut Josh.

Astronaut Olivia

And our Astronaut Nate

They really enjoyed spending time watching a chick hatch from its egg.

Learning about electricity.

Getting ready to watch Born to be Wild at the Omani-Max theater. It was really cool to watch.

Next stop was a stop to the American Girl store. 

What's a trip to Chicago without pizza. We walked over to Gino's Pizza for a very delicious deep dish pizza. It was so thick we could only eat one piece each.

A lot of walking to all the stores for one little boy.

I packed their pj's to put on for the way home. Good thing we did as they all fell asleep on the way home as making memories can make you exhausted.

Sweet Sixteen

Hubby and I celebrated sweet 16 years of marriage Friday. What makes it sweet, grace. The same kind of grace that Jesus gave us. Forgiving one another and realizing that Jesus is the only one that can truly fulfill us and make us complete. With God's help I am looking forward to enjoying the next 16 years with my one true love.

I was surprised with a dozen roses (and a hamper as a joke).

I surprised him with a Broncos t-shirt and tickets to go see a Broncos football game. He was so excited.  I ordered them 5 months ago making it is so hard not to tell him.  Thanks to both of our moms for helping me pull this gift together.