Sunday, October 25, 2009

Friday Night Football

On Friday night we attended a varsity football game for a teen we know and have known since he was 7. It's kinda scary to see him now at age 17 a senior in high school getting ready to step out on his own in a just a few short months. This boy's football game is so good he's already had scholarship offers to at least 3 colleges that I know of. It'll be a sad day when he moves on because despite his age and size (6' 3" if I'm right) because to all of us he's still such a kid. We love this big sweet boy! So we went to see him at his high school homecoming game before he moves on and we can never see his football games again.


It was a crowded place, I mean, why wouldn't it be, it being homecoming and all. So instead of taking a seat in the stands we stood at the fence the whole game. Yes, I got tired of standing and so did Yohn but with the kids it was actually easier because I don't think they would have sat well the whole game.


That's Zach, #70. My kids love him a lot. Elisha even named one of his bears Zach after big Zachery.




Not a good picture I know, but you get what you get and you don't throw a fit at a night game and lots of running around. Here Zach is swatting the ball down after the quarterback tried to throw it. Elisha was all disappointed he didn't catch it until I explained to him that the fact that he stopped it was still very important.


The kids were treated with candy necklaces from Zach's mom who happens to be the director/principal at the school they attend and I work for.


Shouldn't we get the award for cutest couple or something? I'm kidding!


A few football shots.


The final score. yes, I realize that clock still has time on it, but I knew the game was over (even though I really didn't) and took the picture with confidence.


Zach and the kids after the game. Too bad I didn't realize Bethany was looking away or I may have asked for another shot. Oh well, Zach was in a hurry because he needed to be with his team. Thanks Zach, we loved watching you play and are very proud of you!

Count Your Blessings Sunday

Count Your Blessings Sunday


Have you been blessed this week? Care to tell about it? I created this blog carnival for a friend of mine who, shall we say, needed some practice looking at the things God was doing in her life, rather than the things she didn't have and it's really helped put things into perspective for me too. If you'd like to join in simple do a Count Your Blessings Sunday post on your own blog and then come back here and type your name and blog address on MckLinky below or just leave your list in the comment section below.


1) For my family, Yohn, Elisha and Bethany. You bring me so much joy and I couldn't imagine life without you.
2) Though I've had a rough week with a lot of things on my mind, God has proven that He is the one in control. I can rest in His peace even though the storm seems to still be raging and I can't see an end in sight.
3) A good night's rest. It's nice not to wake up worrying about something that's beyond your control.
4) That today we are all healthy with no "piggy virus" visiting us this week.
5) The International Buffett is tonight at our church and even though Yohn and I will be with the kids, the food is still available!


May you be blessed this week too!


Saturday, October 24, 2009

Smith Family Farm


A field trip to the Smith Family Farm is an annual event at the kids' school and Yohn and I love to go too. This was our third time going and it was fun as usual. Even though the agenda is the same every year (look at the animals, barn show, picking out pumpkins, eat lunch, look at the teepees, go home) the kids never fail to enjoy themselves. I hope this is one annual trip the kids will look forward to for many years.


They have cut outs that they made all over the place. I only got a few shots of them this year though.


The hay tunnel is always a favorite with the kids. You can't pull them away from here for several minutes.


These ponies wouldn't come to anyone but Yohn to begin with.


The barn show is definitely one of a kind. You can tell these people really like kids. The children each got to participate in a song using "homemade" instruments.


This guy's name is Jimbo and everyone's favorite song he sings every year is "The Monster Mash." They couldn't wait for him to do it. He actually does pretty good and his version is very close to the original (but I'm young, so maybe it doesn't and I just think it does).


Gotta love a good hayride!

Because of the rain we did not get to go to the fields to pick out our pumpkins like we usually do but they still had some set aside for us to chose from. I love pictures with the pumpkins. You know what time of year the photo was taken just because of the pumpkin. I'm starting to thing that fall is my favorite season because I love the pumpkins and the changing colors of the leaves.

I like how Jamie tried to hide behind his pumpkin, I can still see you silly boy!


Family photo time!


Another cut-out picture. There was actually another one with bees on it but I forgot to go back and get that picture. Oh well, there's always next year.




Elisha showing off his pumpkin carrying muscles.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Bubbles

Bethany has learned a new skill...


...and her brother is ohhhh sooooo jealous.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Birthday Party Weekend

This weekend was a party weekend - a birthday party weekend, as our family happens to know two little girls born on the exact same day. Thankfully they had their parties on different days so we got to attend them both. However, that did make for a very busy weekend indeed. The funny thing was, they both decided on a lady bug theme, who'd have guessed?



Even though Jewell's theme was ladybug they still did a costume party so all the kids came dressed up. They thought this was great and had a blast. Even Yohn got in on the fun.


Superman!


Pictures of the kids in the gym are tough because of the lighting. I know this isn't the greatest picture but Bethany's face was so irresistible I still had to post it.


The kids played "musical leafs leaves" and Elisha won! Here's his victory pose.


They also played give the ladybug spots in which they had to toss as many bean bags on the lady bug as possible.


This game was the funniest one of all, Pin the Ladybug on the Leaf. Even though the kids were pointed in the right direction after they were spun around, many of them wandered aimlessly around the room before finding the wall way off course and pinning it far, far away from the leaf. Elisha was the first one to get "close".


Bethany came straight for me, then heard everyone laughing and turned around, then they all started saying I'm not the wall so she turned again. Then Jewell shouted, "That way Bethany!" and that is how Bethany became the second closest to the leaf (blurry photo, I know, but you weren't supposed to notice).


The birthday girl and her adorable cake.


Blowing out the candles (or candle, as the case may be).


If this isn't the look of total elation then I don't know what is. Can you tell she was very excited about this gift?



Oh no! There's monkeys on the loose at the party! Or maybe it's just Bethany in Daddy's mask.

Yes, I know I said we went to two parties, but I forgot my camera the second time so I have no cute pictures to post on that. I did however, learn two new party games which I thought I'd post here. I don't know if you want the ideas or not, but I'd sure like to know where to find them later should I choose to use them.


The Gift Pass: Take a prize and wrap it up with many, many layers of wrapping paper. Have all the kids sit in a circle and turn on some music. The kids pass the gifts from person to person like hot potato. When the music stops the child holding the gift gets to unwrap one layer. Keep going until you have a winner. You can play this more than once if you want to.

The Sock Race: For this game you will need many, many large clean socks. Put them all in a pile and have the children sit in front of them. At the party we were at they had only three kids race at a time. The kids pull off one shoe and one sock and set them to the side. The participants are then blindfolded and have to see how many socks they can pull on their foot all the way up in one minute. It's harder than it sounds, believe me. We had a good laugh over this game. Especially when the boys would take off the blindfold to discover they had some pink frilly sock on their foot. Hilarious.

Bethany managed to get six socks but didn't really hear when she was told to stop and pulled the sixth one on after time was up, little cheater. Elisha pulled on five but only go counted for four because he pulled two off at once. He was of course upset (in a brotherly way, not mad or anything) that Bethany had beaten him. Once we explained that they both really got four he was so much happier.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Count Your Blessings Sunday - Six Year Old Edition

Count Your Blessings Sunday
This week's guest "counter" will be my six year old. If you remember last week I decided to give Elisha a go round to see what he came up with and this week it's Bethany's turn. Ready, here goes:
1) Because I have a cat named Sky
2) Because I have a mommy and daddy
3) Because I have a warm house
4) Because I have a tv (can you tell my children really like tv, or can you tell they are limited on the amount of time they spend watching it and they get to watch it on Sunday mornings :)
5) Because I have friends
Well, there you have it! If you'd like to join us do a Count Your Blessings Sunday post on your own blog and then come back here and enter your information on MckLinky below. Be blessed this week!


Friday, October 16, 2009

A Few Softball Pics

Last week I was smart and left my SD card in computer (that was of course, sarcasm) so I was limited on how many pictures I could take on the camera. So while I titled this post softball pics it's really just pictures of the kids at Bethany's softball and not of the softball game itself.


Now I know why Yohn has a hard time resisting this face (as if I didn't already know!).


Gotta love his toothless grin!


Oh I did get one game picture. Jewell insisted the proper way to wear her visor was backwards. Yep, she has a style all her own.


Never a dull moment with this one around!