Joshua's 11

Joshua turned 11 last Fri. Joshua, you are growing up to be such a wonderful young man. We had our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Its a challenge to fit 11 candles on a cinnamon roll. He did pick the biggest one. heehee

Such concentration. Stella and M&M sure wanted to blow out candles too. Had to explain it will be a while longer until their birthdays.
More concentration.
For those of you who may be interested the horned toad caught this summer is 13. They are really out this summer. So glad we're seeing more of them.

Round Pen

Patty got a round pen last week with the help of her wonderful grandparents. She and a friend started working horses last Thursday. It was a joy to watch Patty. She loves it, really loves it.

Then, the middles and the little's got Chip up and spent the day playing, loving, and riding him. They had a big time.

Piano Ensemble in Arlington

Joshua and Joy performed in an ensemble this last weekend. There were 15 students on 15 grand pianos and wow, what a site. They played a medley to the Sound of Music and it was fabulous!! Here they are practicing in the digital lab. Performing on stage. The picture really doesn't give the big grand effect. Joshua and Joy, you did awesome!! Your hard work paid off.:)

Horned toads and stickers

This is Michael's forth horned toad to catch in the last week. This one shot blood at Michael when he grabbed it. We've read that they will shoot blood, however, this is the first experience of one actually doing so. Notice on his right eye there is still a little blood. Interesting creatures.
Patty's Brazil team had a garage sale/bake sale/car wash this last weekend and we had some pricing stickers left over. The for children at home today asked if they could play with them. :)
Matthew, when you get that skinny your pants fall off.

Amy's crawling too!!

Happy 7 month birthday to Amy!!
Amy is army crawling really good and starting to get up on her hands and knees. She crawls all over the house. She's getting So Big!!

Amy's sitting up

Amy is 7 months old today!!! Yea!! Its hard to believe.
She started sitting up a few days ago. She looks so big when she is sitting up.

Tiny household

I was going to post this last week when I had a tiny household. Michael, Matthew, Stella, and Amy is all I had as Roy, Patty, Joshua, Joy, and Jimmie were at a church camp in Mason. Annie and Jenny were in town working. My threesome were such big helpers milking and playing with March to gentle her. What do you think, is she looking gentle?
Matthew leading March around.
Bessie's new bell so we can hear her when she is out in the pasture.

Stella keeping Mable from giving Amy a bath. Although, when I went to pour up our milk I asked M,M, and S if they wanted me to take Amy in or if they would stay close to her. I came back to Amy all by herself and Mable giving her Big kisses!!
Stella got hold of the camera and took pictures of her babies.

Graduation and Prom

Jenny's Graduation.

Jenny graduated on May 15th. The ceremony was wonderful. They each decorated a table with some of their personal memorabilia. Some of the graduates led praise and worship, each graduate prepared a slide show and the parents presented them with their diploma. There were 16 graduates this year which is the biggest group the homeschool association has had. The graduation is very personal for each graduate and considering the number of graduates they did a wonderful job.
Jenny, we are so very proud of you. You have become a beautiful proverbs 31 young lady. Congrats!!!!!
After graduation we came home and had a yummy graduation supper with friends and family.

And, then Jenny and Justin got all dolled up to attend Justin's Jr./Sr. prom. Don't they look great?

More Camp Eagle

The second day we were there we canoed and kayaked. The children really enjoyed it. We had a few who were a little apprehensive and went anyway, throwing their fears away, and grabbing hold to God's courage. And, we had some that we had to hold back with tears because they thought they didn't need a big person with them.:) Notice Stella's pink paddle. She found it and claimed it.Packing up and headed home. How many people does it take to fold up a tent?
These were too cute not to post. Handsome twins!!!

More Camp Eagle

On Sunday, Mothers Day my sweet big girls had each of the youngest children deliver a rose to the mommies. They planned on getting up and cooking breakfast for us too, however, they didn't rise quite as early as a few of us did. They still helped bunches.
A very cute twosome!!

Second night smores!!!#2 making smores for the littles.
Joshua, Jonathan (a friend who went with us as his parents were in China), and Caleb(Darcy's oldest son on the trip) had a surprise when we came back from zip lining. They decided to move their tent back to smooth ground. Yes, our group has a few practical jokesters. HeeHee Matthew thought this was a real strange place to set up a tent.:)

Jenny and Patty attempting hand stands on a telephone pole.

Roy getting ready to go down the water slide. "You're sure you want me to go down."Here goes!!!!
This is a blown up ice berg as they call it. Everyone had lots of fun playing king of the ice berg.
Notice the big kid on the side. I am so blessed to have a husband who still loves to play. The kids love it when dads around. He almost didn't get to come. We're so glad he did.!!!!!
Here he comes!!
Patty getting ready to go down the side.

Matthew is in the green vest below. He would get all the way to the top and then just slide down the side with all the handles instead of the side that was smooth. Each time we would hear this horrible noise and make sure he was OK. And, sure enough he would be just fine.
Here's our little climber happily swimming back to shore!!!