Day 156 - Grandparents Sign (November 2, 2013)

Went to see my mom at the hospital (she had hip replacement surgery) and when passing the gift shop windows I saw this sign. By the time we went back past the windows, I knew I NEEDED this sign.

And I do plan on having Dennis post this part way up our driveway. 

Joey even told us how to do so - "get a piece of wood and stick it in the ground and put the sign on it.... but you might need some 'structions"

Day 155 - Dutch Bros! (November 1, 2013)

What a crazy rough morning of errand running (which included a puking 4 year old in the car). 

I don't drink coffee, but on days like this I kind of wish I did. 

BUT Dutch Bros does have an amazing cinnamon tea that, with a smidgen of honey, does bring a smile to my face!

Day 154 - Popcorn Girl (October 31, 2013)

Who could say no to this cute little thing stealing ones popcorn?!

(Ruby ~ 15 mos)

Day 153 - Chicken Feed, Halloween Style (October 30, 2013)

Saw this idea on a favorite crafting site.

It would work a bit better with something a bit smaller 

(M&M's, Skittles, Jelly Bellies) 

but, it is Halloween time, so candy corn won out. 

The kids did learn if the spun it the candy would come flying out. 

(and yes, I bought new chick feeders for this purpose)

Day 152 - Joe Doing School (October 29, 2013)

Joey loves to do schoolwork. 

On this particular evening he asked to do science instead of playing a game with Daddy (wow!) 

Here he is learning to use a magnifying glass.
(think we need to work on it a bit more!)

Day 151 - Road Sign (October 28, 2013)

While this situation made me a tad impatient, I decided to look for something to make me smile while hanging out anyway... 

and then noticed this road sign!
Thinking it should have been placed further back.
(and all said and done, the delay was only a few minutes, 

just caught me off guard)

Day 150 - Cleaning the Library (October 27, 2013)

Yup, this is often what happens when we tell the kids to clean the library. 

A new treasure is found and must be explored. 

It is a good problem. 

Day 149 - Marigolds (October 26, 2013)

On our way to the pumpkin patch we drove by this field. Joey, whose favorite color is yellow was quite impressed.

"Wow! That is A LOT of yellow! .... and orange."

Day 148 - Brother-In-Law & a Box (October 25, 2013)

Charlyn and Jonathan came over for the evening. Jonathan brought a large box from work for the little boys. He helped them turn it into a tank. 

Joey and Caleb were entertained all evening with this box.
And the rest of us were pretty entertained watching them!

Day 147 - John the Bear (October 24, 2013)

Last week John the Bear came home from Cubbies 

with Joey to spend the week. 

Joe and John were very tight all week, they did most everything together. 

Tonight John has to go back to AWANA so he can spend the week with another amazing little Cubbie!

Day 146 - My Dishcloth (October 23, 2013)

Yup, a knitted dishcloth!

This dishcloth has been pulled out and knitting more than once... 

but I stuck with it.

And I read the pattern without help, 

not ever checking anything in a knitting book. 

I am very proud of this dishcloth. 

not sure if it will ever see a sink of dishes or not.

Day 145 - Space Jams (October 22, 2013)

The other day when going through my trunk I also found these sleepers of Nicole's that her Grandpa and Grandma Marks bought for her when in Florida. How fun to see Ruby in them! They are very tired (I think all 8 kids wore them at least once) but still fun to try on for a picture. 

Ruby is on the left (15 mos old), in the picture to the right is Dennis with Melissa our niece and Nicole - the girls were not quite/right at 2 years of age

Day 144 - Baby Bellies Abound (October 21, 2013)

When moving to Mac over 20 years ago, one of my first friends was Geri Ann. At the time I had 2 little girls and she was pregnant with her third. 

Fast forward and wow here we are jumping in with both feet in to grandparent land! 

This is at Julia's baby shower (that 3rd one Geri Ann was pregnant with) along with the wife of her son Isaac as well as my 3 oldest girls. Dues date range from February to April. 

Oh the snuggles we have to look forward to!

L to R: Julia, Charlyn, Amelia, Emily & Nicole
(arranged earliest due date to latest)

Day 143 - Pumpkins! (October 20, 2013)

We were given these lovely pumpkins. 

I am guessing they will fall to the knife at some point. 

But for now I am enjoying them quite well, 

just as pumpkins.

Day 142 - Amelia, Now and Then (October 19, 2013)

When putting some things away in my 'trunk' I came across a couple items of baby clothes I had stuck away. One being this baby outfit of Amelia's. I am 99% sure she came home from the hospital in this outfit. 

In the baby picture she is 6 weeks old, 

in the current picture she is 20 weeks pregnant with her own little girl.

Mind boggling. Where does the time go?

Day 141 - Grossology Space Day (October 18, 2013)

Yup! Caleb went to a homeschool day at Evergreen Space Museum with the theme 'grossology'. We learned all kinds of gross things dealing with being an astronaut, along with other things like making a space ship for a team 

egg-stronaut (theirs lived!) 

But the part that tickled me the most was when we went to have lunch with Dad in the cafe Caleb insisted on sitting a table with his favorite planet! 

I think he is my first child to have a favorite planet. 

Day 140 - Watching Logan (October 17, 2013)

Logan and I hung out in the waiting room at the dentist office while his mama got her teeth cleaned. 

For about half the time he insisted on sitting on my lap while I took pictures of him (and gave him a juice box, and fed him food...)

 It's a rough life, but someone has got to do it!

Picture 1: just being cute, posing for the camera

Picture 2: feeding one of his dried apples to the camera

Day 139 - Running Gear ??? (October 16, 2013)

Seth signed up for cross-country running at ELT this term. 

Here he is in his running outfit of CHOICE. 

Yikes! (but it makes me chuckle)

At first I thought he was just going with what he had as he has grown so much lately, but he informed me that this is what he wanted to wear for running.

Apparently one of his older sisters saw him running in this outfit, and was quite embarrassed. 

Said sister made me get him some other running clothes. 

Now to see what he chooses to wear next Wednesday. 

Edit to add:
Here is Seth ready to head out for cross-country today...
(and I want to go on record saying, I don't care what he chooses to wear. Makes me smile that he does not care what other think)

Day 138 - Little Boys at Play (October 15, 2013)

I love watching my little boys at play. 

Which is good as they often bring their play to where ever I am at!

Day 137 - A New Grandma (October 14, 2013)

And a new grandma is born!

Here is Dennis' sister Sonja with her 1st and very new grandbaby Kyler 

(he is my grand-nephew too!)

Day 136 - Tummy, 19 weeks (October 13, 2013)

This picture was actually taken a couple of days ago, but too many pictures to choose from then.

Here is Charlyn at 19 weeks, looks like baby boy Jaquith is growing well! 

Day 135 - Grandbabies! (October 12, 2013)

Never boring around this house. 

Especially when to toddling grandbabies come visiting. 

But how can you not help but smile at these two cuties! 

Ok - getting a picture of both at the same time...

next to impossible!

Day 134 - Field Trip (October 11, 2013)

Beautiful day for a field trip a little ways away.

Philip Foster Farm to learn about being a pioneer. 

So many pictures I could share, but I especially like this one of my three guys headed out in a covered wagon.

(Rebekah was with another group, 

so was not available when I took this picture)

Day 132 - Reading Boy (October 10, 2013)

Caleb has not totally caught on to the fact he can read, 

so coming on this sight made me quite happy.
I think we are getting somewhere!

Day 132 - Road Paint (October 9, 2013)

Yes, Road Paint!

Headed home from ELT and noticed freshly painted lines on Peavine. 

The outside white lines especially make me smile. It is so much easier to drive after dark with them. We have only had them for the last few years. Every year when I see the freshly painted roads they make me smile. 

And yes, the kids thought I was nuts when I stopped the car to take a picture. Always fun to keep them guessing. 

Day 131 - Clouds (October 8, 2013)

This picture also taken during our nature walk yesterday. 

I love looking at clouds!

Day 130 - Fall Walk (October 7, 2013)

Decided to go for a fall walk to get some gorgeous pictures. 

And while the colors are not quite brilliant enough to get the pictures in my head I did have fun taking pictures. 

I particularly like this one. 

Day 129 - Under the Table (October 6, 2013)

Not sure what I think of the picture.

When working in the sewing room I noticed the little boys sneaking under the tables to surprise me, I gave the final surprise!

Day 128 - Bountiful Baskets (October 5, 2013)

Every couple weeks we order 1 or more baskets from Bountiful Baskets. 

And usually include an add on or two (or three...), most often bread or a large quantity of fruit. 

Here is one baskets worth from this week.
(with a box of apples behind)

I love having a variety of fruits and veggies for my family!

Day 127 - Folded Laundry (October 4, 2013)

Freshly washed, neatly folded and put away laundry...

ALWAYS makes me smile

Day 126 - Cubbie Boy (October 3, 2013)

Joey with his new (AWANA) Cubbie vest and book.

Can't believe this is my last year to have a Cubbie

Day 125 - Sunshine (October 2, 2013)

After much rain the sun has been peeking out. But whenever I went to get a good picture it disappeared. 

Playing hide and seek from me I guess.

This was the best I got. 

And while the picture is not what it should be, 

the sun made me smile all the same!

Day 124 - Water Bugs (October 1, 2013)

My four school kids are all currently taking swimming lessons. And while there are many moments that make me smile, getting a good picture at swimming lessons is not easy to do. 

Here are Caleb and Joe following one of their swimming lessons.

They are having a great time, even if a tad cold here.

Day 123 - College Girl (September 30, 2013)

Abigail's first day as a full-time college student

Chemeketa Community College ~ Yamhill Valley Campus

Day 122 - Ready for Church! (September 29, 2013)

Joe picked his own outfit for church.
He was assisted in making some changes before we left.

Maybe we should have let him go as is, pretty cute!

Day 121 - Rain (September 28, 2013)

Wow! The rain we have been getting!

Made me think of this plaque I have in my bathroom.
(sorry not a better picture)

Day 120 - Early Birthday Quilt (September 27, 2013)

When having dinner with my parents my mom asked if she could give Seth his birthday gift early (December 18th b-day) 

Who does not like a gift when not expecting it?! 

My mom gives all the grand-kids a quilt for their 16th birthday, and their last birthday gift from Papa & Nana.

Seth has been anticipating his quilt, and was quite happy to receive it.
I love his smile in this picture. 

Day 119 - School Helper (September 26, 2013)

Abigail is great at helping the little boys with their schoolwork. 

Sure am going to miss her help once she starts college!

Day 118 - Scarf (September 25. 2013)

Nothing like a finished project to bring a big smile.

This is a sampler scarf I knitted using a yummy looking purple yarn I bought on my birthday (discount!) 

I adapted the pattern to make the scarf longer.
(the yarn looks better in real life) 

Day 117 - Seth Doing Schoolwork (September 24, 2013)

When deciding on school subjects for Seth for the year he insisted he wanted to learn Japanese.

It was the first subject he dug into this school year. 

Fun to watch (and listen to) him learning.

Day 116 - Hodgepodge Acres Academy 2013-14 (September 23, 2013)

In honor of our first day of school here is an official class picture!

Hodgepodge Acres Academy ~ 2013-14
Seth 10th, Rebekah 7th, Caleb 2nd and Joseph PreK

Photography by Sarah Plett

Antonio's - Day 115 (September 22, 2013)

Seth and Beka have Bible quiz practice on Sunday afternoon.

Today Dennis and I decided to check out a Lafayette restaurant while they were at practice.

Antonio's, across the street from where the kids were meeting, won. 

This was the yummy late lunch/early dinner we shared.

(So worth not worrying about being dairy-free, tomato-free... for an evening)

Getting Ready for School - Day 114 (September 21, 2013)

First - HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENNIS!!!

So sorry I did not get any good birthday type pictures.

Dawned on me that Caleb's math needed installed on the computer. Dennis graciously did so for me. Followed by Caleb doing 5 lessons of math! 

And since Caleb was doing math, Joey HAD to do some math. 

Followed by him dragging 3 more school books near me and playing 

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe as to which he felt he should do next. 

(after all they all have his name on them!)

Off to Quiz Camp They Go - Day 113 (September 20, 2013)

Seth and Beka are both involved with Bible Quizzing at church. 

This weekend they headed to Bend for their first Quiz Camp

Think Beka was a little excited to get to church, on the bus and on her way?!

(and yes,she was told to remove her backpack once I noticed she had it on)

Honest Chocolates - Day 112 (September 19, 2013)

I had actually taken pictures of the impressive harvest moon, but while the moon was impressive my pictures were far from.

And on Friday I got a couple of pictures I wanted to share - so am switching things around a bit.

Friday afternoon Dennis and I went out for his birthday (Saturday) and ended up on the same block as Honest Chocolates (in Carlton). If that close, one must purchase something!

A handmade peanut butter cup and a salted caramel, 

both with dark chocolate. 

Yum! 

Make that 5 - Day 111 (September 18, 2013)

As of today it is Facebook official that our 5th grandbaby is on the way!

Nicole and David are expecting their 2nd on April 29th 

:happy dance:

Woodchucks? - Day 110 (September 17, 2013)

I had told Dennis when he got the woodshed full of wood I wanted to take a picture.

He called me in the afternoon and said I should come get a picture now (why the hurry?!)

Here is what I found! 

Two cute little bugs in the woodpile - and an almost full woodshed. 

The little guys make me smile as does the fact my hubby is prepping to keep me warm this winter. 

1st Day of school... Not! - Day 109 (September 16, 2013)

We have one more week until our scheduled school start date. But someone apparently did not get the memo. Soon after Seth got up this morning I saw him at the dining room table with his stack of new school books. Hmmm, to tell him, or not...

I did, also told him he was more then welcome to jump in. He decided he was happy with waiting another week. 

Made my homeschool mama heart happy that there must be some interest in there for him to get his books and get going on his own!