Spider Web Supreme

On Wednesday morning, the kids and I were on our way to a field trip at Old Chicago's when we spotted this spider web just above our front door. My first thought was that Blake was playing a joke on me. It looked more like someone sprayed silly string all over this corner than like a real spider web! The temperature had gotten well below freezing the previous night, and it was only 18 degrees when we found this web. We finally came to the conclusion that the web froze and expanded to turn a medium-sized spider web into a huge web!

Your Body/ God's Temple

On Friday mornings, the kids and I go to a homeschool co-op at College Heights Baptist Church. This semester I am teaching a fitness and nutrition class titled Your Body/ God's Temple. The joy of education in a Christian setting is being able to tie God's Word into everything we teach. Last week we studied the importance of taking care of our whole body because this is the place where God has chosen to dwell. Our first memory verse is from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. It says Do you not know that your body it the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. We spend about 15 minutes in devotional time, then 30-45 minutes in physical exercise. I have a class of 17 kids between the ages of 8 and 13. I'll be posting pictures , updating topics and sharing with you what I learn from teaching. And I'm sure I will learn a lot!

Blake's First Duck

Pete didn't want me to close out 2009 on the blog without including some pictures of Blake, Grandpa Mike and Pete hunting ducks. Blake shot his first duck during this hunt. Grandpa is all smiles celebrating his grandson's first successful hunt.
And look at that proud papa!!

Can't say I understand it all myself, but I do know it sure bonds those boys together!

Good-bye Barney

Little did we know when we went on this family adventure that this would be our last day with our faithful dog, Barney. That evening and the next day he was acting very tired and wouldn't eat or drink anything. We took him to the vet in the afternoon and waited as she ran several tests on him. She discovered that his spleen was swollen and there were malignant tumors on his spleen, heart, lungs and intestines. The spleen was leaking and we were told he would not survive. He passed away that evening. He was a part of our family for 10 years. The void in our home and our hearts will be felt for a long time.

Barney always let the kids lay on him, tickle him and do whatever they wanted. Jessi gave him a lot of love on his last day. We found comfort in knowing that he spent his last day doing what he loved the most, running freely and playing with his family.

Blake gave Barney his football one afternoon while he was resting. Barney was such a good sport that he kept it there and held it during his afternoon nap.

This is Barney smiling for the camera. We loved this face. He was the greatest escape artist I've ever known. We never found a fence that could keep him in! When we thought we had built the perfect fence, he figured out how to climb up our camper then jump over the top of our fence. We had to pay a few tickets for our roaming dog but he was worth it. We trained him as a pup to hunt birds with Pete. On one of his adventures he returned home wet and muddy. Posted on our front door was a ticket warning us that Barney had been caught harrassing ducks on the creek. We received calls from several schools over the years asking us to come retrieve him from the playground where he had found some kids with which to play. We can only imagine all the people and places Barney discovered on his adventures. But he always came home and looked through the back door, wagging his tail and barking until we would let him back inside. We love you boy and will miss you and your wonderful smile.

Winter in Wyoming

A couple of days after Christmas we ventured up to Casper mountain for some sledding, snowshoeing and exploring.

Blake convinced Daisy to jump on board for a ride on the sled. She bailed off the first opportunity she had and ran away as fast as she could. One ride was apparently enough for her.

Jessi and Barney were ready for a nap, but Pete and Aly were just getting getting started.

We found this magical winterland tucked back in a little valley of trees. The first time around we didn't have a camera but it was so beautiful that Aly and I left the others in the truck and we went back by ourselves to take some pictures. The kids said it reminded them of Narnia.

Aly blended in with the snow-drenched trees in her new Christmas coat.

Pete took this snapshot of the girls, Barney, and me at the end of our adventure. Days like this make winter in Wyoming bearable.

Art Show and Piano Recital

In December we hosted an art show and piano recital for all of the kids. We had a wonderful time and it was fun to share the kids' accomplishments with friends and family.

We had an interesting dinner experience that night when Jodi put too many jalapenos in our corn chowder. She might try to blame me for the burning hot chowder on her blog, but don't be fooled. Okay...okay...just kidding. She did put the jalapenos in the chowder but only because I told her to when she offered to help. The recipe said that it had a little kick! Boy you can say that again! I think Carolyn and Richard are probably over the heartburn by now, but I'm not sure if they'll ever trust me to make dinner for them again!

Jessi's piano teacher says she has a natural gift for playing the piano. She loves piano lessons and is very serious about playing the piano, as you can see by the look on her face.

Blake played Angels We Have Heard of High, Jingle Bells and two other songs.

It was perfect music for the Christmas season.

Grandma Karen bought them new outfits for the show.

This might be the only picture you will see of Jessi in a dress.


Grandma Cathy has become the kids' art teacher this semester.

Each of the kids had their own wall decorated for the show.This was a portion of Blake's wall.

And this face hiding behind the mask is Aly.
Her wall has art projects from last year and this year.
Pretty impressive.

Ocean City, Maryland

In October, my mom and Doug took our family on a wonderful trip back east.

Our favorite location was Ocean City, Maryland. We are all so thankful for this wonderful opportunity to study our history, eat wonderful seafood, share a part of my

mom and Doug's history and play, play, play at the ocean!

When My mom and Doug took me here in college, I fell in love with this place.

I watched several families play in the sea and sand and I couldn't wait

until I had children and could bring them here to enjoy the ocean.

Get up Aly....fast!

Do they look like they are having fun?
Aly has already informed us that she is moving to Ocean City when she is older.

Anticipation...

Quick kids....say cheese before the next wave hits!

I know I am their mom, but how can you help but to love those sweet faces?

How blessed I am to have the awesome priviledge of being their mom.

Grandpa's Ranch

We spent Labor Day weekend with my dad and Claire at thier newly acquired beautiful ranch just outside of Boulder, Wyoming.



This is one of the many old buildings at the ranch.
They worked hard last fall cleaning and gutting all of the the structures on the ranch.



This picture actually follows the one below.
Ms. Maria decided she was big enough to climb the fence and join her cousins.
She kept Blake, Aly & Jessi laughing all weekend.


Blake, Aly and Jessi sit on a fence...enjoying a little rest at the end of the day.

Dad and I enjoying a little love and laughter.

You wouldn't believe some of the "treasures" like rat skeletons and stacks and stacks of magazines from WWII timeframe that we found. We hunted for and found several arrowheads and chips on the property. Beau, Pete and I had the lucky job of cleaning out the attic of the old home that weekend. The dogs had a wonderful time....chasing mice and other critters as well as swimming in the creek. They came home with fleas....but at least they had fun!

Grandpa made sure to bring the go-cart for the kids.

Aly just finished a spin around the property here.

Blake's World Series

We spent the last week of July in Steamboat Springs for the Triple Crown World Series.

Blake claims that this was the best week of his life.

But it wasn't all fun and games...he and his teammates worked very hard.

Now that is a look of pure determination.

Who knew that the secret to his success was holding his breath?

This is the whole team at the start of the tournament.

Did you notice how handsome the coach on the left is?

He's going for the kill....on your marks, get set, throw!

And he was safe!




Go Blake....go!

Blake's first up-to-bat against the Texas Senators. The Casper Cannons pulled off a big surprise by beating this team in their opening game. It was so exciting!!

The team won a few games and lost a few, but the experience is one they will never forget!

Aly and Jessi's Baptism

Katelyn, Aly, Allie, Sarah and Kylee are just a few of the friends gathered for the baptism.


Jessi with friends, Abby, (left) and Lindsay (right). Abby was baptised at her church this morning. Jessi went to Abby's baptism, then Abby came to Jessi's in the afternoon.
The baptism was held on a hot July day...celebrated with good friends, famiy and a church picnic.


What a great joy it was for Pete to actively participate in the baptism of his daughters.

Look at Jessi's face after being baptized! Is that joy and excitement you see or just very cold water??

Clown Night

Aly and Jessi dressed up for "Clown Night"

at AWANAs. They found everything they

needed in Pete and my closet.

Look at those sweet little faces!

Volleyball Season 2009

Aly just before her last volleyball

game at a tournament in May.

Baseball Anyone?

Blake in March 2009.
We suggested sledding, he suggested baseball.

Soccer 101

Here's Jessi getting ready to play her first soccer game.

My Technical Incapabilities

Well, my blog started off with a few challenges-not surprising since I'm not exactly known for my great technical skills. I'm just thankful for my friend, Jodi, who is a patient teacher. My Christmas letter said that I would include pictures from many events in 2009, so I guess that's a good place to start.