October/November Highlights

We've been busy settling into our new home, getting into the full swing of homeschooling, enjoying family, a new community....

God has blessed us in every way...and here are some highlights!


Moriah went to the Homecoming Dance in our hometown with her friends, Mikayla and Emily. An eye-opening experience for a homeschool girl :~)


First birthday in our new home...Moriah turned 15!


Picnicing with the Deardens on the deck. Moriah and Emily share a birthday so we were celebrating.


Grace and Emily


Moriah is happiest in the kitchen (or outdoors). She's fast becoming the resident pastry chef and has even cooked Steve and I some fabulous dinners!


A first course of stuffed mushrooms.


The final course was a filled pastry...very light and delicious!


Exploring our woods....


Maggie


Meet 'Smudge the Hunter'. He came with the house, along with his friend Posey (and a lot of other blessings).




There's a tree stand all ready for next year's hunting season.


Gabe and family and the Blackleys spent a Saturday here getting Gabe's winter supply of wood. All worked together and accomplished much.


A tea party with friends!


When we all work together....




When days get shorter the lanterns are lit... We've eaten this way every winter for years...peaceful, serene...

Goodbye October...


Missy, Forest, and Willow stayed overnight while Gabe was traveling. It happened to be Missy's birthday, celebrated here with pumpkin waffles for breakfast.


We're studying the 1800's. This is one of the meals we've prepared to go along with our theme. Citrus is included as a reminder of the lack pioneers had.


Unloading wood at Gabe and Missy's.


Grandpa Seashell reading to Phaedra. (Phaedra named Steve this when she was three and I love that it makes me Grandma Seashell!).


Nature hike at Lake Iowa.




Looking over the Tall Grass Prairie.


Guess these guys didn't know Thanksgiving was just around the corner.


And now...a few things we're making from scratch...


Yogurt...very easy and tasty and cost effective. We make a gallon a week. We love it with our homemade granola, spread on pancakes and waffles, with a drizzle of honey or some fruit, and also used in place of sour cream. One quart is made into yogurt cheese, which is a good substitute for cream cheese or even ricotta. Love all those probiotics!


Buttermilk chocolate cake. We make our own butter so I'm always looking for different ways to use up the buttermilk.


Whole grain english muffins. These are really good and can be used in place of hamburger buns.


Sarah's learning to make pot holders and everyone's knitting again. We love when the weather turns cold!


Mac loves his homemade dog food. It's easy on his tum and much cheaper than his precription dog food...yeah!


Fresh butter the easy way...love our Bosch.


Apple Butter and Cranberry Chutney...mmmmmmm.


Making cookies for Thanksgiving.

And speaking of Thanksgiving!

Three of our grandsons, Forest, Carter, and Joseph, coloring at the kids table at our Thanksgiving celebration. It was wonderful to gather together with our family, in our home.


Other side of the table.




Sherri, Jake, and Dave.


Steve and Gabe.


Ben and Kaelyn.


Carving the turkey.


Auntie Karla reading to Joseph.


Our grandchildren...Carter, Logan, Katie, Phaedra, Kaelyn, Joseph, Jacob, Willow, Alex, and Forest.


The 'teens' in our family.

Our first family gathering...our home was warm and blessed. Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful family.

A BUSY SUMMER II

We've made it to August now...



Our kids, along with their friends, the Christensen and McIntyre kids, spent a good part of the summer working on the play/musical, WE ARE UNITED, that Melanie's mom directed. It took place on "Henotes Island". A lot of hard work went into each rehearsel which ended with a great performance for friends and family.


The cast.

Two days later we all left for Sneedville, Tennessee for a mission trip through the Jubilee Project. We got to help a family that Andy and Amy's church, along with others, have adopted. The three day trip involved fixing up their home, bringing them new furnishings, and best of all, just getting to know the family. It was a wonderful experience for our family and we hope to go again.


Unloading the trailer we took to Sneedville...'MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK'.


The youth we took along worked hard when it was time to work and played hard when they got to play. They were amazing.


Hancock County, Tennessee...another beautiful place God led us to. We feel so priviledged and blessed.




Amy and Derrick in the living room 'before' fix-up.


Steve, Harold, and Randy surveying work to be done.


The older girls on the mission trip did makeovers for the beautiful daughters of our 'adopted' family. We all had a blast shopping and bonding and beautifying!
Afterwards I did a photo shoot of each daughter so we could hang family pictures when their house was finished.


Some of our mission team got to be part of a food give-away.




Working on the living room.


Playing basketball in the rain.


The girls all had a slumber party at the Jubilee Center with their new friends.


Even the guys got in on the facials!



Lunch break on our last day working at the house.


Some took a dip in the cool waters of Elrod Falls before we left to go home.





We left for Iowa, soon after returning from our mission trip, to see family and prepare for Brei and Daniel's wedding reception. They were married in June in Alaska (previous post).


Two of our grandchildren, Joseph and Willow (cousins).


I got to spend a day with Karla and Aaron. Karla and I had lunch with Phaedra at her school. We hung out together after school and went to the library.

When we are back in Iowa Gabe and Missy always bless us by letting us stay with them. They have their basement all set up for us and just leave it at the ready. We all have fun playing and working together. During this trip we got to help with a few home projects...yard makeover and bathroom update.


Grace and Maggie tearing up the old flooring.


Willow and Auntie Brei.


Making the wood splitting area.


On our way for a Dairy Queen break.

Brei and Daniels had a wonderful turnout for their reception...lots of family and friends. Daniel grilled meat and everyone brought a dish to share. A big thanks to Mark and Minda and Holly for all the help!


Brei, Daniel, and Holly.


Silly brothers:~)


Daniel


Karla's beautiful food creation.


Grace with her birth siblings.


Old friends, Steve and Billie.

While in Iowa we got to spend a little time with Ben and family....

Ben and Kaelyn.


Carter trying out his new bike.


The evening before we left Iowa we attended a pool party with Grace Community, Gabe and Missy's church.









We returned to Tennesse on August 27th to finish up our committments and spend the last of the summer with our friends there. I've blogged the month of August now and tomorrow is September 30th! I seem to always be a month behind. I'll catch up with September next week (hopefully). I have to mention that we are back in Iowa and will close on and move into our new home tomorrow. Check in next week for the complete story....Here's a picture of our new home near Williamsburg, IA.