Tire Swing 5-21-09

One afternoon Paw paw brought home a large rope from work.  What better to do with a rope than make a rope swing.  They found a tire from the farm and tied it on the end and walla, a tire swing :).  The kids have been having a blast on it and learning to take turns.

Elaina's 1st Birthday 5-19-09

Elaina had her 1st birthday!  We made cupcakes for her and enjoyed them down at the Herzog's with Steph and Brian, Mo and Pawpaw.  One of the "prerequisites" all of our children have had is that they must learn how to walk before the next child is born...not really, but it seems to have worked out that way.  Well, Elaina just turned 1 and she has just started taking little baby steps.  She is the latest walker we have had yet, but she is meeting the "high calling" as we are due in less than a month (first part of June).  She is enjoying her new trick...walking, and will stand still for a moment and give the biggest smile, try to take a step or 2, plop down and crawl as fast as she can to you.  She is so fun and happy!

Martin's 1st time shooting his BB Gun 5-19-09

 

 

Martin got a BB gun for Christmas when he was 6 months old from his Uncle Kevin.  He has admired it and longed to use it for the past few years.  Papa always told him that he could use it when he was bigger and responsible.  Well the day finally came!  Uncle Brian was going to the pond to shoot turtles and Martin was dying to shoot something other than his pistol (which doesn't have any capps) or his older, used, broken "rifles" (which are actually BB guns).  Papa decided that it would be a fine time to learn and that because he was getting older and more responsible, that yes, he could indeed shoot his BB gun.  Martin was thrilled!  He soaked up all the training Stephen instructed him with and was so proud to be able to shoot his real gun.  He enjoyed shooting the water and seeing the ripples.  What a special time for him!

Working at Mo and PawPaw's 5-18-09

We spent a few hours down at Mo and Pawpaw's trimming trees.  The kids had a great time hauling branches.  It is amazing how fun work can be...especially when there is lots of family and friends to do it with.

Bella Jane enjoying her sucker and hauling branches.

Stephen using his nice pole chain saw to reach the higher limbs.

Martin was "helping" by trimming the already trimmed branches.  Oh well, at least his heart was desiring to help.

Millie posing for a picture after Mo put beautiful Gardenia's in her hair.

The Giese Gang 5-14 through 5-18

We had a nice visit from my family for a few days.  They were very jet-lagged and unfortunately we had a stomach virus going around so a few of them caught that, but we all had a fun time with them.  We celebrated C.J., NellieMae, Bella Jane and Elaina's birthday while they were here.  We purchased lumber for the tree house from the money dad and mom gave the kids for Christmas (thank you Papa Carl and Mamageese) and were finally able to get started constructing it.  Dad took us out for dinner as we celebrated C.J.'s graduation from high school, and we had an opportunity to get caught up and visit.  Here are a few pictures highlighting the time together.

.Shane, Katie, Scott, Martin, Millie & Bella all riding in Stephen's truck while checking the cows.

Katie Jo pushing Millie & Bella in the swings while Martin climbs on the swing set and Scott holds Elaina on the grass.

Shane Boy riding our little Boots.

Katie Jo and Scott playing with some of the kids toys from "the dump".

NellieMae feeding Elaina Girl her breakfast.

C.J. turned 18, NellieMae will be turning 16, Bella Jane turned 2 and Elaina turned 1.  We wanted to have a big party with Stephen's family (almost everyone was in town at one time) and my family, but the mean old stomach virus came in un-invited and 2 of our kids and I felt sick and weak.  Since my family was staying with us, we partied with them, but the Herzogs thought it best not to come and hang around- I can't blame them.  Mrs. Herzog sent a cake, and after eating supper we sang Happy Birthday and had dessert and opened presents.  We had a nice little party.

The 4 birthday people.

C.J. smiling for yet another picture.

Shane Boy was the official errand boy.  He really enjoyed driving Kevin's go-kart around and looked for any opportunity to take something to someone or give anyone a ride.

Katie Jo, Scott, Martin and Millie all playing in the tree where the tree house is being constructed.  It is so neat seeing my little brothers and sisters playing with my own children.  I think they really enjoyed playing together.

Thanks to all the helpers that have contributed in one way or another to the tree house... Papa Carl and Mamageese, C.J., Shane, Katie, Scott, Pawpaw and Mo, Uncle Brian and Aunt Stesie, Uncle Keith, and Papa Troy.  This is an investment that has involved many labours of love from so many.  It is so special to have helpers and so much love from both sides of the family for all of our children.  Thank you to all!!  

Shane giving the little ones a ride in the wagon.

A nice family picture right before the Giese Gang left for Dallas.  Mom has been diagnosed with cancer again, and chose to have surgery and treatment in Dallas.  They came by our house for a visit before they left for Dallas.  It was good to have them here for a few days so we could catch up and the kids could play.

Getting the wood for the tree house 5-14-09

On our way to get my family from the airport, we stopped off at Home Depot to get some supplies to build the kids a tree house in the trees that are in the hay field where we live.  Mr. Herzog, Brian and Keith already had the lumber picked out by the time we got there (I always forget how long it takes to get us ready and loaded to go--- we were supposed to meet them there--oops) so we purchased it and the guys loaded it and they headed home while we drove in the camper to the airport.

Blue Bell Creamery 5-13-09

While most of the family was together over the past few weeks, we took a trip to Snook, TX for some chicken fried bacon.  It was suprisingly pretty good.

We also took the opportunity to go the Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, TX.  We all went on the tour, then got to eat a scoop of Ice Cream afterwords.  It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time.

Around the Farm 5-12-09

Here are some pictures of our kids as they play around the farm.  They always ask if they can go over there to play, "help" Mo and PawPaw in the garden, get a treat from Grandma Herzog's treat stash...There is always something fun to do at the farm.  Martin always wants to wear a long sleeved shirt like PaPa and the girls love to wear farm dresses.  We went over to the farm this day to watch Mr. Herzog, Stephen, Keith and Kevin pull a calf from an old cow that didn't deliver her calf and needed some help.

"Appointed" 5-4-09

Setting up the stage and backdrop

Practicing before the concert

Eating supper before the concert...we made a little table out of the stairs. From left to right the kids are...Bella, Hayley, Millie, Martin, Clint, Reece (just some of Shivonne's and ours)

We were so excited to host "Appointed" again this year. Josh & Sarah Masters, Josh & Daniel Roy, and Courtney all came down last week and will be here for about 2 weeks. The group plays so well together and they really have a heart for music and serving the Lord with their songs. We enjoy going to as many preformances as we can while they are in town. The group or croud that came to our home was a bit smaller than last year, but it made it very relaxing and more intimate...getting a chance to actually sit down and eat supper together, and visit with one another. The time of fellowship and music was very refreshing and encouraging.