A months worth...

Here is a picture of the beautiful Christmas morning view we had.

 We got to celebrate with the Brown family for Christmas.

 We are so lucky to have cousins so close!

These two babies were so cute...I wanted to eat them up.  

 Jack and his Jo-Jo:)

 Becky, Allison, and I.  

I just noticed that we didn't get a group picture...:(

 I was able to go visit my sis and brother-in-law Devon in Texas. 

The plan was to help with the baby after he came, 

but he had another plan for us. 

 We had a great time visiting and eating.

Devon is a wonderful chef...I didn't do ANY cooking while I was there.

They spoiled me.

Although I was bummed to miss not holding my nephew,

we had a wonderful time together and was meant to be.

 We got back to 'normal' after Christmas vacation.

We had Evelyn's appointment and it went great.

There will need to be a surgery eventually, but not right now.  

Then we headed to Nana and Papa's house in Green Bay to meet our other cousins. 

 Since we had two of the cousins birthdays in January,

we decided to celebrate Joey and Matilda's birthdays that weekend. 

 The Floridians lucked out with the weather.

There was snow and 'warm' weather:)

We got bundled up to have all kinds of snow fun.

 We built an igloo thanks to the help of my Native Alaskan:)

We got a chance to play on snow hills,

'skate' on the ice rink,

 speed skating,

 and sledding!

 Nora took a couple of big wipe outs, but insisted on skating the whole time.

 Everyone had a blast sledding, even Nana!

I think the Floridians had great winter fun.

 We found a partly built snowman at the park...

added a few items and had a snowman that only took 15 minutes to build.

 The cousins had a blast.

 We started to loose them fast 

so we didn't get a chance to get a picture with all of them.

 This little girl cracks me up!

 She couldn't get enough of her Oscar.

 We had a Star Wars themed birthday for the two princesses.

 Everyone had fun and

 good and sugared up.  

 It was great seeing everyone!

 Then we got home to celebrate the real birthday for Josephine.

As per her request, she wanted a Jessie cake:)

Sooooo mama did her best.

 Joey was happy with it so that's good enough for me.

 I can't believe what a big girl she is growing into.  

 Josephine received a sewing machine from her Aunt Mae Mae and Uncle Brian.

She has been sewing up a storm! 

I guess I didn't realize how much we hd on our plate since the last time I posted.

When I look at the pictures though, it seems like a whirlwind! 

We made a big family decision to homeschool. 

It was something that I felt like I was being called to do.

I must say that we are in our first week and it seems too good to be true!

The kids are enjoying it.

When my sister asked Oscar what he thought of home schooling, he replied,

"It's great.  It's a lot harder than regular school, but we get done faster!"

I'm praying this continues and 

thanking God everyday for this new adventure!

Fall Colors and a pup...

I have been taking pictures throughout the week of all the color changes.

 Most of the maple reds are done, 

a lot of the oak trees have been turning as well.

 These are my favorite colors and 

I've been designing a quilt to help me capture it.

 Zach thought he was pretty clever taking this one-

like how the arrow is pointing at this tree?:)

 This is the place I got my deer last year.

 My favorite trees...Quaking Aspen.

Doesn't get any better than this.

 Up on the ridge with the corn...love it.

 Here is a picture of our house and the trees behind it.

I thought it would be even better to take one more hike up the bluff to get some 

better fall color pictures.

Joey and I got to go on a little hike all by ourselves.

 It was worth the extra work...I can honestly say this is the best I've seen it.

 It was just as beautiful to have some one-on-one time with Joey.

She's turning into quite the little lady.

 We walked to another spot to get a couple more angles.

 These are the pictures that I will be looking at when I start on that quilt.

 God's masterpiece!

 Then we hiked down to the cave.  

Luckily, there was no occupants yet!

 We got down just fine and 

had to do a bit of the obstacle course around the property before we went in.

 Then we presented Oscar with his birthday present...

a great addition to our family.

Meet Dixie.  She is cuter than cute 

and already so loved.  

We are so happy and blessed to give her a good home.