Happy Reformation Day!

  Last night we read a book about Martin Luther and talked a bit about the Reformation and how we should always be studying God's Word, not looking to man for answers.  We invited friends over for the evening to celebrate.  We had schnitzel in honor of Martin Luther's German background.   Miss E made pumpkin cookies for the kids to decorate.

October 31st, 1517 was the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the church door and began (in part) the Reformation.  If we celebrate anything on the 31st of October this is what we celebrate!

Off to the Ranch!

We couldn't be in the area and not head out to our friend's ranch to visit with them and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.  The first thing the kids spotted was the tortoise.

Mr. K was slowly making progress towards walking all along this trip.  Here he is practicing standing.

 

The kids had been excited to hear from some friends that the lake had dried up and that there may be a way across to the island.  Mr. S put a stop to that by setting off on his own taking the wrong route.

 A rescue mission was soon mounted and he was soon getting the mud washed off of him.

Some of the crew took off in a jeep for a better look at the ranch.

Miss J and her "treasure."

The kids had a speech prepared and were happy to present it where it all began!  We sure do miss speech club and our friends there.

More Friends and Fellowship

We followed the F family home from church and stopped on our way for dinner.

We started the morning with some Bible reading together.

Miss J had a Pinata that G'ma had given her.  We thought it would be fun to do this with friends.

 

They had candy coming out their ears (and more)!

They had a great time at the park next door.

 

We were so glad that Miss E's friend Miss M was able to join us for the day.  She is such a blessing to have around.

We ended our day with some sweet family worship.  What a blessing to share this sweet time together, words can not describe how encouraging this was.

 

Church and a Baptism!

We left camp a few hours early on Sunday morning so that we could attend Church and see some more dear friends.  On Saturday when I had told Miss J that we would be going to CVP the next morning she quickly replied "and I will get baptized at CVP!"  Upon hearing that the next morning Daddy figured he would have to talk to someone about that.

Miss J has been looking forward to spending time with these special friends since we moved.  She enjoyed the privilege of sitting with them during the service.

Everyone enjoyed spending time with some dear friends and reconnecting.

 

A dear elder made Miss J's baptism happen.

Homeschool camp; spies, tea, and more fun!

Our second full day at camp was another fun one.  Meals were always fun for the kids not just because they got to pick their foods, but also great chances to visit!

 We started out with a session on spies and codes.  After the lesson our big kids enjoyed deciphering some codes.

The little girls enjoyed some play that had been set up for them.

After lunch a Ladies Tea was set up.  Not only was the room set up beautifully but we were blessed to  have a sweet skit on manners and then a wonderful talk on Biblical Beauty.

After the tea I got the little girls and headed up to the zip line again.  Miss C had heard that Miss J had done the zip line and was determined that she would do it too.  We were skeptical, but didn't want to discourage her so we took her up expecting her to chicken out at every step (but made it clear that if she went to the top of the hill the only way down was on the zip line).

 

She let them put the equipment on her and walked all the way up the hill.  As she watched Miss J go down she started to have second thoughts, but made it down anyways.  Tears were involved at the end, but she was a brave little girl and we were so proud of her!

We all headed over to the go carts.  I told Mr. M I'd let him drive me.

Miss E drove Daddy.

A dear friend kept an eye on the little ones for us.

Miss J thought the zip line was more fun so I took her up there again along with Mr. S

 

That evening was the English country dance.  I took the two youngest back to the cabin for bed while Rob stayed with the big kids.  I hear Miss J managed to get some dances in this time.  From what I hear everyone had a great time!

 

Thanks CVP and Jenness Park for yet another GREAT camp!

Family Homeschool camp, Revolution and Colonial life!

On our first full day of camp after breakfast we started out our day with our morning sessions.  In the first ones we learned about battles of the Revolution as well as a bit of charting points on a map.

While the boys went out and practiced marching and target practice with marshmallow guns....

...the girls practiced some Colonial living.

Kneading dough

Sewing with sewing cards

 

Hand washing

The big kids had most of their meals with friends.

 

The little ones sure enjoyed time with their friends too!

After lunch we had free time, and we all went our separate ways.  Mr. R had been looking forward to helping out on the zip line since the last time we were at camp.  Miss E spent time with a friend and then help her and her mother set up a tea party for the ladies.  Mr. M and Mr. S played with friends.  I took Miss J up to ride the zip line while Rob watched the little ones.

 

Miss J was a pro at the zip line having done it the year before.  Since I had never done it she went first to show me how its done. ;)

Later I retrieved the little ones and Rob decided to brave the hills (his knee is injured, he was using a cane while at camp) so he could spend some time doing the go carts with Mr. M

 

After the evening session the big kids stayed up late playing lazer tag.  I went to bed with the little ones, who were, by that point, coming down with colds.