AAAHHHH!!!

We have been very, very busy this past week. Mean Ol' Mama has major amounts of paperwork and computer stuff to do for the 2 classes she teaches at the College, so she's trying to do it all: College work, homeschooling, and home life. Hmmm...
Caleb and Levi demonstrated how to lift up a stiff-limbed person. We have had cold weather down here, so Teresa was bundled up on the couch for the demonstration.

Anders read a book, Oceanos y Mares, to ChubChub. What's on his lap? Oh, that's Scout, the latest member of our family.

We had a spur-of-the-moment cookout around the bonfire. It was fun to keep warm by the flames and just enjoy friends and family.

Stennes and Poppins tinkered with one of the go-carts and got it running. The kids really enjoy riding it around and scaring the chickens and dogs.

We're starting back in our memory box, working especially on songs in English/Spanish/Creole for the camps this coming summer. The kids work hard at memorizing many different things.

The Girl and Branch fnished Book #3 in Greek. They enjoyed ripping off the pages for the recycling bin.

Isn't this a sweet picture? Bible time with Daddy is as sweet as it gets...

And a final picture for What's Cooking? What's New? Wednesday : Anders single-handedly cooked a huge, gorgeous meatloaf, Old Bay roasted potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, green beans, and strawberry Jello. This was a large meal for 14 people. Mean Ol' Mama was quite impressed and gratified, knowing that faithfulness in training eventually pays off. Where was she while he was cooking alone? Oh, on the couch desperately trying to finish College paperwork for tomorrow's first class.

Catching Up

The following picture is specifically for Lowell. We visited the deer rehabilitation facility the other day, and this old buck had just dropped his antlers. Doesn't he have a wise, old face?

Stennes purchased a 30/30 from Poppins. He's taken it out a few times to try it on a deer, but he hasn't been able to take one down quite yet. The three older boys had their annual Christmas concert in Tallahassee with the Band, and we were pleased to hear them playing so well. The snacks were yummy, too!

We traveled to a "new" town about an hour away this past Sunday. It was cold outside, so we held a spur-of-the-moment meeting in front of a Mexican laundry. Quite a few men came out to listen, and one of them "knew" us from previous meetings in local camps. We had a nice time and hope to return on a warmer day to visit their camp.

The kids received a new puppy (Scout), and Branch especially enjoys him.

The Girl is now mommy to two cute rabbits that she bought from Uncle Tim. They sure are cuddly.

We enjoyed a Christmas concert from the Port City Strings class. They're all improving nicely.

The Girl enjoyed the party with her 7th-cousin-3-times-removed (or something like that!). These two had a nice time together at the dessert table.

Stennes was excited to receive a bag of shop rags and supplies to clean and oil engines.

We all had a pleasant Christmas with various family members. It's amazing how many good gifts can be found at yard sales, flea markets, and other such fine establishments!

Poppins was being silly with Tim by putting his head light on his nose. We really enjoyed that!

Busy Again!

Josiah's chickens aren't the only ones running around these days...

Branch celebrated his 9th birthday with a few close friends.He received some really fun gifts from many people.

Even ChubChub received a belated birthday gift. He's always excited to find some "forbidden candy" in the bottom of the bag.

Stennes made Branch a "tommie-hawk". He cut, shaped, and welded the metal, too. Not bad for a 13-year-old.

We had had multiple performances this past week, with 2 more to go. The kids have been good sports about their memory work, new songs, etc...

Branch and Josiah participated in the first public performance of Port City Strings. They all did a fine job.

The performance was for the annual Faculty Luncheon at the College, and the kids were invited to eat after the performance. Do you suppose Branch is excited about his goodies?

Our VSC (Very Special Cousin) spent a few days in The Pink House here on the property. She brought some clay and a book to show The Girl and ChubChub some pottery "beginnings".
We spent a cool afternoon at a local park. The children and VSC rode "wheels", while Poppins and Mean Ol' Mama supervised from the sidelines [...ahem...].

We then zipped over to Poppins' friend's house to visit rehabilitated deer. What fun!

Check out this cat's paws! He's known as a Hemingway cat, named after the famous author who visited the island of these cats' origin. In case you can't see the paws well, they have an extra pad on each paw. ChubChub was enthralled.

We also had family pictures made. It would be easier to herd alligators...