Grandsons' good-byes

On our way out of town the boys said their good-byes.....

We are all looking forward to seeing her again.

Boy toys

This frontend loader is parked at our place right now.  A couple of wonderful guys from our church brought this over to help us with a few projects around here.  As you can imagine, the boys are thrilled to have this to play on.  :)

 This is the wheat on the back of our property that Mr. Bauman is farming.  I have a fond place in my heart for wheat fields since my grandpa was a wheat farmer.

Johnny's birthday

This sweet boy is now 6!!! 

We celebrated with a birthday breakfast at McDonalds with mommy, daddy, and our neighbor.  There's a funny story to tell if you ever want to hear it.  :)

The next day we celebrated again with a birthday breakfast.  This time Grandma Sally and Papa met us there.  

Then on Friday evening I made his favorite meal of chocolate chip pancakes and he opened our presents.  Johnny was pretty excited to spread his birthday out over three days.  

Happy 6th birthday, Johnny!  We love you!

More time with just these guys, and boy are they fun!!!

tractor rides

Look at our big boys now!  I forget the age that the older children started doing things and start thinking the next batch of kiddos are too young yet.  The biggest boys especially love when I remember this when I ask for help around the house!  I find myself starting to ask Jared or Jesse out of habit and then say "never mind, Justin you come help me."  :) It is fun to watch the middles' excitement as they grow up!

What to do?

While BJ was away on his conference the boys ran into a little trouble.  :)

  I texted BJ a picture when it happened so he would have something to look forward to when he returned.

The really funny thing is that a week later BJ got his tractor stuck....in the same spot!

 

Like father like son. :)

Quotes of John Russel

His conversation with me this morning...

"Ya know what I want to get you for Christmas?  A chocolate bar and a nice pink dress....that's what you'd like!"

And while sorting the white load....

"Bad grief!  Know why I said bad grief? Cause we couldn't find the socks." 

(He's seen Charlie Brown Christmas a few times. :)

snowflakes

Halloween

Oh Halloween.  The past few years BJ and I have been torn about whether we should be celebrating it at all.  Large Families on Purpose posted an excellent article regarding their decision and reasons why they choose not to celebrate.  They have a real point.

For this Halloween, however, we had two cows, a Beethoven, Johnny Appleseed, an Indian (guess who?), one lone cowboy, and a knight in shining armor. (The typical homeschool family. :)

Grandma Sally did an amazing job on Jared's Beethoven suit.

Here's the crew!

Johnny's passengers

Johnny loves to tote these two around. :)

Creative Play

I know a few of you might think my days are boring being a stay-at-home mom, but that is just not the case.  How can a mommy get bored when there are concerts and plays to attend regularly?  On this particular evening I attended a concert of Jesse Kuykendall and brothers. I had a really good time. :)

(Please note the love offering. :)

Directly following that performance I attended a singing Christmas Tree in the comforts of my own livingroom.  Again, it was a great show. :)

Clean-up from these events can be a little daunting, but the memories are worth it!

Guess the piggies....

(Kuykendall boys #4 and #5)

First Week of School

School has been going strong for a while now....but here are our "first week of school" pictures. :)  After the first two days the boys picked their favorite subject to be in the picture.  For the most part they are still enjoying their favorites. :) 

Jared Matthew ~ 11 years

Jesse Michael ~ 9 years

Justin David ~ 6 years (so close to turning 7)

John Russel ~ 5 years

The finished project....

,/n