Nature is the living, visible garment of God. Goethe

The kids and I spent a couple of days at Grandma and Papa's farm. We all went on a number of walks down to the creek---Nate was a trooper! It's a long way for a three year old to walk, and he really put his energy to use! The older kids wanted to walk in "The Ravine" so Grandma, Nate, Ellie and I met them at the top. What wonderful memories we have of walks at the farm! Jenny was in The Ravine by herself and had two white-tailed deer run right in front of her path. She was thrilled!

Here we are down by the creek---Joey was the only one who accidentally stepped into the water.

The fresh air knocked Ellie out---she took naps both days, and I really got a workout going up the big hill.

We also had a lot of fun with the kids' cousins. Nate and Jack made a little fort under the table, and no one else was allowed. These two boys are going to have loads of fun as they get older!

Ellie was in heaven having Jessi read to her!

I'm so thankful that our kids love being outside and find such pleasure in God's creation.

Daniel Moon

Nate loves to wear hats. And don't even think about trying to take it off.

Fall is here!

It's hard to believe it when the temp today was 86, but fall is here! Bill got a couple of good pictures of some of the color, although the color isn't as vibrant as it has been in some years.

We had two viruses hit the house, including one that gave Ellie the hives and a huge lip. Just imagine our Sweet Thing with Mick Jagger lips----I wouldn't take a picture of her!

We're finishing up some read-alouds on Ancient Egypt and the kids have had a ball with a heiroglyphic book. We have heiroglyphic signs all over the house! We are really enjoying studying about ancient history!

Another thing of note this week---Nate has started singing a song from Sunday School. He walks around singing in Nate's own cute way "The B-I-B-L-E". We're thrilled to hear it!

Here are some pictures from the week----

The First Day of School

One of our family's traditions is our First Day of School. You might think, well, what does a homeschooling family do for the first day of school.

First off, the kids get up early, at least earlier than they are used to. The day starts off with a Treasure Hunt that allows them to get their brain cells, which have been napping all summer, up to speed for the year. They are forced to run all over to find clues and the final prize of their backpack/lunch box loaded with school supplies, treats, and little surprises. Last year was especially thrilling as we were studying the Eastern Hemisphere, and I picked up goodies that tied into the countries----chinese yo-yos, lots of unusual candy (some Japanese candy that has an edible wrapper) and snacks, and even some coins from the different countries. We have such fun the first day of school---thankfully we've never had a rainy day!

Here are some pictures from this year and the years past. Looking at the years past brings a lump to my throat---how quickly our kiddos are changing!

The boys are all excited about their finds. Jenny is checking out her stash with Nate assisting. Ellie was in the wagon---she would've been in the picture otherwise!

Do you notice the tired eyes?

Nate is trying to figure out if he should throw this log or keep it to bring into the house. If I remember correctly, we persuaded him to leave it outside.

Ellie coloring. Notice the page is still white but her lips are green. If we ever need a marker, Ellie can find one. She has made some awesome murals on the library floor. She is also good at face painting. Somedays she'll come find me and be covered with ink----I don't know how she finds the markers.

2006

This was the year we studied the Eastern Hemisphere. The kids wore their Pacific Island garb for the first day.

I'll have to ask Joey what country this headdress is from.

2005

2004

2003

This picture pulled on my heart---look at how young the kids look!

I had to include this picture of Joey. This was the day before school started 2003. Oh, the lazy days of summer! He actually slept for quite awhile on the deck.

Our day at Bay Beach

To close out the summer, we decided to take a trip to Bay Beach, a small amusement park. The older kids went on the rides with Bill, and we all spent some time at the Wildlife Sanctuary helping the geese prepare for winter (visitors can buy corn to feed the geese and the geese are not shy---from what we heard, most of them get enough food so that they don't migrate.)

Here is a shot of Bill and the older four before they started down the gunny sack slide.

Here is midway down---good thing the park is closed for the season. Nate won't be taking a trip down the Gunny Sack Express anytime soon.

When the ride finally comes to an end, Nate looks like lunch might be coming up, and Bill can't stop smiling!

Jenny and Joey tried out the swings. Their lunch stayed down. I sat and watched as Aunt Becky's Arnold's Park experience was still fresh in my memory and there weren't any open picnic tables close by.

Then on to feeding the geese and ducks.

Nate thinks that throwing handfuls of corn at geese is much more exciting than moving rapidly down a huge slide on a piece of burlap.

Ellie is wondering why these animals are getting so close to her stroller and why the rest of her family is throwing corn at her sandals.

All in all, we had a wonderful day!

Some of the ways we spent our summer

We had such a great summer! As the leaves begin to change colors, I've found myself thinking about the memories we've made over the summer. Here are a few to share with you.


We dressed up---

And we undressed-----






We played a lot in all kinds of water-----

We had some fun with animals-----

We cried a little-----


And we just had fun-------





Although we can't talk to our friends and family as often as we would like to, we hope that we can stay in touch with you through this blog.