Look who turned 18 months!

Fall/ School Days

Yesterday, while walking home from lunch at the dining hall, we (I) decided that the day was just too pretty to enjoy without some pictures! So, Chris happily trudged home to get the camera! The kids found this large mushroom in the south lawn.


This is the blue sky that prompted the photo session! :) Picture perfect day!


Caleb turned 18 mo. on Saturday.



Caleb is saying "me". Usually we ask the kids things like "who wants to go get some ice cream?" To which they all shout "me " and raise their hands. Well, while the two older ones were saying "cheese", he thought we were taking a vote again!



Having loads of fun!

Little "Miss GBS"

Last week I made homemade Stromboli, so I let the kids play with some left over dough, cheese and ham. They decided to make their own pizzas. They had worked the dough so much that the pizzas came out of the oven with a texture like "crackers". But hey, they had fun and made a big mess, so that's all the counts!!


Lauren proudly displays their pizzas.



Home school Present......Caleb "hiding" with the pencil sharpeners.




A very studious Michael.



A very clownish Lauren.....




Caleb LOVES to color at his desk and pretend he's really in school. He hollers "DONE" (like the big kids) when he makes a scribble, and then he gets a sticker on his page.



Home school Past.........We've come a long way since the first day of school, though. His favorite past time then was standing on the desks!



Lauren and Michael trying to teach Caleb.



Like I said, we've come a long way ;) The first couple of days I wasn't sure how I was going to home school with the distraction....called a little brother. Lauren and Michael have gotten better at tuning him out and he's gotten better at occupying himself!
I have to say homeschooling has become something I enjoy immensely. I have decided to teach them myself, and hold off on DVD or satellite till they get into the harder grades. I was a little apprehensive about starting school this year....I knew we'd have the distraction of Caleb and I also had to tackle Kindergarten with a boy this year. I'd heard that boys were more of a challenge than girls. Well, so far I'm not finding much of a difference. Michael seems to love learning just like Lauren did and it's been an absolute joy to watch him take off in reading. He is always amazing me with what he can sound out and read. They seem to really enjoy being in school together.
The added blessing has been having a home school room this year. I might not always be so fortunate, but some days I enjoy closing the door on the mess and dealing with it "tomorrow"!

Thankful for a husband that.....

brings me Josh Groban CDs! Although I enjoy flowers somewhat, I really love useful gifts. I admit it....I'm a bit practical. ( I'm a little like my Mom in that way!) Saturday he surprised me with this new Christmas CD that I didn't even know was out yet. It was released to stores Tuesday!(You can tell I don't spend much time on the Groban site :) He even looked through quite a few Targets so that I would have the special bonus DVD. And he did all this knowing that he will have to hear it over and over and over and over and............

I said all that to say this...It's a PHENOMENAL Christmas CD! Just beautiful!!! Anyone that enjoys Christmas music would probably enjoy this CD. It will definitely get you in the Christmas mood.
Thanks Chris. I love you! Have a great Monday!

Homecoming and Days Out

Fun in the sand at the Museum Center

In the "Old Fashioned" store at the Museum

Caleb with his friend, Katrin

What is up with this duck???We are very curious
to know what the plastic object is in the middle of the tummy!
If anybody knows, please share your knowledge! Carrie...have you seen
this before??

Feeding the ducks at Eden Park

Even Caleb enjoys breaking up and throwing the bread

Telling Daddy about feeding the ducks back at campus

Dr. Farmer receives Staff/Faculty award, due in
part to his leadership in pursuit of HLC accreditation

The "anybody that's ever sung in a trio or quartet" choir

The friendly cow down at Homefest in the gym

Aaron Marshall and the "Sleeping Beauty", Danielle

Friends....Brianna Marshall and Lauren

A group of bloggers! Lanee', Stephanie, Jenn and me

Lisa trying her best to convince Jeremy that they need one
of these.....j/k
I have no idea what they're talking about. Just thought it would
make the blog more interesting
:)

Lanee' and her live baby doll! Isn't she a cutie??

Michael and Katrin



It's quite a mix of pictures I know, but if I'm ever to get you caught up,
I have to start somewhere! LOL! As you can see, we've been having lots of fun. We''ve
all been going through some pretty bad colds...Chris and I have had it the worst, thankfully.
I'd rather be sick that have sick children!
We have been busy with school, of course, but we manage to make time
for lots of field trips. One of our favorites is going up
to Eden Park to feed the ducks. It's a pretty park that over looks
the city and is home to 100+ ducks. The kids are always thrilled
when I find some stale bread in the house....it means a trip to the duck
pond. This week we were joined by friends Jenn and Katrin Eckert.
We also just purchased a pass to the Cincinnati
Museum Center. Hence all the museum pictures.
We had been visiting the museum on "Free Fridays"....
once a month they have free admission after 4PM. The last time
we were there, they were giving out coupons for $20 off a pass. It was an
offer too good to pass up since the museum is only a 7 minute drive for us.
(One of the perks of city dwelling...lol!)So, you'll be seeing many more
picures from there in the future! They have a great Children's Museum.
OK Angie and Lanee'...it's not 4 floors, but hey...the kids love it! :)
The kids just love the giant sandbox in the Natural History
and Science Museum.
Last night was Homecoming here on campus. It was lots of fun. Lauren made the
comment this morning at breakfast the "Homecoming is almost just
as fun as Christmas!" Well, I agree. It is lots of fun to see old friends....
that's always my favorite part...getting to chat with people we haven't
seen in a while! We even got a few
bloggers together for a picture. I saw several other bloggers
but it's hard to get everyone in one spot at the same time!

Happy Thursday

Just thought I'd share this website that Chris brought to my attention this morning. He knows of my fascination with big families, multiples and such. After looking through this site , I decided to share it with the rest of you. It was thrilling to see such a lovely Christian family out there getting some media attention. I LOVE their house, but I was most intrigued by the orchestra....wouldn't THAT be fun? If you click on the "photos", they have lots of pictures of their house. I love the laundry system...keeping all the clothes in one place and cutting down on clutter in the bedrooms.
I might have to file that away for future reference! :)

I really should be catching you up on all that has been going on in our lives, but it's like my scrap booking....I'm so far behind that I'm procrastinating. (and yes, getting even farther behind...sigh) Anyway, I really am busy this weekend. I participate in a HUGE consignment sale at the Mason United Methodist Church. I've been doing this ever since Lauren was about 2yrs. It was become a "twice-yearly event". Once in the spring and then again in the fall. This is where I get over half my kids clothes and get rid of all the things they are finished with. I also buy WAY too many toys and books and games as well.....right Chris? Anyway, it's become such an event that Chris even takes off from work the day that I volunteer and help with organizing the sale. My van will be LOADED tonight and yes, much to Chris' dismay, it will be LOADED upon my return. The payoff is the check I'll receive in a couple weeks for all the things I sold. Lots of fun.
And if anyone is interested....

The Sale happens this coming Saturday from 8 - 12. Getting there at 7:30 is probably not a bad idea. It happens at 6215 S. Mason-Montgomery Rd.

They have sizes newborn to 16. There are always lots of clothes, toys, strollers, car seats, and furniture items...all in gently used condition. If you have questions, you can call 398-4741.
I'll be busy, so go ahead and have a good weekend.