Homeschool picnic~Sept. 25, 2009

Our homeschooling group had a family picnic on the 25th. We are blessed to have so many families that homeschool their children and can support each other. The Lollis's were so gracious in hosting it at their home. We had a rainy evening but that did not stop 26 kids and 1 husband (mine of course) from swimming in the pool. The kids played in the pool, in the yard and had lots of great things to eat. The food and fellowship was great that evening. Thanks everyone for your Godly encouragement in the way we teach and train our kids!!

September 19~American Girl Day

On this fine Saturday, a dear friend of mine along with our girls, went to Michael's to do some American Girl crafts. The girls were pumped! They knew that this was a special day because after our Michael's excursion we were heading to the Essenhaus. The Essenhaus puts on an American Girl themed something every year. This year was a cooking demonstration with lunch and a few crafts and the whole ball of wax. They had little booths set up to look over some of the American Girl books and the other accessories that Mattel markets to our little ones. The girls were in the height of their glory! They are both homeschooled and involved in a History Co-op that just happens to be using the American Girl curriculum. With all this said....they had a great Saturday! So did the "Moms".

Stone's Trace Pioneer Festival~Sept. 13, 2009

We went to Stone's Trace Festival in Ligioner on Sunday. It was a great Festival featuring pioneer areas, Civil War areas, crafts and vendors. The kids enjoyed the music, games, straw maze, and the reinactments. They were able to participate in a lecture featuring Brig. Gen. John Buford at the battle of Gettysburg. Hope was not very fond of the canon being shot off but we liked it! Most of the day was spent wandering around and viewing the wonderful setting. Both kids thought they needed something to remember the day by: Hope got a little indian purse & Jonathan got a bow and 2 arrows.

September 12~Tractor Pull

This year was the first annual Apple Festival Tractor Pull in Nappanee, IN. The Cripes were in full gear for the event. Here is a video of Greg pulling with his brother's John Deere 5010. (I know it says 5020 on the tractor but it is really a 5010). His uncle, Dad, and both brother's pulled in this tractor pull.

(Greg)

Labor Day Weekend~ Sept. 4-7, 2009

Labor Day weekend was filled with camping at Twin Mills with the Cripe Family. This is our annual camping with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. This year we scratched the tent and went for the pop-up camper. We borrowed it from a friend of Greg's. It was so nice to up off the ground and have a little heater on the cool nights. We have a great time each Labor Day Weekend as we head off to Howe, IN and join the rest of the Cripes for games, biking, talking, laughing, swimming, and eat, eat, eat. There is never a lack of food and fun. The guys really loved playing corn-hole. Although, camping is a ton of work, it pays its dividends in memories that will last a lifetime.

The Pumpkinvine Bike Trail

On Sunday, we loaded up the kids, the bikes, and hit the trail! We rode the Pumpkinvine Bike Trail. It is a beautiful trail from Goshen to Middlebury. The site itself, was actually on old railroad. Pretty cool! The day was gorgeous for riding. The kids did all 10 miles wonderfully (that means without grumbling or complaining). Along the way, we encountered a painter turtle. Greg, of course, had to have his picture taken with this killer beast! I think the turtle was glad to be free of us as it quickly escaped into the brush. We stopped for ice cream at "The Chief" when we were all done riding. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon as a family!

Bowling

The kids are crazy about bowling! I took them to Signature Lanes on the 29th of August! They are both pretty good (with the bumpers up). They loved being able to watch their scores on the screens above. We played a full game then hit the arcade for a little while to win tickets that would buy them cheap treasures.

The Guy's Project

Greg & Jonny did a little woodworking project together. They got this little school bus kit at Lowes. We heard hammering and laughing in the garage and before we knew it, they were finished with their masterpiece. I see a future "carpenter apprentice" in the making!

August 20~Happy 70th Birthday Dad

My Dad turned 70 years young on the 20th. We celebrated the evening with dinner at the Das Dutchmen Essenhaus! The food was delicious (as always) and then we topped it off with a nice, big, piece of homemade pie!! Yum, yum! My mouth is watering just remembering it! We took a drive thru the country and then we posed for a little self-timer picture on the back deck. Dad, we wish you many more healthy years. You are a wonderful Dad & Poppy! We love you with all of our hearts and we are so blessed to have you!

Our Uninvited Guest

We were very surprised to look outside and find in our driveway a very LARGE turtle. He was bleeding on our driveway. He had a slightly injured tail but seemed like he was just looking for water. Greg put on some work gloves and heisted this 40 pounder into the back of his truck. This turtle was not very happy about being touched by a person and snapped and thrashed about! We drove him to a little creek down the road. With a little bit of a fight, Greg grabbed him and tossed him into a much more suitable home! Thanks for the little visit!

Genesis 9:13-16

"I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Sounds of Summer~August 14, 2009

We are blessed to have so much musical talent within our church. As an outreach to the Elkhart Community our church held a concert at McNaughton Park. It was simply a way to get into the community and make "Bridges to Elkhart". They sang and played all different genres of music. We had a great time worshipping and enjoying all the music of the evening! Thanks Pastor Chris, you guys did a fabulous job!!

Our Mall Adventure

Ok, we are one of those strange families that never go to the mall. I'm talking two times a year, tops! I had to travel over to a homeschool display in South Bend so I thought, "Let's make it a day in the area." We went to the mall and looked around. My kids know that unless we are in need of something, we aren't buying anything. They did get a treat by riding on these little rides in the center of the mall. Hope has always said she wants to ride a bull. Needless to say she was a bit disappointed in how slow and lifeless this guy was. Jonny likes jet skis but this one wasn't exactly what he was hoping for. They both were thrilled to spend the day looking around and having a few little treats since Meme did go along with us.

August 10, 2009

The kids took a friend each with Greg & Meme & Poppy to a South Bend Silverhawks baseball game. They had a great time with it being $1 night, loaded up with hot dogs and snacks. They watched a pretty good game!

August Visitors

President Obama visited Wakarusa today. Although I have a great respect for him due to his positon, President of our fine country, I wasn't overly excited that he was here for a quick visit. These little guys were a bonus for our family this week. Their visit cost me nothing as a taxpayer and they didn't need a big motorcade. They were a delight to marvel at and didn't leave me wondering. They just left me marveling at God's handiwork.This raccoon we spotted on the way home from a wedding on Friday night. He was first spotted with his head stuck in the opening. This beautiful Luna Moth was outside on our back deck. I had not seen one like this or this large, before. It was so pretty. Greg was brave and put it on his hand to show the kids. And last but certainly not least is my very own in-house hummingbird. He is not in my house but he is our little resident to our hummingbird feeder. He frequents it daily, stays for a good, long drink and chases his friends when they come for a sip.

Paddle ball

This is one of the cutest things you can do with one of the red rubber balls that are attached to a paddle. You slice it and place it on a two year old's nose and tell her to smile for the camera. I think I see a future career as a clown!

Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Potted Plants on the Deck

I did not put out my own garden this year but I did have two plants potted on the back deck. We are enjoying the tomatoes and green peppers! They are yummy!

Summer Canning

We canned green beans from my Dad & Mom's garden this week. Jonny & Hope were in on it also. They snapped and cleaned while Mom & Dad & I canned. Jonny is like his Mom in the sense that when we snap beans a few go right into our mouths. We like 'em raw!

Rodeo

The kids and I went to the Rodeo at the fair with Meme & Poppy. It was a good one! The kids love to watch the bull riders, the barrel races, the cowboys and the clown!

James 3:17-18

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

July 17-24 Elkhart County 4H Fair

As with every year, we went to the fair on tractor pull day. Our family went out to watch and support Greg's family in the farm stock tractor pull. Our kids will last 1-2 hours and then they are ready to get out of the grandstand and walk around, ride the rides, watch a seal lion show, eat fair food, see their cousin's calves, eat fair food, look at the animals, eat fair food, see all the 4H exhibits, eat more food and then of course go home. It makes for a long day but a great family day for us. We always look forward to our one day at the fair as a family and of course the fair food.