A November Afternoon

Taking it all in!!!

James praying for mom & dad to get home from town soon

Still waiting...

Paul with his horse, Dusty

Lydia hugging her horse, Starlight

Creation Museum

Our family went to The Creation Museum in Northern KY on Wednesday. This time we brought our camera and took a few pictures, but they don't do it justice...it is an incredible museum. It was our family's second time going and there was so much that we had missed the first time! I (Deanna speaking :-)) didn't get to go this time, but look forward to a trip soon.

Blending in with the creatures in the Garden of Eden.

In the Beginning...

T-Rex next to dad...dad's 6'4"

Climbing walls in Noah's ark

Riding a Triceratops!!!

This is what happens after imitating fish too long :-)

After enjoying time with the Marini's at the museum on Wednesday, they followed us home and we enjoyed an evening of fellowship. Here we are on Thanksgiving morning before they left.

Nashville Trip #6 (I think)

On Sunday we (mom, Paul, Lydia, James, Craig and I) went to Nashville, TN for me to play at my friends' church, attend a songwriters potluck, co-write with some friends, visit/play music for someone in the hospital and deliver some Thanksgiving goodies to my Nashville friends. We left early Sunday morning and stayed until Tuesday afternoon.

We had read about Scottie in an e-mail we received from Kentucky Opry. He's been in the hospital after complications from a surgery he had in August and we've been praying for him as a family. We had the opportunity to visit him, play harp music, the children sang, and mom trimmed his hair the next day. He is so sweet and was VERY grateful for everything.

This was the first time the children went to Nashville with us. Here they are with a ugly gorilla during a bathroom break. ;-)

On the way home on Tuesday we stopped at Cracker Barrell for lunch. The kids always enjoy BIG checkers!

So tell us Paul...are ya smart, a genius, or just plain dumb???

Fall Days

James and Craig had a blast raking up leaves and playing in them. Even Craig had a little rake, which he was quite proud of

Fun, fun, fun!

Run, drop and roll!!!

He got pretty tickled with all the noise he could make

Our first snow...leaves

Paul has been learning how to train/work with the horses. This was a training session on a pink horse named Lydia

This photo has an interesting story...
Mom had asked me to make some rich chocolate brownies for a snack and I jokingly said that she had to run around the house 50 times first to work up an appetite. Well, she said "No way, maybe five!" So I said, "how about 25?" She said, "ten" I said, "twenty" she said "15" and so that was it...run around the house 15 times. I couldn't believe it, she was putting on her jacket and tennis shoes!!!
Just as she was ready to head out the door, it started pouring rain!!! Anyone who knows mom would know that nothing can stop her determination, so she grabbed a poncho and started running.
This picture was taken on her fourth round! :-)
The brownies were delicious...best I've ever made! :-)

An Evening with Bobby Cheser

On October 31st the children had an evening with "Bobby Cheser" (they call him by his full name:-)) Mr. Cheser says the kids are his adopted grandchildren and always loads them with candy, ice cream, etc. Needless to say, they enjoy these visits.

A huff and a puff and a blow the cheeks out

Candy...candy...and more candy!

Here's Mrs. Cheser enjoying some candy.

Our ice cream just doesn't taste as good as ice cream at Bobby Cheser's house!

WILD DAY

Just a glimpse into our day today...It started out pretty normal with a call to the poison control after Craig ate some Bengay.

Then it all started about an hour later when mom came back from checking on Paul & Lydia (8 & 6 yrs) who had taken a hike to the creek. She came in a panic saying that they weren't there...so Jen (my sister-in-law) and I joined the search. We searched our 67 acre farm for an hour with no sign of any kids anywhere!

Mom called the Sheriff and a search & rescue team and the neighbors were ready to help in the search when I finally found the kids eating passion fruit and having a blast near a campsite at the back of the farm. Mom canceled the search team but the Sheriff still came. Needless to say, Paul and Lydia were in for a surprise when they returned home...