The Winter Garden

Lilly and I finished our planting today. We hope to enjoy Broccoli, Cauliflower, Kale and Swiss Chard. We planted Romaine Lettuce - but you'll have to scroll down to see that. Sal reminds us of a dog. When we go anywhere in the yard he needs to be with us.
Here he comes, looking for trouble!

He was pretty annoying. He tried his hand at digging in our holes, then decided Lilly needed to pet him. He was purring so loud! This is a cat who normally shrinks away when you reach out to him! Not today, he sensed our business and decided now was the time for love!


Here we're planting the very last of the broccoli.

This is what happened to the Romaine. We guess either a gopher or raccoon has eaten it. For some reason they left my Swiss Chard alone. My kids would have done the same.

This is our answer to the night time nibbler (unless of course it's a gopher)! Wade finished the fence that was originally going to keep Frisbee out - we hope it keeps our critter out as well. Lilly thought she was trapped in the garden. We told her she'd have plenty to eat in about 50 days!

And The Winner Is...Rachel!!

Saturday we were scurrying around - trying to get our house clean. I decided a little music would help ease the pain of ironing a week's worth of Wade's shirts! Well, lo and behold the station I turned it to was playing Odyssey. I wanted to change the station, because Odyssey is an everyday thing around here (Thanks, Mary and Jim!). But the groaning and whining of four children kept me from it. The programming on Saturday was geared toward kids and soon the DJ let us know that he'd be asking a question and the winner would receive -a copy of "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything." We jotted down the phone number and then I kept my own pirates busy- dusting, washing windows and folding clothes. The question was soon asked, "Who did the Jews want to see more than Jesus, look up John 12." Well that was a little too easy I thought, but my kids each looked up the verse and took turns calling the number. They left their answer - Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, their name, age, phone number, etc. An hour went by and I told them that they probably picked someone else! All was forgotten, as chores were finished, and computers were turned on!Then tonight at supper time the phone rang!! The caller identified herself as someone from the radio station and asked if she could speak to Rachel. They spoke for a few moments and then Rachel handed the phone back. Somehow the woman got the impression that Rachel was quiet :)! She asked if we could pump her up before the DJ called back to congratulate her on winning the DVD!! I thought her dad could probably think of something! So Rachel was interviewed tonight and she did a great job. Her name and interview will be on the air Saturday, November 8th on KYCC 90.1 FM! So if you're in the valley - and have time, please tune in around 10:45 a.m.!

All that said. I reminded Rachel tonight just how much the Lord loves her. Last Thursday, Rachel woke up with an earache, by late afternoon it had ruptured. She's been in a lot of pain, and slept quite a bit for the last three days. Today was a good day, and I think Rachel winning the DVD is what my friend Lynne calls, a "God Kiss." Just a little encouragement to get her through the trial she's currently in. If you think about it please pray for Rachel's hearing to be restored and the ruptured ear drum to be healed. And rejoice with us as we praise God for all the good things He has done.

Tuesday's Commandos

Tuesday afternoons have become a time the boys look forward to. They scramble to get their work done, and ask questions like, "Mom, can you do spelling with me now?" Three of their home schooled friends (who have also worked hard to finish their school) are being dropped off for an afternoon of Airsoft! Garret did a great job of playing today, but unfortunately I didn't get any action shots of him! Next time! The "A" Team (A for Airsoft)
Where are they?

Ping! He takes a bullet!

Search & Destroy Mission

Where are we?

The time I spent cleaning out drawers last week paid off, I found a three year old gift card! Wade and I enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at Olive Garden this evening, followed by seven errands and a dessert stop! It would have been more fun to go to the movies, but there were so many necessary things to do in order to keep things running!

Back at home, Wade said we should spend the rest of our Saturday having fun- so no baths and regular Saturday night ritual. (We'll figure that out in the morning!) We flopped ourselves in front of the tube and watched the last episode of "The Last of the Mohicans."This was the 1971 British Broadcasting version. Don't laugh, it was clean enough for the kids to watch, and not so fast paced that we couldn't figure out what was going on. We just finished studying the French and Indian War - so watching the movie in a way enriches their education, right? The kids made me proud as they explained to Wade what happened when the British surrendered and left Fort William Henry. I love history and our study on Early American history this year is superb! I had time to make a skeleton plan during the summer, but couldn't find any materials I liked. Finally, Wade brought in a box from the garage, and there was the perfect history book! It's Christian, factual and fast paced. Just what we needed, and the price was right! I take time to fill in gaps with library books, and the Lord has directed us to the perfect read alouds in the evening. I hope someday to tour all the places were reading about. For now, we're content with reading about them and watching movies and documentaries!

Wade and I are working on a winter garden. Maybe I'll take pictures of that soon. I'm working a little harder on this winter garden, than our summer one! We'll see how we do. Somehow I thought this was the blessed land of no weeds, our summer garden proved me wrong :)!

Well, that's all from the Crew's! Work, work! School, school - and a little fun in between! We love it.

May God Richly Bless Your Sunday!

Happy Birthday Amy

Happy Birthday to my younger sister! Hope you had a great day!

The Pumpkin Party

Here they are - our fall buddies! I've never carved pumpkins with my children. I know, bad mom! This seems like a good way to let them have complete control of the decorating! Dr. Pompo, Sarah B. and Rainbow Face And their alter egos... Dr. Iccabod, Jack, Red Face (who can paint only one side of a pumpkin?)

The inspiration for the pumpkin personalities came from this fun library book! We thoroughly enjoyed the silly rhyme and the facial features of each photographed pumpkin!

Happy Fall!

A Day on the Bay

A co-worker invited Wade to go sailing with him on Sunday. Knowing Bret's nautical interests, Wade asked if he could come along. Here they are, cruising the San Francisco Bay.
This is the "Maltese Falcon"


Captain W.
Bret "hanging" out!

Alcatraz Island

A little competition. We won!
Having a great time!
Container ship coming in full, going out empty :(!
San Francisco
A great day!