Our Time at Blue Gable

We have had the joy and privilege of visiting Blue Gable for many summers now as a guest of dear friends. It has refreshed us in many ways, and this year was a little headquarter hub for some partnership development time as well.

I missed having Josh be able to relax and unplug, and unwind, but it was a good week full of fond memories. 

I love that this little spot on the lake has made it's way into my children's fondest memories (and mine too!)

Here are a few pictures of our time there. As always, it was much too short! It always goes by way too fast.

The cute little cottage. Such a welcoming sight.

Turned 25 weeks pregnant with baby #5 this summer. Just relaxing on the dock since the fish wouldn't bite for me this year.

One of Ike and Daddy's many walks to see the cows. I think this was the highlight of the day for Isaac.

A family soccer game.

Isaac hiding in the corn. Don't go too far buddy!

Mornin' Moos!

A little tradition. Gotta get a picture in front of the sign.

Not a wonderful picture (my eyes are halfway shut!) but I wanted one of all of us together. 

Summers in Ohio

Ever since Josh's parents have moved down to Ohio several years ago, we like to go down for at least a week of time with the family for a Mathew family reunion, camping in their back year, and just spending time together.

This summer looked a little different. The Bible Institute was under a major renovation, and we didn't feel right about leaving to do our own thing while there was so much to do. We missed the reunion, and several days with family, which we are bummed about, but the kids got to go and see everyone!

Josh's parents came and picked up our kiddos (Isaac's first time away from home without mommy and daddy!) and brought them down for the family reunion, and playtime with the cousins. They had so much fin!

We were able to come down and share our gender reveal with some of the family that were still here, so that was fun. It was just too short on mine and Josh's end!

Here are some pictures of when we were there.

Bubby loved his pancakes. I never knew a kid that little could eat so much!

Grandma had an idea of how to make little dolls out of acorns and sticks. The girls LOVED that!

Isaac was more interested in what snacks Grandpa had.

Working hard on the acorn doll.

One of the finished products. I think they turned out pretty cute!

Here is my newest nephew, Knox. Isn't he a cutie pie??? Look at how he just smiles at his mommy!

Our Happy Expanding Family!

A few weeks ago we were spending some time in Ohio with Josh's side of the family, and the date of our ultrasound came!

Josh and I went and saw the sweet little one growing inside me, and we learned the gender!

We decided that we wanted to share the news with the family in person in a fun, memorable way.  There were lots of fun ideas, but we settled on silly string. 

                                 

Our little one. Only four more months!

                                  

Ready, set, spray!!!

                                 

It's a boy!!!!

News Worth Sharing

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. How many thousands is this one worth?

One Incredible Winter

We had the most amazing winter this year with record cold temperatures and record snowfall! It was so much fun! I'd be amiss if I didn't share some of our wintertime fun! 

Our Daughters and their Diverse Interests

As the girls grow, their interests and abilities have really grown with them. I am so excited to see the gifts God has given them. 

Josie has become really interested in art, particularly in painting. She is pretty good at it too! She recently had two peices in an art show. 

                                   

Emma started playing the clarinet this year in fifth grade band. She has really grown in her ability and got a one (best score) at solo and ensemble this year! I am so proud!

                                     

Adelaide still has interests in dance, and after taking a year and a half off while we moved and had Isaac, she hasn't missed a step. She has added tap, so now she does ballet and tap. 

                                   

All three of the girls love AWANA. They have worked hard saying verses and look forward each week to going. Emma completed another book, and next year will be her last year. 

                              

Figuring Some Things Out

I know it's been a while. No excuses. I am trying to make time for blogging, but busyness happens. 

We found out Isaac has an allergy to sulfites. He has had three really bad cases of hives in the last two months, so we had him tested for allergies. Since he eats eggs and peanut butter, and drinks milk regularly, it was hard to figure out the problem. We narrowed it down to dry fruit (raisins, in particular) so I did some research and learned that sulfites could be the problem. They tested him, and lo and behold, it was those pesky sulfites! 

Thankfully, he seems to be only sensitive to them in dried fruit form (because it seems to be in EVERYTHING!) We also don't eat a whole lot of processed food to begin with. 

I am so glad we were able to find out the problem. 

                                

Ugly case of hives indeed.

                                           

They were so big and raised.



                                       

Everyone thought he had some catchy disease.



                      

Here he is, getting tested for allergies.

Merry Christmas! (two months later...)

I hate that I can't figure out how to put pictures from my computer onto here anymore. I love to blog, but I really think the pictures share far more than I can write.

So I have been loading blogposts from my phone, on to here, and then editing them from my laptop. There must be a better way!

So there you go. There is my latest excuse as to why I am not blogging that much anymore. The technology (well lack of understanding of it) frustrates me.

Baby Isaac Turns One!

Back in November our sweet baby boy turned one! So hard to believe that he's been with us for a year now. I thank God every day for my dear son, and how wonderfully he fits into our family. 

Josh and I threw a big party for him. Kind of a thank you to all who helped us with the last year and a half with the move, being on bed rest, etc. We also just wanted to celebrate his life! My dad counted 65. Ha! Who knew that many people would fit? We wouldn't have been able to do it without Josh's family, who just jumped in and helped anyway they could! It was so nice!

 

The eats. The cute elephant cake was decorated by my friend Natalie. 

The birthday boy loved his cake alright!

                       

Isaac and daddy opening presents with a lot of "helpers". 

Reminiscing on Years Past

My last post on our trip to the pumpkin patch has me thinking on the years gone by. It sure does go by fast! 

One reason I began blogging was a way to capture and remember these special little times. I hate that I never seem to find time to blog anymore. 

My life is full, and I am so happy. I am thankful for my four little blessings God has given us. 

Can you even believe my girls were this little? Crazy!

                                  

Playing in the Pumpkin Patch

A couple of weekends ago Josh and I loaded up the van with the four coolest kids we knew and headed to the pumpkin patch!

Earlier that week, Josh actually won a gift certificate to the pumpkin patch through a local radio contest. I am glad he did! We had never heard of the place, and it was so close to home. 

We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. It was so nice, we decided to walk out to the patch and pick our pumpkins, and carry them back. We went on a hay ride later. 

I am thankful for this time in the busyness of the fall semester just to get out and enjoy each other and nature. 

                                            

Josie and Emma found their perfect pumpkins. 

                     

Addie and Daddy with their pick. 

                       

The cutest pumpkin in the patch!

Autumn Camping

We decided to take the camper out one last time before we put it up for the winter. Autumn is my favorite time to go camping. The air was crisp, and the leaves started to change colors. 

We camped with seven other families from New Tribes at a wonderful campground not too far from home. We had a lot of fun just hanging out together, and I can't forget eating! We had a yummy fish fry from one of the staff guy's bountiful summer of walleye fishing!

 

 

 

My guys. 

 

 

                  

Our weekend home (just before packing up. I forgot to take a picture while we camped)

        

Tavy, Adelaide, and Adelaide. That's right, two Adelaides. :)

Me and my sweet boy!

 

Lovely campfire.  

 

 

 

 

Sporties for My Shorties

I am not one you would call "athletic". Hey, I'm not even considered coordinated. Clumsy is more often used to describe me. 

Thankfully that is not so for my offspring. 

Last spring Josie and Adelaide participated in gymnastics that the local rec department puts on. At $15 for six weeks, it is a deal not to be passed up! The girls both enjoyed it. 

This summer, all three of them joined some friends at a kids fun run, and ran in the race just down the street from out house. Emma won second place! (You can't tell from the photo but there was a lot of kids, and she was not the oldest).

Speaking of Emma, she has left the rec soccer days behind her and now plays for her school team. She plays on a 5-8th co-ed team, who play mostly middle school boy teams. She is one tough cookie on the soccer field. 

Isaac isn't playing anything yet, but he sure is a fan of football! He will sit and watch with daddy, and loves it. "Football" is one of the few words he says, and he calls all other balls just "ball". It's pretty cute. 

              

Josie's cartwheel.  

Addie working the trampoline. 

 

Getting ready to run. 

 

 

Go Emma! Go!

 

We love number 22!!!

                             

Cheering on our favorite team! Go Blue!

Starting A New Year

It's hard to believe we are almost a month into the new school year. The last time I blogged I hadn't even gotten to summer yet! I fear I will always be behind as I am one busy lady!

I don't want to miss these moments, so I like to write them on this "online scrapbook" of sorts to preserve them for the years to come. I already enjoy looking back to when I first started blogging. Adelaide was just a baby!

Our children are growing so quickly before our eyes! 

Emma (age ten) is now in fifth grade! She is in the middle school wing at her school and does fun things that middle schoolers do like playing a clarinet in band, and playing for the school's soccer team. She sure is growing fast, and likes to remind us of that. "Hey mom, did you know that I am closer to the age you got married than you are?" *gulp* Does that make her old, or me? Or both of us? 

Our sweet Josephine is eight now, and loving third grade. She has become quite the little bookworm as of late. If she would just finish one before she starts another! Josie has a very creative mind. We had a lot of fun playing mermaids this summer, and she always had some interesting story lines. 

Dear Adelaide is my toothless six year old first grader. She is smart and is picking up math pretty quick. She is definitely still a snuggle bug, and for that I am thankful!

Isaac is such a mover! He is ten months old now, and is such a fast crawler! He is always into whatever he can get at fast enough and keeps momma on her toes for sure! He even took his first steps, from the couch to the dog) on Saturday!

There is a little update on the four cutest members of our home. I hope to be able to pick up blogging more often soon. 

The four blessings from God in our lives. 

 

 

 

All ready for the first day of first, third, and fifth grade!