March 7

Emily got a plant garden for her birthday.

Lillian used a fork to eat her cake, and did a good job!

Her favorite present.

Lillian

Well, as I start this post I'm amazed at how much we've done in the last 2 1/2 months! From New Year's eve to Virginia to camp to school, we've done a lot!!!

For New Years Samantha went to stay at her friend, Lauren's house. The rest of us stay home played games and ate party food. Then the next Monday we started doing school again.....it's always hard for me to get back to doing that after a long break. One weekend Daddy and the boys went to a father/son retreat up north. They enjoyed that a lot! Samantha drove us (me and her) up to Camp Fairwood to work another weekend. That was fun! It was the first time she had driven that far. Daniel had his 10th birthday on the 25th. We also found out Grandma Trish (dad's mom) had breast cancer and was having surgery. That was hard.

February 4th, Daddy, Mommy, Lillian, and I flew to VA to be with her for her surgery. That left Samantha and Emily home with the 5 little ones. We got there just before VA's snow storm hit. 2 feet in 24 hours! We had no power for 3 days! Grandma was at the hospital with Daddy for most of the time when the power was out. Monday (the 8th) Daddy flew back home. The Tuesday the "second" round of snow hit.....WAY to much snow for VA!!!!! Mommy, Lillian, and I were able to see my Grandma Sandra (mom's mom) and Auntie Robin. I'm very glad we got to see them as were they. My Grandma hadn't been able to see my mom in 9-10 years. Grandma went to the doctor's for a check up and was recovering well. (now we know that she is cancer free and won't have to go through chemo or radiation!!!!!) The 13th we got on a plane and flew home! We also celebrated Mommy's birthday when we got home. Then we spent the next few days getting back into the "normal" routine of things. Lillian had her first birthday the 26th! She had chocolate chip pancakes, pizza, and carrot cake. My parents bought a new chair for the living room, seeing as the other one in 13-ish years old.

This past weekend Samantha and I went up to camp for the scrapbooking retreat. We were able to see our friends, especially Kiley!!!! That was very fun!!! I was able to get all caught up in school before I went too, so I am happy about that! =D Emily and the boys went to a kid's collage and made some stuff for 4-H. The younger children went to a church nearby and saw the new Veggie Tales movie, Pistachio. (like Pinocchio.....)

Lillian eats regular food, walks all over the place(she took her first step while we were in VA), has a top tooth in addition to her two bottom ones, is continually climbing up the stairs, tries her very hardest to talk, loves for me to hold her, knows what she want (and whines when she doesn't get it), and is all-a-round getting to be a toddler.

My parents are looking for third car for Samantha to drive. Samantha has applied for a job at several places, and has been helping a family with 6 children out.

In all our lives have been busy, and even somewhat chaotic, but we've been able by God's grace and help to get through it all. As spring approaches and we get glimpses of the warm weather, and see an end in sight for school it is easy to become discontent. 1 Thessalonians tells us to give thanks in everything. Let us think on this as we look forward to spring!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

December 30

________________Lillian on her first Christmas!

My, my! December has been an EXTREMELY busy month! Besides doing the normal housework and school we also did this.......

In the first week we went to a play, the library, shopping, Samantha dropped some fish off at the pet store and we sung Christmas carols at a nursing home with Bright Lights.

The next week we had piano, Samantha took her driving test and got her LICENCE!!!! Our friend came over to learn how to make eggnog, we went to the chiropractor and Alena and Elizabeth spent Friday night at our house. We made Christmas cookies with them, then on Saturday, went to a Christmas show with them and "gave" them back to their mom.

Sunday the 13, the Alberts came over for lunch. Monday Emily went to Children's for a appointment with the Endocrinologist. That night was 4-H; we had our Christmas party and white elephant gift exchange. Tuesday I had piano, Lillian had a doctors appointment, and Emily went to Rachel's 10th birthday party. Wednesday was the chiropractor again. We did a lot of baking that week! Saturday the 19 we went to our good friends graduation party. She went to college to become a nurse.

The 20 (Sunday) we had the Gordens over for lunch. Monday was the chiropractor. Tuesday we had the Babiaks over for supper and to exchange gifts! That was a full house-21 people!!! Wednesday we wrapped most all are Christmas presents!

Christmas Eve we celebrated Joy's 8th birthday! She got a giant doll house and a few other gifts. Then after supper we each opened 1 present.

Christmas was a nice relaxing day opening and enjoying presents. Our big gift of the year was a Wii!!! We had (and have) a good time playing with that! =D

The 26, Me and Mommy went shopping. We found quite a few dishes and a bunch of other stuff.

This week we haven't been doing much. Except on Tuesday we went to the chiropractor (yet again!) shopping and to eat at Pizza Hut.

That is a small sampling (a.k.a what I can remember) of what we did this month. =)

Lillian can almost walk by herself! She is saying more and more words, eating lots and keeping us all entertained!!! Today when they were calling me she called my name!!!! =D She also makes noises when we call other people!

With the Christmas bustle fresh in our minds, let us not forget what it is all about. Jesus. The reason we can have any joy at all. The reason to make us smile, laugh, and have hope. But also, let us not get saddened that it is over for we will always have HIM!

Psalm 42:11(NKJV)

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.

November 30

I think its tall enough!


Samantha driving!!!!



Levi and Lillian on Thanksgiving.

Lillian in her curious george jammies.

Steven, Laurel, and Havalah.

Laurel made some "new" friends.

The creation camp.

Applesacue!

Lillian wanted a turn mashing the

apples too.

Making applesauce.

Laurel had a pink (strawberry) cake.

Well, as we are now in the last day of November. I'll attempt to recount alllllllll the stuff we have done in the last month. I guess I'll start with the last weekend in October. Samantha and I went up to Camp Fairwood to work for the teen retreat. That was a lot of fun! On the 2nd Laurel celebrated her 6th birthday! That week we made apple sauce. I think we made about 2o some gallons of it. Then next weekend our whole family went to a different camp about 4 hours north of us for a Creation conference with Buddy Davis. The camp was in a big beautiful valley. Then November 12-14 Samantha and I went up with Miss Hannah to the scrapbooking retreat at camp. Kaila was also there working, too. Then the 20th, my mom, Samantha, Emily, Lillian, and I went to spend the night at our friends house! That was sooooo fun!!! =D That Sunday we had a Thanksgiving service at our church. This past week my dad was off. Last Monday us older girls went to our friends house for a Thanksgiving meal. A bunch of our other friends were there too! On Thanksgiving we had a nice meal and later pie. It also snowed and stuck for the first time!!! It melted by lunch but it was still fun! Friday my dad got up real early to get some deals at a few stores. Then we all went to a tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree! After about 2 hours we finally picked one. Then we came home and started to decorate. Saturday and Sunday we finished up decorating. Today it was back to school for us.

Lillian is eating more foods, saying more foods, learning to stand by herself, and smiling a lot! She also pretends to talk on the phone. Samantha has been driving some more and getting better and closer to getting her licence!

Now we are anxiously awaiting more snow! And the Christmas season! The Christmas season is a great reminder of why we are here. To glorify God and enjoy him forever! That should be our main goal for our life. Let us remember why we celebrate Christmas this season.

Paige

Luke 2:11-14(NKJV)

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:“ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

October 28

Kaila, Samantha, Kiley, and Christine when
we were leaving after ladies' retreat.


Daniel, Sarah, Kendra, Laurel, and Joy at the
work weekend.



Samantha when we were walking through camp!



Lillian-she had to wear a lot of clothes at camp
to keep warm!



Hey everybody! This last month has been a busy one for us!

The last weekend in September, we started Bright Lights again for the school year. Then in October we started looking for a new 4-H club. The first Monday we went to one in Lake Geneva. It was small (which we wanted), but it has a few issues. So club hunting continued....


The 2nd & 3rd, Samantha and I went up to camp with Miss Hannah and Kaila for the ladies retreat. Miss Hannah camped while the 3 of us girls worked in the kitchen. My friend Kiley was there and also Christine! That was a lot of fun! The Tuesday after, Mommy went looking for a new dishwasher. Since the people had fixed it soooooo many times, we got a new one for free! The next weekend we all went up to camp for the work weekend. Again Samantha and I were mostly in the kitchen. The rest of my siblings were especially excited because the Babiak's also went. The 17th we went to Bright Lights. Then on the 21st our new dishwasher came. It works pretty well, so far. Instead of a food chopper thingy, it has extra strong water pressure or so it's supposed to. I'm not sure about how much extra pressure it has but if it gets our dishes clean......

Last Saturday, Mommy, Lillian, and Us girls went to our friends orchestra concert. Then we went to McDonalds with them. :) Today Mommy and I went to an apple orchard near us to get some apples for applesauce and eating. Tomorrow Samantha and I are leaving for camp again!

Samantha has been driving with the neighbor some to get in a little more practice. Lillian has started eating bread!!!! And tonight she ate some mashed avocado. She can crawl up the stairs with a little help and can say mama, dada, and hi! She also likes to talk a lot and the other day when we were listening to a song, she was singing along with it! She can also pull herself up to furniture and walk along it.

As I see fall coming, the changing of the leaves, the birds flying south, the cooler days, the wind, I see God's unchanging greatness.


Paige


Daniel 23:20-21a(NKJV)
Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;

September 17

A circus train we saw when walking around
Lake Geneva. (It had mirors on it which were
reflecting the lake.)


Lillian playing at the fair. One of my favorite pics!



Hiya everybody!

August 22, was my 15th birthday! My most loved and used gift was a Amazon gift card with which I bought cds. The 23rd, after church, we went to our friends house. We have known them since we moved to WI over 15 years ago! That was a very fun day. The following week we didn't have much to do, except work on getting ready for school.

September started off with the fair! The first day (wednesday) we worked in the 4-H youth building and the 4-H House of Pork, which sells soda and barbecue pork sandwiches. Friday we went on rides, enjoyed a cream puff eating contest, hanging out with friends, a lumberjack show, Emily entered her rabbit dressed up as a cowboy, but the thing I enjoyed most was listening to our friends playing music. They have a family band in which the perform a few different places. Sunday, our friends came over for lunch, then Alena stayed and went to Bankers' Night at the fair with us. Bankers' Night is where they give the 4-H projects (and owners) that received a merit, reserve champion, or grand champion a two dollar bill and a bigger ribbon. We also get to shake the Fairest of the Fair's or Fair Royalty's hand. This year the Fairest of Fair's was there too. Monday we did a milk chugging contest and wandered around a little. Then in the evening we watched the demolition derby! That was the first time we had ever gone to one. It was extremely loud, smelly and most of all FUN! It was surprisingly interesting to watch people smash into each other! It is kinda like real life bumper cars. Tuesday we picked up our fair projects. We got mostly blues, a few reds, one or two white or pinks, and Samantha and I both got reserve champions on our genealogy and hoya houseplants. Samantha got a reserve champion on one of her foods and some of her pictures. I also got a merit on my arrangement of three houseplants. I'm not sure if anybody else got a merit or not.

I also had a great time on Tuesday and Wednesday hanging out with Alena. Wednesday night Alena and I both went to her house. I stayed there until Saturday afternoon. I had a really great time!!!! =D Saturday night Us older girls went to Bright Lights. It has started up again for the school year. Sunday we went to church and stayed afterwords for the Harvest Festival.

Monday we started school! This week we are working on making sure we have all the books we need, getting into the routine of things, and transitioning into the school year. It is kinda strange for Samantha to not have any school to do. It is also nice, especially for her! I also started piano back up on Monday.

Samantha has been working on driving more often so she can get her licence as soon as possible. Lillian is army crawling all over the place, she can walk across the room if you are holding her up, she tries to pull up on things, and is a very happy smiley baby!

Our very busy, yet extremely fun summer has come to a close. Yet now we begin a new chapter of our life--one that most people call hard and boring. But even if the going gets tough and we long for summer again, we still must rejoice in all the Lord has done for us, what He is still doing.


Psalm 145:6-7(NIV)
They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

August 21

The Washington Monument and WWII Memorial.


Our nations Capitol.



A salt water tank at the National Aqauraium.

Us with our great-uncle and great-aunt.

The coolest grocery store ever!!!

Driving a boat on the potomac!!!

Potomac River

The clouds are soooo cool up in the airplane!

Hey everybody!

Here are some pictures from our trip to Virgina! This week we have had pre-fair judging. We have all gotten a lot of blue ribbons and even a few things have been set aside for futher considering for a Grand Champion, Grand Reserve, or Merit.

Paige

August 15

Hello!
I just got back from a 3 week trip to VA to visit my Grandma! Samantha and I left the last week in July. While we were there we visited with our cousins, aunts, uncles, and Grandma Sandra. We also got to see two of our great aunts and uncles and a few second cousins! :) We spent several days touring DC. We took a tour of the capitol, went to the monuments, memorials, and a few museums. We went shopping, stayed home and chilled, went on boat rides on the Potomac and rode our Uncle's Harley!!! It was a really fun trip and a great vacation! I'm still working on getting all my pictures sorted out, so I'll try to post some soon. Now we are enjoying our few days with Grandma here. It is really nice to be home though!

Paige