Thanksgiving

Below are some pictures from our family Thanksgiving. We went down to Columbus to celebrate the holiday at Greg's house. The girls had a great time playing with their cousins.

Madelyn celebrates her 8th birthday

Madelyn had a blast celebrating her 8th birthday with family and friends!

Madelyn, Haley, and Gracie are ready for the ride to The Children's Museum.

Madelyn is ready to blow out her candles.

Make a wish!

Madelyn and her friends

Madelyn opening more presents at home from family.

Zoo pictures

Jimmy, Madelyn, Mary Kaitlyn, and I went to the zoo this weekend to see the new exhibit. It is amazing! The pictures that I have seen of this exhibit do not do it justice.

Mary Kaitlyn and Madelyn in front of the cabin at the Teton Trek.

Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn get an up close look at the wolves.

The Grizzly Bears

The Polar Bear was right up to the glass.

One of the panda bears was trying to take a nap.

We got a special treat that afternoon. Debbie and Haley had come up our way to do some shopping. We had a nice visit.

Haley, Madelyn, and Mary Kaitlyn

Corn Maze

The girls and I got to go to a corn maze. Boy was it fun. It took us 50 minutes to get through the maze. We took several wrong turns and ended up at dead ends. We got to shoot corn with a corn cannon. The girls also got to jump on a Jumping Pillow. We had never seen one of these before. They played on it for an hour. We ended our adventure with some good kettle corn.

Girls stop and pose for a picture

Start of the maze. At first the girls were worried about what would happen if we got lost. I eased their minds by telling them that I would call someone on my cell phone.

We finally made it to the half-way point. At this point, you can exit the maze. We decided to go on and find the end.


The girls running to the exit of the maze



Mary Kaitlyn checks out an ear of corn.










Mary Kaitlyn fires the corn cannon,

Madelyn tries hard to hit one of the signs that are 100 yards away so she could win a prize.

None of us were able to do this, but we came close.

The Jumping Pillow was lots of fun.

Monarch Butterflies

Below are a few pictures of the girls releasing some monarch butterflies after they came out of their cocoons in our butterfly houses.

Farm Breakfast

Mary Kaitlyn's class recently had a Farm Breakfast., so we dressed the part.

Mary Kaitlyn's field trip

Mary Kaitlyn went on her very first fieldtrip earlier this month. They went to Kidz Country. She had a blast with her friends petting animals, feeding animals, and riding on a hayride.

Mary Kaitlyn getting off the bus. This was her first time to ever ride a school bus, and she was very excited.

Feeding a rabbit

Feeding a goat

Riding a pony

Carrying her pumpkin out of the field after she made her selection

Madelyn's Field trip

Madelyn recently had the opportunity to learn about Lewis and Clark by going to a travel expedition of their adventures. She learned about the weapons of that era and the medicine (or lack there of if you ask me!). She was able to see a replica of their boat that they used to go up the Missouri river. The original was sold and later destroyed. They had question and answer time at all the stations. While we were at the boat station, Madelyn asked where they took their baths. She was told in the Missouri River. I could see by the look on her face that she did not approve of that.

Replica of Lewis and Clark boat

Madelyn checking out the boat


A replica cannon of that era as it was being fired. VERY LOUD!



Madelyn watching as a blacksmith showed the children how the iron was made hot then molded into objects. They saw a nail and hanger/hook being made.

Our Cats--Then and Now

Casey and CJ have come a long way. Below I have a picture of their first "meet and greet." As you can see, it did not go too well. It took a while, but they are now the best of friends. They still "play fight" some. The 2nd picture show the cats taking a nap together, which they love to do every afternoon.

Some summer fun pictures

Here are some pictures from this summer.

We had a great summer, but it flew by!

Lyle, Debbie, Haley, and Brandon came to visit this summer over July 4th weekend. What fun! We had a great time at the sprinkler park.

Mary Kaitlyn

Haley, Mary Kaitlyn, and Madelyn waiting for the water to splash on them.

Haley and Madelyn

Haley, Madelyn, and Mary Kaitlyn

Brandon shooting the water gun at Haley and Mary Kaitlyn.

Mary Kaitlyn and Haley defending themselves against Brandon.

Madelyn helping Mary Kaitlyn as they prepare for the bucket of water to pour out on them.

And they get wet.

Brandon enjoys his snack. According to him, I am pretty smart because I brought snacks.

Sara and I took Madelyn, Mary Kaitlyn, Emma, and Ty to see the Disney Christmas Carol train.

Emma, Ty, Madelyn, and Mary Kaitlyn with the Christmas carolers.

Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn holding their train ticket.

After the Disney Christmas train adventure and dinner, we went roller skating.

Mary Kaitlyn

Emma and Madelyn




Before school started back, the girls and I went to the Children's Museum. They have a new exhibit with a green wall and children can select a scene and be in the news.

Madelyn giving the traffic report.

Mary Kaitlyn giving the weather report.

Mary Kaitlyn trying to get a paper airplane to fly.

Madelyn dancing.