Updating

I have been extremely lax at keeping this updated. It is not because there has been nothing to post, I just haven't done it. So I will attempt to get this updated; however, I should really be cleaning. Ugh!
On one of the days Ken had at home this fall, we raked up our leaves. Usually we just let them blow away, but this year we raked.

Brett enjoyed getting wheelbarrow rides from Dad!
Brett and Bri working on their "Laura Ingalls log cabin." We are back to trying to finish up the set. I was thinking we should finish when they were older, but they wanted to read them. So... we are reading about her teaching school and her courtship. Bri said one day, "I used to understand what we were reading and now I just don't get it." I guess I am glad she is not "getting" everything.
One day in the fall Andre' came to visit. We love for him to come. We could us a little one in the house. My two really need to learn to get along with a younger one, but I rest in the knowledge that God knows this too. Anyway, he loves to play with Briana's "girly" stuff and she is not so thrilled. I am so thankful that he comes to visit and loves Brett and Bri. (I think he loves me too!) If his big sister, Camille, loves to mother he will be used to it from Bri. God is so good at preparing us for what he has in store for us.


These pictures are a little late, but ... They were thrilled to receive their new readers and now as of yesterday we have finished them. Yippee!! The second nine weeks of school did not go quite as well, but I think we all learned. We are now into the third nine weeks and I am hoping for better from this one. We will see. I think our issues have a lot to do with Mom wanting to get the work done and I just don't include enough fun stuff. I need to remedy that! Hopefully, I can catch up a little and plan some fun stuff over Christmas break.

Nine Weeks Later

We are all still sane, all still love each other, and all a whole lot smarter (I think)! We are also a quarter of the way done with school (for this year)! Wow!!
We have traveled from Ancient Egypt back to Creation and then forward through the wilderness. It has been an interesting trip and we have learned a lot.
We have also learned about dimes, pennies, and dollars. We are working on mastering the days of the week and the calendar. Number recognition has been a big thing. With a little help from Dad, they are recognizing lots of numbers and Mom is still sane. (I wondered there for a few days.) We have finished the first grade primer and are working on mastering the difference between long and short vowel sounds. Most of all they have developed a love for reading! Yippee!! This morning to congratulate them I gave them their new readers. I had to remind myself that I wanted them to love to read when they were trying to get ready for town walking around reading their readers! (I just hope it lasts.)
We have had ups and downs; good days and bad days, but we have seen the hand of God work as we learn to work together in a whole new realm.

Yes, Brett does like to goof off in school.

These are a few pictures of the one art project we pulled off this nine weeks. I should have did many more and I planned to, but somehow it just did not happen. We will have to try harder next time. Bri made an Egyptian doll and Brett made an Egyptian serpent headed throwing stick. The best part for them was the painting and I realized why I don't get the paint out very often.

Our First Day of School

And I really do mean, our's! I, too, am learning and will continue to learn a lot! (It won't all be "book learning" either!) Ken took Brett and Bri out for breakfast on Monday morning, August 3rd to celebrate and "kick off" their first day of school. I think they had a great time and I had an enjoyable time preparing at home.

We finished day 4 today and I can honestly say that it is going well!
Praise God for that!

Here are a few pics.

Yes, we did wake Brett up! Needless to say, I think he would have rather stayed in bed. No such luck for him!

I think their favorite part of the day was decorating their folders!

Brett's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Brett! You are six!

We celebrated Brett's Birthday the week that my cousins, Melvin & Sara Peters, were here. Melvin came to "help" Ken on our deck that we have been anticipating for about 4 years. Actually, Ken helped Melvin build the deck! They arrived in the night on Thursday. That Saturday was Brett's Birthday so my family came in for a Family Day and Birthday on Saturday. The men stayed and worked on the deck while the woman explored Ikea. I think everyone had a fun day except maybe Dad and Mom Riffey! Please, Dad, stay awake next time you're keeping Jasmine. (Hmmm! Dad woke up and Jasmine was out of bed and all the other kids were now awake!) They were our babysitters with a little help from the Dads. The girls had a great time shopping at Ikea and eating at Red Robin. Sara was even able to purchase some dining room chairs.
We picked up pizzas on the way home and celebrated Brett's birthday that evening. He of course was very excited and had anticipated that there would be "lots of people." He is becoming more and more our little social bug! Thanks to everyone who made his birthday special! Here is a few pic to enjoy!

Mel says she overheard Ty saying, "Dude, those are REAL!"

Cole really enjoyed his icing covered doughnut Saturday morning!

Cole.Andre.Cameron

The "older" folks!

It rained all day Wednesday. Ken and Melvin busied themselves with other pursuits in the morning and then decided to just get wet. It was a beautiful rain that we needed, slow and steady, but it did not help the deck get built!

Jasmine and Briana enjoyed playing dolls and reading books together!

Vacation Bible School

One more summer activity update. I am on a marathon blog update so I can be up to date. Brett and Bri attended Vacation Bible School at Cornerstone Dunkard Brethern Church for a week in July. Their teacher was their Auntie B so they enjoyed that. They had a wonderful week and enjoyed all the activities and learning. Auntie B, Bri still is able recall one of her memory verses. This is the day they were supposed to dress up as robots or astronauts. I chose the easier one of robots and actually, yes, me actually made the costumes. I rebelled the whole time, but knew my sis would be so pleased with me. I have to give some credit to my hubby. He stayed up with me and helped me put the finishing touches on. I had the privilege of napping Andre everyday at my house. I had fun playing Auntie and even accomplished a little work. It was fun to have an one and a half year old at home again. I sure forget what it is like!!
A big Thank You to all you made the week possible. It was awesome!!

California in June

Mom and I sewing Bri's dress for the wedding. I had never sewn anything quite like it, but we had a really fun day sewing together. Thank you, MOM!!

We flew to CA from Indy on Thursday, June 18th. Thanks, Mom and Dad for playing airport shuttle. Mom and Dad Schaurer picked us up in San Fran and we toured Pier 39, Lombard Street, and drove across the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. It was fun to revisit old sites to us but new ones for Brett and Bri. Grandma and Grandpa Schaurer treated them to a carousel ride which was a real highlight. By the time we had visited these few places our 3am morning was making itself well known to all of us. All but Ken was able to catch a little sleep in the car before we arrived at U.Jason and A.Jenny's for dinner.

We enjoyed staying at Dennis and Sherri's. They had a nice room fixed up for us complete with snacks and treats for the kids. We also enjoyed being there a few days before the wedding as we were able to get in on the preparation a little. Bethany did a great job entertaining Brett and Bri. They loved the play house and having tea! She also read a LOT of books to them. Thank you Dennis, Sherri, and Bethany for all you did!

The Bride and Groom! Mr. & Mrs. Craig Schaurer!
The whole reason for our trip was the wedding. Brett and Bri joined Carson and Claire in being junior groomsmen and junior bridesmaids. They had a wonderful time ! Bri enjoyed being princess for a day and Brett was quite the little man!
Thanks for including them, Craig and Sonya.

The Bridal Party

We were blessed to be able to spend some time with Darin. Sandra. Drew. Mia. and Max Beachler. Thanks for opening your home to us. We enjoyed spending time with you all!

We ventured to the coast with the Jason Brubaker family. We had beautiful weather. We were thankful for the cool of the coast after the HEAT of the valley. We drove over Thursday morning and enjoyed driving down the coastline, some time on Carmel Beach, checking out the tide pools at Palm Grove, and then on into Monterey where we spent some time in the hotel's pool. We met up with Carla Denlinger and her family for some fun time on the beach. Thanks for joining us, Carla! On Friday we spent the day at the Monterey Aquarium.

We spent Sunday evening with Loren, Kristen, and Emi. It was high time we met little Emi! The kids eventually warmed up to each other and had a great time. Loren was able to share his recent Africa trip with us which was also very fun! Thanks for making time for us guys!

Our last day we headed to the park in 108 degree weather to celebrate Carson and Claire's 7th birthday! I think the kids had a great time in the pool, but I will have to admit I was just plain HOT!!

We were blessed with a wonderful trip. Brett and Bri were old enough to enjoy making new friends and Ken and I enjoyed seeing friends and family again. Thank you to all our California friends and family for taking time out of your busy schedules for us!!
We love You and keep you in our prayers!

Fun and Meaningful Project

Yes, I actually did a project with my kids. Those of you who know me well, know this is not normal. I was inspired by Ann at www.aholyexperience.com to make an Easter Garden with Brett and Bri. They were so excited to get started. I know, I should not have said anything till I had all of the things we needed, but anyway we had fun buying the flowers and pot. (I did survive the, "Can we do it, yet?".) We waited till Dad could help us with the tomb and then put it together. We are looking forward to other teaching moments with it in the next week as we look forward to Easter Sunday. Yes, we serve a Living Lord!!!