Happenings...

 Caleb became an i-pod owner (I should say co-owner with mom).  I told him I have total control over it.  It's only allowed on the counter top and not in his room.  He has to have permission to be on it for gaming but it came in real handy for geography in school this year.  We have wi-fi now and the kids are each in charge of doing the research for their geography chapters.  They use wikipedia the most. 

 Here is One Adam Twelve.  He is one our first goats born this year.  He came out with the black on him. We have an all white breed but there are some recessive genes that can show themselves.  Last year we had an all brown goat born.

 

 The chickens started laying.  We get anywhere from 22 to 32 eggs a day!  We are looking for about 15 more layers before market starts.  We are looking for about 1 year old hens.

 Moriah and I are in Chick-fil-a in Omaha, Nebraska.  We traveled to St. Louis, Missouri the beginning of May for a conference and found a Chick-fil-a on the way!  Emily has been wanting to eat there for awhile.  They have a policy: as soon as they know someone has a gluten allergy, everyone in the kitchen changes gloves while that person's food is being prepared.  I was impressed!  They only serve chicken and they actually have a gluten-free menu, not many fast-food places have one.

 Chick-fil-A

 The children standing in front of the arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

 We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory the one day we spent being a tourist.  It was good.  Again, they had a gluten-free menu so we had a good time knowing we didn't have to be so particular and ask so many questions.  I looked up gluten-free restaurants in St. Louis on Kevin's phone on our way there!  Technology can be fun and useful!

 The last day of the conference Jordan got to pose with Elizabeth Botkin.  Jordan has two of the books she wrote with her sister.  She spoke at the conference with her sister and with her family.

 Mmmm!  We have been eating roasted asparagus!  It is coming out our ears.  Too bad we've thrown some out.

Grandpa came to visit a few days!  Jordan was gone with friends.  She spent two weeks in South Dakota helping a family with a new baby.  She's home just a few days and she's going back for a couple more weeks.  We miss her but I'm so glad she get this chance to help out someone in need.  She has a great time there so that is a huge bonus.  Annie is like an older sister so they have a lot of good talks! 

April 30th-Caleb's 14th birthday

The supper table.  Jordan was shooting for an Italian look.  Grandma gave us some neat plastic plates that day, so we used them for Caleb's birthday.

Being silly in pictures, just like his dad!

Birthday boy!

RJ and Ryon were able to make it for supper!

Giddy Johnny Boy

14 years old

He grew 4 and 1/2 inches!!!

2013 Recital

 Jordan playing Allemande--Handel.

 Caleb playing Soldier's Joy.

 Emily playing Fiddle Tune.

 Jordan playing Introduction and Polonaise--Bohm

 Emily playing Allegro--Handel.

 Emily, same song.

 Jordan, Grandma Rosie, Grandpa Donnie, Caleb and Emily.

Dad and Emily.

Jordan, Grandma Reta, Grandpa Sam, Caleb and Emily.

Snowy day...

 The boys were out doing chores today and afterwards built a snowman before coming in the house.  Isaac heard a baby goat "baaing" and checked , and Jane had twins today!!   We were not planning on having babies until May.  They don't look premature but one still won't stand :(  It isn't the best weather for them but we've made them as comfortable as we can.

 Baby boy out in pen.

 Baby boy in the house.  Looks good and we loaded him up with all kinds of boosters.

 We had to get out and take the picture.  One snowman already fell over because it is so warm out. 

Here they are doing a serious look.  Notice Rebekah is wearing capris.  It is so nice outside and in the house.  Unfortunately, Kevin can't get to work again!!!  How many Mondays are we going to be stuck and how many more days of snow do we have?  

Off to do some school.  The kids are finished with math today!!!!  Rebekah finishes her English today!  Most of the kids are already done with that.  Emily has quite a few days left of most subjects.  We try to get done about April so we can be working outside in the gardens and we can't even work out there with this snow and the still freezing temps out in the high tunnel.  I ordered trees and they are being delivered sometime next Monday or after!  What will I do with them?  Is it possible for this to all be gone in two weeks time?  We'll see what happens.

Home School Convention Fun...

 We are now a multi-media family.  Our computer has problems and Jordan reads quite a bit online and so an i-pad was a natural thing for her.  It is handy and like having a portable computer. 

 Emily having fun with friends in our room Thursday night.  Best part of convention, the friends you spend time with! 

 Again, it was an all girls convention.  We've done this a couple times before.  They enjoy coming along!

 People commented on Lena's hair a couple times and I point to Jordan and say she's the hairdresser.  If I did their hair it would most likely be two pony tail and possible sticking up off their head.  I remember Jordan going out in public and her hair wasn't usually done. 

 Rebekah entered the art contest with her drawing and her knitted washcloths.

 Emily also entered some of her pictures.

A friend with her third grandchild!  What a blessing!  It will be so wonderful someday to be in her shoes!

Our 2nd annual skiing trip...

 Jordan and friend Lydia.

 Isaac and friend Joshua.

 Rebekah!  The ski instructors passed her on her first run down the bunny hill, I went up to them and said, "Hey, that's my kid you just passed.  Don't you think she needs a couple hours on the bunny hill before she goes out there on the big hills?"  They said kids catch on real quick and I guess it's true as she was skiing the tougher hills in no time.  It just scares me!!!!

 Jordan and Gideon coming down The Hawaiian Cruise run.  Thankfully, Jordan learned to stop herself behind him so she could help him.  It was Gideon's first time skiing.  He had a lot of fun.

 Maria, Clara, Emily and Hannah having fun together!

 My three sons!

 The girls again!

My last shot of the day was Caleb coming down the hill.  The kids were so busy all day I usually didn't know where they were.  There were 6-7 school buses plus 89 home schooled kids there so it was quite crowded.  The school kids started leaving around 1 p.m. and then we had about 5 quiet hours of skiing.