On the Menu

 Grandma Bestgen - your tactic worked.  I made myself an Egg in a Frame and amazingly enough all the children wanted one of their own.  I used a cool cookie cutter so that might have been why.  According to Stephen this is his "second favorite way to eat toast."  I think I have a new hit!

Cormac was the lucky fellow who convinced me to make an egg and cut it out like a star too.  I think the others were quite jealous, but already full so it didn't matter.

As a side note I'd like to point out that this girly girl cut a deer's liver and heart while in South Dakota.  Not only did I cut it, but I ate some too.  It was the first time I remember eating liver or heart.  I must admit I really enjoyed the heart, but the liver was better with lots of ketchup.  I would do it again in a heartbeat (ha ha).  Dad - you and I will have liver and onions next time!

Happiness is Family

Over the weekend we had two great celebrations.  Well, technically we drove home on Saturday which was no celebration.  The first celebration was Darren's 37th birthday on Saturday.

 Last year we gave him his presents a day early, this year we gave them to him a day late.  Does that even things out?  The poor guy didn't receive anything of extreme value, but according to the kids he was getting the crown jewels and Ft. Knox's entire inventory.  I just love their excitement for little gifts.  Happiness is family and the small things that make us us.

On Sunday we celebrated our 12th anniversary.  Nothing short of God's grace and a miracle has gotten us this far. I was treated to beautiful flowers, tiramisu, Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses, and some wine.  It was a great day.  I'd love to have another 12 years and 6 more kids because happiness is family and the more the merrier!!

Family, Friends, and Fun

We just returned from a trip to South Dakota for my brother's wedding and Thanksgiving.

 No wedding is complete without duct tape on the groom's shoes.

 Too bad it fell off before he got to the church.  I need to send a letter to manufacturer!

 The cutest boys! (My boys and my brother Loman.)

 The program and missal passer-outers.

 My two nieces as the "little princesses" for the day.

 Its not a very clear picture, but you get the idea of our current family size.  We will be adding two new babies next year.  My brother Luke and his wife are expecting as is my sister Mauri and her husband.  Too many wonderful blessings - we are so lucky!

We even had time to visit the Mark Park on the most beautiful November day.  We were playing sand volleyball with NO shoes while there was ice on the dam.  Not your normal day for sure!  We had such a great time.  It made coming back to North Dakota that much harder.

Denied Entry

 Gianna has seen her brothers climb on chairs to get the key to the school cabinets. 

 She though maybe if she could stand on something she could open it too.  

She couldn't get in so she grunted to Blase to help her. 

 About an hour later we found her with a set of play keys trying to unlock the other cabinet.

The little runt was smart enough to try the next key and the next key and the next key....that is NOT what an 18 month old should know how to do!  This girl has me worried.

Hungary

It was our homeschool Tour of Countries meeting on Friday.  We studied Hungary this time.

 Blase's physical features map and information.  He sweet talked his mother into writing it down for him.  We  ran out of time so we literally put this together the morning of.  We had done most of the research beforehand, except printing pictures.  It turned out well considering I was still in my pjs about 5 minutes before we ran out the door.  We finished about 6 minutes before we ran out the door.

 Stephen did the economy.  And YES, after this we fixed the spelling mistake.  He learned quite a bit about the GDP and other such useful information.

 Cormac and Rex didn't really help much this time.  They pretty much decided they would rather not participate.  We had signed up for money again - so I did this display myself.  I felt bad making Stephen and Blase do more work.  There really wasn't much on the Hungarian Forint anyway.

The two troublemakers were strapped into their seats for the first half of the meeting.  Cormac pushed them in the hallway.  Then we let someone else's baby sit in the front and Brech played toys.  Cormac was a good helper.  I played with the other "little" kids.  I think maybe next time I will actually take some games they can play.  There were between 6-7 kids in the little kid room under the age of 5.

Possible Burglar

If anything goes missing in the neighborhood we have picture proof who is behind the burglary.

 This ain't your typical cat burglar!

Dog?  You didn't say anything about a dog alarm!

Someone Graduated

Someone graduated to a big girl chair.  I fear a multitude of messes in my future!

The 2012-2013 School Year

A long time ago we started school.  In fact, we are almost half way through our year.

This week I FINALLY took a picture of the kids.

The Aftermath

 This is what my sewing room looks like the day after All Saints Day.

This was the leftover craft supplies on the kitchen table.

Yes, it was all worth it.  They wore their costumes most of the day today.

They Walked Among Us

The saints were walking among us tonight.  See if you can guess who they were.

A saintly nun sending roses your way. 

 An Irish missionary.

 He left his family to rebuild the church.

 This one slays dragons.

 The close up of this papal holy man.

 This holy man was a bishop who died in 862.  You will NEVER guess it.

AND the saints are.....

Blase - St. Swithin

Stephen - Pope St. Pius V

Cormac - St. George

Rex- St. Francis of Assisi

Brech - St. Patrick

Gianna - St. Therese of the Child Jesus