A Clown at Family Scripture Study

Every night we get together as a family and read scriptures together. I'd like to say that it is always full of spirituality and great inspirational focus, but the truth of the matter is, it's not. There are always things going on. The sad truth is, while it should be a great time of focus and serious reflection on important eternal principles, one could be quite amused...even amused. Such was the case this one evening when I found it quite difficult to keep a straight face.

 Our sweet and subtle 7 year old, Justin, innocently walks in. Sits down. And starts to read when it is his turn.

 All while wearing this silly wig from our Halloween costume box. 

Perfectly true to his adorable personality!

Off to Nursery

 Since Steve knew he would be out of town most of the month of October, he arranged with the church nursery leader to have Amy start going a few weeks earlier than the typical 18 mos. to relieve me for those couple of hours to enjoy my lessons. Sunday was her first day...

 She loved it! I have really enjoyed her blossoming personality these days. She is such a truly sweet treat.

Her ability to express herself has increased and she is learning and saying new words daily.

 Lately anytime I say "Good Girl", she repeats it. {I have reason to say this to her a lot.}

Our baby doll is growing up...

                             I'm not sure how I feel about this, so I'll just enjoy her in the meantime.

A Day at Dorris Ranch

The last few weeks have been a happy busy. Among all the doings, I was able to enjoy the last field trip of the year with Jeremy's class to Dorris ranch. What's Dorris Ranch?! That's what I thought. I didn't even remember signing up and scramled to find a friend to whatch the kids at 9:30p.m. the night before the field trip. Let me just say that it really pays off to do continuous favors for friends. My good friend Laura had no problem accepting the challenge. I dropped them off at 8:30 so I could be at the school by 8:45a.m. and the loading time for the bus was at 9:00---pronto! We had a delightful ride there {apparently too delightful judging from the comments of Jeremy's teacher on the ride home. Oops ;)}. The kids are adorable! I have to say that what I expected was something like horseback riding, goat feeding and produce. Which wouldn've been fun. But what it turned out to be was truly wonderful!
     I was pleasantly surprised as we approached the front of the ranch where three ladies were dressed in pioneer women attire with big smiles on their faces. They immediately greeted us as we unloaded the bus and divided us up into 3 groups. Our group was the covered wagons. After a short hike, we approached our "station #1":

  A small one room cabin with a loft. It was the home of our "mom's" family of 6 children and husband. The parents sleep on the floor to tend the fire as ALL the children sleep in the loft. Really?! I'm so spoiled! And I'm so appreciative!

 After going inside to dress in their aprons and bonnets, straw hats and vests, the children learned their chores.   

                                                    (Jeremy watching while "Ma" is instructing-LOVE this picture!)

                                           They did the wash....

They ground Corn into flour...

                                                                           they hoed the garden...

They hauled water.

They LOVED IT! They all enjoyed this station best of the three. Who knew!?

I decided then and there that I'm too easy on my own poor lazy kiddos! Pahhahaha!!!

The second station was the Native American and Trappers Station. Soooo, of course there was a TeePee and a Trapper's hut:

 Ma told us all about skins and trapping. I learned I love the mountain lion skin best. SO SOFT! Better than mink. *eh-hem*                    

We got to pet furs, hold skeleton heads & teeth *biting nails*

Start fires (above) with magnifying glass. Boy Ma was trusting.

Jeremy even built his own TeePee while sitting and listening to Ma on the outdoor mats the trappers would typically sleep on. {That boy is SO creatively resourceful!}

The last station was Hunting.

This is where the children learned about how the hunters tried to trick deer by dressing up in deer skin. Silly!

 They got to shoot a bow and arrow.

 Jeremy overshot the target and had to fetch his arrow clear in the field. He was in Heaven!

This is where Ma taught us about games the children played and tools carved from the bones of the animals they hunted.

The field trip ended with a perch in a typical hourse wagon. I tried to picture all I owned in a wagon like that. Like when the Pioneers crossed the plains. I'm grateful for all they sacrificed so that we can enjoy the rich blessings we so often takefor granted today. We truly live a life of luxury and ease.

                          Thanks Jeremy, for wanting me to go and having such a wonderful time!

(Doesn't he make an ADORABLE pioneer boy?!)