Our Little Miss

Here is a series of pictures from our last visit with Alaina. She's sitting in Nana's high chair playing with measuring cups! She is sooo much fun and such a sparkler. No prejudice on our part of course.

Once in a Blue Moon

Haley and I were grocery shopping and saw something that intrigued us. We decided to go ahead and get it for Matthew's 14th birthday dinner with the family.

Well I forgot to get it out since Haley made him banana cream pies! (Boy they were yummy.)

Suddenly when playing a game the other night some one remembered it. We all indulged. But first we guessed what it might taste like.


Have you ever had it before?? I have never even heard of it.

What do you guess it tasted like?

Girl's Night

While the guys were gone to the Father/Son Camp we Moms and daughters got together for a bit of fun.

Girls like flowers and chocolate of course.

In addition to the usual food and games, we decided to learn to fold napkins in a variety of styles and make napkin rings to decorate our Thanksgiving tables. Here are the samples of the napkin folds that we tried.

Haley folded all those and was our instructor.


We practiced using paper napkins! Some of the easiest folds were very pretty.

Some folds had many steps and were more difficult to achieve. This one was called the viking hat. Do you see it??


We of course had delicious fall foods for supper--- soups, cider, and apple desserts.


After our strength was revived with food, some of us made napkin rings while others played games.

Some of our creations.

The Grandpas did neither but enjoyed the cheerful chatter while catching a few winks.

(Grandpa Bud had his nap earlier while we were busy folding.)

Hot Chocolate with whipped cream!

Haley made bouquets for each family to take home.

Good friends, good food, good fun.

Babies . . . . . . .

Since we were down Peoria way recently, we headed a bit further to visit the Stanford Clan. After going to church together, Paul and Kathy had us all over for lunch. Nothing like being together with long time friends. Sure wish we could have stayed longer.

We got to meet their newest clan member Mr. Eric. What a cheerful little sparkler!

You knew by looking that he had Bluedorn blood. I kept seeing Harvey's face looking out from his.

And yep, he sure does have Laurie's red hair. "grin"


Paul has acquired that "Grandpa touch". He sure enough put Eric to sleep while holding him. Where are you Paul at 3 o'clock in the morning. "wink"

After a bit we headed over to see Adam and Johannah's house. The last time we saw it they were not able to live in it yet and had been doing more demolition than building. Even at that time I couldn't believe how much work they had done!

Before

Now

You can really enjoy Johanna's artistic abilities and tastes as you see their accomplishments.

Before

Now

They had set up the cutest baby nook off of their bedroom.

Adam had built in this wonderful changing area.

Although it's not very clear you can see the scripture that Johanna's painted on the wall above the crib.A window where there is none! It's darling.

Johanna and Eric

Thanks Adam and Johanna for letting us get a peek at your home.

This picture makes me smile . . . . . .

If you want to see more before pictures of their house go to June '08 "Adam and Johanna's Country House"

Feast of the Hunter's Moon

We launched our history study this year with a wonderful field trip. Here Matthew and Haley are dressed in the colonial style.

Matthew represents a minute man. Please note that he doesn't have his knives, hatchet or skins in this picture. We didn't want to take them to this public event. (Oh where, oh where can we get a muzzle loading long rifle. . . . ha.)


Haley's dress is absolutely stunning. She didn't just follow a pattern. She studied books on fashion history, looked at paintings of Americans from this time period and copied the beautiful hand work and techniques they used!



We trekked south to Indiana with the Barnards. Here the kids are ready for the day! Abby too made her dress! She did a wonderful job.

You just can't get the full impact of this event if you're not dressed for it. Walking around with them made it so much more fun. People actually stopped the kids and asked them questions. "smile"

Feast of the Hunter's Moon

Fort Ouiatenon was the first fortified European settlement in what is now Indiana. It was established by the French in 1717 . (Could you have guessed that from the spelling of it's name??)

This is a replica of the blockhouse where we gathered for the opening ceremonies.


Anna is wearing a dress that Haley wore when we last studied this time period.

Over 7000 reenactors make this event come to life. There is an opening ceremony where many of them or their groups come marching to the blockhouse yard.


Most groups had musicians as well as soldiers. Above you see flags that name who they represent and where they are from.



Loved these bagpipers!


Indians met and traded at the fort. Their loyalties generally remained with the French.




A side note. It was interesting to me to see the worldview of the reenactors blatantly coming through in what they displayed and shared about history. One lady said that people didn't first come for religious freedom, but for gold. hum Wonder who taught her history??? She also emphasized some negative and immoral behaviors. We've had some very interesting discussions at home after attending.

Gathering to watch the canoe race.



The sights, sounds, smells and tastes surrounded us. Here the kids are standing in the smokey air. Fires were burning throughout the camp for cooking and warmth.

Boy these things are loud!

Gretchen this picture is a greeting for you! Ray on the right used to play in the Zion Chamber Orchestra with Gretchen. He's been a reenactor for many years. Ray says hello. (I got to show he and his wife pictures of Gretchen, Kyle and Alaina. Of course I had them with me!! "wink")

Take a look at this instrument. It's called the Serpent and was in vogue during the 1700s. It is played like a woodwind by covering holes rather than with valves, but has the mouthpiece of a brass instrument. That mouthpiece was wooden though!

Here they are as General Webb's band. Bob Mason, one of our relatives, is playing the french horn on the far left. It was so good to see him. By the way their coats were the same colors as the regiment that they were assigned to ---- except opposite. That means that the soldiers connected with these musicians had red coats and yellow lapels. Ya learn somethin' new every day!

Matthew's been honing his axe throwing skills ever since we got home. Ahhhh what a way to study!!!

Quote for me today

"Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers."

Sidlow Baxter

Quilt

Thought you'd like to see the baby quilt I'm finishing up. The machine quilting is all done and I just have to bind the edges.


It's for a sweet little red headed baby boy whose mother enjoys Pooh as much as Gretchen. I hope to deliver it in person this weekend and smooch that little guy.
Now you understand why I haven't been blogging. "grin"

Our Precious Visitor

A couple of weeks ago . . . . . . .


Alaina and her Granddaddy.

Playing in the kitchen with measuring cups.

She tries to stand up on everything. smile

She loves cats and dogs.

Especially when they tickle her toes!