12.3.19 Snow day

Today is so quiet at my house with everyone back in school. We had such a nice surprise to end the break a snow day, no school! We still had two families of cousins here the ones with mostly boys and so the day was spent making snow forts, snowballs to crush with karate kicks and chops, and snowmen. The snow was perfect just wet enough to pack and just cold enough to stay. I have sweet memories from my childhood of forts and snowball fights. It was pleasing to watch my kids make some of those memories for their own life story. And of course boy cousins don't mind being wet and cold and rarely cry you threw too many snowballs. They are game to make the fort bigger. The girls played sporadically and had a good time too, but mostly opted for in the house. Bruce is not one to join the girls he had fun playing with the older boys. 

Millie in fort number one.

Mark even got to join th eboys in creating fort number two. There was plenty of snow for large snow balls for the forts and yet the ground was still mostly covered.

A major architect of fort number one.

Karate kicking an extra snowball.

Adding to for number two.

Bruce in the pink snow pants learning how to construct a snow fort.

Life is good. We had a great break. The silence is kinda sad here, of course my three littles are here asking questions wanting me to play with them but its just a different kind of quiet. Until next time.

12.3.19 The last Sub Scout Pack Meeting

Ahh, the monthly pack meetings have been an exciting part of raising boys. We have learned flag etiquette, been entertained at the many different carnivals and skits the boys put on and shared time together with family and friends supporting our boys as they learned and grew into confident young men.  I almost cried this night as I reflected briefly on all the lessons and friendships we had made through this program. 

This night Reed was the flag ceremony caller. He earned his bear award and he carried the flag out. I whispered to the mom next to me how will my younger kids ever learn how to act around the flag when do we ever raise to salute and say the pledge of allegiance en masse any more? That is sad.

 The boys ended the evening with an age-appropriate relay race. They had fun, as they always do, it's healthy competition. Not being inclined to involve our younger children in sports at a young age we will miss these opportunities. I'm not against the changes, I'm in total support of the new programs and most of all following the leadership of the prophet I'm just recording that we gained a lot from the scouting program.

Another era ended and a new one ready to begin. I'm anxious to see how the next chapter unfolds. I always hate the waiting and like to get to the doing. We learned a lot in scouts and I'm sure with intention and focus we will learn and grow even more in the new program. And now to prepare and celebrate the Christmas Season.

12.2.19 The rest of the weekend

Forgive the many food pictures it's no minor feat to feed this many people in a timely and filling manner but it happens time and again when everyone is together. It's also one of the few times that everyone is in one location or mostly there. Yes, we eat in shifts the table is filled several times but the food just keeps coming. 

The moms working to keep the trays stocked and visiting along the way.

Lots of playing and visiting happens in this room. Truly there are few movies viewed by the little ones they just keep dreaming up new scenarios to act out.

Sometimes some brave soul will get them all dressed and shod and sent outside for some fresh air and peace and quiet in the house. Natalie was the hero this day finding the correct coats and pairs of shoes for a crowd of over twenty. She's patient, determined, and willing.

The post or pre-dressing hall. A tidy little niece came and put order to this stack a little while later. I think it's pretty organized all ages and numbers considered. 

The weather turned to winter this week with snow a few times.

Grandma broke out some fun cereal and all were happy to have some of the good stuff for breakfast. I love that she found small bowls for them thus allowing more realistic portions and the opportunity to sample different kinds of cereal.

On the other side of the kitchen, the visiting moms and Anna cooking some french toast.

Then the big snow came and Harold became a 4th generation snow mover. My grandfather, dad, and brothers have always spent many hours when there is significant snow shoveling for neighbors, friends, and those who need help. I am pleased he is willing to help others and is not too fussy about the lack of a cab and heat. The hardest part of being a mom is expecting your boys to be men. To do hard uncomfortable things when I would incline to sheltering them. But my goal is that they are not afraid or uncertain if life and its multitude of challenges are too hard for them. It is not! And they, like so many generations before, will survive challenges of heat, cold, and other not-ideal situations. Thus, they get sent out to help, to care about others, and mostly to learn more about themselves. They can do hard things, they can be tough, and they are stronger for it. I'm raising men so I turn off little kid mom and say go to it!

Another activity we pursued this break was quilting. The older girls love to watch hallmark movies. The secret to that privilege is busy hands, thus quilting comes into play. Many hands can be involved it's necessary and takes a while to get done. Savanah is preparing a batting. My girls Aliza, Addie, Alivia, Amelia, and myself ended up tying this one while we watched some movies at night. It was so enjoyable and the girls found the peace of needle work!

The older girls worked on binding a quilt up at Grandma's to earn the right to two Hallmark movies another day.

One afternoon I went to do water with Reed and my nephew. I mostly just moved the truck and they did all the lifting hauling and watering of the cows. I was very pleased with their teamwork and gumption. Again telling them to try harder, and use their muscles, that I was sure they could do whichever task they were assigned.

Another girl cousin got the task of mashing potatoes. We made a lot of potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner, almost 40 lbs! I had many different kids come in and peel 10 potatoes, then we cut and cooked them. We used the pioneer woman's recipe, they were delicious and done for the next day. It was a relief not to have that job on Thanksgiving day because it took hours to get enough prepared.

We live a very physical life here on the farm. There are a lot of opportunities for activity. We tried to share old and new activities with the many cousins who were old enough. Many hands make light work and busy kids are better behaved than bored ones. Life is good, we had a great week making memories and building friendships.

12.1.19 Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving the attendees just kept climbing, the decision was made to move the festivities to the local church and it turned out to be very wise. We realized the kids needed some activities too so we spent some time in the days prior finding coloring pages, getting bingo prizes, and making play dough. This turned out to be a good effort as the kids had a great time playing without too much adult intervention. This also kept them busy while finishing touches were being put on dinner. 

The older girls decided to tie some fleece blankets. a nice ice breaker for them as busy hands allow for freer conversation.

 \
The moms and some of the dads kept their hands busy in the kitchen. Feeding 80 people is a tall order but they did a magnificent job!

Uncle Don brought some additional games.

The older boys and uncles played football outside.

Almost ready to eat. We added ham roll-ups to the feast. They are a tradition from my side we only have at thanksgiving and Christmas I love them, some of my kids do and some don't. But last-minute I sent Anna, John, and Aliza to the store to get ham and pickles so we could have them at our feast. My cousin showed up as we were getting ready to leave with the corn centerpiece and we figured there was no better time to use it than Thanksgiving day.

The best part of the church was room for everyone to sit and eat at their own pace. It was pretty awesome to see the gym so full. Yes, we know each one of these people by name and family. People are often shocked at this but really each is a unique individual with a unique look to them depending on their parentage. It's fun that so many of the kids match up with a cousin or three close to the same age as them.

The young men's table.

The young women's table.

Playing with the parachute another activity thanks to Uncle Don.

We finally got to bingo after dinner and clean up.

Then the traditional basketball game of Bump began in earnest. The winner was Uncle Whit. This lady on the left, Janice, is almost 9 she made it to top 3. There are pictures of the adults as kids doing the same thing 20 or more years ago. I'm thankful the tradition lives on.

Harold helping Bruce have a turn.

We reconvened back at grandmas for an impromptu hair braiding session. There's a lot of long hair in the family and that's kinda fun to play with.

We are thankful for the many hands who made delicious food. We were impressed with the spirit of Love and peace that attended the day. We are thankful for family and the effort made to get here. Thank goodness the travel mostly happened before the snow. We had a great time being together and sharing in traditions and memories that have been around for a long time in this family. Each family bring a little bit of new and that is good.