The days just keep coming...

For those who are under eight years old, this is what we used to call a family blog. Quite fallen out of vogue with most family and friends. I do still enjoy coming here and divulging juicy family secrets, especially when I am avoiding people and responsibilities. Actually, there's not much juice, but that suits me fine. 

Here's the latest pic of The Big Fam, taken at the Idaho side of Bear Lake, such a beautiful place. 

This is Tami's parents, siblings, in-laws and nieces and nephews. We all met up there this summer '17, and stayed in a cabin all together for nearly a week. New fun interest: recreation vehicle driving on paths up and over hills. 

This is a clever way of counting my parents' grandchildren. Note: #14 is a pending boy.

This is my favorite picture. Introducing my nephew Kam. He and I were making up words. 

Also during our travel out west, we took some time to visit with Whiting Family people for nearly another week, and also managed some pics together. Here's Steve's nuclear:

S U M M E R F U N

Can I say how much I love my family?  Life is just so good.  Spending lots of time at the private neighborhood pool, playing with friends, exercising, and of course, all the birthdays.  Jackie's is nearly finished---she has a surprise dinner with a lovely older friend coming up.  She's already had a family dinner out, an iPod and new Vera Bradley wallet, and kayaking with friends.  Mine is next week, and I have my tickets for Eclipse for the following night.  I purged my closet of about 30 purses and bags, so I could buy a matching VB backpack with new cell/wallet with strap for NY.  And I'm getting my first iPod.  I think we'll be having dinner at the Farm on my night.  Dallin's got a few things coming up...pizza party at THE BEST place in town, BEATLES Rock Band, Fireworks at the Statue of Liberty, 2 days in Times Square, 1 day on Jersey beach, and Phili.  Actually those last 3 things are for all of us...Good Times!

Tuesdays and Thursdays are summer school days, so we don't have to review in the fall.  Dallin gets about 1.5 hours in and I teach Jackie and her friend Emily math/english/cursive for about 45 minutes, and they get homework assignments, then play.

Jackie is still doing gymnastics 4 hours a week, and Dallin and Steve are training buddies for half marathons all over the Midwest.  They plan to eat at restaurants in those cities that are featured on the show "Man VS. Food".  Recently we visited St. Louis for a day, and ate at Pappy's.  Must try.

We held our first and last garage sale.  I've always despised the concept, but thought the kids would learn a bit about money, etc, by doing it.  Jackie made a lot of money on barbies, toys, books, etc.  Total, I think it was about $130.  Jackie also held her first lemonade stand both at our garage sale and at her pal's sale down the street.  She rocks at sales.  Mainly because she's just too cute.

Jackie cut all her hair off for Locks of Love.  It is so adorable.  I'll post a pic later.  Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of this, but her and I shared our first mani/pedi together recently.  She chose neon orange polish, which looks great at the pool.  She's just such a cute girl.

Dallin will be ordained a Teacher this week, turning 14, which opens the door to group dating.  Eventually.  Maybe.  Perhaps.

Home Is Cool!

OK, so yeah we had some really rough days in the fall---figuring out a groove, choosing materials, getting into a R O U T I N E, but since the break, we are doing fabulous! Our goal is to have 20 successful school days per month, then we'll go to

T H E B E A C H!!! Who isn't up for that?

JACKIE.....is a singer, so she is doing the Indiana University Children's Choir. After singing a few solos at church events, a friend asked me if she was in that choir. The Choir will perform the end of April. She is also performing in a dancing musical of Cinderella/101 Dalmatians on February 27th. This is with Bloomington Stages group. She loves the dancing parts as well. She is a narrator in Cinderella and Perdita in 101. Jackie is still doing gymnastics at BUGS here in Bloomington, and is about to move into Flipsters, which will be 4 hours a week instead of one. She is convinced her body will adapt to the extra work she wants it to do. Academically, she is LOVING science right now, loves being home schooled, and is doing well at 2nd grade level.

DALLIN......is a BEATLES fan. There are now 14 albums around the house, and he knows every word. He and Steve went to a tribute concert of the Beatles at IU, and he loved it. Star Wars continues to be a major part of his brain's activity also. Star Wars Legos decorate his room. He is taking piano lessons, but insists on playing theme songs from Star Wars, and uses the piano to figure out Beatles songs on his guitar. He is learning Spanish, writing, pre-algebra, still reading like a mad-man (since he was 4), and loves the comfort of home while he is learning. Dallin enjoys chess club and boy scouts. He is reviewing 7th grade levels, and doing very well. Next year, 8th grade, will also be spent here at home. THEN IT'S ON TO HIGH SCHOOL!

Tami is constantly ORGANIZING school supplies and home stuff and the kitchen---which makes her very happy. Someday she'll get to the garage and the loft closet... This surprises her sometimes, but she loves having Dallin and Jackie at home with her. She realizes time is passing faster, and they'll move on away from her soon enough. These are very valuable years for her. Tami cooks spuratically...when the mood comes, she'll make lots of food (too much for a full day of meals), then there will be no food for a few days. Everyone loves cereal! She is baking bread! Huge accomplishment. And most of the time, it rises. She struggles to not eat sugar, is mostly a vegetarian, and loves eating other protein sources. Don't start a conversation with her about food---she won't shut up! She wants to read her own books...but what is ENOUGH time to read? She wonders if she made a checklist like she has for the kids, including physical and spiritual care, and learning/school if she would have time for anything else. Then she'd also have to add the heading "work" to the list...that's what she spends most of her time doing.

Steve----oh, we all love Steve. He's our bread and butter, he's the lifeline we all hold on to. He makes the money! Steve's job at IU is going well. He rarely gets everything done before he has to come home, but it's where he wants to be. Steve is the FUN DAD. He plays with Jackie exactly as she needs him to, and they have a special bond that is wonderful to watch. He and Dallin share manly phrases and banter. And movie lines!

Our family is happy. What more is necessary? We attribute this happiness to our faith in God. Heavenly Father answers our prayers, we talk to him often, and we read his words together. Love and service are (most of the time) in our hearts because our Father loved us first. And Jesus Christ redeems us all the time.

Kayaking before winter comes

We went out to Griffy Lake before the close of the season.
The trees were beautiful. Jackie and Dallin and I had a great time!