Karate Kick-a-thon

The boys participated in their Karate schools kick-a-thon this Saturday. The goal was to have a great time raising some money for the nonprofit organization. The challenge - do as many kick in a three hour period as you can! There were competitions, brick breaking demonstrations, and pizza!


Here are the boys discussing some gaming secrets before the "kick-off"!



They took turns counting each others kicks. Here is Luke logging Jake's kicks. Jake would then get a break while Luke did his kicks. This was during a five minute kicking period - do as many kicks you can, any kind you like. They had to learn to diversify so their legs didn't get too tired!


Jake ended up with the highest total number of kicks out of all the kickers! 1,150!He was awarded a gift certificate to cafepress.com for karate apparel. Luke's total was 560 kicks! I am so proud of them for doing their best and making their best better! And yes, their legs are sore today!

Christmas

We put up our Christmas tree and getting into the Christmas spirit. We received a great advent calendar from church which the boys have enjoyed. It is always fun to get out the decorations. It is almost like opening presents! After 10 years, I have finally decorated a tree that doesn't look too homely. Thanks so much Rach! The boys were helpful in getting the decorations ready and handing them to me and were very good about letting me put them on!



Every year at least one of the boys, if not all, have donned the Christmas "stockings"!

Snow Day!

Our first good snow. I think we got at least 4"! These pics are for the Price family! We hope the snow is still here when you visit! Can't wait to see you!

Self-portraits

For our picture study today we were looking at Leonardo DaVinci's Self Portrait shown here http://www.abcgallery.com/L/leonardo/leonardo.html. So, here are the boys drawing their own self-portrait. I requested that they only use one color (as LD did).
Jake's finished product: Notice mole details, camo shirt, and he wouldn't smile, because he didn't draw himself smiling!
Luke's finished product: He did ask to use two colors which was probably better since his rendering is smaller! Me! - just in case he didn't remember who it was?!

Psalm 136

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:

To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever-
The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
The moon and starts to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.

To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever;
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever;
And made Israil pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
But overthrew Pharoah and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him sho struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever;
And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever-
Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever;
And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever-
And gave their land as a heritage,
For His mercy endures forever;
A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.

Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever;
And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever;
Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.

Oh, give thans to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever."

Dan has the week off, so Monday, we headed up to Chicago to the Musuem of Science & Industry. It was a free day, so we splurged for the special Star Wars exhibit. With 3 boys (4 counting Dan) we couldn't go wrong. There were many hands on activities with magnets, interactive computer games, and videos. I think Micah could have stayed here the whole time.

Of course, there were models off all the ships and costumes of many famous Star Wars characters. Who can pass up a picture with the ever adorable Yoda! We had a great trip to the big city but didn't get to see Uncle Wendell since he is in Chile. It was fun and very exhausting! Maybe that is showing our age! Happy Birthday Dan!

Up & Coming Photographer?

As I was downloading pics from my camera, what should I find? Apparently someone was using the camera without permission. I guess my only advice would be: Don't take a picture of a picture that might be self- incriminating!? This was one of many that Micah decided to take of our computer screen. I used this one since it is a favorite of mine anyway!

November Nature Walk

Sorry for the odd locations of pics, I'm still new at this! I can't seem to move them, so here goes anyway!

We had a great nature walk this last week! The weather was cooperating and so were the boys!

We believe this is the path of a little field mouse! The three leave of sassafras. Oh, deer! Soybeans in Nana & Papa's field ready for harvest.

Rabbit fur! Boys were upset I wouldn't let them keep it! Should I have explained that maybe finding rabbit fur was not a good thing for the rabbit? Not today.

Ok, bear with me, this is my first post with the help of lovely Emily! And Jake, and Micah!

I have decided to join the blogging community and am not sure if I am up for the commitment or not!

I think for me, it will be a wonderful way to express myself, journal about our life, and ponder ideas that are randomly floating through my head.

If no one ends up reading this, it might be all the better!