Happenings Lately

The following is what's been going on at the ole' homestead the past couple weeks.

We've been cleaning out, really cleaning out and poor Liv gave up her

lightbulb collection. She had her "Bulb Art" consisting of 269 bulbs.

Mom says, "THANK YOU, LIV!"

Because of the "over abundance" of hogs on our property, we did a little
shooting while Jon and Lydia were here.
We came home with three hogs.

"Scrub'a'dub dub , three pig on a truck"

Preparing the smoker and.....

the pot for making lard for soap.

Jonathan and Jonathan

Grinding for sausage

Measuring

Now we're ready to spice it up.

Wrapping, labeling and freezing.

Yummy smoked ham and ribs for dinner!!

Julia says, "Yum, this is really good!"

Mrs. Stokes liked it, too!!

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We decided to go to the "Gatehouse" for a little relaxation for all the

ones with the whooping cough. They were exhausted and needed a rest.

Drinking their "good for ya" tea to help with the cough.

(A mixture of ginger, fenugreek, fennel, garlic, constant comment)

As you can tell by Mary's face, it's NOT the "Southern Sweet Tea" they're used to.

We had a "Pool Tournament" while we were there, in the new game room.

It was a blast.

Now, THIS is the life.

Thanks Granny and Uncle Tommy for letting us come.

Enjoying some game time.

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After a couple days of relaxation, it's back to work.

Mrs. Stokes house needs paint.

"We're supposed to be painting the walls?"

Ya don't say!!

Jordan's NOT listening.....

Christiana wanted to help, even though she was coughing every 5 minutes.

Thank you, Christiana.

She finally got the idea and is painting the walls.

The painters taking a dinner break and the rest of the family came to

see the painting progress and of course, eat.

We're watching "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" movie (Veggie Tales)

Why?? I have NO idea!!!

Another beautiful sunset!!

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:

fear before him, all the earth. -Psalm 96:9-

Whip poppin and The Rodeo

Last saturday we went to the first annual "Cowboy Heritage Day" and rodeo in Kississimmee. About half of us competed in a "whip poppin" contest, unfortunately none of us won, but it was fun anyway:) Then that night, we older kids stayed for the rodeo. We had a blast!

The "Magnificent Seven Whip Poppers"

Everyone had to pop on concrete which made the whips

go alot faster, bounce on the concrete, thus causing everyone to get tangled.

Gabriel and lil' Abigail

Mrs. Stokes cookin up some grub in the solar powered oven.

She was such a sweet lady.

A bunch of rough cowboys......

Just Kidding.

Can't hold back those smiles for too long.

Time for the rodeo

(It was 14 different ranches against each other, 5 people from each ranch. Very fun)

Wild cow milking and it WAS wild!!

Lasso them dogies!!

Just hang on a little longer.

"Hey Jordan and Liv"

"Hey, Cracker Johnson"

1st one to flip the steer and brand him wins this round.

Gabriel and Jord got in on a little bull riding.
Hey, I think the bulls are tryin to fight!!


Here, let me break 'em up for ya.

OH!!, This is harder than I thought!!!



This just wasn't Liv's night to shine

and it wasn't the poor cowboy's, either :(

Hope you enjoyed the show.....

We've Been Tagged, TOO

This is going to sound real strange, but we have become "tagged" from the Discher Family and are supposed to put 6 interesting things about our family, so here goes with the interesting things:

1. The Head of this household, Ben, has been blown up, shot, stabbed and sunk, all self inflicting. (He actually has the bullet from the shooting part, still in his leg, floating around.)

2. When Ariana was about 7, she was taking after her father and pretended to be blown up, when during the "pretend explosion" she was stuck to the wall by a nail that protruded out of the wall. It took us some time before we were able to free her. (We were so proud of her for staying so calm.)

3. Liv had her ear pierced this year, (by a snake).

4. Gabriel, at age 2, was feeding hay to our "large" Brahma cow, when he was picked up (by the cows horns) and thrown about 15 feet which looked like to his death, but was, by God's grace, unhurt.

5. Christiana was our first "homebirth" baby, born on her father's birthday.

6. Jonathan was our biggest baby at 10 lbs. 4 oz., still our BIGGEST cut up. Mary was our smallest at 3 lbs. 4 oz., born 3 months early with lots of problems that the doctors said would never be healed and because the LORD is the great physician He has healed her from ALL of these and she is now in perfect health. Thank you Lord, YOU ARE WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE!!

Soooo, who wants to be tagged next??

CONGRATULATIONS

TO OUR WONDERFUL PARENTS

ON THEIR 24th ANNIVERSARY

And said, For this cause shall a man..
Leave his father and mother,
and shall cleave to his wife :

and they twain shall be one flash.

We just wanted to say Thank You

for being such a wonderful example

of what a Godly marriage is supposed

to be, and because of your obedience

to the Lord in letting him plan your

family and not listening to the worlds

counsel, We are blessed to be a part

of the family. We pray that the Lord

bless you as you've blessed us, and will

give you direction as you lead our family.

WE LOVE YOU,

Your children