Youth party

Christianna, Ryan, Sharree, Heather

Kerri, Jennifer, Nathan, Randall

Ben, Ryan, Ashly, Evangelyn

We had a wonderful youth party at the home of Rick & Gina Barnt, who have two teens in our youth group. It was a pleasant evening (mid-70s) and the youth constructed some scarecrows, went on a two (yes, 2) hour hay ride, and played a variety of games: Pit, Trouble, Air Hockey, pool, & ping-pong. Of course we had some good food and I think many of the young ladies in our church take after their mammas and are excellent cooks- pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cake, peanut butter chocolate brownies, caramel corn, Molasses cookies. Mmm! They were wonderful treats! :) These of course did not help me watch my carb count for the day. We also had delicious sloppy joes, potato salad, and chips & chili dip as our main food (note that desserts come first!! :) ).

Jeff and I have enjoyed sponsoring the youth parties and it helps us be more involved with our own teenage girls. We have a GOOD group of teens and we hope we can be a blessing and encouragement to them. When I think back to my own teenage years, I tend to remember the people that gave me special attention and invested their time in being a part of my life-Duane & Fonda Allison, Mark Fisco, Rev. & Mrs. Tilley, Mary Olsen, Marge Warner, Dale & Pam Henneman, and the list could go on. I thank God for the wonderful people He has placed in my life in the past and now.

1st Field Trip

Kerri shooting the corn cannon.

Sharree shooting a corn cannon. My students posing in Suter's Corn Maze.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for our school field trip to Suter's Corn Maze. It was a clear day, with a nice breeze, and temps in the upper 70s. The Maze had a western theme (horse & rider, buffalo, stagecoach, ...) and was a lot of fun. I am good at following directions and maps, but I am no good at "reading" a corn maze map. After a bit I could figure out parts of the maze, but it was a good thing that my students and I had our own personal maze guide. After we completed the maze, we had lunch, shot a corn cannon-the girls and I hit our targets, took a hay wagon ride, and got to pick out a small pumpkin in a pumpkin patch. At any rate we had a wonderful day!

Scrapbooking commencement :)

Well, after stating for 4 or more years that I'd like to start scrapbooking, I have finally begun. I guess the saying, "The hardest part about some things is just getting started", is true. It only took me 1 1/2 hrs. to create my first "masterpiece". At this rate, I figure I'll die before I get all my pictures scrapbooked. Hopefully with time the speed factor will increase. I have been trying to remember some of the awesome page layouts my sister-in-law, Melody, and my friend, Stacey, (both avid scrappers) have created. I suppose reaching my monumental age helps with the lack of that wonderful ability: remembering. Oh, well. I like my first page and I know I am going to enjoy scrapping. However, now I'm feeling "the need" to go to Hobby Lobby and the Scrapbook store, which are both in the same strip mall - how convenient! :)

Why blog?

I have enjoyed reading many family and friends' blogspots and have decided it's high time I created one. At least I'll be able to make comments for their spots now. I am not a faithful letter or email writer, so I figure I can communicate better this way. I look forward to hearing from you occasionally.