APPLE PICKERS AND THE RASCAL

APPLE PICKERS

THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR

THE RASCAL AT WORK AGAIN:)

What a great day we had. It was pretty much the typical home school day for us. This year though I am determined to just chill a bit on our starting time. With me being tired from this growing baby inside, and with the baby coming in the next couple of months I kind of figured the schedule we normally keep won't quite with stand it all:) So we are going with a more relaxed schedule, still getting all the schooling in, just taking a few more breaks that is all. Maybe we will have less adjustments when the baby comes.

So while Anna and Jo were napping the boys went to pick apples at the house next door that is for sale. They couldn't reach and had tried using sticks to bring the apples down, they were gonna take a ladder out, but ended up with literally working together. It was so cute and just warmed my heart to see them out there having so much fun together. And they were so proud of all of the huge apples they brought back. They are hoping to make applesauce. There are just far too many to just eat. Yummy!

When I went to check on JOJO during his nap, I got a good laugh. I could see his hand and then it looked like his rear. So it appeared that his head was buried all the way under the covers. Then I realized that really was his hand and he had his jammie shorts on his head. I couldn't believe he did that before he went to sleep and actually fell asleep that way. The kid is such a goofball. I snuck out to get the camera, and this was how I caught him when I came back to his room. We love our little rascal JO!

10 WEEKS AND COUNTING!

EVERY GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE

COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER

OF THE HEAVENLY LIGHTS,

WHO DOES NOT CHANGE LIKE

SHIFTING SHADOWS.

JAMES 1:17

ONCE A MONTH COOKING

ONE OF MY HELPERS:)

ALMOST DONE...

7 1/2 HOURS...

28 MEALS LATER... YEAH WE ARE DONE!!!

Probably 12 years ago Greg bought me a book called Once A Month Cooking. He wanted to try it so he made the 2 week plan while I was up north visiting family. We loved it, it was so nice to just have something homemade to pull out of the freezer. We have done it one other time over the past 12 years... now we are at it again.

I was finding by the end of the afternoon, I was just feeling lazy, tired, and not in the mood to make dinner. It just seemed so much easier to throw in a frozen pizza or something easy. I really do love to cook for my family, I think with the little one on the way I am just running out of room and energy:) So I decided we were going to try it again. The last time, I also made the 2 week plan and found that it lasted us close to a month with left overs and cooking fresh here and there. So I figured I would make maybe 15-20 meals and see how long it lasted... Well 28 meals later we should be good for a while. It just kind of seemed to multiply as I was cooking. I had lots of help from the kiddos. Anna helped make 2 lasagnas, Louis made the tator tot casseroles, and Caleb helped with the enchiladas. JOJO just hung out and played with whoever wasn't helping. We certainly should be good for the next 6 weeks. I can't wait to start school this next week and just be able to pull out something that just needs to be popped in the oven. I hope to do it more than every 6 years or so :) (pretty pathetic huh?) But we will see what happens. Greg even said next time he would do the cooking. I almost died, but he might be onto something seeing as how we should run out about 3+ weeks before the baby is due to arrive:) I think it would be fun to do together:)

MY LITTLE TOOTSIES:)

THIS IS ANNA TELLING ME, "YES MAMA THIS MATCHES, IT IS COLORS WITH COLORS!" I WONDER, WHERE DO THEY COME UP WITH THESE THINGS???

THE BIG BOYS GETTING SOME INDOOR EXERCISE WITH THEIR WII. (A FAMILY GIFT FROM GRANDPA AND GRANDMA HINTZ LAST CHRISTMAS) ITS TOO HOT OUTSIDE TO BE DOING ANYTHING TOO STRENUOUS:)

SOME FAMILY LOVE!!!!!!!

LOTS OF KIDS IN THE HOUSE:)

THE HINTZ, STOCKTON, AND TIEWS CHILDREN

Last weekend we were blessed by our company. Our dear friends the Stocktons from Texas stayed with us 2 nights on their way back from St. Louis. We had lots of fun visiting and laughing with them and the kids had a blast together. It is always so great to spend time together when we can. We are really glad that we are right on their way to St. Louis.

On Sunday our good friends the Tiews came and had dinner with us. These are our friends from the seminary that are placed on their vicarage in Tulsa. We are thankful to have like minded friends close by. 11 years ago our 3 couples and just 2 children started a small group at our church Salem Lutheran in Tomball Texas. It is always fun to reunite. We had just added a bit to the children side of things:)

We are getting ready to add to the children side of things in about 11 weeks, Lord willing. We can't wait to meet this little one. JOJO and Anna think it's a girl. They both want to name her Sara:) They are pretty funny. The big boys are hoping for another brother. We shall see, only God knows, the Doctor didn't even look because they knew I didn't want to know. We continue to pray for the health and safety of this sweet little blessing.