We Depend on the Shoulders of Soldiers

"Dear Heavenly Father . . . and thank you that we live in a free land and have shoulders to protect us . . . please bless Grandma and Grandpa . . . in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

                                                          . . . Ivy

Veteran's Day

 "I learned about veterans today, because it's almost Veterarian's Day."

                                                   . . . Ivy

Terrorism

Hmmm, our children our obviously raised in a military home.
Richard was trying on his cosume today.
Ivy: "What are you dad?"
Dad: "A sheik."
Ivy: "A what?"
Dad: "A sheik. He's a kind of man that lives in the Middle East, like Iraq."
Ivy: "Oh, so you're a terrorist."

Autumn Adventures in our Backyard



Fall Break in Park City

A few days of fun and games with friends.



Yard Duty

"I wish dad and Austin were yard duty. Then, if someone's rude to me, I could just tell them and they would help me."

                                . . . Ivy

And I'm sure she's picturing them in battle fatigues. I don't think that's "yard duty."

More like Personal Security Detail.

"Tell her she got herself a bodyguard, and tell her that if anyone is rude to her to tell them that they will be in trouble when her brother gets home from war."

                              . . . Austin

Two-Wheelin'

At mom's insistence, it's time to learn to ride a two-wheeler.

All the kids have learned on grass. It's a softer land, they don't go faster than I can run, and they have to work harder, so that once they're on concrete - they're a whiz at riding!



Dancin' the Day Away

It's always fun to take a little break from Saturday Chores.



Community Service Day

"Mom, we get to dress up as city helpers for school, like policemen or firemen.

I'm going to be an Army guy."

The best kind of "community service" is being friends with the girl next door.



Perfect Pony Party

Without THE picture.

Last summer I was at a retirement luncheon at Richard's work, and during conversation with one of his co-workers, discovered that Gary had a pony and cart!

Of course, I asked on the spot if we could "hire" him for Ivy's birthday party . . .

and the surprise-planning began.

Although Ivy was hoping for a Jungle Party

(where her "daddy and Travis and Todd could hold ropes and the kids could swing from them. . ."),

I persuaded her that a Country Fair would be lots of fun.

I know I was more excited for her party than she was, and, happily, her siblings kept the secret too.

McKenna even checked out a fancy camera from her photography class at school and she was assigned as Official Party Photographer.

(Luckily, I still had mine with me. Can you sense what's coming?)

We rushed through welcoming, and apple-pie eating, and on to opening gifts.

I knew that once the pony arrived, I'd never gather the kids together again.

And I was right.

While Ivy was opening her gifts in the back yard, I was watching over her shoulder, knowing that the pony was being unloaded and hitched up in front of our house, and would then be driven around to the back, right along the pathway beside us.

I had video camera going, although I wasn't behind Ivy so when she turned I misssed her reaction.

McKenna had the camera ready and got the BEST picture of Ivy's face when she saw the pony, and when she heard me say (squeal) it was for her party.

It was a THRILLING moment so see her so delighted.

The kids took turns on the cart, while others played County Fair games- run by Maia, Cooper, Carter,and Sadie- in the yard, waiting for their ride.

McKenna took pictures of each child on their ride.

McKenna accidently deleted every picture on the memory card.

But not before I had seen the awesome photo - and I'll never forget it, even if I can't share it.

I loved making my little girl so happy.

A borrowed canopy, left-over-for-years burlap, some fun plates,

a made-by-biggest-sister sign, a bit of cute fabric,

a Costco pie, some flowers off the piano,

a few lunch sacks, two giant bags of candy, a couple of not-in-use jars,

and a darling cowgirl

add up to a sweet seven-year old County Fair Party.

Boys were invited. And they came. They're just on the helicopter toy. So much more fun than presents.

Birthday Girl is the first to ride.

Coop and Conner

Maia and Sadie



Daddy didn't want to ride, but I sure did. I giggled through the entire ride with my little girl!

Grandma Kappel and McKenna

McKenna and Ivy get their animal loving from Grandma!

Carter and Maia

Cocoa the Wonder Pony and my Wonderful Ivy

Here's the video of the pony arriving. I really was so excited, that my focus was not on the camera!

Maia and Cooper and our two neighbor kids knew about it, so you can see them watching the road for the pony.

Notice that the thing that goes streaking by . . . it's Cocoa.

He loves the cart and is too excited when he's first hitched up, so Gary ran him for a few minutes.

The little kids were all oblivious to what was happening behind them.

When you see Ivy's face here, she's kind of in shock.

The picture McKenna got, when she initially spots the pony, was one of

COMPLETE SURPRISE and JOY.

That's what makes a Perfect Pony Party



Dancing Daughter of God

McKenna was thrilled to be asked to Homecoming.

And she was excited at the prospect of a new dress;

one with a full skirt and a high waist, and a bright blue or purple hue.

We looked. We really did.

And there were many with the twirly skirt and the brilliant color.

But none of them honored the beautiful daughter of God that she is.

In fact, they dishonored her body; tried to convince her that her only value is in what she could show off beneath short hemlines and low necklines.

Discouragement set in.

(And sewing wasn't an option. There simply wasn't time.)

Then, while running errands, I found this dress.

Neither "fancy" nor "twirly," but it was blue.

I brought it home, to act as a consolation prize in case the product of several more hours of shopping would still be defeat.

I pulled out great-Grandma's rhinestones and purchased a feathery accessory.

Hoping, desperately, to help her feel beautiful and feminine for the dance,

despite the disappointment about a dress.

She's stunning. And I'm not biased. I'm not.

But the thing that makes her more beautiful? Not the sparkle, not the heels, not the color that matches her incredible eyes.

It's her devotion to her God.

Her determination to live -and dance - within the boundaries He has set.