We didn't have any problems at our home, so we were blessed to be able to help out others who weren't so fortunate. Matt spent many days "mucking out" people's homes. The flood waters were incredibly foul, and everything that got soaked needed to be thrown away. Homes had to be torn out down to the studs. The smells were awful. Everything had to be piled in the front yards waiting for weeks to get picked up. Instead of driving down a street lined with neatly kept houses and yards, you would be driving down a street lined on either side by huge piles of garbage. I couldn't even bring myself to take pictures it was so sad. The amount of devastation was really shocking; it was like living a bad dream. Even worse for people who actually got flooded!
Our good friends, the Litherlands, were one of those families. We loved having them stay with us off and on this fall as they have cleaned out and rebuilt their home.
Because of the flooding, our Homeschool Co-op had to cancel the first six-week session (because our building got flooded) and our second session was held at a park. We spent a lot of time outdoors....
This little man is now a big four-year-old. We had birthday cupcakes at Nana's house.
Aunt Sarah and Uncle Ben were even in town to help celebrate!
(They were here for the weekend to help muck out houses. )
We also went to the Space Center for the last time before our membership expired. We love that place!
In October, we headed to the "Oil Ranch" for a field trip. They have so many activities! And it was so fun!
Riding horses...
Milking cows...
Petting goats....
Riding the train...
Swinging...(I know the picture looks like she isn't enjoying it, but she didn't want to get off this thing!)
Feeding cows on the hay ride...
Picking out pumpkins...
Sadie's birthday was next, with a costume party.
The kids got to decorate their own "monster cakes."
I made a "monster melon" for it too. --I thought he turned out pretty cute.
We also took a trip to the zoo to help celebrate.
This beautiful girl also got to be baptized. --I can't believe my little girl is growing up so fast!
In November, we were able to make it to "School Days" at the Renaissance Festival. There were lots of really cool demonstrations
like a replica of the Gutenberg printing press,
spinning and weaving,
and of course, armor!
Other cute pictures:
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| Annie still has to have Lovey and Foxy wherever she goes. |
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| Sadie started piano lessons. |
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| Ada's haunted castle. |
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| Michael's castle. (We're studying the middle ages in school right now.) |
