I have to post a few Christmas pictures. They are just too cute!

Here's all 8 grandkids. Aren't they just the best?
I got baby dolls for all the girls and trucks for the boys. I think they liked them.
This is Aaralyn.

Emily, a baby with a baby!
Kaylie looks very interested.
Melody was hugging the baby before it was untied from the box! Sooo sweet!

Ethan is driving his already.

Jack wouldn't let anyone near his fire truck!

Ryan is excited before opening the box! I'm still like that!

I don't have a picture of Abby ready, but I'll find one.

Well, I'm back. I didn't think anyone really looked at this stuff, but I have been encouraged to keep it up. I've been playing around with facebook, but I enjoy this more. We had rain 2 nights ago. Rain, rain, and more rain. Oh, don't forget the wind! Our bedroom window was actually blown off of it's track, into the room. We stuffed a pillow in to keep from it falling and put it back when the wind was gone.

This is the only casualty we had. The trampoline was lifted onto the picnic table. One leg is off, but it looks fixable. I think we have a bigger rip now, too.
Mud across the muddy road. Yesterday the water was 3 times bigger.Muddy field across our muddy lawn.
Another muddy field across the muddy road. At least we live on a hill, so no water in the basement!

Here's our church directory picture. Not bad.
Our two kittens are now cats.Remember the newborn kitten I fed with a bottle? That's her in front.
Simon is working hard at the computer. (I'm sure it's schoolwork) Notice something different about him?
Luke is busy too. I know that's a Math book. See how he dresses for the weather?

I won't promise exciting stuff here. My life is not exciting. But I'll try to keep it up better.

Checking out the pool, looks ready to use!

Cowabunga!! Finally we can swim!

Aaralyn thinks the pool looks perfect.

Well, maybe it's still a little cold!
Melody in her own private yacht.

Julianna, Aaralyn, Melody in the boat, Lauren, Lisa and Simon.
Cousin Chris and Simon having fun. I think Simon didn't have a choice!
Philip and Justin having fun. Why does water make guys wrestle?

I think we can get a few more people in.

Me, definitely having fun watching everyone. I'm also the lifeguard. Good thing the pool is only 3 feet deep!

Have you ever seen these funny mud tubes on your house? I wanted to find out who made them and it's the "mud dauber". These are called organ pipe nests for obvious reasons. They fill them full of paralysed spiders, lay an egg in it and seal it up. The larva hatches, eats the spiders and leaves through a hole it makes in the tube. You can see the ones here have been used. We opened one up in another spot, and yup, it was full of spiders. They were still alive! What a way to go!

Our apricot tree is loaded! If you want to pick, come and get some. I'm serious. Today it's windy and they're falling on the ground!

When can I fly, Mom?
The beginning of our pool. And the finished ready to use pool!

Probably a lot of you heard that Philip was is in a car accident this morning. Philip and his passenger are fine, just stiff and sore. Please pray for the family that was in the mini-van. The father is hurt quite badly, A younger man was seriously injured and the driver and a young woman only had slight injuries. The mini-van went through a stop sign and there was nothing that could be done to stop the accident.

On a happier topic, here is our premature kitten, fat and happy and doing well. I think it would be safe to name her now!

The baby sparrows, there are 3 of them, will soon be ready to leave the nest. Often I see them flapping their wings, practising.

I had to put this picture on, it made me laugh so much! Derek thinks it's a piece of cake to lift Lydia up by the ponytail, and she doesn't even seem to mind!

Have a good Sunday.

The old piano wood is burning, almost looks ghostly!

Anyway, the piano was enjoyed one last time.

Today is Lauren's 15th birthday and I will have some pictures of her later. For now I have some updates on my animal babies.

Here's the kitten, obviously doing well. She's fat and happy, her eyes are just opening. We still can't leave her outside in the box because our 4 month kitten beats her up!
Mama and Papa Sparrow are watching over their family now.
Here one of them is feeding the babies. See their little beaks?
It's a full time job for both of them.

Remember the piano on our front porch? Here it is ready for the young peoples campfire Sunday night. Oh well. When we were taking it apart, it really did smell bad!

Our little kitten having a bottle. Isn't she cute?
My dad (Papa) with Lauren and her cousin Kirsten at the Haveman reunion. That's my side of the family.
Justin and Emily chillin'
Megan, Rick, Ethan, Abby
Derek, Valerie, Kaylie, Ryan, Jack