Kansas Wheathearts

9/16 KS State Fair

2011-10-04T07:13:00.000-05:00

Paula, Cristi Gale, Kay Monroe, Alan and I head to the State Fair for the Third Day concert. Interesting thing about this day was after months of heat and drought it was raining and COLD! Cristi got us great seats and we stayed dry under the roof, although the band was soaked by the end of the night.

9/22 Happy Birthday Collin/ Volleyball

2011-10-04T06:47:00.000-05:00

Erin's home volleyball game falls on Collin's birthday. It was a busy birthday: school, football practice, volleyball game and then Erin diss'ed us for the JrH football game. sigh, no pics of Collin at all today!

9/18 goat fun

2011-10-04T06:41:00.000-05:00

Our goat Emily gets upidty sometimes and today as Collin tried to put her in she reared up as if to say, "No way white boy!"

Erin has knit a cape for Sunchip, isn't it cute?

9/17 Happy Birthday Me!

2011-10-04T06:26:00.000-05:00

The Third Day concert was my present to myself, to be honest. We head to Derby for Hans' football game today. We got there only to learn that the games were delayed 2 hours due to rain. We were gone all day long and the game did not go well. They not only lost, but Hans had some missed tackles that really upset him.

After the game we head to the church for a concert put on by the Wismann family a family from up in Nebraska. Erin could not help but admire just how much taller than me she is, so we had to pose for a picture. Then Collin had to get in on it!

9.10 The moment he’s been waiting for…

2011-10-03T23:35:00.001-05:00

Hans’ first football game against Trinity, a sure loss according to coach. Yet everyone was pleasantly surprised! Our boys came out ready to play!

Hans is #36 and gets a high 5 from coach for a fab tackle on the return!

Anderson and Scobee on the chain gang detail~

A fantastic tip by Lucas #12 and Hans is headed for the intended receiver to give him a hurtin’ He pulls up at the last minute!

9/9/11 What do you make of them sis?

2011-10-03T23:06:00.001-05:00

9/8 JrH night…volleyball!

2011-10-03T23:04:00.001-05:00

Last year we were divided with both a football and volleyball player in JrH…who do you watch??? This year each kid can have out total attention at their games…Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday…oh boy!

Erin's first game also came with doubts because she did not make the “A” team. (actually this is only her first home game…I didn’t take the camera to game #1 bc she was convinced it would be so bad.)

Here she is at warm ups looking good (and coach noticing!)

Go Team!

BUYAHHH~~~

9/6 First Freshman Football Game

2011-10-03T22:56:00.001-05:00

What parent/ child does not wait for that first game! Collin, admittedly, was pretty discouraged coming into this game, convinced that he would not play. “Too many players in my position ahead of me…” He is #80 and did a great job. He is playing Defensive End and even though we had to drive 1.5 hrs to see him play..it was worth it to hear his name several times over the PA.

Sept 2011

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9/5 Pedicures and friends

2011-09-26T14:26:00.001-05:00

Today got Labor Day, Erin, Maddie and I went to Hutch for pedicures. It was so fun! We recently learned that the Elsn err s will be leaving, these girls hans been friends 10 years I think. We will miss them!!!

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9/4 Horns and AI Servo

2011-09-26T14:21:00.001-05:00

While taking a photography class last spring I tried to get one of these shots of stopping the action with a blurred background. Finally got what I wanted with Hans on the bike. Sweet! This little doe will need to be de horned. Her brother is the lucky one. Although he needs a little something done too!

9/12: The way it goes

2011-09-11T22:53:00.000-05:00

It’s just the way it goes when you are a freshmen! Collin has a few plays in this game, but there are several “ahead” of him, so tonight he takes the play in as an option and tries his hand at sacking the quarter back. A learning experience, right?

9/3 Erin’s turn

2011-09-03T19:45:00.000-05:00

I slept in Saturday morning. I was beat! It was an emotional and busy week at work, with the kids and the goats! I awoke to the sound of the pick up taking Collin to 8 a.m. football practice. (Whew, glad Chris had more energy than me!) Erin announced that when Dad got home from checking irrigation, she would learn how to milk the goat! Here we go!

Dolly is Erin’s goat, so we are all sad that she miscarried her “kids”, but we are hoping to have her bred this fall. Until then we can go ahead and get what milk we can. She did the same thing this morning. First she put her foot in the bucket and next she kicked it. Will we learn by tomorrow?????

9/1 Milking the Goat

2011-09-01T19:36:00.000-05:00

Well, after much deliberation and waiting we decided to milk Dolly, realizing that any hopes for a kid are passed. We did well for first timers! Actually it’s funny. Chris got the stantion made and it seemed narrow to me, but that is because of how fat Dolly is! (it’s true)

So I am learning how to do this procedure and she is being patient. Well at some point she starts to kick her leg up and I think we are about done. Next, she sticks her foot in the bucket. I tell Chris I think we are done. He says, “Nonsense, you need to keep your arm in front of her legs.” He gives it a few more squeezes and SWOOSH she kicks the bucket off the stantion. DONE, indeed. The cats got the remains.

8/30 While Mom is away

2011-08-30T20:22:00.000-05:00

Can anyone guess what Sunchip was up to while I was at work and Erin was at school?

8/26 Preview

2011-08-26T20:35:00.000-05:00

The Friday before fall sport season begins Sterling school system has a preview. This evening began at 4 with the JRH volleyball preview. Erin played C team, it was kind of sketchy!

The next on the agenda was the 6 p.m. preview of Hans’ 5-6th grade team. Except, the JRH was on the field, so at 7 p.m. the announcer announced the boy’s team. Grrrr.

At 7 ish the JRH football played the 9th grade football team! Collin is number 80. At 8 the HS football played. It was a long night!

8/26 Naughty

2011-08-26T20:31:00.000-05:00

The Sterling College semester is underway which means Chelsy is back for the semester. She came for a visit today which was fun! The dog was not on her best behavior at the table begging for pizza scraps!

The goats definitely put on a show!

8/23 First Day of School

2011-08-23T21:07:00.000-05:00

The much anticipated day arrives. Collin, Hans and Alan are off to school. Erin is the lucky 8th grader who does not have to go today so the new students and 7th graders can get acquainted with the school.

8/22 Preparation

2011-08-22T21:20:00.000-05:00

Chris begins work on the corn header in preparation for corn harvest. The dry land corn has died in the draught this year, but it still needs to be cut for insurance purposes.

Alan gets a good laugh when he realizes the kids is trying to nurse on him.

A goat tale…how strange!

2011-08-19T22:19:00.000-05:00

Poor Dolly was clearly pregnant when we left for NJ on the top photo, but all the others are after we returned and she is getting smaller, not larger!

8/19 Rosey

2011-08-19T21:52:00.000-05:00

Rosey has been our primary Mamma kitty for many years. This year while we were gone something got her. She had a large wound on her chest and her right leg/ elbow. She showed up to the house very thin. We have given her antibiotics and some goodies to fatten her up!

8/17 Trampoline Fun

2011-08-17T21:58:00.000-05:00

Hans and Alan were playing on the trampoline when I came up to the house from taking goat photos. They decided to pose for me by “fake” fighting. The results are kind of funny!

8/17 Mastitis

2011-08-17T14:20:00.002-05:00

Awoke this morning with kids doing better and looking stronger, even frolicking. However, Darla has lumps in her teets evidence of mastitis or so I thought. Where in a new pen with fresh hay did she get that!!! I worked with her throughout the day, but when they clogged at noon, I called our goat guru again. Cheryl came out and gave some antibiotics, but I did learn something. In livestock mastitis means the milk itself is infected, not just the glands (like when i was nursing). Darla's milk was not pussy or gross, the teets were just red and inflamed. Hopefully the antibiotics will work. The kids are helping too!

Isn't it amazing how God these babies to know just the right position to get in the nurse without getting the milk into their lungs?

8/16 Heat stroke & Back to school shopping

2011-08-16T14:26:00.000-05:00

Ugh, should not have left school shopping until this week. Hans, Erin and I load up and head to Hutch for some shopping. We get Hans set up with his pants for football and chin strap and school supplies. Erin and I made good use of some Maurice coupons.

When we got home the carmel kid was under the tire again in 100f heat in direct sun. He was shaking he was panting so hard! We brought him and his sister in alternatively to cool them down.

8/15 Happy Birthday

2011-08-15T14:29:00.000-05:00

Today is both Carol (Grandma A) and Uncle Pat’s birthday. Carol says her birth certificate says the 14th, but her mother says she was born after midnight and therefore the 15th is her birthday. Now you know!! We took her cake and ice cream for dessert.

The kids are settling in and thankfully Darla was feeding them first thing in the morning.

Today is the first day of 2 a days and fall sports practice. Collin goes 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for 2 hours. Erin 3-5 M-F and Hans Tues/ Thurs practice. Alan and I are ground control and taxi service!

8/14 New Kids

2011-08-14T15:59:00.000-05:00

We invited Grandma and Grandpa A to go to lunch for Mom’s birthday, however, first thing Chris notices that Darla is preparing for labor. After church we call home and Billy assures us she is still eating and “wandering” around. When we get home at 3:30 she is beginning labor and by 4:30 we have kid #1 and by 5 we have kid #2.

She was so frightened at first she looked at the kid as if it was foreign to her. She warmed up, but would only let them suckle if we held her. It was worrisome going to bed, but we were hopeful she would settle through the night.

Funny stories. Chris encouraged me to hold her and let the kids eat. I was to have one of our children help me. I get Alan as Hans was at football and Collin and Erin Youth Group. When we go to get her she is laying down and stands to deliver her afterbirth…twice. Alan lost it when she started eating it! Farm life!

Next story. Chris gets home to help with the holding. I was holding while he worked with the kid who was having trouble eating. Darn if when I reached down to move the other kid into position if she didn’t bowl me over legs high in the air and jump over me. “YOUR JOB WAS TO HOLD THE GOAT” Chris said. I did my job much better the second time.

Transformation: in just an hour or so

8/10 Football Camp

2011-08-10T16:42:00.001-05:00

Hans and Alan went to SHS's football camp, "Putting the Fun back in Fundamentals". As a high schooler Collin got to help out! They had a great week with some good exercise and pretty good weather. I took my camera the last day and caught some great shots. Both boys are very aggressive in their play. Alan even got to take Hans out during a touch/ tackle play. Hans had a great reception and run, but here comes Alan. Alan suffered a face plant and jammed finger, but it had to be worth it to get big brother OUT!

8/9 An evening walk

2011-08-09T22:46:00.000-05:00

I went out for an evening walk, my same old road! Tonight there is a chance for storms and the sky was lovely to photograph.

The milo just south of our house is suffering from the drought. The leaves are curled and some are dying.

Darla is awaiting the birth of her kids. From the look of her, it should not be long now!

Goat shelter

2011-08-05T23:00:00.000-05:00

The day we returned home from the beach the chicken coupe was hit by a microburst and pushed 2 feet off it’s foundation. Chris worked on fixing that with the loader and forklift and then set to task making a Goat shelter.

8/1-8/6 A kitty’s tale

2011-08-05T22:52:00.000-05:00

After returning home from our trip to the beach we discovered a new kitten in the yard. I did not think much of it at first. When I checked the feed there was this little kitten sleeping so deeply. I still did not really think about it until erin brought him inside saying he did not “belong” to any of our cats and needed her. Hmmm.

7/19 A portrait of Hans!

2011-08-04T23:25:00.000-05:00

7/16 It’s blue

2011-07-19T23:16:00.000-05:00

The boys picked some blue paint for their room, it’s blue. This was taken Sunday morning before church. All 4 were playing Mario Cart on the DSI’s. fun

7/15 sick goat

2011-07-19T23:03:00.000-05:00

I found a lump on Sasha last night and upon taking her to the vet, he drained it, washed it and gave her antibiotics. He said it as CL and that it was contagious and would not heal. So we put her and her kids back with the chickens. I don’t think the chickens minded until the “kids” started climbing on the nesting boxes and dumping the water dishes. then we locked the dividing door.

7/13 Something different

2011-07-19T22:50:00.000-05:00

Erin spent the night with some friends and they camped out in grandmother’s backyard. They used our tent and before it was put away for good, the boys asked if they could sleep out. Hans went to work putting the tent up and we got a good amount down on our own. They slept out under the full moon. Abby actually stayed outside with them and in the morning the cats visited them!

7/12 The drought so far

2011-07-18T22:52:00.000-05:00

I must confess, it is August as I write this, but in early July I wanted to document how dry KS was without rain of any significance since last fall. Now in early August, the rain has begun in small bits and pieces, but nothing significant. We are still thankful for the moisture.

The river is so shallow the swim are right by the surface.

7/11 A trip to the lake

2011-07-17T22:20:00.000-05:00

We are off to Kannopolis lake today for some boating and tubing, our first time since the “incident” last fall. The Elsners joined us and it was an enjoyable day. It was HoT again! 100+F and we blew a tire on the way there. Jim Scobee saw us broke down and laughed because a buddy of his had just said, it’s a good day for the lake and Jim had said it’s a good day to blow trailer tires, which I guess are susceptible to hot weather. After a quick fix, we were on our way!

Erin and Chris tried the skiis. Try as we did, the younger boys and I had a terrible time letting go of fear. Hans and Alan had more fun playing/ swimming in the lake rather than tubing. Collin and I passed on the skiing too. I know Chris wanted us to, but I just could not get into it. Maybe next time….

Baseball Party 7/8/11

2011-07-17T22:08:00.000-05:00

The Royers hosted an after season baseball party for the boys and their families. I did not take a lot of shots, but I did get some of Alan and his friend Kendrick in the pool. Big fun!

After this we went and signed Hans up for 5-6th grade football! Not a bad day! It was stinking hot, 108F, we melted watching the boys in the pool!

July 7th The Long Awaited Airsoft Party

2011-07-17T21:34:00.000-05:00

Hans has been wanting to have friends over for another air soft party. Today is the day! It was so stinking HoT as July seems to be. We started at 9 as it was to be 102F today. We hosed the boys down as need be to keep playing!

July 4th

2011-07-17T21:30:00.000-05:00

Independence Day 2011

2011-07-17T21:14:00.000-05:00

Our celebration started July 3rd in the evening as Hans invited Grandma and Grandpa Anderson over to shoot off fireworks with us.

Then we headed back to the “shop” to set up the bigger fireworks. It was a *&^blast**&^. Early the next morning the boys headed to town with Billy who was giving horse cart rides at the Sterling Old Fashion Fourth of July. Alan enjoyed the inflatables! More photos from the parade and fireworks to follow!

Parade and Fireworks photos

Baseball 2011

2011-07-16T22:11:00.001-05:00

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Harvest 2011

2011-07-07T22:41:00.001-05:00

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July 3th Oh! Spit…

2011-07-03T22:09:00.000-05:00

Well, a bit of rain is better than none. A sure tell tale signs it’s raining… the goats hiding in the goat house. Just how many goats are in that goat house. Good grief, even though we have 2 small houses, they hide in the one!

So amidst the drought and the heat our well pump stops working. Chris works on it and the goats give him some advise. We let the goats out to graze for a while and usually feed them when we put them in. Sometimes they get ornery and won’t go in. Since they do not like water, we exploit that a bit. Hans “encourages” Emily to get in the fence!

July 2 An evening walk

2011-07-02T21:57:00.000-05:00

The boys and I went out for a walk. Alan was getting excited for 4th of July. All that firework power made him want to dress in camo and carry his BB gun!
We had hoped for some rain, but it went to the North. It’s the way this summer. We pray by fall the cycle will change. It happens. Skipping rocks in dry dirt…good fun!

6/30 Ready for July

2011-07-01T21:47:00.000-05:00

Ok some randomness. Alan eating chicken noodle soup, in 100+F heat??? No idea. I got our few Patriotic Decor items out and Hans used them to decorate Abby. She was thrilled!

6/29 The schedule

2011-06-28T21:44:00.000-05:00

This has been our schedule this year Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Chris and Collin up at 5:30 a.m. to get him to workouts at 6 a.m. and Chris checks irrigation systems. I get Erin up at 6:30 and take her in for workouts at 7. Some days the football team runs drills until 7:20 a.m. Then we head home so he can have breakfast and I start to water the garden since it is evident that we have too much heat and no rain.
This morning the goats flipped their latch so they help with morning watering chores!

Collin helped me put trenches in the corn and green beans to help with the watering. We’ll see if it works. Our first batch of corn died, so this was planted late…in the heat! I go get Erin at 8 and the rest of the day begins…what will today hold?

6/27 Hot and Dry

2011-06-27T21:11:00.000-05:00

I was up in time for some sunrise photos this morning. The sun is north on the horizon and easy for me to miss. I have also learned that little moisture in the air makes for boring sunrise and sunset photos. Today we at least had some clouds to play with. Alan missed it! The heat is only half the story. It has been so dry that the animals come running to any water source.
Siesta!

6/26 Darn Hot

2011-06-26T15:01:00.000-05:00

Ugh, what a summer. During a year where some parts of the country are flooding we are draught ridden. Seriously draught ridden. Last week Chris said the dry land corn would probably be ruined if we did not get any rain last weekend, however, it’s now been another week of 100F + heat and wind and no rain. I forgot to water the garden Saturday, this is what I found on Sunday.

Our first round of corn did not grow, so we had to plant some more in June. Not sure I can get it through the heat, but I really want to try!

I thought I’d contact the county to see if they would like to hire our goats to trim down the trees that grown near the phone lines. I had them out grazing Sunday afternoon and they attacked this tree like kids attact ice cream!

6/22 Alan at play

2011-06-15T20:15:00.000-05:00

Alan disappears from time to time. His older siblings get busy with things other than imaginary play. I find him in the shop in the boat or like today on Billy’s cart playing with the whip.

Lacey likes to c heck the chickens with me. Today she got the door open!

6/21 Dis-budding or de-horning

2011-06-15T20:05:00.000-05:00

Here are our girls kid 2 and kid 1. It’s a big day for kid 2, she will be de-horned today. Horns get stuck in fence or cause pain when they head butt you. Meet Cheryl Carey, the woman we got the goats from. She has been awesome in helping us through these firsts. She has a tool that she uses to de horn them. It’s like branding really. She has a tool that heats the area and burns the follicles the horn comes out of. That seals it off so they won’t continue to grown. Li’l one cried hard the first time, but not so much for the second.

Erin takes her back to her momma and some milk!

6/20 Pitch

2011-06-15T19:46:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately another loss for the Mr Tee Sterling Rec team. A bad one too. The only bright spot was the inning Hans got to pitch. He did a great job, assisted in all 3 outs and was a personal season highlight. He actually got the 2nd out and then chased a kid back to base tagging him for the 3rd out. Whoohoo!

6/18 Rubberband Man

2011-06-15T19:42:00.000-05:00

After years of looking, the boys found rubber band guns at the same time they had allowance to spend…yippee!

6/14 Horns, combines and baseball

2011-06-14T22:30:00.000-05:00

One, only one of our kids has horns growing, they are not named so we’ll call it goat 1. She will be disbudded or dehorned soon.
With harvest coming Alan got creative and made a combine out of lego'
s. Cool, isn’t it?
Harvest got underway this afternoon and Alan so badly wanted to ride with his father. The sky grew so dark and I thought for sure his baseball game and harvest would be “cancelled” for the night. No such luck (for rain). We not only played, but he played awful, the delay due to the rain completely threw the boy’s concentration. Ugh, it was ugly!

6/12 Rattlers

2011-06-14T08:01:00.001-05:00

Hans was in a tournament this weekend. They played 2 games Saturday but lost both. Sunday they played 4 games and won 3 giving them 3rd overall. Since the last win was 13:11 in the last moments players and coaches were thrilled. Here he is with good friend Wendell. We were not able to go due to harvest, so it was nice Wendell's dad could stay with them.

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6/11 Getting ready for harvest

2011-06-12T15:20:00.000-05:00

Hans is away this weekend playing baseball with the Rattlers in Dodge City KS. Here at home we are preparing for harvest. We had a brief start Wednesday evening and Thursday filled with problems with the one combine and then the wheat was not dry enough to cut over the weekend.

While Chris worked on the combine I took combine photos.

6/10 What keeps you busy

2011-06-12T15:12:00.000-05:00

Collin is working around the house and yard this summer. Chris bought a truck load of wood and guess who gets to stack it?

Erin’s goat has been bred and looks very pregnant. We did not intend to breed her this year. The billie busted through the fence while Erin and I were in CO and had 1 afternoon with her. He’s good! She is due in mid August.

Hans’ team had a miserable game tonight, I think they lost 2-10. Hans however, got to pitch and catch and did rather well at both.

Hans is a fantastic stealer and he is so quick even if they do go for him he is usually safe!

6/7 At the diamond

2011-06-11T15:03:00.000-05:00

Lots of baseball tonight. One thing I like about playing local is we see so many friends in town that we just don’t see very often. Tonight I saw my friend Kim and her 2 kids Karis and Ian. What a blessing both of these little ones is!

Alan’s team won their first game tonight, the first game in 2 years. They almost won their second game, but lost it in the last moments as the other team scored the final runs.

Hans’ team struggles this year, but this game was better than some others. He is enjoying getting to play catcher. Erin has a bit of a fan club. She is working with the preschoolers at VBS this week and these are 2 of her peeps!

VBS: Gold Rush

2011-06-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

This year’s VBS was from Answers in Genesis and had a southwestern gold rush theme. I was the teacher in the craft room, so I do not have many photos. I will scan and post more later.

6/5 For better or worse, it’s coming soon

2011-06-10T18:00:00.000-05:00

June 2 More baseball and chickens

2011-06-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

Hans was asked to sub for another baseball team. He gladly did and had a great game. The team lost, but not by much and he was asked back next week as well.

Back at the farm we check the chicks who are growing quite a bit! They are feathered out so I let them out of the pen and into the coupe.

On our way back to the house we find Sophie our cat and where she has her 2 kittens hidden.

Next, onto some goat therapy, we call it. Sitting quietly with them in the evening is oddly therapeutic.

Did you notice just how much Erin and I look a like in these photos?

June is busting out all over!

2011-06-10T11:21:00.000-05:00

Happy June. Well kind of…here the summer dull drums first rear their ugly head. As we are just starting summer and VBS is not until next week…well the kids are kind of bored.

Sasha is not sure it’s safe for the kids up there!

Memorial Day weekend

2011-06-10T11:16:00.000-05:00

OK, so trying to figure out the traveling baseball team schedule has been fun. We were told that there would be games on Memorial Day weekend, so I left it open. Last weekend the boys had parties and such and they entered a last minute tournament, which we missed.
Memorial Day: no baseball! So we just hung around getting ready for VBS and chillin’ since we had been so busy the past several weeks.
I need to address something here! Kansas is usually a windy state, it just is! This year is pathetic! At least 1-2 days a week we have winds strong enough to call for an advisory. (45+ mph) These poor birds are trying to fly into it. They are fly catchers and they come in the late spring!

The kids are trying to be like the big goats, unless it’s nap time!

5/29 Not much going on…

2011-06-10T07:37:00.000-05:00

The goats are getting bigger. We are finding random kittens in the yard. Some of our younger mamma cats are not good at hiding them.

Hans helps me watch the goats. They need extra grazing so we let them out and have to “shepherd” them so they don’t eat my lilac bush and baby oak tree!

5/27 Fishing on their own

2011-06-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today I left Hans and Alan at the lake fishing while I ran some errands. They did not catch anything except some indepedence but that is worth it, I think.

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5/26 Baseball begins…

2011-06-10T07:28:00.000-05:00

For the Sterling “Cal Ripken” league it does. Hans had a game tonight. I only had a few photos because I had to leave to go to the Driver’s Ed Parent Meeting. Yep, Collin is taking Driver’s ed this summer. HELP!

Hans was concerned the team would struggle as many players were young and not the best at hitting or fielding. They started out OK, but Chris said they lost it in from the 2nd inning on.

In player pitch something happened to Hans’ batting. He learned, as many do, that if you hit and they get you out you’re out. If you wait, the inexperienced pitcher will probably throw 4 balls and you can walk. Until, of course you get with better teams that throw strikes and then you better hit the ball. Above is a ball and Hans walks!

Only in baseball is stealing a good thing and Hans is very good at it!

5/23 Growing

2011-06-10T07:20:00.000-05:00

Everything is growing, even in the draught. Even though the wheat is very short, since it has been so dry, it has heads. Usually Lacy is up to her neck in wheat, but not this year!

The chicks are growing too!

Last Striders Practice

2011-06-10T07:16:00.000-05:00

For the boys anyway. With Baseball in full swing (love the pun), we finished track today. Hans did not have a lot to work on and Alan went home because he had baseball after school. Hans is not dancing here, but learning to throw the discus!

And then some water fun. Our coach Jen McCoy brought 200 water balloons that she filled. what a coach!

5/22 Silly Goats

2011-06-09T22:09:00.000-05:00

Tonight Collin decided some goat therapy would be fun, so he went in to sit with the kids and got some playing time. They are so curious! They act afraid at first and then they cannot help themselves!

I had some fun with my girls too!

And a beautiful sunset!

5/21 Yard Work

2011-06-09T22:07:00.000-05:00

Collin, my mom and I have been working on a new flower bed for our east yard. This is what we have so far. Today both Hans and Alan had birthday parties to go to today, so there was a lot of going back and forth to town today in between working on gardens.

5/20 That Boat

2011-06-09T15:30:00.000-05:00

Chris has been anxious to get the boat out…and so are the boys. The date was set…Sunday. Collin and Erin elect to stay behind for a Youth Event, so dad and Pop Pop take the boys fishing!

The boys caught the fish and the men…helped! I think everyone is ready to go again!

Last day of school

2011-06-09T14:29:00.000-05:00

I was in a helper with Alan's last day of school party. It was cold and rainy and we had a carnival planned for them. We got all set up only to have to take it down and move it to the school. Oo was in charge of the ball toss. Ugh, Ihad not thought of how much picking up I'd.have to do. Plus the prize was a pop, so they loved me!!!!

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5/19 Hoe Down

2011-06-08T15:15:00.000-05:00

For as long as I have had grade schoolers, we’ve had the hoe down. Each year right after the Spring Program the music and gym teacher join efforts and teach the students Square Dancing. It teaches many things: coordination, cooperation, problem solving, sequencing and just plain fun! Alan was my only square dancer this year.

After a pretty basic square dance they have the parents join in and we do a line dance, the Irish Laundry Dance, the Bunny Hop and something else that I can’t remember!

5/17 Promotion

2011-06-08T08:41:00.000-05:00

I remember some of 8th Grade Promotion as I moved from a K-8 Catholic school to 9-12 Catholic High School. Sterling makes a huge tah-doo about promotion. Collin pasted his “Bear Cub to Black Bear”, so he got to promote. Whew!

5/16 Cute goat photos

2011-06-05T06:40:00.000-05:00

I was folding laundry today and saw the cutest series of events. Sasha was very tired, understandably. The kids were not….

Mamma, I”m thirsty…mamma can you stand up???

She is asleep here, or at least trying! She kept her head this way for quite a while. The kids finally went behind her and slept.

5/15 Happy Birthday Kids

2011-06-03T06:29:00.000-05:00

Sunday, after a whole weekend of waiting for Sasha to “kid”, we were working in the garden and she was nesting under a tree in the side yard. She was also busy eating and grazing with the others so we thought, “not today.” Christopher worked up the garden with the Roto-tiller, which I thoroughly appreciated! Isn’t he cute!!?? It was rather cool, as I remember.

When we went in for dinner Sasha was peaking out of the pen which made us chuckle. When I went to put the boys to bed Dolly, Darla and Emily were looking into the pen. When I finished putting the boys to bed, they were still looking into the pen. I sent Chris out and sure enough Sash was in labor and 2 sacks were starting to push out. Chris was very nervous, but I was as cool as a cucumber…NOT !!!
He made us all come inside and “leave her alone”. Fifteen minutes later one kid was on the ground and covered in yuck and hay. We checked it, helped her clean it’s face and then he made us come inside again!!! Fifteen minutes later number 2 was out and number 1 was suckling. For a young first time mamma she was great!

5/14 Little Rattlers Baseball

2011-06-02T23:32:00.000-05:00

For 2 years now Hans has wanted to play on a “traveling” baseball team. It all started when his friends on the regular Sterling Rec team played for traveling teams and got significantly better throughout the season. So this year we give in and ugh! It’s a tournament team. The first weekend they went was 4/30 and it was to Dodge City. Well we were in Ellinwood for Track that weekend. This weekend was McPherson and it was almost $20 for Mom A, Alan and I to get in…for little league!!!! Man, this is for rich folk! I learned later that that was outrageous and not the norm!
Here’s Hans, he got walked each time, but he has a good eye!

He scores…they won 1 out of 3 this day…not a great day!

Jabberwoky

2011-06-01T23:24:00.000-05:00

5/13 Good bye for the summer

2011-06-01T23:17:00.000-05:00

Our foster daughters will be heading home for the summer, so we had one more evening together! Kadi is on her way to Guatemala for a mission’s trip for 2 weeks and then home. Chelsy is headed home to work! She has already had a graduation (sisters) and a wedding (same sister). Busy spring!No gathering is complete without some time on the Wii, however tonight we had silly puddy too!

5/12 A little culture, a little rural

2011-05-31T23:12:00.000-05:00

I have a mix of photos from this day, because there was a mix of things going on!!! We are still in music week, with several music programs this week. Tonight’s was the Jr High Band and Choir concert featuring some of their music from contest and Regional. Our school is blessed to have Clark Comley and Larry Brownlee as instructors!!! They got so much from the students.

Collin continues with French Horn and Erin is 3rd chair in flute (out of 8 beating out many 8th graders). Erin also surprised us by playing in the Jazz Band. Larry let anyone interested do 3 short practices to work up a couple of jazz pieces for the concert. It turned out pretty doggone good!

Chris was busy today, he had to go to town for parts and such and afterwards he was rooting through the shed for things. He came out with a few chicken things, but this did not surprise me because we had been talking about it. What surprised me was the chicks were in the coupe! Even the goats had to check things out!

5/11 AWANA program

2011-05-31T22:43:00.001-05:00

Program #2 this week finishes the AWANA year. This year was so strange with only Hans and Alan participating. Last year they had a JrH group that they did not continue this year, so that left both Erin and Collin out. Erin helped with Cubbies and Collin went to Cross Point youth group.

For tonight’s program each Spark got to say a verse and alan did a great job on his. For Hans’ group they got to chose the verse and many did not. Hans chose a rockin’ verse:

1 Timothy 4:12

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Photography note: playing with my Canon Powershot point and shoot camera on manual I finally figured out how to adjust the settings to get a decent church photo :-)

5/10 Music Program K-4

2011-05-31T22:34:00.001-05:00

After a Track filled weekend, Tuesday started the music programs first Alan’s and then Collin and Erin’s. Fortunately Mrs. Anthony does a nice job. Alan was kind of cranky about the program, but once he got his “show face” on he seemed to have fun.

How could you not with Bob and Larry, Crawdad’s and “

On Top of Spaghetti?”

You just gotta love it!

5/8 Track and Hurdles

2011-05-28T22:06:00.001-05:00

We went to Track practice even though the boys were officially done competing. It was team picture day, plus Hans had another go at the hurdles and this time I had my camera.

These hurdles are going well and this one, well not so good. He had quite the wipe out after this stumble. I wandered away to get the camera away from him and when I turned back this is what I saw. You rock my world, Hans! No one is going to tell him he is too short for hurdles!

Here is one of Alan’s friends that are moving away this summer. He has 2 friends moving and Hans has 2 , the college is having quite the turn over and it is messing with out kids social life!!!

As I wander back through Hans and Taya (long time friend) are still working the hurdles, this time with blocks!

Coach Jen McCoy is demonstrating proper form. She is an Olympic hopeful for 2012!!!

Last, but not least, here is a Mother’s Day present from Erin. Each photo was edited with a phrase about mothers!

5/8 Happy Mother’s Day

2011-05-28T20:55:00.001-05:00

Not much going on today. We went to church, then we went to Empire China for lunch and then came home and chilled out. The most excitement we had was when the kids played with their water guns. That was fine with me, as it had been an utterly crazy busy week. Peace and quiet…YES!

5/6 Ellinwood Track Meet

2011-05-28T16:12:00.001-05:00

Off we go again! Early Saturday morning, the boys and I team up with Brandy Elsner and her track kiddos for our 2nd and last meet of the season. I knew little of track meets when we started last year and these are some things that I’ve learned. Field events are first and separated by boys/ girls and age. At this particular meet, the soft ball throw was the same time as the long jump and age groups. Groups 2 & 4 were going first…Alan in group 2 and Hans group 4 and both with names ending in A. Both going at the same time on 2 different fields. I do get my exercise at these things!

Today was a good day for Alan and not so good for Hans. It was HOT, very HOT. Hans got 5th in Long Jump (out of many) and 4th in the 800M.

I have run for many years and know how much it hurts when you look like this. Did I mention it was like 90F after being 60F? Poor guy, not a good day for longer sprints!

Alan ran the 100M and the 200M and got 1st in both! wow, he had a great day! His times were so much better than Inman.

5/5 = Inman Track Meet

2011-05-28T11:34:00.001-05:00

Today I headed to Inman, alone again, for the JRH Track Meet. Erin had the first event with Triple Jump. She was amazing compared to the girl’s there, but she did not beat her personal best set at the Sterling track meet. In my collage I missed her landing which was a very good one…way low and reaching forward! Go Girl!

Next a break for a funny story…the students raking the Triple Jump pit were horrible at it, they left a huge heap in the middle of pit, so Mrs. Ricker got up to rake the pit for them since they were unconcerned about it. The girls were a mix of amused and embarrassed. She rewarded their pain with a hug, so everyone would know just whose mom raked the pit!

Next onto Collin’s long jump, an event his coach added in the middle of the season. He does OK for a late start, but he does not really like it. Not to mention you get shoes full of sand each time!

Next onto the running events. Collin ran the 1600 M and was doing well until he tripped in a pit on the track and lost his rhythm. Here’s Erin cheering him on!

I no sooner got done cheering Collin on when I heard the gun and Erin’s relay was up next. I usually just circle around in the middle of the track snapping pictures. I get a work out too. Erin, Emma, Hannah and Sara got first in their heat and 6th overall (there were like 11 teams there and lots of heats). Collin and his team did OK and nailed this hand off. Mom’s camera is always watching!

Alex, Dillan, Collin and Tracy. Way to go guys!

5/2 What’s going on?

2011-05-28T08:08:00.001-05:00

I have a mix of photos for today.

It was a day after a way too busy weekend and Alan ended up staying home from school even though he ended up not being sick. (that happens from time to time). He took 2 long naps and by afternoon was pretty good. We went outside for a photo shoot and here is the story board I made from it.

After everyone got home and over their indignation that he got to stay home, Alan worked in the garden with Chris for a while.

My Lilac bushes are starting to bloom and the smell so good!!!

Farmers are still burning fields. It is so alarming to come out and see such huge clouds of smoke! This helps get rid of the weed seed and other problems.

All 8th Graders have to complete a Bear cub to Black Bear portfolio before being promoted to High School. Collin has hated this process and so have I. Here he is about to finish!

5/1 Road Trip

2011-05-25T23:35:00.000-05:00

Cristi Gale, Chris and I have issues...we LOVE Christian concerts in general and certain groups in particular. When we heard that Third Day and Tenth Avenue North were coming to Kansas and it was a ticketed seat venue, well we had to give it a go to get front row seats and we did.... even though they were in Kansas City. So after L O N G deliberation we decided to make a day of it, thanks to Chelsy, Tristan, Mom and Dad A, Steve and Chrisy Schweizer who were all people who covered our responsibilities that particular Sunday. We left early, got to see, meet the bands at noon, went to eat and see some art at the Nelson Atkins Art Museum which was very cool. Then back to the venue to discover just how AWESOME our seats really were. Pretty fantastic!

The badmitten birdies were huge and so realistic, they scattered the lawn in front of the Museum.

Below are the concert pictures saved to my shutterfly site. I think I got some fantastic video too and you can see those on my you tube channel Teri A's You Tube

Tenth Third

2011-05-25T23:21:00.001-05:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

4/30-Ellinwood Track meet

2011-05-24T22:41:00.002-05:00

Hans and Alan had their first track meet this Saturday. Collin and Erin had one the day before, so they begged out and Chris had to work, so early Saturday morning the boys and I head out. Neither had field events so it was not too early. .. we watched some of their friends do their long and high jumps. Alan ran the 100m and the 200m and a 4x100 relay. Hans ran the 800 and the 1600 and a 4x100m relay. Hans metalled 2nd and 3rd in his races, but Alan did not. He did however run on the winning relay in his age group. It was a good day and we were home in time for a birthday dinner with the twins!

Happy Birthday to the twins

2011-05-24T14:34:00.000-05:00

Since our foster college student's birthdays are after the semester we decided to celebrate early. Fortunately, we got home from track early enough for a party. Some tasty grilled food, sweets and of course silliness and fun on the Wii.

4/28 Hans' Music Program

2011-05-22T19:34:00.000-05:00

Hans has graduated from the K-4 Music program to 5-6th Grade Choir. They had their program this date and as per usual the 5th Graders each do a Dulcimer piece. They included some of the pieces done at the KS Music Educators conference back in February, but you'd have to go back here KMEA concert.
For the purposes of this post, I just have photos!

Mr. Comley has a way of having them interact with the music, either by acting it out or with some form of movement. This pays off tremendously when they get to HS, it's amazing what he does with them. We are blessed!

Triple.wmv

2011-05-21T23:46:00.000-05:00

UGH what a cold and ugly day. Drizzly, very cold and windy. That is common Track and Field Meet weather….RatS! I decided to video today as I had the “smaller” camera. The triple jump fascinates me as I am not a track person and this is something that I think Erin’s gymnastics has paid off for..speed and balance. She usually places 3rd or 2nd here. I managed to capture her season’s best today 28’3. Not bad for her first season!

Easter Blessings

2011-05-21T23:16:00.000-05:00

After a busy weekend, it’s Easter! We did not spend the time I like to on Good Friday reflecting on the gift/ the sacrifice that Jesus made for us by dying on the cross. We did however, take some time Saturday evening as we painted eggs to reflect on the love of Christ and the agony HE went through on Good Friday and how the grave could not keep HiM contained! You know the kids are growing up when only 2 were willing (I remember them fighting over eggs) to paint eggs. No egg hunt either…weird!
Hans opted to play on my phone instead.
Everyone did gather around to watch the video “Watch the Lamb” by Ray Boltz.
Easter morning bright and sunny and ready for church! As you can tell, they were very excited for the their picture for church!

Happy Birthday Hans

2011-05-21T23:11:00.000-05:00

It was not until the weekend after his birthday that we actually got a cake made for Hans. It was fun. Stacy and the boys were in town for Easter and they spent the night with us. I’m so glad they keep in touch! Hans has been wanting this game for the Wii, so we got that. Here’s the mandatory “with mom” pose!
Brody and Barrett helped me decorate the cake and eat it too! Ready for bed or just getting up? hans used his camo duct tape to tape up Brody. He was just kidding of course. Actually he also duct taped his closet shut where all the AirSoft guns were…to either keep the guns or the boys safe!
Brody had fun in the fall shooting BB guns with Collin, so that was definitely on the list of things to do!

Our boys have grown so much it’s fun to have little ones in the house. The funniest is Alan who has no idea how to be the big brother!!

4/22 5th – 6th grade Track Meet

2011-05-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Working so hard for Striders Hans was very excited about the Sterling 5th and 6th grade track meet. He intended to run the 800M and the 400M and boy, did he! He also did a great job in the softball throw. He got 2 firsts and a 2nd. Go Hans!
His friend John (very tall) was hot on his heals, but he did not realize they had to go around 2x and went way to fast the first lap. Hans got him!

4/16 Hans’ party

2011-05-21T21:13:00.001-05:00

As if one party was not enough for the weekend…we decided to celebrate Hans’ birthday early and have his friends over the very next day! Whoo hoo, we sure are keeping busy these days!

Hans wanted to have an AirSoft gun party, so he invited 5 friends and found every AirSoft gun in the house and off they went. Of course Collin and Alan got to play too!

4/15 Alan’s Birthday Party

2011-05-20T16:01:00.001-05:00

Alan’s birthday fell on a way too busy weekend, so we had the party the next week. He had several of his friends over on one of the windiest, coldest, ridiculous KS days. Thank goodness Alan spent 2 hours the day before sweeping the floor for a fantastic skating party!

4/11 “Losing her grabby things”

2011-05-20T15:21:00.001-05:00

Back in August I decided that my over 40 flab was going to go. I purchased InSanity workouts and got busy. Hans worked out with me for about a week before school stated back. This is day 1 and I have never sweat that much before in my life!!!! I actually deleted all of my before photos out of embarrassment. HOWEVER, today as I got my clothes from last spring out I was pleasantly surprised…they are falling down!! I have not fit into these camo capris for 2 years…now look!

The title of this blog post is what I have heard Chris say. I’m not sure if he is missing those “love handles” but I’m not!!!

4/10 Alan the inventor

2011-05-20T15:12:00.001-05:00

Alan was spending a lot of time outside in the ditch. When I went to check on him he had a wagon, a stick and was using the stick as a brake to stop the wagon from going down the hill until he was ready.

He found the wagon in the neighbor’s junk pile outback. Seeing as Scott is out of college several years now…this wagon has seen it’s days!

4/9/11 Last Gymnastics

2011-05-20T15:09:00.001-05:00

Today was Erin’s last gymnastics meet. Unfortunately, it was on a Sunday morning and we had to leave earlier than the guys left for church. Her last 2 meets have been on Sunday and they were not her best, but for whatever it’s worth. Here are the pics. She got second in one event, need to check into which one exactly…

Erin did one jump and the Rene said something to her causing the giggling in the next photo and then a higher jump. Obviously these are warm ups. I know she wishes she’d score better. I know I have wished that at times, but really I’m proud of her. She stuck with this sport and accomplished Level 4, plus it has prepared her for Track. She is so much better at Triple Jump than her peers (not as good as Sydney mind, but hey, that’s OK!)