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Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy.

1 Timothy 6:11 (The Message)

The Day After the Grandchildren Went Home

Monday, November 2

 The house seemed quiet on Monday morning, after having a houseful of children all weekend.

 Even in the early morning, you can see that our trees are quickly loosing their leaves.

While sitting here, watching the beautiful sunrise, and listening to the morning news, I noticed something interesting on the floor in front of the TV.  I believe Jesse was gathering chickens and ducks last night.

 I spent most of the morning dusting, cleaning, putting toys away, and doing laundry from seven single beds.

There were bowls with leftover popcorn…

 …and a Build-a-Bear kitty lying facedown on the carpet.

 After removing sheets and pillow cases – and opening the air valves – I stacked pillows and blankets on top of the five air mattresses to remove the air.

 There were a few stray balls in the garage…

 …and a full garbage can.

 By afternoon I was ready to relax on my La-Z-boy, and prop up my feet for a few minutes.  Shortly after sitting down, I heard a large piece of machinery in the field below us. I’m a bit surprised that they were able to get another cutting of alfalfa.

It was a good evening to have my once-a-month deep tissue massage appointment.   

 The eastern sky was alive with Canada Geese…

 …and the western sky was filled with a brilliant orange.

 I watched as the sky darkened…

 …and the sun set below the horizon.

~~~

Tomorrow night:  You will enjoy this English homework by a niece and granddaughter.

~~~

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet.

Ephesians 6:13 (The Message)

My Mighty Hunter

Wednesday, November 4

I received a phone call from a happy bow hunter yesterday afternoon, saying he just shot a six-point buck.

This was Cewin’s first deer harvest with his new crossbow – or any bow.

It is a large bodied deer – meaning we will get lots of meat for our freezer.

Gloria wanted to pose with Grandpa and the deer

Because Cerwin and Jeff hunt together, they took the deer back to Jeff and Chris’ place where they have a barn to hang it overnight – before taking it to the butcher this morning.

Grandpa and Diana

Grandpa and Jenna

~~~

Tomorrow night:  Monday – the day after eight grandchildren went home.

~~~

Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:18 (The Message)

Sunday Activities

…with a houseful of grandchildren

Sunday, November 1

It was nice having an extra hour for our “body clocks” on Sunday morning to get everyone ready for Sunday school and church.

After lunch Ian and Jared tried to teach Grandpa how to play Game Cube.  It was fun listening to them tell him, “That’s okay Grandpa, we’ll help you.”

I always like to get a picture when our fourteen-year-old “triplets” are together.  Josh was born in February, and Hezekiah and Jenna in March.  They used to be the same height, but it looks like Jenna is not keeping up with the boys – and I doubt that she wants to.

Abigail and Nathaniel arrived about three o’clock – following a youth luncheon and afternoon games.  This was youth weekend at church – part of our evangelistic meetings.  Soon It was time to say goodbye to Abigail and Hezekiah, who headed back to Maine.

Jenna came here after church, and by the middle of the afternoon she and Jana wanted to cook something from scratch.  No one was hungry for a meal, so I tried to help them find something with a recipe.  They made orange julius and popcorn – which is a great Sunday evening meal.

They used a recipe for the julius, so it satisfied their need to make something from scratch.

The boys wanted to see what was going on, but held their ears instead of leaving the room.  The picture looks a bit posed, because I asked them to turn around.

Jared enjoying a movie and chicken fries.

Jesse was always carrying things – like stuffed animals, diapers, and his sip cup, so I offered him a basket.  He took it with him everywhere – sometimes it was empty, and other times it was full and heavy.

After supper, the girls wanted to teach us to play “Spoons.”

I never heard of it, but it was quite easy, fast, and fun.

Ian has become a serious game-player, and quickly learned this one.  (Notice Jesse in the background with a full basket.)

Ian even won a hand by getting four sixes and grabbing a spoon.

He was quite pleased, and received a high five from Jenna.

We took Jenna home about 7 o’clock, and the other five shortly after 9 o’clock.  After Josh put the little ones to bed, he and Jana were permitted to stay up until Jere and Kristen got home from the airport – sometime after ten o’clock.

So ended our fun, busy weekend.

~~~

Tomorrow night:  Cerwin got meat for our freezer late this afternoon (Wednesday) after shooting a six-point buck with his crossbow.  He is one happy hunter!

It pays to take life seriously; things work out when you trust in God.

Proverbs 16:20 (The Message)

Enjoying Chuck E Cheese

…with six grandchildren and a cute friend of a grandson.

Saturday, October 31

The crew that was at Chuck E Cheese on Saturday:  Left to Right:  Jesse, Jana, Josh, his friend Andrea, Jared, Ian, and Hezekiah.

Josh and Jesse

 Jared in a netted opening of the tube overhead.

 Andrea and Josh

 Cerwin and Hezekiah

  Jesse really got into this game – hitting the sharks as they popped up.

Jana loves challenging the power of the gorilla

 Cerwin playing my favorite game – Deal no Deal

 Jared and Ian love racing

 Hezekiah

 Catching bees

 Feeding the dog

 Air hockey

Jesse loved the overhead tube – as long as Jana was with him.

 Counting tickets 

 Andrea and Josh racing

 ~~~

As you can see, we had a lot of fun.  A hint to anyone wanting to go to Chuck E Cheese:  Go first thing in the morning.  We go when the doors open at 9 a.m. and stay until 11 a.m., and usually have the place to ourselves until 10 or 10:30.

~~~

Tomorrow night:  Sunday Activities With a Houseful of Grandchildren

Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God.

Proverbs 9:10 (Contemporary English Version)

Grandchildren in the House

…and more coming!

Friday, October 30

Grandpa and Jesse blow up air mattresses – five of them – one in preparation for Jesse, and the others for his three brothers (Josh, Ian, and Jared) and a cousin (Hezekiah) to sleep over night.  His sister, Jana, and cousin Abigail will sleep in the guest room.

Yes, there were seven grandchildren here overnight on Friday and Saturday.

We were blessed with so many grandchildren over the weekend, because Jere and Kristen celebrated their nineteenth wedding anniversary by flying to Boston, and two of our Maine grandchildren are in Pennsylvania for two days.

It was late afternoon on Friday when sleep overtook Jared.

~~~

Tomorrow:  Fun At Chuck E Cheese

~~~