A Busy New Year Begins....

This year we started off with a week at Ironwood for the Nehemiah Work Week. This is something we did last year for the first time, and really enjoyed the experience! We were all very excited to go again, although our joy was dampened a bit as Dad was not able to get the time off to come. The week was full of lots of projects and very eventful!

Timmy, keeping himself entertained on the two hour drive...

The cabin to the left was our "home" for the week.....

The cabins there are so cozy....

Evie enjoyed drawing on her free time....

The boys enjoyed playing some games before the first meeting ....

Each night we had a meeting, during which the director would write down the things we had accomplished that day.

 

After dinner we had a few hours of free time....

Our boys playing cannons -you put boulder sized metal balls down the grey tubes that hit a rubber ball into your goal at the other end.

An early morning picture....

Each day work started at around 8 am and ended at 5:30 pm (with two small breaks and a lunch.)

The guys working hard at digging ditches for the posts that would hold up a very large horse shelter.

Caytlin and I worked on the "drink wagon" for a few days- distributing refreshments and snacks to the hard workers.

A hospitality crew....

Isaiah helping one of the guys on staff there with cutting metal poles that were going to hold up the horse shelter....

Everyone received a wooden nickel each day good for one free snack or drink off the wagon.

A crew cutting rebar.

Replacing and putting in new light poles!

The younger ones worked on the pygmy crew (the little children's work crew) again. They do a lot of helpful jobs like picking up trash and clearing areas of brush.

Filling the trailer with cat tails!

A group picture-Mommy went with the pygmy crew to be with Evie, and Evie did her share of the work too:).

Loading up...

The Pygmy crew rode to each of their clean up sites in the back of a pick up with bench seats installed in the back. Getting there was half the fun.

We really enjoyed the desert beauty of the camp....

The dump... They say their dump sites are their treasure chests- you never know what they will reuse next...

Singing while they ride!

Stopping for the pygmy crew-this time Caytlin was taking orders and I was given the ipad to keep track....:P That was an adventure and I think paper are more my friend.

Our row for the evening meeting was almost always filled.:P

Last year we were at Ironwood Evie was just learning to walk-now look at her!

Towards the end of the week, as projects were being completed, meals were the one time we could sit down and talk as a family. It was BUSY.:)

Getting dressed to leave the last morning....

We loaded the van and headed to breakfast after locking the cabin. Almost time to go home.....

This gentlemen worked with the boys and was a real encouragement to us all with his joyful spirit. He wanted to get a picture with the boys before he left for his long drive back to Wyoming!

A group picture...

With the long private road ahead of us, Mom had Daniel practice his driving. Last year, Ryan was at the wheel on this same road.:P Funny how time flies and brings so many changes with it!!

 Jumping ahead to more recently....during school the little ones amuse themselves quietly, practicing drawing.

 Working hard at math....

 Evie wants to do schoolwork as well...

 English class-the boys are preparing for the CHSPE test in March....

 Getting some air and exercise!

 Isaiah and I thought this moment was too cute to pass up.....Natey is trying to see the view here.

 Aunt Drana stopping by for a visit....

 Helping make broccoli soup for the family....A pot this size usually last 3-4 meals.

 Making powdered milk.......

 Always important to clean up.....

 More food preparation for the week-tortillas for Enchilada Casserole......

 Enjoying the fruit of his labor, though Timmy looks a bit tired here....;)

 We attempted to make our first batch of homemade marshmallows-they turned out well.

 It's always nice to know for sure what's in your sweets. When mom tried these she said they reminded her that when she was young marshmallows had more texture to them; much better than the store bought kind

  Saturday mornings we often go to the beach around 7 am.

 Playing, swimming and having fun in "our hole" by the Pirates Cove.

 A good place to think and pray.....

 Evie enjoys some of the oddest things-like mud water but I'm one to talk-Dad and Mom have a picture very similar of me doing the same thing when I was her age.;)

 Book ends :)

 We start 'em young around here-laundry duty for Evie.;) It's actually my job but she often wants to help....

 Recruiting helpers to catch-up on folding and hanging it......

 Caytlin often comes up with really creative ways to make work enjoyable for the kiddos! A march to put the left-over hangers away complete with a drill sergeant and a private following behind!;)

Homeschooling in a big family comes with a lot of excitement and various activities going on at the same time!;) 

The CHSPE test comes in March-we are working hard towards that and appreciate all the prayer we can get for it. The younger ones Caytlin, Isaiah and Natey are busy working on their schoolwork as well, and the little ones are learning the basics of reading. Our Evie,  keeps us on our toes!

It's amazing how the last year flew by. There were changes and we all learned a lot together as a family. As we are already into this new year, it's such a good reminder to make the best use of our time. This is something we will not be able to get back once it's gone. Let it always be God's glory and the advancement of His kingdom.:)

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,  redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
                                                                                                                            Ephesians 5:15-17