A Trip to Massanutten

 So I realize it's been over a month since I last posted.  Life is amazingly busy right now and I'm just trying to keep from going too fast before this time in my life is gone.  That being said I do apologize for my absence!

School is doing great...our schedule is pretty tight this year!  Put school with figuring out how to make cheeses and butter from Halle's milk and our days are packed!  I don't know if I've ever been this busy before.  I feel like everything is go-go-go and I don't really sit down and just relax until after dinner (which is sometimes 7-8 P.M....we try and shoot for 6 but sometimes it doesn't happen :).  Nevertheless, these days are wonderful!  Looking out over our beautiful green grass and peering through the woods at *our* cow and numerous chickens is so beautiful!  I love our little farm!

There's an amazing sense of accomplishment that comes with putting your own home made butter on our home made bread...and making cherry cheese pies with our own cream cheese...and eating omelettes with our own mozzarella (and eggs) that is just amazing!  Sure, it takes a lot of work (no doubt there) but it's all so rewarding. :)  Would I want to be less busy?  Maybe, maybe not. :)  I love life like it is!

Our days have also been consumed with trying to get a cash-out refinance for our house (paper-signing, dream-building, more paper signing, etc.).  I'm excited to announce that we'll be building an addition in the very near future!!!  And not just any addition but a kitchen addition!  If you've been to our house you know how small our kitchen is.  We're always bumping into each other or reaching over someone's head to grab a spoon, etc.  That problem will be gone!  So, along with school and experimenting with Halle's milk, we're designing our new addition, talking to potential builders, getting in contact with the county about regulations and more.  Hopefully we'll be building soon!!!  We thank the Lord that He's opened this door for us...we've waited a long time and it's finally coming!! :)  If y'all know of any reputable kitchen designers /general contractors please pass them on.

On a personal note, I've been pretty busy.

Here's an idea of what my daily schedule looks like:

6 A.M. - Get up and get ready for the day...do my devotions and clean out the dishwasher.

7 A.M. - Arrive at the barn and begin working!

9:00-10:00:  Leave barn, get home, eat breakfast and do my chore (if I have time).

10 A.M. - Start my first subject and go til 11:45.

12 A.M. - 30 minute lunch break.

12:30 - start next subjects and go until 4 P.M.

4 P.M. - Cellercise, take a shower and help with dinner (or do my morning chore if I couldn't do it in the morning :).

5 P.M. (approx.):  Eat dinner, read my Bible, play with siblings, clean up house, etc.

8:00-9:00 - room clean-up and then family book time.

9:00 :  Everyone upstairs and to bed!

I'm still managing to keep up my photography, even though I'm working at the barn.  I shot my first, EVER engagement session and LOVED it!  I also had a photo shoot every week for 3 weeks, so I couldn't blog because I was busy editing the pictures and posting them to my blog!!  I guess my life right now could be described as "blessed busy-ness."  I just hope I'm not too busy to stop and love on my family.  They're stepping in and taking my place now that I'm gone in the mornings...and I love them all so much!  I don't want to look back at this stage in my life as the time when "I didn't spend enough time with my family."  And I don't want my siblings to look back at this stage in my life and say"I really wish she had spent more time with me instead of going a million miles an hour."  That is the last thing I EVER want to hear and I think I'm working to keep that from happening.  All in all, I love where I am and what the Lord's doing.   He's got the perfect Master Plan for me and my family and I'm just living in His rays!  It's great!

Well, enough about busy-bee me. Since I've been absent for awhile, this post will be one of a series of posts (to be on the blog soon...I hope) updating you on what's happened since my absence! :)

A few Monday's ago our family went to the mountains!  Our friends, Erin and Dowy, came with us so I could get their engagement pictures in the mountains.   The sunrise that morning was beautiful:

We ate a breakfast of chocolate chip muffins and cereal in the car and arrived at our destination 2-3 hours after leaving home.

Judah was excited to be getting out of his seat!

Mama and Daddy soon went to the timeshare talk.  (The real reason we went was for the free vacation that comes with listening to their spiel. :)  Meanwhile, Dowy took us to a great spot for some engagement pictures of himself and Erin.  While Lexi and I took photos of them, Hannah watched all my younger siblings.

Caleb and Josiah looking for crawdads in a creek.

When we were done pictures we went to another spot and watched people on the zip line.  On the way back to the car, Erin and Dowy had a piggy-back race (and Hannah just joined in for fun! :):

After about an hour and a half of wandering around Massanutten, we went back to where we first parked and waited for Dad and Mom.  A playground was nearby so we all went in there and played!

Lydia playing on a slide.

When Daddy and Mama appeared, we hung out at the playground for a little longer.

Judah rocking with Daddy. :)

Then we went to find a good spot to eat lunch.  Daddy took us to a little picnic table beside a beautiful lake at the foot of some mountains.  It was so beautiful!

Isn't the view beautiful?!

The day was absolutely perfect too...a nice breeze was blowing and the temperature was just right!

Dowy (plaid, blue shirt) prayed for the food and then we dug in! :)

Mama packed a delicious lunch of pasta salad, cheese and crackers, veggies, pretzels, cookies, and more!

Daddy and the boys ate on the ground because there wasn't enough room at the one picnic table. :)

"Before the mountains were brought forth...even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."

Psalm 90:2

As Lexi and I wandered around looking for good photo spots I found these pretty, white wildflowers!  

 This is Lexi "modeling" for me!  It helps me know whether or not I've found a good spot for pictures and I really appreciate her willingness to pose! :)

When lunch was over, we took some more pictures of Dowy and Erin and then we got some family pictures on a big rock nearby! :)

Thanks to Dowy for taking the picture, and thanks, Miss Erin, for making the little guys smile! :)

My pretty Mama with Judah-man.
















Our original intention was to go hiking after Mom and Dad listened to the spiel.  Well, that ended up not happening.  By the time we ate lunch it was 1 or 2 o'clock and we had to drive to an orchard and pick up some apples before they closed at 4 P.M.

Anyways, we ended up just driving to the orchard, picking up some apples and then driving home.  So ended our mountain trip!  We didn't get to hike (sad sigh) but maybe, just maybe we'll fit another hiking day in before it snows! :)

Kimber :)

Our Last Trip to the State Fair

As I said on my last post, we went back to the State Fair this past Friday!

We didn't leave until sometime after Noon but we got there nonetheless!  We walked to the entrance (we were parked in the farthest place possible) and went over to the horse arenas to watch the horses and eat our lunch.  We were planning on watching the miniature horse show but there were few seats, so we went to watch some people ride horses in the arenas nearby.  (There was no show going on there, just people riding their horses in circles. :)

  

Seth took pictures during lunch...and this is one of my favorites from the day! :)

We were happy to get moving once lunch was over because the sun was beating down mercilessly on us.  (As I sat in the stands eating I almost wished it was cold!)  Once we started walking, a nice breeze picked up that soon refreshed us!

As we headed for the other side of the park, we stopped in a tent that had 12 ponies/horses.  We pet them for awhile and actually ended up meeting their owners!  Their owners were the "Cowgirl Chicks" who were performing at the fair!  It was really neat talking to them...we found out that they are Christians and that the Cowgirl Chick leader, Mrs. Trish Lynn, homeschooled two of her daughters at some point! :)  With a goodbye, promising to watch their show at 6:00, we went to look at the giant pumpkins!

This pumpkin was first place winner weighing in at 1019 lbs!!  Crazy!

After admiring pumpkins, we walked to the livestock tents and oohed-and-aahed over all the rabbits!

'Siah-man petting a sleepy bunny!

Seeing these pictures makes me want a bunny all over again!

Lydia trying to pet a rabbit. :)

Too cute!!!

I took a picture of this bunny because it reminded me of the bunny I had (she died a year or two ago).

We also went by the pigeons (and other birds) tent:

So many of the birds were absolutely gorgeous!! 

We went and saw the pigs and cattle also.  By this time, it was nearing 6 P.M. so we went back to the rodeo area and waited for the All-American Cowgirl Chicks show to start!

To describe the show would be hard but here are some of the words that come to my mind:  amazing, talented, skilled, beautiful, patriotic, daring, coordinated and awesome!!  

At one point in the show, a girl came in riding one horse that was next to another...she then stood on the back of both of them and rode around the ring.

Standing on two horses obviously was not enough of a challenge so the rider then went over a jump standing on their back...you read that correctly...over a jump...standing on their backs!

It was really cool!

The team also did many other stunts that used to be a part of a lot of Western competitions...trick riding.

Yep...it was amazing!

(If only I had enough muscle and agility to do this! :)

I could go on and on about this...it was so neat!

After the show finished we had to leave (Halle was calling!), so we began the trek back to our car.  The sunset was just starting to paint gorgeous colors across the sky when we reached our vehicle.

So our official, "last day" at the State Fair of VA ended. :)

Kimber :)

A Day at the State Fair

This past Monday we went to the State Fair!  As I was working at the barn, it started raining pretty hard.  Oh no, I thought, it's going to be another wet day at the State Fair.  (It seems like every time our family goes to the fair, it's either raining or really hot. :)  I called Daddy and asked if we were still going and he said "Of course!"  So, after work, I ate my breakfast while everyone else threw together a picnic lunch.  

Then we were off!

We met Grandpa and Grandma at the entrance and followed the police directions on where to park.  By this time it had stopped raining and the sun had started to come out!!  Maybe we won't get rained on all day, I thought.

Once we were parked we hopped out into the crisp, fall air and gave Grandpa and Grandma hugs. 

Judah was excited to be out of his car seat! :)

After hugs and hellos were over, Grandpa and Grandma went on the tram with most of my siblings.  Meanwhile, Mama grabbed some food for Judah and some rain coats for our family and then Daddy, Mama and I walked to the ticket booths.

Grandpa (red shirt) managed to get our season passes for us...keeping the wait time fun by his constant jokes. :)

And, yes, I did say "season passes."  Grandma bought the tickets for all of us on Groupon for $11 each a few weeks ago.  She just thought they were for one day, but we found out they were for the entire 10 days of the Fair!

Lydia waiting in the stroller.

(See those dark clouds behind her?  After getting rained on once or twice they went away and never came back!!)

As we all waited for the tickets, Judah showed everyone his walking skills. (He started walking around 12 months.)

Lexi and Mama reading a board with information about activities.

Once inside the park, our first stop was the Aussie tent.  We saw wallabies and other mammals from Australia (I've forgotten what exactly).

So absolutely adorable! :)

In a corner of the Aussie tent there was a Rainbow Lorikeet.

Aren't they pretty?

Lydia showing you the sign posted on the Lorikeet's cage.

What happened to "don't feed our birds fingers"? :)

As we headed on to the other side of the park, we stopped real quick for some pictures by some boards that were set up.

 Cotton candy!

 

 

The picture on the left was totally Dad's idea! :)

After some "souvenir" photo taking we went through the huge tunnel to get to the other side of the fair:

Once through the tunnel, we decided to go see McDonald's farm first.  While on our way, we stopped in Lakeview Western Wear's booth and tried on some western hats, shoes, shirts, and jewelry! :)

 

While we were in the store, Grandma bought Lydia and Josiah a cowboy and cowgirl hat.  They wore them most of the day!

(She also bought me a pretty blue sweatshirt with a jewel cross on the front. :)

Judah trying on a hat!  

 

We walked to the Young McDonald farm next.  Judah loved all the chickens, goats, rabbits, cows, donkeys, etc.!

In the Young McDonald's farm was Rainaway, Secretariat's great grandson.  (Secretariat won the triple crown and was born on the property the State Fair is hosted.)

 Before we left the animal pavilion, we stopped and watched a video on animals birthing.  That was interesting, for sure, and I don't think I ever need to see that again! :)

 A little Grandma love for Judah!

Outside the Young McDonald's farm building, there were some tractors, lawnmowers and a huge combine.  My siblings soon climbed up the massive machine:...

 ...and Judah played with a pumpkin. :)

Told you it was big...and this is just the wheel! :)

 Grandma and Grandpa paid for Lydia, Josiah, and Eden to go on a pony ride.

Lydia has been talking about riding a horse ever since we told her that, eventually, we would get one.  Her wish was fulfilled but not by riding "our" horse. :)

Yee-haw, cowgirl Lydia! :)

Josiah taking a ride.

Weedels turn!

So you're probably wondering what this wonderfully-yummy looking thing is...it's a mozzarella stick!  And it was absolutely amazing (stop by Hot Wisconsin Cheese!!)!  We rarely get food at the fair because of the extremely expensive prices.  But, thanks to Grandpa and Grandma, we got to sample little bits of delicious "fair food." :)  My favorite was definitely these cheese sticks (or the cheddar balls) and the ice cream I got later that night. :)

Hannah and I taking a break. :)

While Hannah, Mama, Judah, and I sat down for a little bit Daddy took the camera with him to get some pictures of the younger ones on some rides.

Don't these look awesome?  They were big inflatable things that you could roll on water (similar to a hamster exercise ball....except it's for humans and on water instead of a cage)! 

  Lydia riding an alligator.

'Siah about to ride a boat!

Lydia on her boat.

Judah all snuggled up in the stroller.  (After a few minutes of resting, Mama, Hannah, Judah, and I went in the ride area and found everyone else. :)

It was a pretty chilly day so we tried to snuggle Judah up as much as possible.  We also tried to rock him to sleep in the stroller but he didn't fall asleep until Hannah bounced him for awhile.

Lexi and Seth excited to be at the fair!

Caleb tries to be emotionlesss sometimes (I haven't figured out why yet...), so at the beginning of this ride he was all like "This ain't phasin' me," but he eventually warmed up and started smiling:

 :)

 Smiling was no problem for Lexi and Seth!

Daddy and Seth.

Caleb, Lydia, and Josiah riding a little roller coaster.

Seth won this "super boom" hammer-thingy as Caleb, Lydia, and Josiah were riding the roller coaster.

When the roller coaster was over, Caleb and Daddy went and got one themselves! :)

Amazing fries!!

Remember what I said about my emotionless brother?  Well that's him again...twirling upside down in the air while looking at me like he's walking in a park.  Crazy (love him to death)! :)

Lexi after getting off the above ride (a.k.a. Extreme).

After riding some rides, we went to the horse arenas to watch some barrel racing and bull riding!

Camping out on the bleachers and eating pizza...what could be better!?
(Side note: aren't the clouds amazing?)

Watching the bull riding...only one guy made it pass the required time!

When the shows were over we headed back to the other side of the park. 

Daddy playing with Judah-man.

Thanks to Caleb for these pics of Judah and Daddy!

Did I mention it was a little chilly?

We went in the Farm Bureau building and the Arts and Craft Center where all the contest entries (photography, quilting, canned goods, cakes, etc.) were displayed.

Little miss Lydia.

Hannah got Judah to sleep as we toured the buildings!  Yay Hannah!

I'm just posting this because it makes me smile. :)

The last stop for the night was the ride area again.  Grandma wanted me to pick a ride to go on and I eventually ended up with the huge Ferris Wheel.  I love seeing the entire park at the tippy-top!

 Lexi and Seth were buddies on one side of the booth...

  ...and Caleb and I on the other side!

After some more wandering around, we decided to go home.  It was around 5:30 P.M. and Halle needed to be millked.  Plus we had Season's passes so we could come back again.  So, we left!  Grandpa and Grandma followed us home and stayed for an hour or two.  Grandma went and saw Halle and Grandpa told us stories. :)

There's the report on our State Fair visit!  Daddy, Lexi, Caleb, Seth, and I went back Tuesday night and rode some rides.  I don't know if it was just because we had eaten dinner before leaving or what, but some of those rides were not good for me! :)  Obviously I wasn't the only one with weird feelings because Eden started crying and saying her stomach hurt.  That ended her rides for the night!  Daddy stayed with her while Lexi, Seth, Caleb, and I rode once more.  Then I took Eden with me to go see some more horse shows (can anyone tell I love anything horse?).  We stayed there until it was over and met up with Daddy (and my siblings) as they were coming to get us.  (They stayed in the ride area and rode some more.)

And we're going back tomorrow to visit the Agriculture section (which we missed a lot of) and to watch the Miniature Horse show!!

Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma, for taking us to the Fair and showering us with lots of yummy food and fun!  We love you!
Kimber :)