Typical

While Caroline was here Timo and John made sure she had a ready supply of block towers to knock down.

She also had a lot of fun dancing with us.

This would be Rebecca, Rosie, and John being silly....Typical. :)

While making supper I suddenly noticed that the house was unnaturally quiet. I went to survey the situation, and this is what I found.

Grandpa Ron bought us all pizza for Benjamin's birthday.

Thank you Grandpa!

Caroline got to try pizza for the first time, and she loved it. :)

That's all for now folks!

And the Relatives Came

Michael, Sarah and Caroline came up to spend Thanksgiving and the surrounding days with us.

Sweet Caroline.

One evening Caroline and I had a ton of fun, and wore ourselves out bouncing on the bed and dancing.

Timo was pretty sure he could beat Michael in an arm wrestle, Sarah was the ref and Michael was pronounced the winner. Maybe in a few more years Timo.

Benjamin wanted to try it too. He put up a good fight but Michael was crowned champion of the day. (can you believe it, he even beat me :))
Thank you Michael and Sarah for coming and making our week that much more fun!

Thanksgiving prep

The day before Thanksgiving was devoted entirely to getting food ready, listening to great music and having tons of fun.

We did not hesitate to snitch while worked. Cook's privilege right?

There was a lot of peeling to do right Timo?

And also a lot of pie to make. I upped my record of second most pies I have made in one day. The most is still held by the day before Thanksgiving 2009.

The turkey sat and observed while defrosting and being kept company by the lamb chops that were for supper.

We also made bread,

And Sarah made two of the best pecan pies I have ever had.

By Thursday morning all of the family that was coming had arrived and the party began in earnest.

Emily and Sarah combined techniques and cooked up two fine turkeys.

Eight of the pies.

This picture reminds me of the painting of the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

Unfortunately the camera was having fits and this was the last picture we got of the day, but keep an eye on Emily's blog because I think she got some.

PE with Rebecca

By Rebecca

On Tuesday Leah went to her last day of work. Timothy and I got to teach the little two their school. Well Timothy was busy with school Me, Rosie, and John had PE. We enjoyed every part of it.

John did some of the best jump on the floor dancing I have ever seen. ( Jest so y'all Know I have never seen the Jump on the floor dancing. )
John had to have a picture taken of him with his arms in the air! He got his wish. :D

"Becca is this how we should dance?"

We got some pictures of ourselves and I loved this one! :D I wish John was all the way in it. :D

Rosie doing a very dramatic dolphin. VERY WEIRD! :D

We had a blast!!!! You should come and have PE with us. I will tell you one thing it will be much better with Leah. :D

Benjamin's Birthday Celebration

As Benjamin's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, we decided to pull a Wattermann and celebrate it the day before.

Friday found us making decorations and having an all around good time.

John was my faithful helper,

And Rosie was Rebecca's. (who did not get in any of the pictures because she took them all)

We worked on making paper chains for a good 2 hours to be sure we had enough.

In the end we came up with this.

Early Saturday morning we decorated the dining room so that it looked nice,

And put up posters to be sure Benjamin knew it was his birthday. :)

Benjamin opened his presents at breakfast, and as you can see, was very pleased with the contents.

Benjamin's best friend Christopher came over to help Benjamin with his current tractor rebuild project.


They had a great time, learned a lot, and even made a bit of progress. Great job guys!

After dinner it was time for cake. Benjamin is now old enough to light his own birthday candles. :)

While we were singing 'Happy Birthday' he was laughing so hard he blew out all but one of the candles before we were finished.

Happy Birthday to my one and only, favorite bigger little brother!

Happy Birthday Benjamin

Yesterday, the 20th, was Benjamin's 15th birthday.

A few random things about Benjamin

• He is the tallest Hipps boy
• He is very generous
• He is working on rebuilding his second tractor
• He is a very good dancer
• He is good at giving compliments on the food
• He is left handed
• He can fix anything

And if you had not noticed he is very handsome. Sorry ladies, he is only 15 yet. :)

Happy Birthday Benjamin! I love you.

Alas the Dryer

Our faithful old dryer broke down. :(

So, while we wait for the new parts to come in, I get to do laundry at a whole new level. :)

I am learning about drying racks,

And makeshift clotheslines are my new best friends.


Really, I had no idea laundry could be so interesting. ;)

The Surgery

Poor Rosie got a sliver in her foot the other day, she brought it to me, who with great deliberation, decided that surgery was in order.

We got the table all set up and everyone was assigned a role.


Timo was the official hand holder/distract-er. He did a great job keeping Rosie's mind off her foot.


He even challenged her to a screaming contest, I am not sure who won, but it sure was loud!

Me, the doctor.


And John the very helpful nurse.

After ten minutes of surgery Rosie was pronounced sliver free. :)

*Many thanks to Rebecca, the official event photographer.