The Zoo

For our December field trip we went to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. We stopped in Blair to pick up Leah and we met Trina and her kiddos in Omaha.  

Little Daniel loved it. He could barley move from one animal to the other. He really wanted to get his hands on this bird that was walking around in the jungle. He almost did but it got away just at the last second.

While we were picking up Leah I was giving her a hard time about how I wasn't on her wall. And she told me that we didn't have any nice pictures of us. So I got Laura to take this picture. Now Leah will have me on her wall. :)

Such cute people!

Lexi loved the aquarium. We didn't get any pictures of her but she loved it.

Trina and the kids left early because they were tired, but we were so glad they came. :)

After Trina left we hiked down to see the giraffes.

Being fascinated by the giraffes 

Photo-bomb 

The traditional picture for Mom.

We had an amazing time. :)

Well Project

Our well stopped producing water quite a few weeks ago but I am just now getting around to blogging about the fixing of the problem. In order to get out well going again we had to dig a whole new trench and lay some pipe. The whole process took about a week.

We rented an excavator and called Michael to come and run it. He came and was here for a day and a night.

Micheal did a really good job and got the job done well. 

John

Even though there were a lot of very excited things going on outside we still had school that need to be done. We did get a break to go out and watch the work, when we brought the boys lunch.

After Michael finished the trench we had a cave in. Dad and Ben thought up a plan and the next day they set to cleaning it out. They ended up attaching an old flywheel on to a long board and pulled it with the tractor. It worked but it took a few tries.

Our cousin Aaron was up for the visit and was great having a few more hands to help.

Part of the trench

We had to speed up when this beautiful storm came up. 

Working together to get stuff up before the rain.

The pipe laid and the rock down.

We got it done and we have abundant amount of water. Praise The Lord

I never really thought about it.....

Well with Christmas around the corner and all the bustle about the tree, ornaments, manger scene, where the third wise man should be placed, lemon or holly for the table decoration. and in all that stuff we tend to forget the real meaning if Christmas... Jesus was born into a living form for us. Us. that's something to think about. he came for every crooked slime-ball sinner just as much as he came for me and you. i tend to forget the little clay form laying in a clay manger on a little table. when the more "Pressing" matters arise. I find it easy to forget that Christmas is really a miracle. when excepting Christmas has a babe been born from a virgin? I don't even know where to start looking for such a miracle! so this Christmas forget abut the placing of the : tree, ornaments, and the third wise man, and remember the real meaning of Christmas.
P.S i chose holly ;D merry Christmas!!

              

Happy Birthday Benjamin

Happy 18th Birthday Benjamin!!!!

Random Facts about Benjamin

• He is one of the best mechanics I know
• He is really good with little kids
• He is super strong
• He loves snitching chocolate-chip cookie dough :)
• He is very handsome 
• He knows how to give really good advice
• He is an amazing big brother 

Happy Birthday Dude!!!!

I love you 

My Cake Making Obsession

So I kinda have a baking obsession but especially cakes. I  love making cakes and experimenting with them. I have had many epic fails but I have had a few successful cakes. :) I made this chocolate cake for John's 8th birthday. 

 It turned out beautifully 

The Recipe

•  2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup dairy sour cream
• 1/4 cup of butter
• 1 cup of water
• 1 1/4 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 2 eggs
• 4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate melted    

Then came the frosting, I  have tried many times to make good frosting but I have had more fails then I have had successes. This frosting, however, turned out amazing :) 

The Recipe

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup melted semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar  

Tada 

I added Hersey's Chocolate Syrup on top for decoration 

Happy Birthday Boy!!!

He liked it

Banana Cake

 I made banana cake out of old bananas that we had. I didn't like it because I am not a big banana fan but everyone else did. :)

I forgot the recipe...sorry

 I made frosting for it as well but I lost the recipe for it too. Again sorry.

Tada 

And that is my baking obsession! 

Texas

 This October I got the amazing opportunity to visit the wonderful state of Texas. God gave me funds to fly down there and Dad said yes. I was there for a week and let me tell you, it was a pretty amazing week. :)

 I could not wait to go! 

 In  the Omaha airport. 

 Dallas!!!!

I was so happy to see this little girly again. 

 The highlight of my time there was getting ready and throwing a surprise birthday party for Mr. Hale. We spent many hours getting ready for it but it was all rewarded when Mr. Hale drove up the drive and saw everyone there. :)

 I love this little girly 

 I decided to make cookies for everyone. They didn't turn out as good as I wanted them to but they were still cookies.

 This little girl looks like her momma

 One of the days I was there Hillary didn't feel well so me and Katie spent most of it together. It's good to have Auntie time but Katie was sure glad to see her mommy again!

 I was overjoyed to see the Babb family again. Letitia help us get ready for Mr. Hales party. 

 Abigail, isn't she a beauty! :)

Sarah helping with the fire.

I love these girls so much, and I can't wait to see them again!

Caleb, Ruth, Me, Katherine, and Abigail theses are my people! I love y'all very much!

Thank you everyone who made my trip possible! Thank you Mark and Hillary for putting up with me and my craziness! 

Until Next Time!