Curtis' 37th Birthday

A church member works at Dairy Queen and makes cakes. I called Joseph during the week to see if he could do a cake for Curtis. Last year he did his cake as well. Joseph asked me what I wanted on it. As I preceded to tell him, he interrupted me and said he had some great ideas and wanted to make a John Deere cake. Joseph did an awesome job. Notice the tread on the tires, 3 point hitch on the back, and the John Deere symbol. Thanks so much Joseph.

This is not all that happened for Curtis' birthday. Last Saturday evening, several friends came over for some food and visiting. On Thursday, which is the day of his birthday, we went out for lunch and he had some phone calls from family. The kids are now getting into others birthdays and they had fun with some of the planning.
Chloe is patiently waiting to have a taste.

Quad Ride in the Saddle Hills

We might not have too many more nice days to have a quad ride like we did yesterday. With the snow we had in the past, the trails were quite muddy and we were in 4x4 most of the time. We went in a new area which was nice to explore. The kids couldn't wait for snack time. I think they just like eating outside. I took them for their last swimming lesson in the morning while Curtis packed everything up.

It was too cold to wear rubber boots but too muddy for winter boots, but winter boots it was. There were a few places where I needed to get off in the mud. We were all dressed in layers with long johns on and several shirts. So when we got back to the truck, we took off all our outer layers and threw them in the box. The washing machine was busy last night!

This is looking to the north towards Woking. We were in the Saddle Hills and quite high up here. This would have been a nice picture when the leaves were still on the trees.
Chloe was getting tired and ready to head back to the truck. I guess it is hard work bumping around on the back. She only got hit by one tree!! Russell has a racing helmet with a full face cover so he just puts that down and then doesn't need to duck for all the branches! We don't have one of those fancy GPS for marking trails. The one we have marks points and it comes in handy for pointing us in the general direction of the truck. One day the quads will have to go to the shop to get all clean before winter. If this nice weather continues, next Sunday we may be doing the same thing. I guess the basement flooring will have to wait. Soon winter will come with a vengeance and then we will have lots of time to do indoor things.

Field Trip, New Piano, and Gymnastics

Monday afternoon, we had a field trip to the Police station. The kids had a blast!! The officer let the kids try on her hat and vest.



Chloe and her friend in the back of the car waiting for the sirens to start.

We found an awesome deal on a VERY old piano. It was the owners grandmother's and is around 100 years old. All the keys work and the pads are like new. Once we have the flooring in Chloe's room and we are done rolling it around, we will get it tuned. Chloe has wanted a piano for years. She will not be taking proper lessons until maybe next year. She will be learning as she wants for now. The piano was in a walk out basement which made for easy moving. Curtis backed the trailer up to our doors downstairs and wheeled it in. Chloe is happy the piano fits in her new room.

Chloe has been enjoying gymnastics to the fullest. She is improving and is always trying to do her best.
Here she is trying to fall backwards, into a pit of foam blocks, and keep her body straight. After several tries, she got it.
This girl has upper body strength. She can pull herself up the rope and let herself back down. On the bars she can hold herself up as well.
Here Chloe is listening intently to see what the instructor wants her to do on the trampoline. Having a trampoline at home helps!! Gymnastics lasts for 11/2 hours once a week. She is tired and hungry on the way home!! One of the girls in her class is also a home schooled child and they see each other at other events.

Thanksgiving Pictures

On Sunday Uncle Jeff and Auntie Marta hosted Thanksgiving dinner. There were about 20 adults plus kids there. I usually host the event and it was so nice to go somewhere else. The weather was sunny but super windy. After lunch we went for a walk in the woods.


Curtis has a grouchy look because the food has not yet his palate!!

Some of the other dinner guests.
Russell, Chloe and Briana were playing under the juice table and having lots of fun!!

Grandma and Grandpa Whitmore

Grandma and Grandpa Whitmore came to spend the weekend with us. We don't get a chance to see them that often. I have pictures of the Weich Grandparents and were missing a set!! Our children are blessed to know their grandparents. Grandparents play such an important roll in a grandchild's life. Here are some photos I took Monday afternoon near out house.


Chloe and Grandpa being silly.



The red sweaters were very suiting for fall.

Three generations of Whitmore's. I was able to get them to smile when I said to get rid of the Whitmore scowl!!







Now it is back to normal for the week. It was nice to have company. We didn't get much time to relax as we went to swimming lessons and turkey dinner at Uncle Jeff and Auntie Marta's (those pictures are to follow).