Numismatis

Hunter learning all the trade secrets to becoming an expert in coin collecting.

Thanksgiving Feast

I love Thanksgiving.

I love good food.

Nothing like a natural turkey with bacon under the skin.
Stuffed with baby onions.

We love Thanksgiving time as our dear friends, Ann and Dave Bach, travel from Massachusetts to share their time and love with us. Ann is the master decorator.

Napkin holders were very festive!

The spread was big. And plentiful. And varied. And for all those food lovers such as myself, it included yams, butternut squash, creamed onions, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls, mashed potatoes, cranberries, two different pans of roasted vegetables, and four salads. YUM!

Sawyer made the hats. Took him all day.

We had friends from work, Professor Tweitmeyer and family;
friends from church, Darrell Welch and family;
friends from the community, Mayor Kim Wolfe,
plus ten, makes twenty-three.

That is an official feast!

Ready for dessert?

Apple pie, apple crumb, pumpkin pie, chocolate cheesecake, mincemeat tarts, and cake.

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation by George Washington

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation of 1789
by President George Washington

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many single favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the Service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for His kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the single and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, of the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have to acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge and in general for all the great and various favors which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humble offering our prayers and supplications to the Great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all people, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone know to be best.

I Wanna Be A Cowboy

Miller's missing Halloween and all the practice dress-ups.

Today he asked if he could wear cowboy pants so he could be a cowboy.

I finally figured out cowboy pants meant pants with belt loops.

A very important feature needed to facilitate holding his weapon of choice.

Good times at the Schenewark Corral.

Report Cards

Five boys in school.

33 classes

33 A's

Thank you all for working so hard!

Orchard Hills Golf Course

Hunter wanted to go golfing one more time before the weather turned. He invited Sawyer to go with him, as he is free, and paid $13 for 9 holes.

They played best ball, and on one hole, Sawyer used all his own balls, for a 4 on a par 3.

Good times with his big brother.

Hip to Be Square!

Out with the old...

...and in with the new!

Three of the boys got new glasses.

And they all have one thing in common:

All their old glasses were round...

And their new glasses were not.

Service Project

A fellow National Honor Society member was working on his Eagle Scout project, and invited the society members to assist. Tanner was the only one who came. His project involved repairing all the broken headstones, cleaning them and making official rubbings.

Spelling Bee

Cooper became the first Schenewark to be invited to compete in the school spelling bee. He competed against all the other class winners in fourth and fifth grades.

Miller cheering for his brother.

Cooper was the third to go, and the first to go out.

Ouch.

O P T I M I S M

But after it was all over it became a better memory.

Better luck next year!

Happy Birthday!

We have a birthday, shout hurray!

We want to sing to you today!

One year older, and wiser too.

Happy Birthday, to you!

Happy 18th birthday, Tanner!

First Trip to the Dentist

It's been about four years since my last "first trip to the dentist," but it was nothing like this day.

Sawyer's sweet pleadings didn't work, and after a few meltdowns, Mom was asked to help. Once on my lap, and sitting up, some progress was made!
It's probably a good thing he still has two years until school.

Remembering Veterans Day

I pledge allegiance, to the flag,

of the United States of America.

And to the republic, for which it stands,

one nation, under God, indivisible,

with liberty,

and justice for all.

Day 2, Feliz Cumpleanos and Fishsticks: From the Summit of Mt. Gehtreddyfuhr-Cherch

We Made It and what is more, it was easy as clip-on ties. Our expedition also owes a great debt of gratitude to Father Time who graciously lent us an extra hour in preparing the troops and to Mother Nature who ensures that little boys always wake up well before the sun, the early bird or the farmer.
The encampment does not have its well-laid order of yesterday. The clock is ticking. (Read: Our time until utter chaos absorbs the particles and subparticles of our house approaches quickly) It was only on returning home from Church that we discovered one in our party had two different shoes on. Oops. What counts is that one was a left foot shoe and the other was a right foot shoe, right?
Minor conflict surrounds dinner. Pizza bagels, or stir fry? Mac & Cheese, or Fish sticks? By popular majority fish sticks have, for now, been ruled out and pizza bagels have triumphed in the polls.
Our distant beacon of hope and standard of culinary excellence today celebrates her Birthday. Years of life aren't the object of celebration here today, rather, years of service. Truly, this year more than others we at home plate feel all that our mother does humbly behind the scenes. You don't really appreciate someone until you try to follow their recipe for muffins. Hopefully she will deign to rescue us lower beings upon her glorious return tomorrow, as she does daily when she is here. From six sons, one husband, one stinky dog and a hamster I've just learned is also male, We Love you.
And now if you'll excuse me, I've just learned Tabasco sauce has made the menu as a topping for our Pizza Bagels.

The ultrA-uNauthorized blog from the secret, uNamed guEst bloggeR: somewhere north of antarctica.

Day One, DADdom:

All walls are still standing as seven guys, one male dog and a hamster of unknown gender try to survive....alone.
Our pre-packaged dinners, microwaved teenie weenies and beans, are still holding their own as are the supply of clean dishes and clean socks. For now we hunker inside from the ravaging cold that is sweeping the wilderness, made even colder by unlit ovens.
In other relevant news from the homefront, schedules present little challenge at this point in our historic journey but trepidation is building over tomorrow and the impossible task of Mt. Gehtreddyfuhr-Cherch.
If you hear from us, you'll know we're still alive.
O.k. that's obvious.
But you'll know we cleared the summit and are preparing for our next challenge that surely is just around the washing machine in Survivor Man edition!

Sawyer's First Grade Play

Sawyer learned about invitations, what to include and whom to invite.

It was a hootin' hoe down 'fer sure!

Character Counts Award

"Mom, this is different that last year.

Last year I was responsibility.

This time it's respect.

That's much more serious."