Random December

Daddy took his last Chemistry class out for breakfast at Rosie's Diner on their final official class day. It was a great semester for all and I love that he got this group photo with the ever important periodic table of elements.  :)  I am especially happy that Jonathan had the blessing of taking Chemistry with Daddy.  (He now shares that accomplishment with Julie, Kerry, and myself along with countless others.)

my fortune... possibly true?  ;)

I so enjoyed the Christmas Community Choir concert at the First Christian Church.

This spoke to me.  :)

Dear Brianna took on a project that she and I were supposed to work on together.  I ended up going out of town unexpectedly and she did it all by herself.  Truth be told, I believe it turned out even better because of that very thing!!  James had requested our help in preparing a wedding album to present to Rojina in honor of their 1st wedding anniversary.  It turned out magnificently and Rojina was so pleased.  :)

Random April

Here are some random photos from the month of April.

Jonathan is finishing up high school chemistry with Grandpa Jack.  He will be taking college Chemistry at MACC in the fall (dual enrollment) - also with Grandpa Jack!  :)  Daddy has agreed to teach one semester (again) of Chemistry and encouraged Jonathan to sign up.  Below is a photo of Jonathan with his Molar Volume Cube that Grandpa assigned him to build to use in class.  This box is what 22.4 liters of gas at STP (Standard temperature and pressure) looks like.  In Grandpa's words... "This cube has a volume of 22.4 liters.  One mole of ideal gas molecules occupies a volume of 22.4 liters at standard temperature and pressure (STP).  One mole of anything is Avogadro's Number which is 6.022 times 10 to the 23rd power.  This is a powerful tool and when adding the concepts of Charles and Boyles Law, it makes it easy to calculate the densities of all ideal gases at any temperature and pressure.  Just remarkable!!"    

Jonathan with his Molar Volume Cube  :)

We sold our Bowflex Max Trainer to a friend.  I sure was glad the boys were able to load it up for us! That thing was heavy!

ready to deliver 

Shonda and I enjoyed a relaxing 'catch-up' breakfast together one Saturday morning.  It was a great time of visiting and we were both glad we were able to carve out that time to share.

yummy breakfast

We tease dear Susie about 'wardrobe malfunctions' all the time; including only wearing one earring periodically.  She fusses that we never notice quickly - it is always after we have been together that any of us figure it out.  :)  Well, it finally happened to Shonda!  After Bible study one evening she realized she only had on one earring.  And nope - none of us had noticed!  We took a picture to share with Susie.  :D

only one earring... discovered after Bible study

Matthew completed his capstone presentation and is now ready to graduate with his Bachelor's degree in Math and Physics.

I made a lot of bread for Easter communion.  The kitchen always smells so good when I bake bread.

I also made a lot of cookies for Easter dinner!  My guys were definitely happy with me that weekend!

Oatmeal Raisin, Chocolate Chip,
White Chocolate Raspberry, and Cranberry cookies

Shonda and I decided we needed a healthy smoothie after a walk one day.  We drove through Smoothie King and spotted this 'smoothie queen' ready to make our smoothies for us!  :D  You should definitely check them out - they were delicious!!

Alaina is ready to take your order at Smoothie King!

Chemistry

Jackson is doing really well in Chemistry this year.  And he is getting such special one on one time with Grandpa in the process.  Pretty good deal any way you look at it.  I enjoy watching them work together on Chem Lab night.  

Hmmmm..... one of them is sure slouching....   :)

observing the precipitate

Two fine chemists!   

Finishing up November...

As usual, running way behind here but determined to not miss anything here on the 'online family scrapbook'.   I'll finish up November with a catch all post.  :)

We celebrated Marvin's birthday with a family dinner.  It couldn't quite compare to the wonderful celebration we had for him last year, but we enjoyed remembering that special evening once again.   :)  I think you can only REALLY surprise someone once, or maybe twice...  But we enjoyed a meal together with family and Marvin got his new belt buckle.  Another tradition!   :)

Jonathan has been building lots of things lately.  I am impressed with his ingenuity.  He is a very detail oriented guy and it shows in his workmanship.

this is so cool to see in person... it is a spring-loaded 'knife'.  (made entirely out of foam board)  He has that nail attached to a ring he wears over a finger, then he can pull the nail which causes the 'knife blade' to pop out.

yes, another weapon...

the clip is removable

he can make just about anything out of EVA foam and foam board.  

We enjoyed dinner with our friend, Steve.  He even got to see Jonathan's minecraft costume.

I had forgotten to mention that Jonathan participated in a dodgeball tournament way back at the beginning of the month.  Not sure that was really his forte, but he had a good time with a great team of fellas.

School is plugging along.  I am continually grateful that Daddy is teaching Jackson Chemistry this year (along with my brother via our online science 'co-op').  Not only is it a huge weight off of my shoulders, there simply isn't a better Chemistry teacher out there ANYWHERE!  Jackson is truly blessed by this and I believe Daddy is also enjoying his time with Jackson.

Grandpa gave him this shirt... chemistry humor...  ha!  In case you can't read it, it says
"for a good time call 602-1023 and ask for Avogadro"    
(6.02 x 10²³ is Avogadro's number)

We have had some beautiful sunsets and foggy weather.

We are heading into a busy season - for everyone, I know.  I do so love this whole season from Thanksgiving right through the new year - and although it is crazy busy, I want to try to savor all the moments.  I don't know if that will mean I will keep up with the blog better over the next several weeks, or if I will just disappear again until January.  But, either way, I wish you all a beautiful, joy-filled holiday season.

September Wrap Up Post

Okay...

so I am finally going to put September to rest here on the blog.  I have been 'behind' for so very, very long that I even feel a bit confused about what month I am in!   :)

Jonathan has been working hard all month long on designing and building various costumes for the boys annual Halloween party.  He is so creative and makes really cool stuff using paper, insulation, EVA foam and etc.  

Jonathan with one of his weapon creations before the cut-out stage.  :)

holding painted EVA foam cut-outs he made that will serve as armor

painting more pieces

What Jonathan's chemistry class looks like...

What Jackson's Chemistry class looks like...

I am so thankful that my Daddy is working with Jackson on Chemistry this year.
What a relief for me and what a blessing for Jackson (and, I think, for Daddy, too.)   :)

I spied Jackson out taking photos one evening and had to smile.

I like this one... 

And he spotted me!   :)

One of the photos Jackson took that evening of Mac.

This was a pretty incredible sunset.  I spent a lot of time on the front porch just watching it.

Ummmmm.... I think the shirt is appropriate?  And I just don't even
know what to say about all the rest of it.   :)

Showing off his throwing knives that he got at Silver Dollar City.   :D

Jonathan, my archer

:)

Jackson showing Marvin his throwing knives.

My boy, stylin'   (disclaimer - he gave me permission to post these goofy photos.)   :D

Marvin's turn

my fellas with their weapons in the front yard    :)

Red Barn Festival is one of the highlights of September around here.  It is an outdoor arts and crafts festival downtown and brings in artisans from around the state and the region.  In addition, there are local dancers and musicians who perform.  Megan and Melina were among those performers.  Those girls are so multi-talented!

Megan performing at Red Barn Festival.

And then Melina (on the left).  Those girls are flexible!!

Brenda and Matt

Brenda, Mama, Laura and Julie