Brent, Johanna, Paxton & Shaelyn

Trip to Cayman Islands

2011-03-06T20:06:00.014-05:00

Mom and Dad took our family and Brad and Shelley's family to Grand Cayman over the kids winter break. It was nice to relax on the beach and in the pool. One of the days we went swimming with the dolphins and also went to the turtle farm. Another day the girls got their hair braided and the guys rode jet skis. One night some of the friends there invited us to the beach for some volleyball, races, tug of war and jump roping and also brought a bunch of food. It was a lot of fun!! Thanks Mom and Dad for a great trip!!!

Relaxing on the beach

We stayed on the ground floor unit

Shaelyn playing in the ocean

Paxton checking out the iguana during lunch

Reading to go swimming with the dolphins

Paxton getting pushed on the boogie board by the dolphin

Waving hello to the dolphin

My turn

Paxton getting a ride on the dolphin

Johanna's turn

Touching one of the sting rays

Paxton holding a turtle

A bird on the shell of one of the turtles

The kids playing in the pool

Playing on the beach

Paxton on the boogie board

One of the awesome sunsets

The girls after they got their hair braided

The guys on the Jet Skis

Mom and Dad

The kids

Brad and Shelley

Playing volleyball on the beach at night

Paxton jumping rope

My turn

Another sunset

Paxton and Shaelyn on the beach

The kids on the beach

Brad and Shelley's family

Our family

Mom and Dad

Paxton and I

The kids again

Us again

Shaelyn's 3rd Birthday Party

2011-03-06T20:00:00.003-05:00

Shaelyn turned 3 years old on the 9th of February. Amazing how fast the years go by.

Opening presents

New hat

Ready to sing Happy Birthday

Our Family

Basketball

2011-03-06T19:49:00.004-05:00

This winter we signed Paxton up for a local basketball league. He has really enjoyed it and has been a fun indoor winter activity. He has a couple of games left before the end of the season. Maybe by then the snow will be gone and we can play on the hoop outside at home again.

Doing some practice drills

Going for a rebound

Playing some defense

I wonder what he is saying!?

Winter Activities

2011-03-06T19:34:00.003-05:00

Here are a few pictures of some of our winter activities.

Playing Rummikub

Shaelyn and Grampa on the snowmobile

Paxton and Grampa on the snowmobile

The kids playing on a big snow pile

Shaelyn riding in the tractor plowing snow

Snowshoeing

Paxton shoveling the walk

Brother and sister

Doing some night time sledding in the yard

Snow! Snow! Snow!!!!!

2011-02-02T21:03:00.003-05:00

Just a few pictures of the yard since our recent snow storms. And as I write this it is still snowing!! We might still have some piles of snow this summer.

This is the snow on the deck. Almost 30" in the middle part. Even deeper up next to the house.

The deck. Figured there is probably about 8,000 lbs. of snow on it!!!

The mudroom walkway.

The front walk.

Holidays in the South

2011-01-04T20:23:00.010-05:00

We headed to North Carolina for the holidays on Thursday afternoon and spent the night in Bethlehem, PA and arrived at Johanna's parents house on Friday afternoon. We got a nice snow storm on Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday we went down to see Matt and Christina and kids for the day and also some of Johanna's other relatives. Wednesday night was special meeting and Thursday 10 of the workers came for lunch. Matt and Christina and the Berwaldt's came for supper and the evening Thursday. Friday night was pretty low key, made it to midnight and called in a day. We left to come home on Saturday just after lunch. We spent the night in PA again and got home mid afternoon on Sunday. Now it is back to work and school.

Playing football with Shannon

SNOW!!!

Winter Wonderland in NC

Having fun in the snow

Clearing snow from the driveway with a rake, the next best thing to a snow shovel.

Monday we went to see Tama at her work

Shaelyn and Betty D.

Phoenix and Shaelyn being Princesses

Gillis

Paxton drawing a picture for Phoenix

Reading comic books

Helping vacuum

Going down the slide at the playground

Swinging

Shaelyn and Karra

Just before we left to come home

Picking up Brush

2010-12-04T18:53:00.003-05:00

Today we cleaned up some dead trees and limbs in the woods. The kids were helping me this morning while Johanna ran some errands. Paxton was using his fourwheeler to hall some brush over to the burn pile. Shaelyn had a good time putting sticks in the bucket of the tractor. It was a great day for working outside. These pictures were taken with my phone so the quality isn't very good.

Paxton using his fourwheeler as a skidder.

Shaelyn helping load the bucket of the tractor.

Thanksgiving in Pittsburg

2010-11-29T19:30:00.006-05:00

We went up north to the Lodge on wednesday with Mom and Dad and Brad and Shelley's family for Thanksgiving. It was a fun time. We rode the four wheelers a little bit and did some sledding out on the front hill. It spit snow off and on most every day we were there. There was only a couple of inches of snow, but it was enough to do some sledding. We had a fire in the fire pit one evening, played some games and read books. We went out to dinner one evening and had Neal and Debbie and Bill Smith for lunch on Saturday. We headed home on Sunday after meeting.

Danny giving the kids a ride up the hill

Paxton and Shaelyn out sledding

Are we at the North Pole?

Giving Brody and Paxton a ride

Paxton and Brody headed down the hill

Dad with a load of kids

Shaelyn in the SnoCoach behind the fourwheeler

Nice weather

Playing Farkel

Chappell Thanksgiving

2010-11-29T19:14:00.005-05:00

The Saturday before Thanksgiving we had a meal down at the barn with all of the family. There were about 70 people there. Lots of food, laughs and games.

Center piece on each table

All of the Kent Chappell Family

Our family

Brad and Shelley's family

The four cousins

Mom and Dad

Playing games

Sitting by the Fire

2010-11-07T19:18:00.003-05:00

Tonight we built a fire in the fireplace and the kids are sitting by the fire with their pillows. A good way to spend a chilly evening.

Laying by the fire

Watching the fire

Paxton reading a Sponge Bob book to Shaelyn

The Wiggles Show

2010-11-07T18:59:00.005-05:00

Friday night we went down to Boston to see the Wiggles. We had taken Paxton a few years ago when they had come through the area before Shaelyn was born. Shealyn really likes the Wiggles now so we decided to take her to see them this year.

Outside the Orpheum Theater before the show

During the show

Shaelyn clapping along with the song

Sam coming around through the audience

Murray coming through the audience

Capt'n Feathersword getting ready to do something crazy

A fun show

Halloween Party

2010-10-31T20:42:00.004-04:00

Last night was the Halloween potluck down at the barn. After supper they had a hayride with stations set up in the woods for the kids to go trick-or-treating at.

Our Family

All the kids

Shaelyn (Dorothy The Dinosaur) and Paxton (Luigi)

Pumpkin Carving

2010-10-31T20:24:00.003-04:00

Friday night Andrea had a bunch of people over to their house for pizza and pumpkin carving. It was a fun evening.

The two pumpkins that we carved.

Lit up

Shaelyn Reading To Her Doll

2010-10-31T20:21:00.001-04:00

Shaelyn reading a story to her doll

Hayride and Corn Maze

2010-10-16T16:21:00.003-04:00

Today the kids and I went to a corn maze here in town and they gave us a hayride before we went into the maze and then when we were done the kids each got an apple to bring home. It was a fun time.

On the hayride

Ready to head into the corn maze

Running through the maze

All finished!!

Deerfield Fair

2010-10-03T14:10:00.006-04:00

Yesterday we went to the Deerfield fair. Apparently quite a few other people had the same idea as the place was packed. It was a beautiful fall day and there was lots to do and see there. We saw a magician show, a flying circus act, some tractor pulling and went on some rides. Oh, I almost forgot, we ate that healthy fair food. My favorite was the fried dough with maple icing and powda sugar. It was a fun day!!

Paxton, in the red fleece on the left hand side, facing the camera.

On the tilt-o-whirl.

On the little roller coaster. Second row from the back.

Weekend Project

2010-10-03T13:52:00.003-04:00

A couple of weekends ago we added this brick area outside the door at the end of the garage. The bricks are from an old chimney or something that was torn down at my parents house years ago and then dumped in a pile in the woods. So I decided to do something with them and had just enough decent bricks for this little area. I had done the little stonewalls for the planting areas earlier this summer. It was fun to finally finish up that end of the house.

Kids

2010-10-03T13:35:00.001-04:00

A couple pictures of the kids the other night before going to bed.

Happy 7th Birthday Paxton!!

2010-09-28T20:42:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, the 27th was Paxton's 7th birthday. He had a party at school along with all the other September birthday kids on Friday and then we had a party for him Sunday evening at our house.

Paxton in his classroom

With his teacher

The cake

Excited Birthday Boy

Back to School

2010-09-16T20:22:00.004-04:00

September 1st was the first day of Second Grade for Paxton. Shaelyn was a little better this year about Paxton leaving on the bus than she was last year. So far he is really liking school and his teacher.

Ava, Shaelyn, Ellie and Paxton waiting for the bus.

Paxton ready to go to school

Shaelyn giving Paxton a hug before he gets on the bus

The three kids getting on the bus

Paxton at school with his teacher

Climbing Trees

2010-09-16T20:15:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago Paxton climbed this tree near our house. He had fun trying to pick the best route to get as high as possible.

Hi down there

Working his way up

Shaelyn

Sunday Afternoon Hike

2010-09-16T20:10:00.003-04:00

One Sunday in August we took a picnic lunch up Pack Monadnock and then the kids played around on the rocks for a while. We also climbed up the observation tower. It was a beautiful day.

Convention Time

2010-09-16T19:50:00.005-04:00

Mel, Rudonna and Karra stayed with us at convention time for about a week. Matt and Christina stayed with us for a night before they headed back home after convention. The cousins had fun with each other.

Shaelyn and Phoenix on the deck together

Having breakfast together

Paxton making Gillis laugh while Grandpa is holding him

Shaelyn helping Gillis with his bottle

The four cousins on the bench

Phoenix found the fourwheeler

Karra with the kids

Grandpa with the kids before they headed home

Grandma with the kids

Pipgras Family Reunion 2010

2010-09-14T21:29:00.012-04:00

The second week of our trip was spent in Wisconson at some condos a little north of Wisconson Dells. The resort had a pool, golf course, lake, basketball, volleyball etc. So there was lots to do right at the condos. One day we went out to a dairy farm that Mel's cousin has there. That was a lot of fun and the kids had a good time seeing all the different animals and tractors at the farm. One evening the ladies went out to a pottery place to decorate some pieces of pottery and have them fired. Another day a group went to a water park in Wisconson Dells. That was a big hit!! Paxton really liked that day. The rest of the time was spent visiting with family and swimming and playing games and EATING!!! We headed home on Friday before lunch and stopped at Jen and Greg's for the night before coming the rest of the way home on Saturday. It was a really fun trip. Two countries (US and Canada), ten states (NH, VT, NY, PA, MI, IN, IL, WI, OH and MA), 3,100 miles.
Playing catch just after we arrived on Saturday

The back of the condos that we stayed in. Our unit was on the top floor on the far right.

Looking out the back of our unit

Sunset one evening on the lake at the resort

Kids playing in the sprinklers one evening

SOAKED!!!!

Paxton helping shuck corn at the farm

Looking across to where the milking operation takes place

Checking out the cows

Shaelyn looking at a calf

Paxton at the water park

Shaelyn enjoying the water park

Some of the kids at the water park

The Pipgras siblings and spouses

The siblings

The cousins and spouses

All the kids

Mel and Rudonna's family

Mel and Rudonna

Our family

The whole group that was there

Road Trip

2010-09-13T20:56:00.013-04:00

In July we took a road trip to Wisconson. We spent a week driving out and stopping along the way to see people and places. We left on a Friday and stopped at Claude and Rebekah's for the night. Saturday we drove out to Jen and Greg's and spent a couple of days with them. On Monday we drove up to Canada and saw Niagara Falls. We drove through Canada to Michigan. Tuesday we met up with Jeff and Pam and then headed to Lake Michigan to meet up with Jason and Amanda. We stayed with them Tuesday night and spent the day on Wednesday at the beach with them before heading for Chicago that night. Thursday we spent the day in Chicago and then went to my cousin Jeff and Ashling's for supper that night. My Aunt Donna and Uncle John were also there. Friday we headed to Milwaukee to meet up with Tama and Shannon. Saturday morning we went to Madison for a little while before heading on up toward Wisconson Dells area for the Pipgras Family reunion.

Jen, Greg, Liam and Weston

At a lake near there house
Niagara Falls

Pam, Jeff, Zach and Elana

Paxton and Zach

Shaelyn and Elana

Shaelyn at Lake Michigan

The kids helping Steve build a sand castle

Amanda and Jason and kids

View of Chicago from the Lake

"The Bean" in Millenium Park in Chicago

Our reflection in "The Bean"

Spent most of the day at Navy Pier

Ashling and the kids with Aunt Donna and Uncle John

Paxton at the Harley Davidson museum in Milwaukee

Shaelyn the biker chick

Outside the Harley Davidson Museum

Shannon and Tama with the kids in Madison, WI

Weekend up in Pittsburg

2010-06-06T21:26:00.009-04:00

On friday we picked Paxton up from school and then headed up North to the Lodge for the weekend. Mom and Dad had gone up on thursday and they spent the weekend up there as well. It was a nice relaxing time. It rained some of the time but Paxton and I went out on the fourwheelers a couple of times. We built mattress forts up in the loft and went "moosing" on Saturday evening (looking for moose). We saw one while we were out along with some turkeys and mallard ducks. We also saw some wild rabbits while we were up there. We headed back Sunday afternoon and stopped to see Aunt Alice on the way back. She still looks her same perky self.

Ready to head out on the fourwheelers

Off we go

Shaelyn in the tractor with Grampa

Paxton following Grampa in the jeep by the Anderson's camp

In the mattress fort

Moose crossing the road

Reflection of the dam on First Connecticut Lake

More reflections on the Lake

Mallard ducks by the Lake

More fun in the mattress fort Sunday morning

One more ride before we left. He liked the mud puddles.

10th Anniversary in NYC

2010-06-01T20:16:00.006-04:00

We went to New York City this past weekend for our 10th Anniversary. Mom and Dad kept the kids for the weekend. They had a blast spending the weekend at Gramma and Grampa's!! Sounds like they did lots of swimming and kept busy. We had a great time and great weather. We left on Friday in the early afternoon and came back yesterday (monday) afternoon. We did a lot of walking all over the city. Saturday we went to Canal Street, Ground Zero, Little Italy and Battery Park. Our hotel was just off of Times Square so we spent plenty of time wandering around there as well. Sunday we walked up 5th Avenue to Central Park and spent some time walking around there and relaxing in the park. There were LOTS of people enjoying the nice weather. We also checked out a street fair before going to a Cirque du Soleil show and then walking 30 blocks back to the hotel. Monday we left NYC in the late morning and drove through Newport, RI on the way home. It was a nice relaxing time.

Fountain in City Hall Park

Construction at Ground Zero

The Marines had some demonstrations and equipment set up at Battery Park. I got roped into seeing how many pull-ups I could do.

Part of "The Mall" in Central Park

In front of "The Lake" in Central Park

Boats on "The Lake"

Looking across "The Lake" in Central Park towards the Downtown part of the city

Enjoying Central Park

Lots of people on the big field in Central Park

Picnic & Hike

2010-05-16T21:14:00.003-04:00

After meeting this morning we packed a picnic lunch and went to this place near our house, Monson Village, that used to be a town back in the early 1700's. It has some open fields and trails through the woods that used to be the roads for the town. There are a few of the old cellar holes still there and one house that they have preserved. It was fun to eat outside and walk on some of the trails. It was fun to try and imagine and explain to the kids what it might have been like back in those times.

Starting off down the trail

Taking a little break

Being nice to each other for once! :-)

Paxton's School Program

2010-05-11T21:53:00.004-04:00

Tonight was Paxton's Spring Music Program at school. The kids did a great job and it is fun to see what they have been working so hard on in school.

The kids coming in for the start of their program

All ready to go up on the stage (Paxton is in the green shirt in the front row on the left

Doing their "Alabama Gal" dance

Paxton got the play the guitar for one of the songs

Paxton with his teacher (right) and the aide that helps out in his class (left)

Paxton and Shaelyn after the program

Kids

2010-05-11T21:40:00.003-04:00

The kids have been loving the nice weather recently. Shaelyn loves to go outside whenever she can.

Paxton giving Shaelyn a ride on the tricycle

Reading books in the playroom

Baseball Game

2010-05-11T21:35:00.002-04:00

We went to the New Hampshire Fishercats baseball game in Manchester at the end of Paxton's spring break from school. It was a nice evening and there were fireworks after the game. A good ending to a week off from school.

Wind Storm

2010-05-11T21:28:00.005-04:00

A few weeks ago we have a very strong wind storm one afternoon. It dislodged the umbrella from its base at our table on the deck and blew it over onto the table, smashing the glass top of the table. It was a fun mess to clean up. Johanna had swept some of it up before I got home from work and then I used the shop vac to suck up the rest of it. We found it was cheaper to buy a new table than to replace the glass in the old one. So now we have an extra frame, maybe I'll cut a piece of plywood out for the old one and use it in the basement for an extra table.

Excited Boy

2010-04-23T22:47:00.005-04:00

Paxton got a new four wheeler today, he was very very excited. His mother didn't have the same enthusiasm has he did. :-)

Ready to go!!

Driving home from Brad and Shelley's

Daddy had to take Shaelyn for a ride on it

Grandma and Grandpa Came for a Visit

2010-04-23T22:15:00.006-04:00

Johanna's parents came for a couple of weeks. They went home yesterday.

Playing catch with the new ball and glove Grandma and Grandpa got for her

We had Brian and Amy and their kids, Terrill and Lianna and the Berwaldt's after special meeting on Sunday.

This was the little kids table.

Paxton with Grandma

Time to say 'goodbye'

After meeting on Sunday

Paxton got to bring two baby chicks from his class at school home for a night.

Paxton and Shaelyn with Grandma and Grandpa before they had to leave for the airport

Mommy and the kids on the porch

Two children thinking about what kind of trouble they can get into next :-)

Video of Shaelyn playing catch

Shaelyn

2010-04-23T22:03:00.004-04:00

A few pictures of Shaelyn

Ready to go outside and play earlier this month

The hat that Auntie Tama made for her
Her hair is finally long enough to braid
Smelling the flowers

Beautiful Sunday

2010-04-04T23:13:00.003-04:00

Another gorgeous day. Went to Brad and Shelley's for lunch. The Howes were out for the weekend visiting Brad & Shelley and Mom and Dad came there for lunch as well. The kids had fun looking for eggs out in the yard after lunch.

Shaelyn picking up some eggs

Paxton finding some eggs

Off to look for more

The kids with their eggs

Tonight Shaelyn was ready to go "shopping"

Warm Weather!!!!

2010-04-03T20:50:00.005-04:00

Yesterday and today were so nice!! The kids have loved being outside playing on the swing set, sand box, riding bikes, drawing with chaulk on the driveway, playing ball, etc. Shaelyn loves the slide on the swing set. She climbs up the ladder and goes down the slide all by herself. She does it over and over and over and... Ellie and Ava came over after school and the kids played outside till supper. Brad and Shelley brought their supper up to our place and we all ate together. Today we didn't get a lot of work accomplished, but we had fun being outside and enjoying the nice weather.

Sorry for neglecting the blog the last few months, we will try to do better about post a little more frequently.

Ava and Shaelyn on the slide

Here comes Shaelyn

Cruisin' down

That was fun!!

Climbing up to do it again

Paxton trying to tell Ava something

Ellie on the trapeze

Video of Shaelyn on the slide

Another Weekend Project

2010-01-30T21:32:00.003-05:00

We have been looking for a new mirror for the kid's bathroom and couldn't find one that was just the right size, look and price, so....... why not buy a piece of mirror and make a frame??? So that is what we did.

Ready to be painted

All finished

Paxton Loses First Tooth!!

2010-01-23T23:05:00.005-05:00

We met Mom and Dad for supper tonight and just when we started eating, Paxton's tooth fell right out. He was very excited to lose his first tooth. Now to see if the sneaky toothfairy will leave him anything tonight. ;-)

Snow Day

2010-01-23T23:00:00.002-05:00

This last tuesday Paxton didn't have school because of a teacher workshop. They wouldn't probably have had school anyway because of the snow that we got. Ellie and Ava spent most of the day at our house and the kids had fun playing outside in the afternoon.

Weekend Project

2010-01-23T22:52:00.005-05:00

Last weekend I decided to make a bookcase that would fit between the kids beds in their room. So I used mostly scap wood I had in the basement. It is now in place and full of books!! It was a fun little project and a good way to use up some wood.

This is what I started with.

All assembled and ready to be sanded and painted.

All finished!!

Trip to North Carolina for the Holidays

2010-01-04T20:09:00.006-05:00

We left Thursday Christmas Eve day at 5:20am and drove all day down to NC and arrived there at 8:20pm. It took a little longer than normal because Shaelyn got car sick, which was a pleasant experience, NOT!! I ended up pitching her old car seat in a dumpster and buying a new one. Her old seat had already gone through three kids so I didn't feel to bad about parting with it. The rest of the trip down was uneventful. We stayed with Johanna's parents while we were down there. We took a day trip down towards Charlotte to see some of Johanna's relatives and also stopped in at Matt and Christina's place for a couple of hours. It was nice to see everyone again.

Playing some steet hockey with Matt, Shannon, Paxton and I

Playing some mini golf

Paxton with Karra and Tama

Paxton and Patrick playing Chinese Checkers on News Years Eve

Shaelyn playing with an old cell phone. She loves to talk on the phone!!

Phoenix, Paxton and Shaelyn

Phoenix and Shaelyn giving each other kisses

The Pipgras'

Family Picture

Mel and Rudonna - Thanks for everything!!

Gingerbread House

2009-12-22T21:35:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Johanna went in to Paxton's class to help the kids make gingerbread houses. Paxton was really excited to have her in class with him.

Getting a story read to them before making the gingerbread houses

Ready to get started

Busy decorating

Paxton with his teacher

Thanks mom for coming in and helping!

Sledding

2009-12-15T21:06:00.006-05:00

Last Saturday morning we did a little bit of sledding on the little hill behind the house. Shaelyn liked it until her and Paxton wiped out riding down on the tube together. Neither one was hurt but Shaelyn glove came off and her hand got wet and cold so she headed inside. The wind was blowing pretty hard which made it colder. Paxton and I had fun for a while longer, then played some street hockey outside.

Ready to go

Paxton ready to go on the tube

Paxton and Shaelyn (she isn't to sure about that)

A few seconds before the wipeout

First Snow of the Season

2009-12-15T20:55:00.006-05:00

A week ago last Saturday night/ Sunday morning we got our first real snow of the season.
Paxton had to go outside first thing when he woke up and check out the snow
Heading back inside to get some warmer clothes on
Snow on the bushes
Cool pattern from the front walk

View looking out the back

Visitors

2009-12-15T20:33:00.004-05:00

Sunday after Thanksgiving Keith and Julie came by in the afternoon for a little visit. It was nice to see them again.

Keith and Julie

Shaelyn and Julie

Thanksgiving - Part 2

2009-11-27T19:04:00.006-05:00

On Thanksgiving Day we went down to Mom and Dad's house to have Thanksgiving dinner with them. It was just the six of us, but we had had our big family meal the saturday before. It was a nice relaxing low key day. After lunch Dad and I went for a ride around while Shaelyn took a nap and Paxton played and read books. Then we went down to Leighton and Judy's for supper with their family. Paxton had fun playing with the "big boys" (Austin, Broson and Stefan). Today Paxton wanted to play hockey so we went out to lunch with Grampa and then got a floor hockey stick and ball. When we got home we backed the cars out of the garage (because it was raining outside) and played hockey. He had played with the boys last night and really liked it so he was pretty bent on playing today. I am sure we will have to play again tomorrow!!

Shaelyn and Grampa listening to something on the computer

Playing hockey in the garage

And he SCORES!!

Shaelyn watching the hockey game in the garage

Thanksgiving - Part 1

2009-11-27T18:49:00.004-05:00

Last Saturday we went down to Uncle Roger's barn for our Chappell Thanksgiving feast. There were about 55 of us there. It was nice to all be together. Of course there was LOTS and LOTS of food and desserts!!

Looking down the table

Some of the younger crowd tables

Singing a hymn

ENGAGED - Kelly and Tucker - Congratulations!!!!!

Mom's Birthday Surprise

2009-11-27T18:38:00.004-05:00

Last Friday night we were to go out to eat with my parents and Brad and Shelley's family for my mom's birthday. Dad had flown her two sisters up to surprise her. They were at the restaurant when she got there. She was totally surprised!!! It was nice that they could be together for the weekend.

Waiting for mom to get there

What are they doing here!?!

Mom and her sisters

A little gag gift - Steel Toed Boots!! Maybe those will keep her feet SAFE!! :-)

This will catch you up quick!!

2009-11-27T17:08:00.004-05:00

Sorry for the loooong delay between posts. We are still alive and kickin' here!! Let's see, we'll catch you up quick on some of the highlights of the last couple of months. Johanna's parents were here for a couple of weeks back in October. They were here for Pumpkin Festival weekend which was a little chilly but still fun to get out and see all the activities. Then there was Fall Fun Weekend and Halloween. Paxton had a little halloween parade at his school which was fun to see all the kids in their costumes. So that is some of the things that have gone on in the last couple of months along with school and work, etc. Here are a few pictures to give you a visual:

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit

Paxton at his halloween parade at school

Grampa and Shaelyn watching the parade

The "hippie" family

Paxton's 6th Birthday

2009-09-28T19:34:00.013-04:00

Last Thursday night we had Paxton's birthday party down at the professional building. He has been obsessed with magic lately so we found this magician to come and perform at his party. He did a great job and Paxton and the rest of the kids liked him a lot. Shelley made his top hat cake (thanks again on a great job!!). We had our family for Sunday lunch to celebrate his actual birthday.

The black top hat cake

Being a goof ball before the party

Ready for the party

The magician ready to start his show

The kids enjoying the show

Paxton being an assistant

Put the red cloth, the blue cloth and the white cloth into the "magic" bag and.....

then pull this out!!!!

Take a bow

The audience

Ready for the final trick....making flowers appear in this vase

Paxton and the Magician with his cake

Singing Happy Birthday

Opening presents

Sunday Birthday Party

"Camping"

2009-09-07T21:46:00.005-04:00

Yesterday afternoon Paxton and I made a little fire pit down the hill next to the garage. Then we set up the tent. We had a little fire in the fire pit and roasted some marshmallows. Johanna and Shaelyn sat around the fire with us. They went inside when it was time to go to bed while Paxton and I spent the night in the tent. We read a couple of stories in the tent before we went to bed. It was a fun time and a nice cool night for tenting. The nice thing was it was a short walk to breakfast and the comforts of home!! Now it is back to school and work tomorrow.

Sitting around the camp fire

Shaelyn enjoying the fire

Paxton and daddy

Roasting a marshmallow

Mommy and Shaelyn

Shaelyn and daddy

Paxton enjoying the fire

Ready to get in the tent and go to bed

All settled in for the night

Dirt-y Boy

2009-09-07T21:35:00.005-04:00

Friday we had some dirt delivered to the house so we can finish off some more of the yard. Paxton had so much fun playing on the piles when he got home from school. He didn't like having to get hosed off with the COLD water before he came inside. Now the piles are spread out so the fun is over, but it was good while it lasted!!

Oh yeah!! Let's get dirty!!!

Nice feet

Shaelyn watching Paxton......

slide down the dirt pile

Would you like a hug mommy?

Getting Home from 1st Day of School

2009-09-07T21:24:00.003-04:00

Shaelyn watching for the bus to bring Paxton home

Getting off the bus

A successful first day!!

All ride the same bus: Ava, Breanna, Paxton, Ellie and Braden

First Day of School!!

2009-08-31T20:23:00.005-04:00

Today was Paxton's first day of 1st grade. He was so excited. He rides the bus with Ellie and Ava and then Breanna and Braden get on the same bus as well. Shaelyn wasn't very happy when the bus pulled away. She is really going to miss her big brother when he is at school.

Ready to go to school

The whole family

Ellie, Ava and Paxton

Shaelyn with the school kids

Shaelyn giving Ava goodbye hugs

Ellie's turn

And a hug for big brother

Here comes the bus!!

Getting on the bus

Shaelyn not very happy that the kids left

Saturday Evening

2009-08-31T20:11:00.003-04:00

Last Saturday evening we met up with some of the Berwaldts and Christina and Phoenix at the Burlington Mall for supper. Shaelyn enjoyed seeing Phoenix again.

Phoenix

Phoenix and Shaelyn

Paxton and Christina

Mini-Golf

2009-08-31T19:51:00.004-04:00

Last Friday afternoon we went to play some mini golf before Paxton started back to school. It was a nice afternoon weather wise and a fun time. Paxton even got two holes in one!! Afterwards we went to Bravo's for pizza and some games at their Fun Center.

Shaelyn enjoying the day

Hole in ONE!!!

Lining up a shot

Shaelyn having a turn

Saturday Evening

2009-08-09T21:52:00.004-04:00

Last evening we went down to Carl and Ester's to see Jason and Amanda and their kids for supper and the evening. It was nice to see them again and the kids had a good time playing together.

Shaelyn and Brooklyn

Madison, Anna, Carter and Paxton

Jason guarding the ice cream

Playing with Play-doh

Blakemore's Camp

2009-08-09T21:07:00.005-04:00

Friday afternoon we went up to the Blakemore's camp in Greenfield. Richard and Nancy, Mark and Sara and their kids, Brian and Mindi and their kids, Auntie Bea, and Eric and Lori were there. The kids had a great time playing in the "hot tub" and swimming in the lake. There was some woodland golf and bocci ball played as well. After dinner they had a nice little fire outside. Jody and her kids and Janice and her kids came after supper and camped in their tents up there that night. It was fun to be together and enjoy the lake.

Kids in the hot tub

Enjoying some eats before supper

Kids playing down by the water

Beginning the bocci ball game

Some intense concentration

Lori looking at a book with Shaelyn

Conner and Paxton in the lake

Nice little camp fire

Convention Time

2009-08-09T20:37:00.007-04:00

We had Matt, Christina and Phoenix, Karra, Jack and Steve and Debbie stay with us during convention this year. Sunday evening after convention we had a bunch of people up to the house for pizza before everyone headed home.

Shaelyn and Will on the couch

Al, Stephanie, Rebekah and Claude

Paxton and Blake

Some of the people

The ladies table

The Turners and Wellein's

Shaelyn and Phoenix

Karra

Saturday Fun before Convention

2009-08-09T19:26:00.014-04:00

The Saturday before convention we spent part of the day down at Mom and Dad's pool the Brad and Shelley's family, The Howes, Jacobs and Timms. It was a nice sunny day and the kids AND adults (some acted like kids :) ) had a great time enjoying the pool and sun.

Ellie and Shaelyn in the pool

Dave and Jackson going off the diving board

Claude tossing Paxton in the pool

Action shot

Shaelyn getting a dunking in the poolNoodle WAR!!Attempting a dive, executing a nice bellyflopA little bit betterPaxton attempting a flip

After Work Day Cookout

2009-08-09T19:18:00.004-04:00

After the second work day at Milford, back in the middle of July, we went to Leighton and Judy's for a cookout. There was lots of food and horse shoes, volleyball and a little basketball. A good way to finish off a productive day.

Throwing the football back and forth

Some volleyball

Some intense basketball

Paxton the spectator

Visitors from Virginia

2009-07-17T20:41:00.010-04:00

Laura and her four kids, Savannah, Harrison, Ethan and Moriah came a week ago last Wednesday and left the next Tuesday. We had a great time with them and seemed to pack a lot of stuff into the time they were here. Thursday night was a potluck for Kari and Larry who are moving to Georgia. Friday afternoon we drove up to the White Mountains and checked out The Basin. The kids had fun playing in the river and climbing on the rocks. The water was FREEEEEZING cold!! Saturday was work day down at the convention grounds and then that afternoon we swam at Mom and Dad's pool with some of the other friends and had a cookout. Sunday we packed a lunch and headed over to the coast after meeting. We went to the beach for a little bit and then drove into Portsmouth and grabbed a dessert at Popovers before heading back home for gospel meeting at the convention grounds Sunday evening. Monday the kids went down to the pool and then we went to softball Monday evening. They headed home Tuesday morning. Paxton had a great time playing with the kids. Thanks for coming to visit!!

All the kids at The Basin

The Basin

The river up above The Basin

Laura and Johanna

Moriah and Paxton

Shaelyn exploring

Playing in the river

The Basin from above

Playing on the rocks

Giving Shaelyn a lift

Laura, Shaelyn and Johanna relaxing on the rocks down below

The boys playing in the river

Cool scenery

Taking a break

That will toughen your feet up!!

More playing on the rocks

At the beach

Diggin' in the mud

They are probably thinking, 'do we have to keep standing next to each other for pictures?'

Todd & Shanna's Wedding

2009-06-19T21:11:00.010-04:00

Last weekend we flew to Milwaukee, WI for my cousin Todd's wedding. It was nice to see all the cousins aunts & uncles on my mom's side of the family. The wedding was on Saturday. Sunday lunch was a picnic at one of the friend's homes and then we went to a park nearby for the afternoon. Monday we went to the Zoo and then flew home monday evening.

The wedding cake

The ceremony

Cool building near where they got married

Brad and Shelley's family

Ava, Paxton and Ellie at the wedding

View from outside of the room where the wedding was

The Groom & Bride (Todd & Shanna)

Paxton & I

The Smidt family

My mom and her two sisters

With their spouses

Aunt Marilyn and her family

The eight cousins

The newly married couple ready to leave

Our family

Sunday at the picnic-This picture is a family joke. Our parents had gotten us shirts like these about 25 years ago when we were all together, so Brad decided it was time to recreate it again!!

Some of the kids at the picnic

The newly married couple at the picnic

The kids at the park

Catching up

The kids rolling down a hill at the park

Monday at the Zoo

Lions sleeping

Nice Kitty

Shaelyn (asleep) & Paxton at the Zoo

Paxton and Jaren

A Camel

Peacock

The five cousins that went to the Zoo

Polar Bears

Our pilot for the flight home.

Paxton got to spend a few minutes in the cockpit before our flight home

Beach Trip to North Carolina

2009-06-19T19:57:00.015-04:00

We went down to Salvo, NC on the Outer Banks for the last part of May/ beginning of June. We left on Friday afternoon and made it just south of Baltimore that night. Saturday morning we drove to Jack & Mary's near Richmond, VA for a late breakfast/ early lunch. We then headed on down to the beach house in NC. We shared the house with Mel, Rudonna, Karra, Tama, Shannon, Matt, Christina, Phoenix, Steve & Debbie. We had a great week. Lots of swimming in the pool at the house, went to the beach one day and lots of relaxing. Saturday we headed back to Virginia and stopped at Bob and Linda's to go swimming in their pool with the Nichols kids. We spent Saturday night with the Nichols and then headed home Sunday morning. We got home Sunday evening.

Jack & Mary

Phoenix & Shaelyn

Enjoying the pool

Grandpa getting in on the squirt gun fight

The Birthday cupcakes that Christina made for Phoenix's birthday party we had down there

Enjoying the birthday party

Grandma & Grandpa

Phoenix enjoying her cupcake

Grandpa & Phoenix

View of the sunset from the house we stayed at

Sunset picture

Another

And another

Boardwalk from the pier near the house we stayed at

Enjoying a bottle on the beach

Discussing something with Uncle Matt

Shaelyn enjoying the beach

Brent, Shannon, Tama, Paxton & Matt at the beach

Shaelyn in the little kiddie pool

Lots of Kite Boarders and another nice sunset

The little pier that we walked down to almost every night

Debbie with Paxton, Shaelyn and Phoenix

More Kite Boarding and sunset

The Kite Boarders got some big air, it was fun to watch them

Karra and Paxton watching the kite boarders from the pier

The group minus Steve & Debbie

NO MORE PICTURES!!!

Phoenix, Christina & Matt

Our family

Karra, Matt, Johanna and Tama

Tama & Shannon

Shaelyn giving Phoenix a ride in her stroller

The house we stayed at for the week

At Bob and Linda's with the Nichols kids

Linda and Bob

Sunday morning breakfast at the Nichols before hitting the road for home

Quick Update

2009-05-28T22:31:00.005-04:00

Here is a quick pictoral update. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon for the beach in North Carolina for a week.

Paxton & Shaelyn playing in the sand box

Shaelyn being goofy

In the pool on Memorial Day

Enjoying the pool

Shaelyn not really sure about this...

More pool fun

Relaxing in the sun

Shaelyn started walking about a week ago. She improves each day and really seems to like walking around now.

Paxton's Kindergarten Graduation!!!

2009-05-16T21:45:00.015-04:00

I can't believe that it is that time already. It seems like just a couple of weeks ago that Paxton started kindergarten. Friday night was the graduation but they still have another week and a half of school because of the days that they missed from the ice storm we had in December. The kids all did great and they all shared a few of the things they learned throughout the year. Afterwards Mom and Dad and Brad and Shelley, Ellie and Ava came over for dessert and playing and a few fireworks and sparklers.

Ready for Graduation. They all dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls to do a little program before getting into their caps and gowns.

Paxton and Brody had the same teacher. Braden was in the other class.

Walking in

Singing some songs

Leaving to go get into their caps and gowns

Braden

Coming back in

During the ceremony

The graduates bringing flowers to their parents

Paxton's class with their teacher

Paxton with his teacher

Congrats!!

With the parents

The whole family

Good job big brother

Paxton and Shaelyn

Again

Had to use up some leftover small fireworks

Shaelyn wasn't to keen on the fireworks

Ava and Paxton in Grampa's jacket

Paxton's turn: "Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States."

Everyone got an award for something; Paxton's was for most improved seat work.

Getting his diploma

Ava's Spring Progam

2009-05-16T21:37:00.003-04:00

Wednesday night we went to Ava's program at school. They all did a great job.

Ava played the "Little Red Hen"

Sleepover

2009-05-16T21:28:00.002-04:00

Last Friday night Paxton wanted his cousins Ellie and Ava to sleep over so they spent the night and then played at our house and then down at Ellie and Ava's in the afternoon. We layed out three mattresses on the living room floor for them to sleep on.

Little Helper

2009-05-16T20:39:00.007-04:00

Last weekend we were spreading some mulch in the yard. Paxton loves to help load the wheelbarrow, at least for a little while!! Then it is back to swing on the swing or riding the scooter.

Shoveling the mulch

Getting there.....

Time for a break on the swing set

Shaelyn enjoying the nice weather.

Loading the wheelbarrow
Ready for another load

2009-05-07T14:04:00.006-04:00

NEW YORK CITY

I went to New York City to meet up with my sisters for a few nights while Brent kept the kids at home! Here are a few pictures!

Karra & Tama in Times Square.

The 3 of us in Times Square.

At the hotel.

On the ferry going by the Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty.

Little Italy! A favorite!

Karra & Tama eating in Little Italy.

Race Weekend

2009-05-01T19:16:00.007-04:00

Last weekend we went out to New York to meet up with some friends to do some Go-Kart Racing. We stayed with Claude and Rebekah while we were out there. Saturday morning all the guys headed to the indoor karting facility. It was a lot of fun and everyone left still being friends. We met up with the ladies and kids at a park for supper and some playing outside. It was such a nice warm day. Sunday a bunch of us met up for lunch at a Japanese Steakhouse. It was a good meal and entertaining chefs that cooked for us on the hibachi. That afternoon I dropped Johanna off at the train station in Albany on my way home so she could meet up with her sisters in New York City. She will have to do a post of that trip.

Jumping at the playground

Good buddies

What a great time at the park

Claude and Rebekah

Jason, Christina and Gavin

Shaelyn enjoying a drink in the sun

Ready to go into the maze again

The kids outside the maze

Some of the guys

Sunday morning

The kids outside the restaurant

The kids keeping themselves entertained

The flaming volcano onion

Ava trying to catch a piece of food with her mouth that the chef threw to her

Jody's turn, which led to.............

This!!!

Fun Times Outside

2009-04-18T20:42:00.009-04:00

The weather has been nice the last couple of days so Paxton has spent a lot of time outside. He loves riding his Razor Scooter around the driveway. Shaelyn likes being outside too. We took her out the other day with her little cart that she pushes around and she had a great time walking all around the driveway with it. She won't walk on her own yet but likes walking with that cart. Yestersday Breanna and Braden stayed at our house after school until we went to Kevin and Jody's for supper. Braden and Paxton rode their scooters from our house all the way to Kevin and Jody's while Breanna and I walked with them. Everyone was a little tired by the time we got there but they had enough energy to place outside for a while until it got dark. Fun times!!

Shaelyn wrestling with Paxton

Goofball

Fun times outside

Bye!!

Love this weather

Paxton giving Shaelyn a ride on his fourwheeler

Everyone having fun
Shaelyn walking with her cartPaxton on his scooter

Sunday

2009-04-14T20:03:00.004-04:00

Sunday we went to Brad & Shelley's for lunch with Mom & Dad and the Kilgore's. The kids had fun looking for eggs out in the yard after lunch. Sunday evening Brad & Shelley and the girls came for supper and the kids played outside until it got dark.

Ready to eat

The kids ready to go hunt for some eggs

The search is on..

make sure you look EVERYWHERE!!

even in the woods

Ava, Paxton and Josh playing a card game

Dye-ing for some eggs

2009-04-11T19:32:00.002-04:00

Johanna and Paxton dyed some eggs the other week. Shaelyn kept busy rearranging the cereal cabinet.

Visitors

2009-04-11T19:16:00.006-04:00

Last weekend Claude and Rebekah came and spent the weekend with us. We had a great time. Saturday morning we went to Parkers Maple Barn for breakfast. Saturday evening Mom and Dad kept the kids for us and the four of us went to a Japanese Steakhouse where they cook in front of you. That was fun. Sunday afternoon Brad and Shelley came over and stayed for supper along with Claude and Rebekah. It was a great weekend, lots of eating and laughing. Thanks for coming!! (These are all Claude and Rebekah's pictures-we didn't have our camera with us)

Paxton woofing down his breakfast

Hmm....which way should we go?

Paxton

The two kids

Shaelyn

Saturday night at the Japanese Restaurant

Shaelyn's New Found Talent

2009-03-27T22:43:00.005-04:00

Tonight Shaelyn discovered a whistle that Paxton had lying around and put it in her mouth and started whistling with it. She was crawling all over the place with it and whistling the whole time. It was pretty funny watching her.

Dinner Guests

2009-03-27T22:33:00.004-04:00

Tonight Paxton's teacher and her husband came over for supper and the evening. Paxton had wanted her to come over so he asked her and she said they would. After supper we took a walk and then came back and had dessert and played a game of Trouble.
Paxton's teacher and her husband

Baby Shower for Paxton's Teacher

2009-03-27T22:24:00.003-04:00

Today they had a surprise baby shower at school for Paxton's teacher. The kids all brought in little gifts for her and they cupcakes and snacks.

Some of the goodies

The kids

Paxton's teacher opening her gifts

Higher Education

2009-03-27T22:19:00.003-04:00

Paxton has enjoyed looking at Calvin & Hobbs books recently.

Ava's Birthday Parties

2009-03-22T15:45:00.006-04:00

Last tuesday for supper we went to Brad and Shelley's with Mom and Dad to celebrate Ava's 7th Birthday. Yesterday she had a Mad Science Birthday Party with all the kids. What a fun time!!

Grampa with the four grandkids

Opening presents

The four cousins

Singing Happy Birthday

Ava with some of her friends at the Mad Science Party

The kids watching the Mad Scientist

Ava with the Mad Scientist

The Mad Scientist

Making slime

Stirring the slime

Grampa with Shaelyn

Shaelyn with Uncle Brad

Landon

Blowing out the candles

Visitors

2009-03-22T15:34:00.003-04:00

Jen, Liam and Weston came for a visit last wednesday afternoon. The kids had a great time playing together inside and outside. Thanks for coming to visit!!

Liam, Weston and Paxton in the tent

Playing in the basement

Liam and Paxton

Big wrestling match

Think Spring

2009-03-15T20:01:00.005-04:00

Today's lunch was the first meal on the deck. It was soooo nice outside today. We spent a good share of the afternoon relaxing outside. Ellie and Ava came over for a few hours this afternoon to play. It would be nice to think that the warmer weather is here to stay but I think that is probably wishful thinking. We'll take what we can get for now.

Lunch on the deck

Relaxing in the lounge chair

Enjoying the nice weather

What is wrong with this picture?

Lovin' being outside

Train Show and Boston

2009-03-15T19:22:00.005-04:00

Saturday Paxton and I went to a model train show at the High School in Milford. It was really neat to see the different setups that people had. Saturday evening we went down to Boston to meet up with Johanna's cousin that was there for a trade show.

Some of the smaller scale trains

Some of the neat scenes

Farm scene

One of the larger scale trains

The big track setup in the gym

Another of the larger scale trains

Working saw mill

Another train

Paxton playing with some of the toy trains

Lots of kids

Johanna's cousin Phil that we met up with in Boston

Phil and Johanna

Aidan's Birthday Party

2009-03-15T19:15:00.002-04:00

Friday evening was Aidan's 3rd Birthday Party.

Opening presents

More presents

Ready to sing Happy Birthday

The whole family

Beach Day!!

2009-03-15T19:03:00.003-04:00

Friday was Beach Day at school so the kids got to bring in their beach towels, flip flops, shorts and tee shirts. Johanna helped decorate on thursday after school and was there on friday for the festivities. Sounds like they had a lot of fun!!

Playing games

Story time

More games

Swimming

Brody and Paxton's class

Molly's Birthday

2009-03-15T18:56:00.002-04:00

A week ago last friday we went to Molly's 2nd Birthday Party.

The cakes, nice job Mamie!!

Shaelyn with Auntie Shelley

Molly opening her presents

The Birthday Girl

This and That

2009-03-15T17:55:00.002-04:00

Just a few pictures from a couple of weeks ago.

Shaelyn looking out the window at Brad and Shelley's

The kids eating popsicles

Shaelyn with her hair in pony tails

The Latest Goings On

2009-02-24T22:33:00.009-05:00

Last Thursday night we had Mom and Dad and Brad & Shelley's family for supper to celebrate Dad's birthday and also Shelley's. Then Friday night we all went down to Mom and Dad's for supper because my cousin Jeff and his wife and kids were at Mom and Dad's for the weekend. Saturday Paxton and I went back to Mom and Dad's to take the kids in the RTV and do some sledding. In the afternoon Jeff, Ashling and the kids came up to our place for a couple of hours. Paxton had fun with their kids. Sunday evening we went up to Jobe and Mamie's with Kevin and Jody and kids. Paxton is off from school this week so I took Monday off to do something fun with him. We all went ice skating(Johanna and Shaelyn were spectators), bowling and then ate at Texas Roadhouse (his favorite place to eat). We also went and watched soccer that evening.

Dad & Shelley

Grampa with the grandkids

Friday night at Mom & Dad's -

Paxton & Shaelyn

Timothy and Paxton playing with Uncle Brad

Paxton and Ava looking for Waldo

Saturday - Benjamin driving the RTV

Ready to go for a ride

Timothy driving the RTV

Benjamin loved the tube

Timothy prefered the swingset

Benjamin loving the snow

Benjamin, Jeff, Ashling and Timothy

Timothy and Paxton

Monday - Ready to go Ice Skating

Off we go...

Taking a break and getting a ride in the chair

This is fun

More skating

Now for some bowling

Daddy's turn

The bowling Champion

Havin' a good time

They had free face painting at Texas Roadhouse