Our Trip {part 1}

 Well...I guess its time to post about our trip! We did so much that it will take two posts to get it all. Hope you enjoy!! (Sorry if it isn't in order. I will be posting some of the things we did last first.) 

So...one of the last things we did was go to a place called 'Devils Gulch' with Ben, Em & Cedric. It was the spot where Jesse James jumped a twenty foot gulch on his horse when a posse was after him. (at least that's what the legend says:)

                             

There was a lot of climbin' so the guys (especially Ben and Caleb) enjoyed it a lot.

                                         

Of course it wouldn't have been half as much fun without this little guy!!

  

                                              

We also visited Falls in Sioux Falls. 

And we visited De Smet. In this picture Esther and JoAnna are driving a pony cart.

Esther...making a jump rope.

JoAnna grinding flour in a coffee grinder. Just like the one Laura Ingalls and her family would have used during the 'Long Winter.'

Playing horseshoes.

On a stagecoach. Looks rather dangerous with who is driving!

Um...How does this thing work?

There was an old church there with a pump organ. Its a lot of work playing that thing!

Can you get us all in the air? Guess not.

We celebrated Esther's ninth birthday with cupcakes! (Who gave her that candy stick?!!

The first day we were there the Hanson's/Hauguard's and Hannah Mustian were there as well. When they left we stayed behind and slept in the bunkhouse. It was super fun.

Siblings are amazing! It was such a blast traveling with some of my siblings. We really missed not having Elizabeth and Matt with us. But since they couldn't get time off they couldn't join us.

JoAnna...in a covered wagon.

Esther washing clothes.

Me (Marie) riding a horse.

We visited the school house and got all 'dressed up'. I can't see out of my bonnet!

Caleb driving a real covered wagon!

Gotta love this picture of Esther! Shes got no legs! (actually shes trying out her new jump rope:)

Nice horse.

Another pic of Esther on a horse!

That's a lot of people in one stagecoach!

Libby and I on a pony cart.

We also visited the Maclary's. JoAnna is holding a goat at their place.

All of us! It was super fun visiting them.

Hi guys! (Back at Ben and Ems)

And back to Devils Gulch. (yep the pic's got mixed up)

                                                                                                   

The best dad in the world!

Climb Cedric, Climb!

And Ben...Just being Ben!  Well...hope you all enjoyed geting a glimpse of what we did on our trip. Check back soon for part 2. (If I get around to blogging it...:)

Father's Day!

Happy Fathers Day to the best Dad in the world!                   We Love you so much Daddy!                      (It seems that our annual picture with Dad has gotten smaller...or is that just my imagination?)

 A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there but a guiding light whose love shows us the way. Dad, you have been an awesome Dad. Thank you for all the work you've put into all us kids lives.  We Love you.

Quick Trip to South Dakota -- May 2016

 In the beginning of May, We headed down to South Dakota to say goodbye to Reuben, as he is entering into the army.  We managed to get one last Family picture with everyone in it! We won't be able to get many more of those for a while.   Thank-you Daniel Hanson  for taking the picture!

We also headed over to the Hanson's and played a game of volleyball. It was super fun!

Matt  had a birthday while we were there. We celebrated with an amazing cake, made by Emily, ice cream and gifts.

 Happy Birthday, Matt! We love you!

One last selfie, (for a while anyways) of all the girls with Reuben

While we were there, Cedric, got a four wheeler. He loved it!!

We had a camp fire on Matt's birthday. It was really good being there with all the family.

John 15:5

I  am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.    

Do all that you do in love and for the glory of God!

This Spring has been quite interesting! The snow has disappeared and reappeared so many times. Close to the the first thaw, Marie was told by Caleb that there might be a neat picture opportunity down at a culvert close to our property...God's ice creation is so beautiful.¹⁶ He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
¹⁷ He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
¹⁸ He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. Psalm 147:16-18

The train tracks have been quite busy with more than just the regular CN trains...Spring repairing of the rails has been in full swing for the last couple weeks.

As you can see, the grass is nice and green and now it has snow on it again:) The little girls(who are growing up so quickly:) took advantage of the warm weather and made a box house out of a mattress box...more than just the girls got in on the fun!

The happy house dweller!

JoAnna's science project...an edible cell.

March 19th Our family hosted the 1st Father Daughter Event for those involved in our local Bright Lights group. We had picture time, a meal,(everyone brought a dish to share), a game, time for fathers and daughters to write love notes to each other, a short devotional, and singing and prayer time!

 

Many thanks to Mom and Mrs. Bailey who helped serve and clean up all those pretty glass plates and real silverware!                  ^{Ephesians 4:2} With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

The whole group.

Matthew will be graduating this year!!!!!! Where has the time gone. It just seems like a little bit ago that Matt was like this and now he is....

...like this!