Mueller Family News

Gifts

2011-12-25T07:27:00.001-06:00

The average person gives and receives many gifts at Christmastime. We all tend to do it for many different reasons: because it's a tradition and that's just how we always do it, to show our love and appreciation for one another, because it's fun....

Here's something to consider though. For every gift that is given, somebody has to be willing to accept it, to receive it.

Chances are, if you're reading this, you have already opened all of the gifts for you...at least so you think. For some of you there is still one more gift waiting for you. It's label reads, "To: ___________ From: God". God says it's for whosoever - that's you! You can put your name in that blank!

The gift is Christ and the salvation He wants to give you. You've broken His law (sinned) and thus God can't let you into His perfect Heaven because He is a just God. However, God loves you so much and wants you to live in Heaven with Him forever so He planned a way for somebody else to be able to pay the price for your sin. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you, paying the price for your sin so that you don't have to...but it's a gift, and a gift does you no good until it is received. Will you leave that gift? Are you unwilling to accept it, to receive that gift - the greatest gift of all?

The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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For those of you who have already accepted the gift of Christ and the salvation He offers, have you taken time to reflect on that recently and to thank Him for it? Are you living in such a way as would please the Giver of that gift, He Who loves you so much?

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Merry Christmas to one and all!

Grandma & Granddad's 59th

2011-11-29T20:41:00.001-06:00

Happy Anniversary to Grandma & Granddad!

They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary tonight!

To do something special for them, a plan was hatched up to give them a nice meal and serve them a quiet (which is significant) table for two by the fire with some soft music playing in the background.

Meet the waiter and waitress!

Lisa was thrilled to get to wear Kimberly's pretty apron.

Don't you think Zachary looks pretty sharp when he dresses up like that?!

Garçon!

It was a festive restaurant.

Zach and Lisa did a pretty good job!

(I don't think there were even any casualties!)

They seemed to find it enjoyable.

Congratulations, Grandma & Granddad, and thank you for your 59 years of faithfulness to each other!

We love you!

2011-11-24T10:40:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Valerie's BIG News!

2011-11-08T20:31:00.001-06:00

Announcing the engagement of our daughter/sister,

Valerie, to Adam Waller!

The Happy Couple

The Precious Stone

(on an even more precious person's finger ;-) )

The big event was Saturday afternoon, November 5th, 2011.

They are tentatively planning a March 2012 wedding.

For those of you who like more details....

Since I (Heidi) am the one posting, I decided to give you a historical account from my own perspective as a sibling of one of the main characters. :-) I'll let Adam & Valerie share more of the background and how they saw God's hand so clearly bringing them together as they post their story on Adam's family's website in days to come. (You can click on the Adam & Valerie category on the side of the home page.)

August 29th, 2011
"Mom & Dad" took Valerie out to dinner "to encourage her". We believed it as we knew there was reason for her to need encouraging. Well, they returned home rather late, but many of us were still up. Valerie came and told us all about it, happily surprising all of us. They had gone out for dinner and putt-putt golfing with Adam Waller, who was interested in beginning a courtship relationship with Valerie. ADAM WALLER! We could hardly believe it! He was such a Godly man and we all highly respected him, but it had never crossed my mind that he was a possibility! (Well, he was. ;-) )

Well, she also revealed that she had known about it for several days without us getting a hint. Dad had told her the Thursday beforehand, so she kept it a secret for the good part of a week. We were clueless! Adam had called and talked with Dad for the first time on August 18th.

September 3rd, 2011
Adam & Valerie and Mom & Dad went to Cantigny (a neat place not too far away with a museum, an old mansion to tour, and beautiful gardens, particularly beautiful rose gardens; the place where Jared and Becca got engaged) and walked and talked for hours. :-)

"You can stand right here like this. How's that sound?"

"Sure I can smile when she/he is by my side!" ;-)

"I've never enjoyed talking to a girl/guy this much!" ;-)

Chaperoning is such a strenuous task. :-)

September 10th, 2011
Heidi, David, and HollyBeth took a nice bike ride of 48.4 miles with our cousin Rob. When we returned home we were updated on what had occurred during our absence.

Adam had arrived with flowers, a picture of them together, and a handwritten letter asking Valerie if he could enter into a courtship relationship with her with the intention of marriage as God continues to lead. She responded that she would be delighted.

Thus began their official courtship.

Well, Adam came and went a lot, the advantages of having him in town.

Adam was very sweet to make a special point to spend time with all of the family and get to know each one. He even learned and played Broomball (a game thoroughly enjoyed by little Muellers) with the younger ones.

All decked out and watching to see how it was done

Adam's got the ball!

There were many games of Ping-Pong as a family.

We played several games of Croquet (Poison Ball, to be specific) on the weekends, before it started getting really chilly.

"Who should I go after?"

"Yeah...I think I'll go poison them...."

There were many, many conversations... (Would you believe it?! ;-) )

...Many were in these chairs in the parlour.

Some were outside.

When he speaks, she gives him her full attention.

(This is a good thing, particularly when trying

to build a lifelong relationship.)

He likewise gives his full attention when she speaks.
(Sorry it's blurry. That particular photographer only takes
single - no pun intended - shots, so I didn't have multiple
options to choose from.)

As I've stated before, we feel that a wonderful way to get to

know a person is to do the dishes together. Of course, those who

were scheduled to do the dishes that night didn't mind it one bit! ;-)

He plays the accordian and we had some good times

playing all our instruments together.

He was even kind enough to let us (all who were interested,

that is) try it and show us how it works.

They went out to dinner with these love-birds

who were even holding hands!

"This is so much fun!"

"I think you're pretty special."

October 10th, 2011
It had been a month since they'd started courting. Valerie had that very much on her mind. I kept trying to get her to remember that it was Canadian Thanksgiving, but all she could remember was that it was their one-month anniversary of courting.

It came time for dinner and I asked how many place settings were needed, if we were expecting any extras. Valerie was cooking and responded that she didn't think so. I continued setting the table and shortly turned around to see Adam standing in the entrance of the kitchen saying (to Valerie, of course, as she was standing across the kitchen), "Happy One-Month Anniversary!" and holding a bouquet of flowers. Valerie was very surprised...even still hours later she couldn't seem to get over it. She really didn't think he'd show up that night as he had already made acknowledgements by others means of the specialness of the day. (She hadn't even done her hair! - to which Julie gave these words of wisdom, "When your fella is in town you should always do your hair...just in case.") I quickly volunteered to set another place at the table - thought he might appreciate getting some dinner.

Very pleased, but very surprised

October 16-19th, 2011
There were several conversations over these few days between Valerie's siblings and Adam. The weekend prior he had picked out and purchased the diamond and it was being sent to a place to get set. Plans for the proposal were being discussed, including talking about some of her tastes and when and where would be best. He felt like he had a good idea as to how he was going to do it, so he didn't really talk to us much about that, but he was interested in some input otherwise.

We kept in touch.

Have you seen this couple before?

October 27th, 2011
Adam picked up the ring.

We had given our input for him to consider, but he hadn't really revealed what he had decided on. When is he going to do it? Will he tell us beforehand? Or does he want it to be a complete surprise to all? Well, in continued conversations he explained that he really would like the day to be a surprise to Valerie, but he wanted her to have a little bit of an idea that it was coming so he wouldn't surprise her so badly that she couldn't fully enjoy it.

Adam, the oldest of ten himself, enjoyed getting to know his

niece-to-be, Savannah, while we all visited the Barta Bunch.

(Sorry it's so dark)

November 4th, 2011
Mom pulled Heidi, Kimberly, David, and HollyBeth aside and told us that Saturday was going to be the big day. (At least some of us had kind of picked up on that...but it was nice to have it confirmed. Adam was very considerate to keep us all clued in a bit.)

I e-mailed Adam to let him know that I was praying for the events of the next day and that they'd both get a good night's rest so they would be able to enjoy it to the fullest. In his response he asked me to help encourage her to eat a good breakfast since lunch would be rather late (but she didn't know that yet). I replied that I would get up and make crepes (a favorite from our time in Canada) as an attempt to tempt her appetite without having to find the right words to get her to eat without arousing suspicion. He thought that was a good idea.

November 5th, 2011

I had a hard time getting up, but I did because I reminded myself of what I'd told Adam. (I had a hard time sleeping....I guess I was too concerned that Valerie got a good night's sleep.)

The crepes turned out to be as delicious as ever (if I may say so myself)! (Sorry - There are no pictures of them.)

That was the l-o-n-g-e-s-t morning! I thought Adam would n-e-v-e-r show up, but I knew he wasn't supposed to arrive before 1:30 or so! I was doing everything I could to keep from pacing. I felt like I was avoiding Valerie like crazy...but she was oblivious.

Finally, Adam arrived, bringing a purple (Valerie's favorite color) rose. I just kept busy and engrossed in my music. Before long, Mom & Dad and Adam & Valerie left to go out for their late lunch. Everything was gladly put aside and we got to work on a few celebratory preparations. Zachary and Lisa were told what was happening - loud were their exclamations!

(At The Resturant)

Preparations are nearly complete. Dad texts that they are eating v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.
Come on! The restaurant is only five minutes away! Surely it doesn't take that long to enjoy even a nice dinner!

(back at the resturant - A Gift to Open)

(At Home)
Surprise! Joe & Mary Jane with two of her sisters, Kate & Emma, arrived unannounced for the special day. (Mom had clued them in.)

Kate Emma

W-a-i-t-i-n-g....

(back at the resturant again)

Adam had prepared a nice long letter for Valerie.

Here he waits and watches while she reads.

The letter ended with a written proposal of marriage.

When she looked up, he was down on one knee and asking her in person.

Text: "The ring is on her finger."

Hooray!

I Love You!

Thank You, Heavenly Father!

You're So Wonderful!

"Smile for a picture!"

(like you have to ask for it)

Now that's some letter!

It didn't take long then for them to come back home where they were surrounded by congratulations and everybody who was here.

A Hug From Big Little Brother

The Roses

Text (after text, after text, after text...): "Congratulations!"

Some time with Joe (& Mary Jane)

"Well, what about me?"

After a little bit, ice cream was brought inside and Adam, standing beside Valerie with ice cream scoop in hand, announced, "My fiancée and I would be delighted to serve you all some ice cream!" (His delight in being able to use the term fiancée being quite obvious.) We were glad to oblige. :-)

Dinner was a family favorite - Chicken Goop (otherwise known as Curly Noodle Chicken Casserole). Two of Adam's brothers, Derrick & David, were able to join us shortly before dinner.

The table is prepared.

A fire is started in the fireplace,

giving a nice warm atmosphere.

Derrick David

Dessert was a wonderful cake that Kimberly made and a rich brownie pie made by HollyBeth.

I'm not entirely sure which shone brighter that evening - the beautiful ring on Valerie's finger, or the countenances of the new fiancé(e)s! :-) They are truly a very happy couple!

May God bless their relationship now and as the years go by. May it be ever growing richer and deeper, and may He bless them as they make their plans for their wedding in the early months of 2012.

Please keep them in your prayers!

I'll end with the letter (which some of you may have already seen) that Valerie sent out. She entitled it, "A Glimpse of God's Love for Me".

Dear Friends and Family,

Many of you have already heard but some have not and those who have heard have been patiently awaiting this e-mail with more details and pictures. Thank you for your patience with me! It has been a full couple of days but absolutely wonderful. :-)

"Heard what?" you say? I suppose I should start with that detail. :-P On Saturday afternoon, November 5th, Adam Waller officially asked me to be his wife and I very delightedly answered, "Yes!" :-) Attached to this e-mail, you should find two pictures - one of the two of us just minutes after he proposed (Dad and Mom were nearby taking pictures for us) and a close-up of the beautiful ring Adam gave me. I am just in awe of the love of my God for me in giving me such a sweet treasure in Adam! :-)

For those of you who would like a few more details, here's the story in a nutshell. :-)

Adam asked if he could take me (and Dad and Mom) out to a late lunch on Saturday which I thought was a great idea. He had chosen a restaurant near us called Stonefire and they had gone all out assisting him in making the day really special for me...for both of us really. It was during their quiet hours when they usually have their main dining room closed and just use one of the smaller ones so they allowed us to have the whole main dining room all to ourselves, they turned on the fire in the fireplace just for us, and they even changed the music to some very quiet classical music. They really bent over backwards in everything. The assistant manager personally waited on us and gave us just the perfect blend of service and privacy. She was great!

Adam had gone over earlier to prepare some things before he came to the house to get me so, when we walked in, I saw before me this quiet table set and waiting for us before the fireplace and another close by it with a bouquet of beautiful red roses, a gift bag, Adam's camera, and his Bible sitting on it. I was instantly overwhelmed and literally couldn't find any words besides "Wow." to express what I was feeling for several minutes. My God is so good and my Adam knows me so well! :-)

We ordered our lunch and kind of picked at our food (neither of us was especially hungry at this point) while we talked and particularly while Adam recounted how the Lord had been directing him to me over the last seven years or so. What an incredible story of God's love and direction for each of us! What a precious time we had just sharing of what the Lord has been doing in our lives to bring us together.

We finally decided to clear our dishes off the table to another one nearby and Adam pulled out his Bible and read to me from Psalm 27, a passage that has become very precious to both of us these past several months. He then brought the flowers over to our table and gave me the gift bag to open. Inside, I found a beautifully written letter just for me (he knows how much I love to get hand-written letters) with a written proposal and looked up from it to find him on bended knee, officially asking me to be his wife. Without any hesitation at all, I gladly answered, "Yes! I'd be delighted to be your wife!" and he presented me with a beautiful ring, explaining to me the significance of the crown design he had chosen just for me.

We spent a few minutes in grateful prayer to our wonderful, loving Heavenly Father and then Dad and Mom came over to congratulate us and take some official, posed pictures (in addition to the candid ones they had been taking for some time already). It was a wonderful afternoon! The weather outside was even gorgeous...especially for November in Chicago. :-)

When we got home, we were delighted to find that Joe and Mary Jane, as well as a couple of her sisters, had surprised us and come down to celebrate with us for the evening. Two of Adam's brothers were also able to come join us for a special dinner together at home as a family. I am just overwhelmed by the goodness and love of my God and for His wonderful gift to me in giving me Adam to be my husband. :-)

While plans are still in the early stages, we are checking calendars and tentatively planning for a March wedding. We will be sure to let you know once the date is confirmed. Oh, and keep an eye on both the Mueller family blog (www.muellermice.blogspot.com) and the Waller family website (www.visionserve.org) for announcement posts later this week. Who knows what additional details and/or pictures may be included therein?! :-)

Thank you so much to all of you for your part in our story by praying for me and encouraging me over the years. God has abundantly answered your prayers beyond anything I could have ever asked or thought! He is trustworthy and deserves all the glory and praise for it has been HIS work in our lives. Glory to His name! :-)

Joyfully in His service,
Valerie & Adam :-) :-)

33rd Anniversary!

2011-09-23T15:23:00.003-05:00

Dad and Mom are celebrating their 33rd Wedding Anniversary today!

Happy Anniversary, Dad and Mom! We love you, and we thank the Lord for you!

Sweet Savannah

2011-09-20T16:23:00.009-05:00

Isn't she precious? Such a little bundle of joy!

Happy 30th Birthday, Valerie!

2011-09-17T16:11:00.002-05:00

Becca and the kiddos were able to be here for this special occasion. We so enjoyed having them!

Many people sent Valerie birthday notes. She really enjoyed and appreciated them!

Willie helped Aunt Val blow out the candles!

Happy Birthday, Valerie! We love you and look forward to seeing what the Lord has for you!

Happy Birthday to Dad!

2011-09-15T16:04:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you!

(By the way, he had Sara Lee Banana cake... the best kind ever!)

BIG NEWS!

2011-08-17T22:42:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since we've posted, but it's time to give Joe some more attention.

Most of you always want lots of pictures, so I'm going to start with the version of few pictures and reasonably concise story for those who are in a hurry. Then, further down in the post, I'll put lots of pictures and details for those who are interested in such things. :-) Does that work? Great!

Here goes!

Last night (Tuesday, the 16th), our brother, Joe, got down on one knee and asked a young lady to be his wife. The young lady's name is Mary Jane Stoll...and she said "Yes". :-)

Congratulations, Joe and Mary Jane!

Mary Jane is a very sweet young lady. We have really enjoyed getting to know her a little bit over the last few months, and look forward to getting to know her even more as the days go by. We love to spend time with her family too - it's such sweet fellowship - and that's a wonderful thing as well.

It was really sweet that Joe wanted both families to be there. We got to help set up "the spot", then waited out of sight and earshot until he was ready to surprise her with our presence, and then we were right there. It was a very, very special time together for our families.

Afterward, we went back to their house for some great food and more wonderful fellowship...and watching the video that was set up on them (at Joe's direction). It was all very sweet and special.

Following is an excerpt from Mom's version of the announcement that gives a slightly different perspective and a little bit more detail about Mary Jane.

Joe & the Stolls were so kind to invite us to share in this special occasion. We went a bit early to a beautiful botanical garden where Nick (Mary Jane's second brother) was to set things up to be all ready for the big moment. Joe had given specific instructions. Then we hid out behind the bushes nearby to give them time alone together. When it was all settled, we came out to surprise Mary Jane and give our congratulations all around. Both families are very close knit, so this was such a treat for all of us! Afterwards we had a little celebration at the Stoll's house. How fun!

Mary Jane is one of six children. She has two older brothers (eldest is married), and three younger sisters. Mary Jane plays viola & got her degree in Bible & Secondary Education (I believe). She had surrendered some time ago to full-time missions, but wasn't sure exactly which field God would call her to. Now she is delighted to know she will be the wife of an international evangelist. God has prepared her well to be a perfect helpmeet for Joe. We are excited that God has brought them together.

Oh, yes - a picture of the ring. The post would be incomplete without a picture of the ring. :-)

I don't think we came up with a very good picture of it actually on her finger (the sun was setting and the lighting hard to work with), but here are a couple of the ring itself.

(Some - but not all - of the pictures should show an enlarged version if you click on them.)

OK - Here comes the long, picture-full version. :-)

Meet Mary Jane!

Here are some pictures from relatively early on in the courtship.

The Stoll girls stayed at our house over the 4th of July weekend. Just one little tidbit about their family - the girls all play stringed instruments and Mary Jane is a violist. :-)

Joe had been traveling a lot this summer, but happened to be able to stop by for a little while. It is very hard to surprise Mary Jane, but Joe was successful that time. :-)

Mary Jane's response when Joe appeared.

"So how long will you be able to stay?"

"Well, actually, I don't have to be back until late afternoon...tomorrow."

(Do you think she liked to hear that? :-) )

We always said that one of the best ways to get to know a person is to spend some time doing the dishes together. Many of us very politely vacated the kitchen so they could have some special time getting to know each other better. :-)

At the fireworks

"I have to go back now...." (long goodbye)

-----------------------------

THE DAY!

------------------------------

We met up with the Stoll children at the garden and assisted a little bit in setting up "the spot" while Joe, Mary Jane, and Mr. and Mrs. Stoll were out for dinner.

Arriving...

Isn't this so exciting?! :-)

Checking out the gardens during the time of waiting

Some of the roses were just gorgeous!

I know you wanted to see the pictures of the roses!

Setting up "the spot" - Nick, one of her brothers, was the one in charge of making sure everything was exactly how Joe wanted it...no pressure. :-)

Setting up the camera (at Joe's request), but trying to put it in a place that could record them and yet not be noticed by the observant Mary Jane.

Trying to hide the blinking red light. Mom provided a band-aid and a black permanent marker. Nick colored a portion of the band-aid.

Dad provided scissors with which to cut off the colored portion.

Nick applied the band-aid to the camera.

"Are you sure they won't see it?" "Which direction will they come from?" "When do you think they'll get here?" "Hadn't we better be finding our hiding place?"

Plain, simple, and pretty - isn't it?

"See 'em yet?"

We know they're in the gardens somewhere, but have they made it to "the spot" yet?

Hiding out and waiting...for a very long time :-)

Nobody is nosy or anything.... :-)

Could't see Joe and Mary Jane, just Mr. and Mrs. Stoll as they stood nearby and took pictures for Joe.

Mary Jane's sister, Kate, trying to see...

After Joe proposed, Mrs. Stoll gave us the cue that we could come out of hiding. We stood there quietly waiting to surprise Mary Jane after they finished praying.

I know it's really blurry...but I kind of like that effect every once in a while.

We're all waiting, (not exactly out of sight any more, but since they're looking at each other, we were just about as good as being out of sight)...yet to be revealed.

"We have an audience."

I believe she expected her siblings to be there, but she was pleasantly surprised to see our family.

...and happy. :-)

Zachary shouted out the very first "Congratulations".

Very quickly surrounded

The camera must have been on a weird setting 'cause it wasn't nearly that dark yet, but it's kind of cool how the ring glows.

Then we went back to the Stoll's home and had a very nice time with the cell phones going crazy receiving one texted "Congratulations" after another as Joe, Mary Jane, and all the family members shared the great news.

Yep, she still looks happy. :-)

Food and Fellowship

Joe is really good to give all his siblings attention too.
Here are a few photographs - not everybody got caught by the camera.

Joe & HB

Kim & Joe & Heidi

Kim & Joe & Julie

(in the background)

Picture attempt at the ring on the hand

Happy girl :-)

Ring and Red Roses

Mary Jane, Emma, Annie, Nick, and Kate

We thought it quite funny that the dads had accidentally worn matching shirts. :-)

After that, we came home and went to sleep...that is, after some of us e-mailed a few people with the news. :-)

Congratulations, Joe!

2011-05-18T19:03:00.003-05:00

Joe graduated from Baptist College of Ministry with a Bachelor's degree in Bible on Sunday! We are so proud of him!

He gave one of the speeches during the ceremony.
Officially a Graduate!
Enjoying his sweet niece. :)
Congratulations, Joe! We love you!

Birthday Today, Celebration on Friday

2011-03-01T15:50:00.001-06:00

Happy 15th Birthday to David!

More should come later...after the celebration on Friday.

A Couple More Pictures

2011-02-17T07:15:00.000-06:00

Here are just a couple (a literal couple) more really cute pictures of Savannah that Valerie sent me a few days ago.

See Jared and Becca's blog for her one week, studio pictures.

Introducing...

2011-02-10T14:54:00.000-06:00

Savannah Rose Barta!

Weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long, Savannah arrived at 7:00 P.M. on February 9, 2011.

Both Becca and Savannah are doing well, and we got to go over and see them last night, each getting a quick turn to hold our new little niece. :-)

Now, can a proud aunt post too many pictures of her first niece?! Hopefully not, because here comes quite the flood of them! :-)

We liked the note they had on the board.

This is what we found upon our arrival at the hospital.

Savannah Rose Barta

Now you can watch us all adore our little sister/niece/granddaughter. :-)

Conner meets his little sister.

Nobody wants to see her...really! :-)

Aunt Val takes her turn

Aunt Lisa's turn

Uncle Zach's turn

Aunt Bethy's turn

Uncle David's turn

Aunt "Mimmery's" turn

You can tell she was upset to have an opportunity to hold her. :-)

Aunt "Hy-Vee's" turn

I always forget how tiny newborns are!

Look! She opened her eyes!

Nana "Moo-er's" turn

Papa "Moo-er's" turn

Nana Barta's turn

Papa Barta did get a turn too, we just don't seem to have a picture.

The many faces of Savannah Rose

There's nothing quite like babies' feet. :-)

The boys check on Mommy and cuddle with her.

Willie didn't like Mommy being in the hospital bed, but he cuddled nicely with her for quite a while.

Conner enjoyed looking at some of the books in between watching his little sister and giving her kisses.

Unfortunately, we don't seem to have gotten any pictures of the boys giving baby sister kisses (though I think Jared did), but it was very, very sweet.

The following pictures are from today when Nana and Papa Mueller took Savannah's brothers over to see her again before nap time came around.

Look at that! We knew Becca wouldn't take very long to get stuff into her hair!

Willie and Conner got to hold little Savannah today when they were there with just Nana and Papa Mueller and there was much less commotion. Sorry, we don't have any pictures. They didn't exactly hold on to her long enough for Nana to snap them.

She looks quite pensive here.

Willie gets some Mommy time .

Conner gets some Mommy time too.

Look! Daddy gets to hold her too! :-)

I believe I can honestly say that I have done my very best to introduce my niece to all of you. Wasn't it a pleasure to make her acquaintance? :-)

Dogsitting Fun

2011-01-10T15:50:00.000-06:00

Our neighbor down the street asked us to watch her dogs for her while she was gone from Tuesday the 21st through part of Friday the 24th of December. Zachary, with a little help and oversight from Heidi, was quite thrilled at the opportunity.

Following is the result of a collaborative effort between Zachary and Heidi to share with you just a little bit of the fun they had.

Introducing Mac

"It's cold out here!"

Zach and Mac

"We're making faces at each other."

Introducing Jack

"What do you think you're doing taking pictures of me?!"

Zach and Mac

"Nurse, I could use a little more help!"

(No, Zach was not operating. Mac was allowing him to rub his belly.)

Jack and Mac

"Tag - You're it!"

(These boys like to ruff-house, just like any others.)

[Yes, "ruff-house" was an intentional misspelling.]

Jack

"Me again?!"

Zach with Mac again

"Awww, he cares about me!"

Mac

"Oh, is it my turn?"

Zach, Jack, Mac

"Get Zach!"

Zach and Mac

Dogs ~ boys' best friends

Zach - as if you couldn't tell :-)

"Heidi thought I looked a bit engrossed in the dogs."

Mac and Jack...or is it Jack and Mac???

"Do you know which is which? "

Dogs and Zach

"Oh, oh, a treat!!!!!!!!"

Thus, Mac, Jack, and Zach looked forward to spending a little while together every day and had a rather enjoyable time of it.

Birthday Catch-Up

2011-01-08T13:33:00.000-06:00

Sorry folks, I ought to have been much, much, and significantly better about this.

Here are the ones that have occurred since the last birthday post.

Daddy's birthday was September 15th.

Valerie's birthday was September 17th.

Kimberly's birthday was October 26th.

Jared's golden birthday was October 28th.

I covered Lisa's on December 7th.

Rebecca's birthday was December 17th.

I'm sorry there are no pictures in this post, but that would delay the already wwwaaayyy toooooo long-ly procrastinated post all the more.

Can I start the new year with a clean record?

Happy Birthday to Lisa!

2010-12-07T12:44:00.001-06:00

Lisa is 8 years old today!

Please feel free to comment with birthday greetings to this special birthday girl. She would be delighted to hear from you.

We'll be celebrating this evening with a meal of her choice, followed by a dessert of her choice, after which we will retire to the family room and delight in observing the pleasure she displays as she opens her cards and gifts.

P.S. I know I missed several birthdays. After Lisa's birthday and celebration is over, I do have a post prepared to recognize the birthdays I have missed. I just don't want to detract from her special day.

Quote of the Day

2010-12-07T12:44:00.000-06:00

Mom tries to encourage us to serve one another with a good attitude.  At lunch time today, the following dialogue took place when one child was asked to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a sibling and was not super excited about having this wonderful opportunity to serve.

Mom: How would you respond if Jesus asked you to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Him?

Child: You want a peanut butter and jelly?!

:-)

A Golden Sunset

2010-10-22T21:06:00.005-05:00

Remember a picture speaks 1,000 words.... :)

Bisson Visit

2010-10-19T17:40:00.000-05:00

It finally worked out for three-quarters of the Bisson Family to make a trip out to our place and spend a few days! We've been looking for an opportunity like this for years! We had a delightful time, though we felt it far too short. However, as we were having such a wonderful time, we didn't get a whole lot of pictures. Thus you'll just have to be satisfied with those I can supply.

They were able to arrive on Thursday afternoon, and stayed until Monday morning. The weekend was mostly spent chatting and playing games together, but there were a few slightly more organized things we did on Saturday.

The morning found us heading to Cantigny, which involved observing the fall foliage, touring the Robert R. McCormick Mansion, enjoying a picnic lunch, going through the First Division Museum, and climbing on the tanks at a few different times throughout the day.

I pause now to supply a number of photographs.

The day "began" beautifully. It was slightly brisk, but not freezing cold - exactly how a nice fall day should be.

Our national flag - May it remind us to pray for our country, and for those who are fighting for our freedom.

Despite the turning of the seasons, there were still many beautiful roses to behold. Notice the backdrop in this picture is a clear blue sky - it was a very nice day.

Another rose picture

One more gorgeous rose

There were other pretty flowers about too. (I'm just partial to the roses.)

These three pictures were so pretty that I couldn't decide which one I liked best and should post. Thus, I have decided to post all of them and you may vote on which one is best, if you so desire.

The colors in this photo aren't very sharp, but it is still pleasant to the eye.

Revisiting the site where Jared Barta proposed to my sister Becca over 4 years ago. (She said "Yes", by the way, in case any of our followers have missed that significant piece of Mueller family history.) The gazebo, we observed, has been replaced. The colors in this picture are much sharper.

They are in this one too. Lisa observes the foliage.

Zachary decides to rest his little legs.

Sarah was kind enough to smile upon the photographer's request.

Yes, I am aware that David's hat takes away from the beauty of the picture, but it really doesn't do justice to the pretty trees showing off their turning leaves anyway.

The staircase into the mansion.

Climbing on the tanks is a favorite must-do at Cantigny.

Spectators! :-)

Gabriel looks down the barrel of a gun. I wonder what he was hoping to find?

Stranger yet, now he is reaching down the barrel of a gun. If you reach in far enough, can your arm get stuck?

Everybody pose on the tank for a picture! (Well, everybody who was climbing on it.)

Here are half of the girls. The other half didn't pose.

We stopped at this little old place in Wheaten for some sugary sweet treats and popcorn on the way home.

It's just an alley that's had a roof put over it and been turned into a little shop with popcorn and "penny" candy. This picture gives a better idea of its size. Yes, that's as wide as it is all the way back.

In the late afternoon/early evening on Saturday, there was a good group coaxed outside to play baseball. Many were grateful that there was only time for one inning for each team before dinner was ready. :-)

After dinner, part of the group enjoyed some time playing round robin ping pong.

Sunday, after the evening service, we decided to stay up a while, relax, and have some game time on our final evening together.

Mom said, "Look up and smile!" Click

How often do you walk into a room and find three four-person games going on at once...and find that all the players are members of only two different families? (Yes, the math brings that to 12 people. The 13th one you can count in the picture is because one of the "players" was actually a team.)

Another game in the next room over. These players look very focused.

An exciting game of Imaginiff...especially when it is well past bedtime for all of us. :-)

Proof that the Bissons were at the Mueller house. :-)

I guess I could introduce them for you.

Kendra, Kathleen, Mrs. Jean, Christina, Gabriel,

Serena, Sarah,

Hannah, and Lydia Bisson

Proof that the Mueller family was home when the Bisson family stopped by. :-)

I failed to mention that we had lots of fun on Friday night with everybody playing Pictionary. Please forgive this comment for being misplaced chronologically.

Bissons, you're welcome back any time you can make it! We enjoyed the time together so much and look forward to another opportunity.

P.S. That's the best I've done in a very long time with getting around to posting something while it's still "news". Aren't you proud of me? :-)

A Story That Might Put You In Stitches

2010-09-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

As the author of this post, I have the right to grant to permission to laugh at me, should you have any desire to do so. I do not, however, possess the right to give you permission to laugh at the other individuals included in this "article". If you have their contact information, you may feel free to contact them and ask their permission to laugh at them, which you may then feel free to do as soon as you receive their permission in writing. If you do not have their contact information, then you just might have to hold your laughter.

As those at home (I'm in Iowa) haven't yet gotten around to posting the birthdays that have occured in the last few days (not trying to apply pressure, just stating the facts), I thought I'd entertain you with a story from last night while you, our patient readers, wait.

It was nearly ten o'clock, but it felt later than that. The boys had been put down just a few minutes before. I was getting tired, but not quite ready to go to bed yet.

Well, what was I going to do? I didn't have the energy to do anything active. The brain was in the process of slowly making its way to sleep mode, so it couldn't be too mentally challenging either. What's left?! Then it hit me..."I feel like working on my cross-stitching." That's exactly what I did.

That's not very humorous yet, is it? Well, it does get more interesting...at least in my opinion.

So I've been sitting in the living room recliner (an extremely comfy chair, by the way), and working on my cross-stitching for probably about twenty minutes.

Becca and Jared have been in the kitchen, in the living room, measuring things in other rooms, coming back, sitting, talking...whatever, for the last, I don't know, fifteen minutes.

All of the sudden I look up and see Becca just staring at me...like I was totally out of my mind! I'm thinking, "OK, What is so strange that she's looking at me like that?" She says, with great concern in her voice, "Jared, I think we had better get her back home as soon as possible. There is definately something wrong with her. I think we must have driven her crazy."

I am bursting with laughter by now. I hadn't realized that she didn't know I enjoyed cross-stitching from time to time.

I had to reassure her that I really was quite all right. I had even brought it along for the trip in case I ever felt like it. I told her that I had actually received a couple cross-stitching sets for Christmas last year...at my own request. I finished one last spring that I had kept for years and just hadn't gotten around to doing it yet. I explained all this and more. It took quite a while to convince her that indeed I was still sane.

She did, however, have good reason to be suprised. For one thing, I don't necessarily naturally gravitate toward things of that sort. I also don't cross-stitch very often, and only really started in recent years, since she got married and moved to Iowa.

Other miscellaneous facts are that I don't have any reason to claim to be any good at it (this is only my second one ever), and that I am extremely slow (but who's suprised at that? It's not like it's the first category in which I'd be classified as slow... :-) ).

Now you've received some entertainment for the day. Hopefully you managed to enjoy it in one way or another.

I should almost be including a picture of before and after last night's work...but I'm not, so you'll just have to do without...and forgive me for it. Thanks! :-)

Let Me Add My Voice

2010-09-11T18:34:00.003-05:00

It is September the 11th. Nine years ago our nation was attacked. I remember that day relatively well. There are bad memories: those of the attacks themselves, not knowing what might happen next, watching the news and seeing the physical pain and death, seeing the pain of those whose loved ones were killed, and the fear of those who didn't know whether their loved ones were dead or alive.... There are bad memories indeed, but there are also some other priceless memories. I remember seeing policemen, firemen, paramedics, military servicemen, other emergency crews, and volunteers doing everything they possibly could. There were so many who wanted to help somehow, but couldn't, or didn't know how. Everybody was working together, checking up on their friends and families, hugging and comforting people they had never even met. Many who had been unwilling to acknowledge God, now turned to Him for help. The nation was brought together through this crisis, and many re-focused their attention on God.

I want to join in with many others who are taking advantage of the memories associated with today (and the patriotism those memories revive), and express my gratitude in some very small way to all those who sacrificed at that time, at other times in the past, and to those who are making daily sacrifices that I may live without fear and experience the freedom for which so many have fought and died to protect.

This is a general statement, yes, and I mean it whether or not I know you, however, I do have an ever-growing number of friends and family members of whom I am specifically thinking as I write the following note of thanks.

To all those in the military and other vocations of service to the United States of America (whether your service is past or current), and to all the loved ones of those in such service,

Thank you for your sacrifice.

My daily life and freedoms are influenced by the sacrifices you make continually for your country, and I can never be grateful enough.

May God bless each and every one of you for your willingness to serve, and may He protect you as you sacrifice all to keep your country safe and ensure its freedom .

God has used you to bless America!

Thank You!

Another Interruption....

2010-07-19T12:15:00.002-05:00

COME!

Please consider coming to the Sforzando String Camp concerts next week. They are all entirely free and we will be there too! In fact, on Wednesday and on Friday, there will be many of us Muellers playing a part in the concerts. We would be delighted if you showed up! :-)

~ Faculty Recital - July 26 - 6:00 P.M.
Free Picnic on the grounds at 5:00 P.M.
Come meet the instructors and hear them play.

~ Church Service - July 28 - 7:15 P.M.
There will be extra music provided by the camp as well as the special piece that all the campers will play at once, wrapping all the way around the auditorium, including standing at the end of your pew.

~ Morning Recital - July 30 - 10:45 A.M.
Advanced chamber groups, harps, and the Pre-Twinkles will all be performing.

~ FINAL CONCERT - July 30 - 7:00 P.M.
Don't miss this last opportunity to listen to this year's Sforzando String Campers perform! This concert will include pieces by the Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced orchestras, as well as the newly added Twinkles group!

Here is a link to the official flyer.

If you need directions or have any other questions, please let us know.

We hope to see you there! :-)

Missions Trip - Tuesday

2010-07-08T10:01:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, we started with work projects again, then went to Bible school the same as we did on Monday.

The guys working outside.

The girls worked on bulletin boards today. Niki and Stephanie did this board.

Heidi and Kimberly started working on this board today. It was huge! The biggest bulletin board any of us had ever seen (and some of us have seen quite a few).

After Niki and Stephanie finished theirs, they came and helped us.

Bible Club

Bible story!

Missionary story!

Nate, a boy from the church out there who came with us to help. He made a really neat wheel out of some of the empty matchboxes from the matchstick cross craft.

A very sweet little girl.

Craft time!

Game time!

Jacob, one of Nate's brothers who also came along.

Missions Trip - Monday

2010-07-07T23:00:00.000-05:00

Monday started out with the girls working inside the church and the guys working outside. It was very warm outside! We were very thankful for air conditioning! Then after lunch Pastor Stringer (the missionary we were working with) took us up to Kitt Peak, which has the largest solar telescope in the world. In the afternoon we headed out to the Indian Reservation (about 50 miles away) for the first night of Bible Club, which consisted of a Bible story taught by two of the guys, a craft that was selected and prepared by one of the girls, a missionary story told by two of the the girls, and a game, selected and run by one of the guys...tonight's game was waterballoons! The kids loved it all! They also seemed to really be paying attention to what we were saying (except for one little boy who fell asleep during the first five minutes). :)

On the way to Kitt's Peak.

Stephanie

Enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Stephen climbed way up on these rocks!

He was able to get us some really nice pictures from up there!

We saw this symbol all over Arizona. This is the Man in the Maze.

The whole base of the telescope building was covered in ladybugs! It was incredible!

The different lookouts.

The largest solar telescope in the world!

Little Alyssa Estep - so precious!

The whole group.

Missions Trip - Sunday

2010-07-07T20:50:00.000-05:00

On Sunday we did both services. The church had a potluck in between them. It was very good fellowship, helped us to get to know everyone, and the food was delicious!

There was a guy's group, a girl's group, a trumpet quartet, a piano solo, a piano duet, a vocal solo, and two choir songs. These were split between the two services. Pastor Estep preached for both services as well.

The first lizard!

(He's hiding under the edge of the door.)

We Interrupt This Update With A Newsflash...

2010-07-05T09:27:00.000-05:00

Our sister, Julie, has now reached the wonderful milestone of being

1/4 of 100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Now that's a lot of exclamation points!)

Here are a couple pictures of her.

Don't you just love this picture?!

Her expression is just sooooo bright!

...And here's a slightly more current one too. :-)

Happy Birthday, Julie! We hope it is a very special one! We love you!

P.S. Hey, Sis! I managed to do a whole birthday post for you and never tell them which birthday it is! ...Oh...well...yeah...I guess they really could do the math and figure it out....... Oh well - you're not that old! :-p

Missions Trip - Saturday

2010-06-14T17:42:00.013-05:00

Hello all! We had a wonderful time and were able to be a blessing to the people in Arizona as well as being blessed by them. We will be giving each day as a separate post, so watch for them... they really are coming! Here is the first one - the day we left humid Chicago for nice, dry Arizona! The temperature was actually hotter in AZ but it felt ever so much cooler! It was delightful!

The Team

At Midway
We flew SouthWest

Many, many pictures were taken during the trip... a couple thousand between all of us!

The sky was beautiful! Some of the time it looked like water!

Arizona is beautiful!

Please Be Praying For Heidi and Kimberly

2010-06-04T11:01:00.001-05:00

...as we join a mission team heading down to Tucson, Arizona.

We'll be meeting at church at 1:15 P.M. before heading off to the airport and flying down to Tucson. The plan is to do special music and such for the Sunday services, run a Vacation Bible School in the late afternoons, and do some other manual labor projects for the ministry down there.

Thanks for joining us and holding us up in prayer! May God do some great things on this trip, both in the hearts of all of the team members, and through the team as we serve!

We will do our best to be sure a report is given within a reasonable time after our return. :-)

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T15:18:00.005-05:00

LOOK OUT...

2010-03-24T13:55:00.003-05:00

...HERE WE COME!

Kimberly and I went and got our permits today and will start driving on Saturday.

We've been taking Driver's Ed. classes in the evenings since Monday.

The car in this picture is what Mom and Dad used to announce to me on my birthday (March 12th) that I could finally take Driver's Ed. (So yes, they gave me a CAR for my 18th birthday. :-) )

First Day of Spring!

2010-03-20T09:47:00.002-05:00

March 20, 2010 has arrived, and with it brought along the official beginning of spring. Would you guess what we found when we awoke this morning? You got it - SNOW!

After a wonderful week of beautiful spring weather (like 60s) and being out in it almost every day, today is in the 30s with wet snow coming down. Thankfully, we're supposed to get right back into the upper 50s in just a couple days here, that is, if the weathermen are actually right. I do love snow, but not once I've had a taste of spring! :-)

So, what's it like on your first day of spring? :-)

Thought

2010-03-16T19:44:00.003-05:00

I was listening to some music as I studied this evening (it helps cover up all the innumerable other noises that distract me easily) and one line just really caught my ear and full attention. The song ended,

"Lord, whatever it takes to be more like You,

that's what I'll be willing to do."

That just kind of grabbed hold of me. Could I honestly make that very same statement? That's some food for thought. How important is it to me that I be like Christ? Am I willing to do, or perhaps go through whatever it takes to be more like Christ?

Well, that's all I had to share just now and I need to get back to studying, but let me encourage you to think on that statement too. After all, the Christian life is all about being changed into the image of Christ. Should we not be willing for whatever it takes?

Happy 18th Birthday, Heidi!

2010-03-12T13:57:00.000-06:00

Happy 14th Birthday, David!

2010-03-01T13:55:00.005-06:00

Happy Birthday, David! We love you and are excited to see what the Lord has in store for you in the coming year!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

2010-02-19T21:12:00.000-06:00

We love you!

Happy 9th Birthday, Zachary!

2010-01-31T17:35:00.000-06:00

The Birthday BoyTrying to get all the candles to stay lit at the same time. :)Zach invited his friends over for the afternoon. The three of them have earned the nickname "Three Musketeers".

Happy 81st Birthday, Grandma!

2010-01-19T14:52:00.000-06:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, Willie!

2010-01-16T20:16:00.003-06:00

Happy 83rd Birthday, Granddad!

2010-01-16T12:18:00.002-06:00

Lisa's Project

2010-01-06T10:03:00.000-06:00

Lisa did one of her Christmas gifts/science projects today - a crystal tree!

The tree was there at the beginning, but all of the colorful crystals grew in a matter of a couple hours!

2010-01-05T15:01:00.002-06:00

Oh, did I mention that we left Zachary out at Jared&Becca's? No, we didn't forget him in the midst of all that was going on - it was quite intentional. We haven't set the date nor time for his returning, but that's why you haven't seen him (in person or pictures) since we've gotten back. I expect he'll have a wonderful time. He's been looking forward to his turn to be out there by himself again for quite a while now. He could hardly wait for us to leave! :-)

Decoration Swap-Out & Lots of Laundry

2010-01-05T14:16:00.022-06:00

The title of this post is the simplest description of Monday's activities from my perspective.

For Julie and Daddy, it was the day they needed to get back to work. For the rest of us...well, our work was a bit different. :-)

Mom woke us up with the instructions that we were to get unpacked and get the laundry started as soon as possible and that we were going to take down all of the Christmas decorations. I'm sure that many of you can imagine the amount of laundry we might have had between simply the number of individuals and the fact that we were gone for five days. Of course, it might as well have been six, 'cause Sunday's laundry got included as well.

As far as the decorations go, I think the switch from Christmas to only winter stuff is one of the hardest swaps to do. How does one decide whether this decoration is specifically for the Christmas season or if it's fine to stay out all winter? :-/ Some things are simple - like manger scenes and Christmas trees - but what about the rest? Oh well, it's all done.

A couple of pictures - to please those who like them as often as possible.

Here's how one corner of the house started it's day.

Pretty, isn't it?!

It went to this...

And finished by removing all of this stuff and putting the table that's normally there back in its place. This is in the corner between the stairs up and the stairs down, for those who are trying to picture it in their minds.

The tree also came down.

Mid-process

Noelle is very trusting, resting beneath the tree as we disassemble it.

Project at the Barta's

2010-01-05T12:49:00.027-06:00

While Jared was off work for New Year's day and Saturday, he, Dad, and Mr. Barta worked on the downstairs bathroom at Becca and Jared's house. They didn't finish it before we had to head home, but they made a lot of good progress. It is seeing some extremely significant improvement.

The pictures are already seeing improvement. They have already taken down the wallpaper that was in there.

Here they are beginning to put up new "tiling" for the shower.

The shower looks oh so much better now!

While the men worked, others enjoy playing Settlers of Catan - a game we got for Christmas.

New Year's Celebrations

2010-01-01T13:49:00.006-06:00

We all went over to the Sueppel's house (friends from Becca & Jared's church) for a party with several others from the church as well. It was quite fun! We played a bunch of games and simply enjoyed the food, fun, and fellowship as the new year rolled in.

I'm sorry, but we don't seem to have gotten any pictures whatsoever of this occasion. :-(

Ice Skating on New Year's Eve

2010-01-01T12:48:00.015-06:00

We enjoyed ice skating with a number of the folks from Becca's church in Iowa for a few hours. Lots of fun!

I don't, however, recommend that you get too close to the ice. There were a few of us who tried it (not on purpose, of course) and are still getting over the bumps and bruises it left upon us. Thankfully nobody was severely injured.

Most of the pictures turned out really blurry, but this one is fairly clear (Sorry about the subject, folks. That was really, totally not what made it the best picture!). If you look closely, you can see HollyBeth and Zachary in the background.

Not a very clear picture, but a fun one. Joe and Becca did some duo skating.

Chillin' out and chattin'

Heidi the Beautician!

2009-12-31T11:36:00.001-06:00

Mom thought this was a unique sight. I'm combing David's hair. He only brought a short comb and is used to using a long one, so he was having a harder time getting it to lay down nicely. Actually, I used to comb David's hair all the time...when he was about Zach's age. But then, Joe used to braid my hair all the time too...that's was a really long time ago!

Bible Quizzing

2009-12-31T11:10:00.029-06:00

No, we didn't do it, but we got to watch it as it was a part of the service on Wednesday out at Friendship Baptist Church in Iowa.

Marquette hosts a Bible quizzing tournament every year, but most of us had never actually seen it take place before. I had often wondered how this and that worked as I'd heard about it afterward, but it certainly helps to see it for oneself.

Anyway, that was something interesting to me at least.

There were three groups: the Rapid Reciters (teens), the Mighty Memorizers (elementary), and the Quick Quoters (adults). Can you guess which team won?

The adults won, with the elementary kids close behind. The teens...umm...well...they didn't do so hot....

I must admit that I would've guessed it wrong. The adults were really on their toes and the elementary kids were doing extremely well at keeping focused in. My automatic would have been that the teens should have had it easy, being a little quicker than the adults and more focused than the littler ones. I totally guessed wrong - the teen group's final score was...umm...still zero. Ouch!

UPDATE ~ I stand corrected. The teens did answer one correctly. They ended up with 20 points.

Pictures Anybody?

2009-12-30T12:48:00.023-06:00

Guess what?! We got some family pictures taken at Portrait Innovations (the same place Jared, Becca, and the boys go) while we were out in Iowa over the week of New Years. I know, you are all so disappointed that I'm going to show you pictures instead of just talking a lot....

Well, I guess I'll stop jabbering and start the "scroll-show"! :-)

Scroll down, please.

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

Bill & Sandy Mueller

(We call them Dad & Mom)

These two people are rather an important part of our family tree, not to mention our daily lives.

The Mueller Family

(We'll let the ladies go first....)

The Mueller Ladies

(The gentlemen may come now....)

The Mueller Men

The Mueller & Barta Families

(Willie & Conner were fighting a losing battle against colds and not sleeping well so they were having a hard time with the pictures.)

The Original Mueller Clan in Order by Age

I especially like the age-order ones.

Well, there you have it - our photo shoot...and a post of lots of pictures! :-) I hope you've enjoyed it.

Oh, by the way, you might have noticed that we had matching outfits for the pictures. The tops were Christmas gifts from Jared&Becca and the skirts and jeans were from Dad&Mom. We got to open those the day before Christmas Eve (Christmas Adam - he came before Eve...that was David's joke.), when we swapped gifts with the Bartas.

Here's what the emblem thingy looks like. It was designed by our wonderful brother, Joe.

P.S. I know my humor with the "scroll-show" was pretty sad, but I'm afraid you only have two choices - either put up with it or quit checking our blog.... I won't ask you to let me know what you decided.

A New Experience

2009-12-29T13:04:00.014-06:00

We headed to Iowa on Tuesday the 29th, and the Bartas (Tim & Julie) had us over for dinner and a wonderful evening. While we were there, they had fun showing us how to use their Wii. Now that was a new and interesting experience! Personally, while it was fun, I thought it was really weird! It's one of those things that you're trying to figure out "How does it know?" "How does it do that?"

Mr. Tim Barta and Willie set up and show us how to do the Wii.

Daddy tries out the Wii.

Everybody was "tuned in", trying to figure out how to do it and how it works.

So, was it a White Christmas?

2009-12-26T23:05:00.034-06:00

Well, I guess that's up to you. It's not a black or white decision this year. I think it all depends on how you look at it.

There was snow on the ground all of Christmas Eve, though the rain was working all day at melting it. We woke up Christmas morning to a bunch of greenish grass and a pond in the field that backs up to our lot. Christmas morning was not white! It snowed later in the day, however, and by the time we were heading back from the Mueller side of the family Christmas celebration, there was snow on the ground - not a ton, but enough to make things look white.

I believe it was the day after Christmas that we got a significant amount of snow. It was a beautiful, snowglobe-like snow, huge flakes, and light and fluffy. I believe the bit we have left to this day might still be remnants of the time.

Here are a few pictures, but somehow they don't really capture it all.

I took a few videos, which capture it a little bit better, but I don't have time to figure out how to upload them just now.

So, what's your opinion? Was this Christmas a "White Christmas"? I'd love to hear your take on it.

Christmas Day

2009-12-26T18:24:00.068-06:00

Christmas morning arrives. Some can't believe it's 7 already, while others can't believe how slowly the clocks have been ticking. At 7 o'clock (the predetermined time for this year) we all go in and wake Mommy and Daddy up. They never look quite as thrilled to learn the time as some of the younger ones do. We work and work at convincing them to get up. This year Dad says his heel is bothering him a bit, "Will somebody rub it for me?" As we wait, a few line up and start rubbing each other's shoulders. Somebody suggests that we pull out the video that our cousin made of us years ago to give to Mom and Dad for Christmas. We had watched it every year for several in a row, but we hadn't seen in a few years.

It was pretty fun travelling down memory lane! Lisa didn't even exist yet! Zachary had no hair to talk about. HB was the cutest little toddler. David has grown up soo much, but is definitely still the same person. Kimberly and Heidi have grown up a bit, but haven't changed all that much. Joe's personality hasn't changed one bit! Julie, Becca, and Valerie have changed a bit, but it is naturally less obvious as they were already older.

Thank you so much, Russ, for doing that! I think it might become some sort of family heirloom. I really enjoy it.

At about 7:30 (when we told Granddad, Grandma, and Aunt Margie we'd be downstairs to start stuff), we finally went downstairs. We then proceeded with our usual Christmas morning. We ate some muffins while everybody gathered. Dad read us the Christmas story out of Luke 2. We opened/poured out our stockings. Then, in a very organized manner (as usual), we opened our presents. Valerie fished out 2, 3, or 4 gifts from under the tree and gave them to some of the younger ones to deliver them to their recipients who opened them in all sorts of different manners. After presents we had a delightful brunch.

The rest of our morning and afternoon was basically spent checking out/trying out our new things, and finding new homes for them.

Later in the afternoon we headed for the Mueller Christmas celebration.

Christmas Morning at our house

Granddad brought out his arm extender thingy so David wouldn't have to be everywhere all at once trying to pick up the wrapping paper. He had a lot of fun with that. He just relaxed and stayed put as we threw our paper toward him and it almost always landed within the reach of his extended arm tool.

Kim made this hat for Lisa to play dress-up.

Our dog is content just about anywhere. She just loves to be a part of the family!

Here's Granddad sporting the new hat he got for Christmas!

Christmas Celebration with the Mueller side at Aunt Kathleen & Uncle Paul's house.

Uncle Tim and Great Auntie Rose

Uncle Ray always does an excellent job leading our Christmas caroling.

Christmas Eve Celebration

2009-12-25T21:25:00.013-06:00

...with the Carter side of the family. We host this and were glad that a few of our cousins that can't normally make it were able to this year. It was good to see them again.

We had planned to go caroling through the neighborhood, but the freezing rain prevented us so we just sang carols together around the fireplace instead. Throughout the evening we enjoyed chatting, playing games, taking a quiz on how well we knew the Christmas story, eating of course, and singing through an old cantata together.

A couple pictures. (The cameras weren't very active that night.)

Singing carols together

The Paul Carter Family

Freezing Rain

2009-12-25T18:15:00.002-06:00

It can make for a real mess, especially when driving in, through, on, or after it, but it can make for some real beauty too.

Here are a few pictures taken in the morning of Christmas Eve.

2009-12-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Have a Merry Christmas!

About the letter...

2009-12-24T11:27:00.004-06:00

I've heard from some that I e-mailed the letter to, that it went directly to their spam folder. I apologize for that. It's probably because I sent it to soooo many all at once, but I don't know how else I could've done it other than individually, and that would've taken forever. :-( The attachment may have played a part in it too.

Any suggestions that I might consider for next year's mass e-mailing so it's not taken as spam would be appreciated.

It's Out!

2009-12-23T17:13:00.008-06:00

If you haven't already received it on paper or by e-mail, I am glad that I still have this final way of reaching you! Along the side of the blog is a link to our 2009 Mueller Family Update Letter that we have tried to send out every year (which, by the way, didn't happen the last two years). You are welcome to print it out and share it with your family if they would be interested.

Please enjoy!

Noelle's Special Day

2009-12-03T21:21:00.006-06:00

For a little while now, we've been thinking we really should get around to some of Noelle's grooming needs:

giving her a bath (preferably not on a really cold day so she won't freeze when she has to go out)
taking the time (lots of time) to comb/brush her ears that are so matted up
probably trim the hair on her ears so it is neater and less likely to get all matted (none of us are trained pet barbers, but we can do the basic ear trimming relatively well...provided the dog is cooperative)

trimming her nails (we almost always cut at least one just a little too short and don't always notice immediately, which means we have to clean up the carpet wherever she's been since it started bleeding....)

Different ones of us specialize in the different areas of her grooming, but we keep not having the time or patience to do it just now, or we're sick and just not up to it, and all that. We're basically capable of doing what needs done, but the short version is simply that we keep putting it off.

Anyway, today we decided to take her in and get her groomed. It was time. After all, she is five years old and had never had the experience. (The poor, deprived dog....)

I'm sorry, but I don't seem to really have a good "Before" picture for you with the long hair on her ears and them all tangled and matted up.

Here, however, are some "After" pictures. This is what she looked like when she got home. She came home wearing a bow and a bandanna. (She was not being very cooperative with the camera tonight.)

No, I wouldn't call this a wonderful picture, but I think it was the one that best displayed her bandanna.

This one sort of does look posed. It wasn't.

A little bit blurry....

HollyBeth was so kind as to help hold her relatively still. I guess the photograph also shows her petite size.

I used the flash so the lighting is a bit interesting on this one. (I really don't know why I'm posting all of these pictures of my dog...but I am....Well, you do keep asking for more pictures....Do pictures of the dog count?) :-)

I'm not sure whether this is her royal pose, or a pose displaying her stubbornness.... :-)

This picture is from the evening that we got her, nearly five years ago.

She weighed about 3.5 pounds!

Now, all at once - "Oh, she's soooo cute!"
Of course she is! Didn't we already know that?! After all, I think that's how she won her way so thoroughly into Mom's heart 5 years ago. :-)

....5 people years or more than 30 dog years later....
(her birthday, for those wondering, is October 1st, 2004)

She's now reached a whopping 10 pounds, and her majesty is still quite the lap dog.

Field Trip - The Zoo!

2009-12-03T19:13:00.008-06:00

Dad, Val, David, HB, Zach, and Lisa went to the zoo back in mid-November. The weather was already getting cold so not all the animals were out and/or active, and some parts of it were shut down for remodeling, but they had lots of fun anyway.

Now I wasn't able to go, so I don't really have many comments to make. They didn't take very many pictures, but here are a few that I found interesting or especially liked.

They liked being "joeys".

Monkey see, monkey do? How would you like to be taught by a monkey?

The First Snow of the Season!

2009-12-03T12:12:00.004-06:00

Well, OK, so it is only a few flurries...but they've been coming down for a couple hours! Nothing's stuck so far, but it still looks pretty to see the little white "fuzzies" flying around out there.

Just thought I'd share that little newsflash....

Oh, in addition to the real snow, the littles were told that they could hang our paper snowflakes when they were done with their schoolwork, so they had lots of motivation to finish it up and were just starting their snowflakes as lunch time came around.

We do love snow around here and enjoy decorating with our homemade snowflakes, whether or not there is the "real stuff" on the ground outside.

Christmas Decorations!

2009-11-28T14:35:00.006-06:00

For some odd reason, this picture won't turn - sorry!

Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-26T10:03:00.004-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! May you all enjoy a wonderful day praising the Lord!

We are enjoying having Joe home from Tuesday evening - Saturday afternoon/evening on his Thanksgiving Break.

This afternoon/evening, we are looking forward to spending time with Dad's side of the family.

One Year!

2009-11-08T08:12:00.000-06:00

Granddad and Grandma have been living with us for one year!

They Made It To The Outside!

2009-10-07T19:52:00.006-05:00

We have no idea where Kimberly was exposed to the chicken pox, so when she came down with them on September 10th, she surprised us all. Two weeks later when HollyBeth, David, Heidi, and Lisa all came down with them, we were not at all surprised; however, we were amazed that Zachary seemed to be sneaking between the germs. From the start of it all he said, "I know I have them on the inside because I'm itchy; they just haven't made it to the outside yet."

Well, Sunday Mom starting watching more closely as Zachary exhibited a couple of slight, yet suspicious symptoms. Sure enough on Monday Valerie noticed that a couple of spots, though tiny, barely noticeable, and questionable, had made their appearance on the outside. By evening those few spots had enlarged and become blistery so we were quite sure they indeed were chicken pox. Tuesday Zachary awakened to many new spots and other symptoms; it was certain that he definitely had not escaped the germs! Today his pox have multiplied yet again, but though he is itchy and miserable, he is facing them fairly patiently with the sweet distraction of his faithful sidekick & ever-loving sister, Lisa. She absolutely adores her brother and since she is still in the process of recovering from her own case of chicken pox, she is extra sympathetic and alert to his needs. What a sweet little nurse she makes! She's a pretty good parrot too - "Don't scratch! You'll make a bunch of scars!"

We are thankful God has allowed these chicken pox to run their course through six children so quickly - it could have dragged on through Christmas! We are also thankful to have them make their appearance before the children get any older - they say it's much easier when you're young.

Please pray God will give Zachary the grace to get through his turn in short order without complication as He has the other five children. We have much for which to be thankful! Please pray also that they do not affect Granddad & Grandma as shingles - so far, so good! We are trusting God to protect them.

Boys' Room Gets a New Look

2009-10-04T18:28:00.024-05:00

We've been working on the boys' room - David wants planes to hang from the ceiling and Zachary wants trains. We plan to make a track go all the way around the room as soon as we are able. So, we are not completely done just yet, but at least the boys have finally gotten some color in their room. We do still need to hang the curtains and get another lamp. David & Zachary have been very patient - partly because the time wasn't yet right, but mostly because we had not found just the right thing until recently to please them both. Hopefully I'll post some further pictures when it is 100% complete, but here are some pictures of how it looks for now. By the way, did I mention their room now has some color?

The doorway - obviously!

The wall between the door and the closet

Same wall - closer

The ceiling, as you see it from the doorway

Another view of the ceiling

The far wall - looking straight in

Same wall - now with Zachary's bed alongside of it. David & Zachary were very anxious to put on their new comforters - wrinkles and all! Oh well!

The wall on the other side of the window

The wall to the right as you come in the door

Same wall, looking towards the doorway

And here's my favorite picture -

the perspective makes the door look like a credit card!

I think it's pretty neat!

Invasion!

2009-09-23T19:39:00.003-05:00

That's right! Somehow chicken pox entered into our household, and none of the six youngest had previously had it. Thus, it is currently running its course through the household.

If anybody would like to be exposed (or would like their children to be exposed), please contact us! We would be delighted to have you over and give you a plentiful opportunity to get it as well! :-)

Kimberly had the privilege of being the first one to have them. She is finally well.

David and HollyBeth definitely have them now. I believe they stopped counting when they reached 100 that they could see on themselves.

I seem to be having symptoms of its oncoming, but don't have the delightful, itchy spots yet.

Zach and Lisa don't have spots yet, but whether or not they're getting the early symptoms is a little bit harder to tell.

We would certainly appreciate prayer for patience in dealing with these chicken pox, but also for dealing with each other as it is especially easy to be short with everybody when we're not feeling well.

Valerie's Birthday

2009-09-17T18:45:00.000-05:00

Happy 28th Birthday, Valerie!

The Birthday roses.

Bacon and Cream Cheese Crescents - Val's favorite!

Valerie made her own meal - pizza, made just like they made it in Canada.

There were quite a few different kinds of pizza!
She chose ice cream cookie sandwiches for dessert.
The September birthday people!

Dad's Birthday

2009-09-15T18:05:00.007-05:00

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Look at all those candles!A scrumptious meal!

Valerie and Julie both lit the candles.

50 candles are pretty bright when they are all together on a cake!

We love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!

Vacation - Smoky Mountains

2009-09-10T13:04:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday afternoon we headed towards Tennessee - the Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. We stayed at a cabin in the mountains until Thursday morning.

This is the cabin we stayed in. It was VERY nice!

We played quite a bit of pool. We ended up making a sign-up sheet to keep track of who was wishing to play with whom. If you wanted to play someone, you put down both your initials and theirs. It was pretty fun!
The main room downstairs.

There was a spiral staircase! It was so neat!

The kitchen and dining room.

The chimney.

The living room upstairs.

On Wednesday we were able to go swimming.
There was a stream near the pool that you were allowed to wade in. A few members of our family thought that sounded like fun so they decided to do it. Zach was the first one in the water (of course!) and what should he happen to see but this snake who also saw him! He got out of there pretty quickly! We aren't sure what kind it is but it looked like it could have been a copperhead or water mocassin - not exactly the snakes you want to be around, you know. When in doubt, it's better to be safe than sorry! Needless to say, they changed their minds about wading. :)

These two cabins were "next door" to us.

All ready to leave.

On our way out!

Vacation - Creation Museum

2009-09-03T12:37:00.013-05:00

We started our vacation on Monday, August 24th, by going to Ohio to visit our friends, the Bissons. Then on Tuesday, both our families went to the Creation Museum in Kentucky.

On the way to the museum it was really foggy. We saw these smokestacks, but we didn't see anything that they were attached to, so it looked like they were just coming out of the clouds!

At the Museum At the Petting Zoo

This is a zorse. What do you think it is a cross between?

Everyone is observing the wallaby that was brought out of its cage area for our benefit. :)

On to the next thing!

The Lipizzans!!!

2009-08-13T16:16:00.010-05:00

We went to see the Tempel Lipizzans on Wednesday. It was very enjoyable!

The foals coming over the hill.

The foals were allowed to run free in the arena.

The carriage demonstration.
The young stallions - still in training (the stallions that is), - so the riders had to wear helmets. This particular horse was being rather feisty.

It is rare for a Lipizzan to stay dark. When they are born they are either dark brown or black and by the time they are four they have turned white except for the few that never change. This is one of the "Special Dark" horses.
The Pas de Trois
The Quadrille

Works in Air

The stables.
The horses were beautiful.!! I am sorry for the lengthy post, but it is very hard to choose just a few pictures especially when they are of horses. :)

Corn Day at the Bennetts

2009-08-13T15:37:00.004-05:00

On Tuesday we went to the Bennetts to help harvest their corn. It was a beautiful day with a wonderful breeze to keep us cool!

A few buckets of corn.
Isn't it amazing how all the kernels line up so perfectly?!

Cutting the corn off the cob.

Blackberry Farm - Fishing

2009-08-06T13:57:00.006-05:00

After all the buildings closed at Blackberry Farm we went fishing

in the lake for about 1 hour.

The catch of the day!

...Well, unless you count the tree that David caught. :)

Those who did not fish took advantage of the nice weather.

All things considered, we had a lot of fun!

Blackberry Farm

2009-08-06T12:45:00.009-05:00

We went to Blackberry Farm on Monday. It was a very nice place and a beautiful day - we had a splendid time!

The Schoolhouse

These desks are over 1oo years old!

Some of the pretty flowers

The train... We took the very first and last seats!

Zach and Tamika learning how to finger spin.

The Carousel

Miniature fairgrounds

The Carriage House

Chickens and ducks and geese, etc.

A young turkey... sorry, but for some reason unbeknownst to me, he refuses to turn.

An old switchboard
Dining Room

Sewing Machines

A group picture minus Mother.

Sforzando String Camp 2009 - Concert Schedule

2009-07-24T07:20:00.006-05:00

Please join us for the following concerts. They'll be wonderful, are free, and everybody is welcome, indeed invited to attend!

Faculty Recital ~ July 27 ~ 6:00 P.M.
Come listen to our wonderful faculty perform. Featuring both classical and sacred works, this recital will include pieces on violin, viola, cello, and more! Join us for dinner at 5:00 P.M. and get to know the instructors!

Church Service ~ July 29 ~ 7:15 P.M.
Come hear the stirring sounds of sacred works lifted in praise to our Lord. This service will close with a piece featuring all of the string camp students at once!

Morning Recital ~ July 31 ~ 10:45 A.M.
This morning program will feature the advanced chamber groups and Pre-Twinkle students. Don't miss this opportunity to hear this unique variety of levels and pieces!

Final Concert ~ July 31 ~ 7:00 P.M.
A perfect way to close the week of camp, this dynamic concert will feature all three of the camp orchestras playing a variety of pieces that you will not want to miss!

Marquette Manor Baptist Church
333 75th St.
Downers Grove
Illinois
60516
(630) 964-5363
mmbm.org

Thoughts on our Nation

2009-07-04T13:21:00.035-05:00

Praise the Lord that, as Isaiah 59:1 says, "Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear..."! He is more than able to help and bless us - as individuals and as a nation! However, it continues on to say, "...But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear". God is not the problem, folks, it's us.

Could it be that, not just as a nation, but individually and personally we have ignored and rejected His truth?

Jeremiah 22:21 ~ "I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice."

Isaiah 30:9 ~ "That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD".

Proverbs 30:11-14 ~ "There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother. There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up. There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men."

Could it be that some of these terrible descriptions characterize some of us? I'm sad to say that we do fit into one or another of these categories from time to time. Some of us might be guilty more often then others perhaps, but all guilty nonetheless. Maybe we think nobody knows about our sin, but our Holy God knows, and He cannot bless us when we are harboring sin in our lives - whether or not the people around us know it.

Psalm 66:18 says, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me". Praise the Lord, however, that he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, if we but confess our sins. (I John 1:9)

Our God is a wonderful and merciful God, and His word is full of promises, all of which He faithfully keeps! We must recognize though, when we look at them, that many of them are conditional. When God puts a condition on them, we must do our part if we want to have to blessing of the fulfilled promise.

Zechariah 1:3-4 ~ "...Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD."

James 4:8 ~ "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...."

II Chronicles 7:14 ~ "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

May this be a description of us, and of our children: that we have clean hands, and a pure heart; that we have not lifted up our soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. May we be able to receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of our salvation. Might we be described as a generation that seeks God, and seeks His face! (taken from Psalm 24)

I want to be sure to thank our soldiers for everything they go through that we might enjoy our freedom. We can never thank them enough, but we should express what we can of our gratitude and we ought to pray for them as they continue to serve their country.

Here are a couple drawings/paintings of George Washington praying at Valley Forge.

I think I like this one best of the three.

We must remember to be praying for our country and for our leaders.

May we remember the faith of our forefathers and may we learn from their examples and from seeking God by spending time in prayer and in His Word that our faith might be increased.

Faith of our Fathers:

Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!

Refrain:

Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.

Refrain

Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.

Refrain

My Statue of Liberty:

In New York Harbor stands a lady
With a torch raised to the sky
And all who see her know she stands for
Liberty for you and me: I’m so glad to be called an American
To be named with the brave and the free
I will honor our flag and our trust in God
And the Statue of Liberty: On lonely Golgotha stood a cross
With my Lord raised to the sky
And all who kneel there live forever
As all the saints can testify: I’m so glad to be called a Christian
To be named with the ransomed and whole
As the Statue liberates the citizen
So the cross liberates the soul: Oh the cross is my Statue of Liberty
It was there that my soul was set free
Unashamed I’ll proclaim that a rugged cross
Is my Statue of Liberty

May God be merciful to our nation and not leave us up to our own destruction, but may He yet draw our nation back to Himself, and pour out His blessing on those who turn (or re-turn, as the case may be) to Him, and fill them with His Holy Spirit.

2009-06-01T11:46:00.004-05:00

We did a combined garage sale this past weekend with our next door neighbors. It is the first one we have ever done. Quite an experience!

Happy 11th Birthday, HollyBeth!

2009-06-01T11:00:00.006-05:00

HollyBeth's Birthday was May 28th.

The Birthday girl

The delicious dessert: Dirt Cake with gummy worms in it!

Val and Heidi joined us for the gifts.

Noelle

This was HollyBeth's main present from Dad and Mom. It is her birthstone.

Holly, we love you and are so thankful for the godly young lady you are becoming! Happy Birthday!

Pictures for Mother's Day

2009-05-14T16:41:00.011-05:00

Mother's Day

2009-05-11T11:14:00.006-05:00

Mom has said several times that she would like family pictures, so we did a little planning and some talking to people without her knowledge and then told her she needed to vacate the premises on Tuesday at 8 o'clock and not return until at least noon. So she went to visit a friend that she has been trying to get together with for a very long time. She ended up staying away until past 6 o'clock in the evening! It seems they had a rather enjoyable time. :) Anyway, while she was away, our cousin met us at a forest preserve and took our pictures. There are some really nice ones! Then we got her a frame for them. The two blank spots are for Dad and Mom, and Granddad and Grandma.

We also got this and it is perfect for our family because there are 12 of us! The blanks spots are for Mom, Dad, Becca, and Joe.
Jared and Becca sent Mom these beautiful flowers!

We love you, Mom!

HollyBeth's Violin Recital

2009-05-07T15:10:00.008-05:00

HollyBeth's recital was on Saturday. She did an excellent job!

Waiting to start

Playing

Receiving their certificates
Aren't these little goslings cute? There were a whole bunch of them!

Trip to the Zoo!

2009-05-06T14:37:00.004-05:00

We went to the zoo when Becca and Jared and the boys were here. These are just a few of the many animals we saw.

The Big Brown Bear

This funny Polar Bear couldn't seem to decide whether or not he should jump in the water. He finally made up his mind and jumped in. Willie really liked him.

A HUGE Hippopatimaus

Sea Lions

Our young children
Watching the Penguins
We had quite an enjoyable time! And, by the way, I believe that I am now caught up to the present!