Happy 8th Birthday Jacob!

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear Jacob

happy birthday to you!!!

We hope you have a "grr-8" birthday!!!

Love,

U. Benjamin, A. Heather, Benji, Carolyn, Katie and John

"I cannot see beyond the moment....

...Tomorrow's strength comes not today...

...But blessed Lord, I trust Thy keeping...

...For just the next step on my way"

Tree

Shoot Me!

We spent an afternoon at a nearby lake.  Enjoyed walking along the trails on the edge of the lake.  Had a picnic.  Fished.  A fabulous fall day with our family!



Sweet and Sour Sassy

Kathryn Leann ~ 4-1/2 yrs

Two One cents worth

*Whenever I pull out my camera this girl will strike a pose and smile away.  (Now if only her brothers and sister would follow suit... )  This day was no expection.  I let her choose her own pose, place and she does as she pleases.

When I look at her, I see glimpses of me as a little girl.  But she ended up with a strong dose of her Daddy's genes.

But mostly I see a sweetheart of a daughter.  The big sister.  Willing to help.  Eager to learn.

Speaking of learning.  She learned the other day that Mom and Dad will give her more than their two cents worth when she swallows a penny.  Don't ask me why she did it.  Chances are very good she'll never do it again.  But in the end she gave us her one cent, so we all were happy.

4 bumps on a log

 The Sunday before John was born, we went to a park/zoo with family.  We had a picture taken of our (3) kids.  Standing in a similar pose.  I'm sure the orginial picture is back home on a disc somewhere.  But here's the updated shot.

A fabulous fall day with four kids.

Fall Fotos- take 1

Let me start off by saying, "Hats off to those of you that take pictures for clients". 

I'm just taking pictures of my kids, for myself, grandparents and aunties.  Not to mention, my editing software (picnik) is a piece of cake to use.  In a short time, I had approx. 130 pics.  Then came home and started the editing process.  (aka deleting) ;)  My pictures are far from anything professional, nor do my editing skills amount to much.  But even using my beginner editing skills, on 130+ pics, equals A.L.O.T. of time.  I can only imagine the amount of time and effort that goes into clients photos.  (Remind me next time to hire you, and save me a couple steps next time) :)

The other week I realized the kids wall photos were already a year old.  I inwardly cringed at the thought of doing updated pictures.  Getting 4 kids to cooperate in one picture can be... interesting to say the least.  I never learn to organize these shoots when Daddy is home, that would be too easy.  So with a little bribery encouragment, I hauled the kids to a nearby park.

Overall, the kids were cooperative.  Just on their timing, not Mommy's.

While some shots won't make it enlarged on the wall, I may put them into a collage, as they capture their personalities to a T.  I'm learning that while perfectly posed shots look great, they just are not my children.

And to be honest, I like the shots that show who they really are.  After all, I know my kids are not perfect.  And I want to remember them exactly as they are.

Absolutely Adorable.

"Cheese!  Can we get our Happy Meal now?  Please?"

Giveaway!!!

The Prairie Hen has been blogging for one year! 

Man how I love this chick!

  Check out the giveaway!

Hunter's Safety

I used to think that some day, it would be just me and the girls when hunting season rolled around.   But these 2 girls knock Benji over to get in line to target practice with Daddy.  I might as well bite the bullet (sorry, I couldn't resist) and sign up for hunter's safety myself.   If you can't beat 'em, you might as well join 'em.. right?

I wonder if they sell princess dresses in blaze orange?

And then there's this lil bugger...

... and he can actually hit the target.

Camo goes with everything.

(Photo courtesy of Carolyn)

 

Sugar & Spice

Tuckered Out

Wordless Wednesday

Napkin Dance

What? 

Don't you dance with napkins on the deck after dinner?

birthdays

John turned 3 earlier this month.  So we had a little party for him in TN.

We roasted hotdogs and marshmallows over the fire for lunch

Then we celebrated with Daddy's side when we were back home.

We cheated and grabbed Pizza Hut on the way home Sunday afternoon.  Then we all crashed Boppa and Gma's house.

And we celebrated Meri's fourth birthday as well!

Moose.

We have some flashcards that the kids use for school.  North American Animals.  It lists all sorts of facts about each animal.  Benji had moose.  So I read him the facts.  ...A moose typically lives 10-20 years... 

Carolyn said:  Wow!  A moose lives 20 years?  Thats a long time! 
Benji chimes in:  I think a moose only lives until hunting season!

There's no doubt- it's getting to be that time of year again (hunting season that is)! 

Daddy's Done It Again!

His 2nd album is completed and available on his website.!!!  Within one year, he's mananged to write, arrange, record, and produce not one, but two amazing albums.  (Not to mention run a trucking company, take care of his wife and children and much more.)  We may be slighty biased, but we're busting at the seams with proudness, excitment and happiness for him!

This past year has been full of adventure.  One we'll always remember, and this coming year is promising to be just as memorable.  Some people think this year has been hard: for me and the kids (in regards to bouncing back and forth, among other things).   And while I don't feel I have to explain or justify anything, it does bother me to have people thinking that.

Contrary, it's been some of the best times in our lives.  We've been able to experience so, so much.  Meet new, fabulous friends.  Share in some sweet fellowship.  Go to places we maybe never would have otherwise.  But mostly, we've been able to be a family through this whole experience.  There is no place I'd rather be at this time than right beside him.  With our kids.

I've hestitated to post anything regarding his music on here.  For a variety of reasons, but mostly because of those who don't agree with everything and voice their opinions (even more irriating and sadly behind our backs- which we all knows comes around to us).  We understand not everyone will agree with what we're doing, or enjoy Ben's music like we do, or understand the meaning behind it all.   Just like we don't agree with everything that other people do.  Yet, we are happy, content, and satisifed with our choices.  And I guess that's all that really matters.