House of Oink???
Yesterday, Big Red had another batch of piglets. 13 total, but one stillborn, so 12 alive and well. Bernard had just gotten done getting her birthing pen ready on Saturday, and she spent the entire day moving the straw around and getting herself all nice and cozy. When Bernard went out to check on her early Sunday morning she had already had one piglet and was proceeding with the rest. With the weather hanging around in the mid 50's during the day and down to mid 30's at night, we have set up some heat lamps for the little ones to warm up with. This morning I found them to be all sleeping in one big pile shivering. Hopefully they will all do ok.....they are so darn cute at this phase!

At last.....
It has taken me quite some time, but I have finally gotten our blog caught up on the past year's events. Please take a few moments to look back and catch up with us on what our family has been up to. Be sure to check the archives too!

On September 28th we acquired the newest member of our clan. This motorcycle is a Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster Custom, and it has quite a story. Tragically, a dear friend of ours, Ross, is battling cancer right now. He is very sick, and this was, and always will be in a way, his motorcycle. Ross has always had a vision of using this bike to reach motorcyclists for the Lord. He had plans of painting a scene on the tank with a vision God had given him. In the vision, Christ was riding a white horse, like in Revelations, and following him was a band of witnessing bikers. I would still like to make that dream come true. A few weeks ago, Ross and his wife Debbie talked to us about buying the bike. For a week, we could not get it out of our hearts that it was the right thing for us to do. Even before we got the bike it had taken a special place in our hearts. We carry the vision that Ross has for the bike, and feel close to him and his family when we look at it or ride it.

Once again this fall we have begun Upward soccer. Check out the action.....

An updated picture of the bonus room above the garage. Walls painted.....floor installed.....lookin' good.

This fall Ian started Kindergarten. He was very excited-- and I was very sad. My last one to head off to school... What on earth will I do all day without my "snugglebug?"
All 3 ready for the first day...
Ian starts off his first day with breakfast in the classroom.

Jenna is always willing to be the object of my photography practice.

Before heading back home this summer we had the chance to hang out with family at this bike rally in my hometown. Every year they have the Psychobuells stunt team in to do several trick sessions. Here are a few of the pics I got-- it was really cool!




Just in case you thought they could only do those tricks on their special sport bikes, this guy shows us otherwise. Here he is doing a wheelie on a completely stock Harley Davidson 883.

Jenna had to get all her snuggling for whole year in with Aunt Katie in one day!

One of our day trips out while in NY this summer was to a neat little petting zoo. Ian really liked feeding the goats.

And the girls couldn't get enough of this cute little baby goat.

While visiting family this summer, Uncle Matt gave the kids a hands on tour of his firestation.
He got all decked out in all his gear...


.....and talked to them about fire safety.....

.....then showed them how to carry an injured fire victim to safety..... only that's me and I'm not injured or caught in a fire..... :)

For the last 2 years I have run the 10k in NY on the 4th of July. Somehow it never surprises me that it is always rainy when I run it. Anyway, the course runs right by the house I grew up in so I like to see how things change from year to year. What could be more fun than getting up early to run in the cold NY rain?

Ian proudly displays his medal. He was so excited he wanted to go run another race.

Ian gets the 1st place medal for the 5 and under age group at the 1/2 mile fun run. He takes after who?

The girls and I relax after my race. I finished in 30 min. Not my personal best, but I'll take it.

Action shot of my race finish.

The kids are cheering me on for my 5k.

The kids and I cool down after their race.

At the end of June our hometown always puts on a 5k run and kids run. Bernard and I and all 3 kids decided we wanted to do it. Bernard and the kids ran the 1/2 mile fun run, and I ran the 5k. Good times!

Yes, another batch of piglets! 10 in all. Aren't they just sooooo cute?

On Kayla's last day of school she received one of the principal's awards. Two children in 3rd grade and 2 children in 4th grade were awarded for getting the highest EOG grades for math and reading. Kayla scored the highest EOG math grade for all the 3rd grades in her school. I was so shocked I almost fell out of my chair. Way to go Kayla!

Kayla's favorite present was the spy binoculars.

For Kayla's birthday we went to a plaster painting store. Here she is painting her kitty.

An updated pic of the progress of our bonus room above the garage.

Ian gettin' crazy on the swingset!