1st Snow of the season

The kids are enjoying the first snowfall of the season. They are so excited to play in the snow.  The temperature is in the 20's and there is little wind - which makes it perfect for playing outside.  

Fall Sunday Afternoon

After church this morning, we went to enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon outdoors.  We roasted hot dogs and had lots of good salads for lunch.  Then we went on a hike.  What a beautiful day.

Trent with some of the kids...

 Allyson and Mom

Caden

 My beautiful kids

Hailey, Caden, Allyson, Carly, Hannah

 The hiking group

 3 generations - Dave, Jesse, Chase

Pumpkins

The kids had pumpkin day at school on Friday.  This was the treat that Allyson and I made for her to share with her class.  

There were enough for everyone in the class and even a couple extra so both kids could enjoy one as an after school snack.  

Happy 80th Birthday!

My grandpa celebrated his 80th birthday this week.  We helped him celebrate with an open house on Sunday afternoon.  Lots of family and friends came to wish him birthday wishes.

Campground Trick or Treating

The first weekend in October, we went to the campground to trick or treat.  The weather was warm and the kids had fun.  

 Uncle Dan dressed up as "Phil" from the movie Hangover.  He borrowed Allyson's tiger to complete his costume.  

 Allyson, Carly, Elsie

Broc, Caden and Eli trick or treating

 Eli and Caden

The Crossing - Book Review

The Crossing by Serita Jakes

This book was a book that had me interested within the first chapter.  It kept me intrigued until the very end, and trying to guess the conclusion.  

This is a not what I would call a traditional christian fiction book.  I would certainly recommend this book for more mature readers.  The characters in this story deal with some real issues, including anger, drunkenness, depression, greed, adultery, abuse, and many more.  

A high school cheerleader, Claudia was riding the team bus home after a Friday night football game.  While at a railroad crossing, a masked gunman comes onto the bus and murders the bus driver, the cheerleading coach, injures one of the football players.  

Fast forward ten years, and the murder is unsolved.  With the help of Officer Casio Hightower,  the football player who survived being shot that dreadful night, Victor Campbell, Claudia's husband, sets out to solve this mystery and help put the demons and nightmares to rest.  Claudia suffers from PTSD from this incident where her best friend dies and Claudia is there to not only witness, but sit by her side through her last breaths.  

As the story unfolds, and the investigation of what happened at the railroad crossing ten years before continues, each character has their own "crossing" to deal with.  Will they be able to find the truth of that night, and more importantly find the truth of Christ?  

I look forward to reading more books by Serita Jakes.  

Disclaimer:  I received this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received.  All views expressed are my honest opinions.  

The Baker's Wife - Book Review

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy

This book was a great read.  I love books that have some suspense, mystery, and a christian theme, and this book had all three.

The book begins with a pastor, Geoff and his wife, Audrey doing the Lord's work.  On Geoff's day off, they bake bread together,  and then Audrey delivers a loaf of bread to the individuals she feels the Lord has placed on her heart to visit and pray about.  

When a scandal forces the pastor leave the church, this husband and wife duo open a bakery.  During a foggy, early morning drive to the bakery, Audrey's car hits a scooter belonging to Julie, a teacher in town, and the police detective (Jack's) wife.  Jack is a council member of the church where Geoff is the former pastor. There is no body to be found, but lots of blood.  The police detective blames Audrey.   Jack searches to find out what happened to his missing wife, with little evidence.  Convinced he is doing God's work, Jack takes the bakery, with those inside, hostage.  He makes an impossible request, for Audrey to bring his wife to him, or he will kill her husband and son, held hostage in the bakery.  Audrey must work together with an ex-con and a unbelieving teen, to unravel the mystery of where Julie is and convince Jack of the truth before he does something to hurt her family.  

Audrey tries her best to follow God's guidance to help her loved ones held hostage in the bakery.

Healy covers many different issues including...loss, acceptance, love, and forgiveness.  I enjoyed this book because it had a great story, kept me coming back to the very end, and challenged the reader to define a sincere christian life.    

Disclaimer:  I received this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received.  All views expressed are my honest opinions.  

Teddy Bear Day

Today for school, the kids had Teddy Bear day.  They were asked to dress in bear colors, or wear something with a bear on it.  They also got to bring along a stuffed bear to school.

 Allyson was so excited to wear her hat to school.  

I have the privilege of being a room mom for Caden's class this year.  The room mom's get to help out with treats for the kids.  I found a stack-able bear cookie cutter and knew I wanted to make these for the class.  They turned out pretty cute - and yummy too!  

Moments to Remeber

Occasionally, in the morning while waiting for the bus, the kids are eating their breakfast, and get out their books to read.  I snapped this picture the other day, and just love looking at it.
Caden was helping Allyson read her book.  Such a sweet moment.

School Pictures

School picture day was a couple weeks ago, but I wanted to share the snapshots I took of the kids before they went to school that morning.

 Allyson didn't want anything to do with taking pictures, so this was the best I got.