Happy Birthday, Moses!!!

Happy 14th Birthday, Moses!!!!

We Love You!!

Third Special Announcement!!

With the boys filling their tags, this left us with just three more hunters who needed deer- Seth, Scott and Lydia, who are up for their second 4-day hunting stint this season. (They brought the boys and came up Tuesday thru Saturday last week, but neither bagged a deer.)

Despite the frigid temperatures and stiff biting wind this evening, all three went out, each hunting in a different spot. Scott was the first to return, bringing with him a huge doe. As we strung her up; Seth and Lydia returned. Lydia hadn't seen a thing, but Seth had taken a shot at a buck and needed lights to track it with. Jumping into Seth's truck, we returned to the spot where he'd shot at the buck. The moon was out and tremendously bright, beaming pale rays of light over everything. After a few minutes of scanning the ground, we were onto the blood trail. Slowly we treked through the field, following the drops of blood. The cold and wind forgotten, we continued weaving through patches of thick cedars, then through open spaces, back into thorny, shoulder-high thickets of brush. Through timber-filled ravines, and in the thick clumps of trees overhanging a deep, yet dry creek-bed. After several minutes of stealthy pursuit Seth caught a glimpse of the buck stepping silently away from us. The boys and I held back as Scott and Seth advanced with their pistols and flashlights. Moving quickly they disappeared into the trees. For several minutes we hung back, hoping to hear the sharp bark of Seth's glock. Waiting with ears and eyes alert, listening for sounds of the buck in case it managed to elude them by doubling back. Occasionally the probing light from their flashlights would shine dimly through the thick curtain of trees, but all was quiet. Minutes passed, and the only sound we heard was a sharp, clear whistle beckoning us to rejoin them. A few short paces later as the five of us wound single file through the trees, Seth caught sight of our target. The buck was still bleeding heavily, and though still on his feet, was too weak to move anymore. Seth's shot brought the buck down, and moments later we were whooping and hollering around his trophy!!

Seth and his third 8-point!!

What a beauty!!

They could practically be twins!! :)

As we pulled the buck into the shed to hang, it jumped up and attacked Scott!!
(Okay, so maybe not......) :)

Happy little sister!!

Daddy and Paul with Daddy's deer!!

Three bucks and a doe in just 3 1/2 days-- that's definitely a first for us!! It's been a very exciting hunting season!! Now we're all scheming for the best way to get a deer for Lydia!!

Officer Scott Anson!!

November 21st, Scott graduated from the 14 week Police Academy as a Certified Deputy Sheriff!!!! We are so proud of him!! Our family drove down to attend the graduation ceremony in south/west KS.

Some of the speakers at the ceremony.

Paul wants to be just like his Daddy!

Receiving his certificate & coin!!

Engaging in important Uncle Duties.

Sisters!!

Uncle Silas and Philip.

The boys!

Marcus loved playing with the fold-up seats.

Awww....what a happy couple!!

The Anson Family!!

Grandma Sue (Scott's Mom) is a favorite with everyone!

Awww----another adorable couple!!

Scott and Lydia with Scott's Grandpa.

After the ceremony concluded, we went out for ice-cream to celebrate!!

(And the big boys too!!)

It was definitely a hit with the little boys!!

Paul finished off his ice-cream....

......then Uncle Silas shared his with him.

Tabitha and Esther.

After the graduation was over, we traveled down to Parsons to spend the rest of the week-end with Andrew and Rebecca!! What a special time we had with them!! We are so grateful for their wonderful hospitality!!

Tabitha playing with Silas and Justice!

Some of Rebecca's beautifull fall decorations.

Aunt Tabitha and Justice.

Justice is quite the builder-- just like his Daddy!!

On Saturday night they invited Andrew's family over for supper. It was wonderful to see them all again and catch up with all of them. Two of Andrew's siblings are now married and have children-- time goes by so fast!!

Eating supper.

Saying Good-bye!!

Thanks for having us, Andrew and Rebecca!! We love you guys!

Second Special Announcement!!

It was starting out as a typical Monday morning-- breakfast, household chores; getting things ready to start school. Moses was out hunting with Esther, so everybody was keeping their ears perked for the phone. But they never called. Instead, right about 8:30 they came rolling in the driveway to surprise us with their catch!!

Moses and his trophy!!

Moses and Esther.

The rack!

Happy Hunters!!

Happy Birthday, Silas!!

Happy 4th Birthday, Silas!!

Our precious Silas-boy turned 4 on Sunday!

We're so grateful to the Lord for Silas, he is such a special blessing in our home!! Our lives would not be the same without his smiles and hugs.

We love you!!

Muscle Man!

(Pictures and updates coming soon!!)

He's Home!!

After just shy of eight weeks in China, Noah's home!!!!

We're so grateful to the Lord for his safe return!!

(Noah arrived home August 18th. He has since started work again and is offically over his jet-lag. Hopefully we'll have him do a post of his own here on the blog with a overview of his trip, and pictures from it, of course!!)

Happy Birthday, Seth!!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Seth!!
What a special big brother you are in our family.......from your diligent work in the shed project this summer, to fun family games of volleyball, to your generous spirit, to your love for the Lord and godly example you set for your younger siblings and all those around you!! What a testimony you are as you stand strong in the Lord at work!!

We Love You!!

Happy Birthday, Noah!!

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Happy 18th Birthday, Noah!!!

We are so glad you are our brother!!

We are so grateful for your relationship with our Heavenly Father, and for going where He sends!! We miss you so very much, and can't wait until you come home!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

Please join us in wishing Noah a very happy far-away-from-home birthday!!

For Noah!!!

:::Sisters are wonderful:::

This past month has also brought several butchering days. We now have only 165 birds left and the plan is to butcher them this coming week! Then no more chicken (or more importantly, chicken chores!!) until later this fall!!

Tabitha our packaging expert!!

Roscer-- I think he misses you Noah!

Playing Elephants.

Tabitha's Trunk. :)

Trying to determine how best to get his sisters wet!!

Silas well equiped with his favorite "frog arm-ies". :)

Throwing water balloons at unsuspecting victims. (They snuck out on the roof and threw them at the little ones in the pool!! Everything went great until they started aiming at their photographer!! No good!!)

Esther has been trying her hand at making bagels. They are absolutely fabulous! Especially the blueberry ones!! Mmmmm!!

Our whole family looks forward to summer when we get to harvest the beets. MMMM.... we've been enjoying eating a lot of beets from the garden!

Charity picking beets!

During the month of June Dad had classes in Kansas City every week from Monday thru Friday. The last two weeks he had to spend in Kansas City except for the weekends. We were excited to have him home!!

Sad faces because we miss Noah!!

Silas playing football!

The work on the 'shed project' continues!!

Pulling out old supports from the old building.

The pipes are being laid for the drain which will be in the butchering room in the new shed.

"Clear the area folks, unexperienced driver at the controls!!"

(She actually did a pretty good job!!)

Micah is our fishing-lover and is always searching for some one to take him fishing. One evening recently Esther took him out the the pond for a couple of hours of fishing. He ended up catching a big one!!

Micah's prize catch of the day!!

We were thrilled to have Andrew, Rebecca and Justice come up for a three day weekend over the fourth!! We had a wonderful time with them!!!

On the morning of the 4th, we spent a couple hours a a local blueberry patch!! It was a wonderful morning together, and we got some delicious berries!

Aunt Elizabeth and Justice.

Andrew picked quite diligently, but it didn't stop him from cracking jokes the whole time!!

Rebecca picking berries.

Uncle Sethy playing with Justice.

Justice and Silas loved playing together and tasting the blueberries. At one point I turned around to find both of them snitching giant handfulls from my bucket!! :)

Playing with Uncle Moses.

Papa and Justice!

Justice is never short Uncles or Aunts to tickle him!!

Silas and Justice--- we miss Pauly!!

Aunt Charity and Justice.

Silas playing peek-a-boo.

Dad and the boys cutting watermelon for us to eat during the fireworks display.

The very small town near us has a incredible firework show every year. It was no different this year!!

Awww.......what a darling couple!!

They got engaged July 4th, 2003, so they were reminicsing. :)

:::Sisters:::

The incredible ground display-- some years it's obscured by smoke!

Watching the Fireworks.

The following pictures are random snap shots from around the farm and garden for Noah!!

July clouds.

Some of the beautiful flowers Noah grew in the garden!!

Noah, the flowers you planted before you left are blooming!!

Haying.

The corn is tasseling!

Garden Bounty.

A goregous flower blooming in the garden right now!

Honey.

Making Hay.

Haybales.