Snowy days! (part one)

A few nights ago, it started sleeting/snowing. The next morning, we (Abby, Phoebe, Jaden and I), went out side. I took quite a few pictures! ;-)


Look there's the sun, it dried-up the landy-landy.....


Frozen pipes......don't worry, they don't have any thing to do with our house-supply of water!!! ;-)


I was pleased at how good this picture turned-out! ;-)


This one didn't turn out as well.


Frozen vegetables, anyone?!

A visit to Ladonia

One week ago today, Joel, Abby & I went to visit Aunt Jill and her 3 sons who live with her: Taylor, Andre and Stefon. Here are some photos from our visit:



Taylor and Joel were standing in this stance, and I saw Andre walking towards us and thought, "Hey...that would be a really neat picture to take." It almost looks as if they are about to grab Andre.



The local kitten: Rockie



Abby & Rockie




I was trying to get pictures of Rockie, but he kept moving...it was really hard to get a good one.


Isn't he so cute?! (As you can tell, we kind of went camera-happy. BTW, we took a few other ones of Rockie, but I didn't want to board you with them!!) :)


On our way to the creek we "just had to" take a group picture (Abby is taking the photo).


About when it was getting dark, we decided to take a little "hike" and explore the creek that is on their property. (I don't know if you can tell, but we're standing right by the ledge of the creek.)



Standing by the bank of the creek (there's a drop off about 20-30 feet.) To the right of the place where this photo was taken, is a steep (probably 60-70 degree) incline, and the roots of the trees that line that edge are dangling everywhere. So...the adventurous 3: Abby, Stefon & I decided to "repel" along the side of the incline. We went over several yards (don't know exactly, but it was pretty far) and then decided to come back. Unfortunately, it was too dark to get any good pictures of that. (FYI: if don't want to get your shoes REALLY muddy, I don't advise that you do that!!)

After the "hike" and the exploring, we went back to their house and viewed some photos which they wanted to show us. Then we ate a delicious supper, which consisted of: corn, black beans, homemade biscuits (thanks Stefon, they were really good!), peas & carrots, rice and... delicious homemade butter. Believe me, if you've never had homemade butter, it is a WHOLE LOT better tasting than store bought! Anyway, I'd better stop this rambling soon. But, one more thing...

After we ate dinner we went outside and for about 20 minutes, just looked at the stars! Wow! We turned all of our flashlights off, all the porch lights, every light, and just gazed at the stars. In the country the stars are a whole lot brighter than in the city!! I just love gazing at God's beautiful creation: the stars. Joel tried to take a timed exposure, but unfortunately it didn't turn out too good.

Pepper no. 2

Here is another beautifully done watercolor painting by mother: (Enjoy!)

"Pepper no. 2"

FYI: If you would like to see all of mom's watercolor paintings, just click here. If you want to see all of the David Kautt family's art work, just click here.

Vistors...again! :-)

Friday afternoon, a little before lunch, the phone rang. Abby answered it. It was Nathaniel Wahlquist. He wanted to talk to Caleb. They talked for about two or three minutes and then Caleb got off. He said that Nathaniel said that they were going to come to our house. They had already fixed the mower!!! Boy, they're quick! I thought. We had thirty minutes to eat and clean-up. Didn't take long, though.

A few minutes, and I knew they were here, because of the sound of the truck. Caleb and Jaden went out and I followed. Mom followed me and I hurried to their truck to see if Mrs. was there. She was. She greeted me then walked over to Mom and they talked. Deborah (6), was in the back seat of the truck, so I talked to her. I asked her if they had any pets. She said she has a pet rabbit. They also have two goats. Deborah and I talked about homeschooling, animals, dresses, and where they and we are from (They're Swedish, German. We are German). I really enjoyed talking to Deborah!!! ;-)

Mom and Mrs. Wahlquist, talking. (Both of our families love to talk!)

Deborah...isn't she a cute, darling child?

Sorry we don't have more pictures! I guess I was caught-up in talking!!! :-)

The McCulloughs' visit

This morning the phone rang. It was a friend, Rebekah McCullough. She said that they were on the road and wondered if they could drop off some things. I said that it would be fine. About five minutes later, they pulled-up. We went outside to see them. We talked for about thirty minutes. Usual things: up-coming events, gardening, family, friends, etc.

L-R: Jason (behind Rebekah), Rebekah (holding Alex Malachi), Caleb and Phoebe.

L-R: Rebekah (holding Alex Malachi), and Jason.

L-R: Caleb and Jason (in background), Alex and Rebekah, Phoebe, Mom, and Jaden (standing behind Mom). Don't you think Alex is darling?! ;-)

We had a good visit with you, Jason, Bekah and Alex! Come again.

Comments

Just a gentle reminder........we do love comments!!! ;-)

Johanna

Visitors

Yesterday, Mrs., Nathaniel, and Andrew Wahlquist came over. They came to pick-up some lawn mowers we have; one of them we needed to be fixed and two that we needed to get rid of.


Their old white truck
Caleb and and Jaden enjoyed their time with Nathaniel and Andrew, while us girls and Mom enjoyed talking to Mrs. Wahlquist.


L-R: Andrew (standing), Nathaniel (kneeling), and Caleb (standing).


L-R: Mom (sitting), Mrs. Wahlquist (sitting), and Phoebe (standing).

Mrs. handed me a bag. She said that it was for me and that the note inside would explain what it was all about. She also said that it was from her oldest daughter and child, Elisha (She is one of my pen pals). I opened the bag and inside were two packages, wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper. :-) I read the note from Elisha then, I opened the package that had my name on it, and took the one that had Phoebe's name on it to her. She opened hers and we both looked at what we got..................................(scroll down)..............






























































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...........(one more time!;-D)........................................................






























































.........okay, here it is: two beautiful paintings!!!!! ;-)



My painting- isn't it beautiful?! ;-)


Phoebe's painting- simply beautiful, too!!!
Thank you, Elisha, for the paintings! ~ Phoebe and Johanna

Psalm 37:1-11

"Do not fret because of evil doers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be cut down like grass and wither as the green herb. 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret-- it only causes harm. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. 10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace."

Bye, Bye, old house! :-( (part one)

You may have heard that we have a two story playhouse in our backyard. Well, not so much any more. Lately, we have been discussing the issue of planting a bigger garden. So, we decided that the playhouse blocks out the sunshine too much, and that we should destroy it and make a much smaller one. I was sad, because we have made many memories in that old house: playing ranch or farm, restaurant, courthouse, fort, house, grocery store, general store, bed and breakfast, and most anything you can imagine. But, Jaden, on the other hand, loved the demolition part of the construction! :-) He's just a boy! ;-) He loves to demolishing things and sometimes I ask him for some of his energy (he has an over abundance of energy). :)

Before the demo

Here Abby is taking off the rustic paneling inside

Here I am in the playhouse, hammering the nails out of some boards

Dad even helped some!

Two walls off, two more to go!

Wait a second! Momma told us to never run in the house!

The roof is off and here Caleb is hammer the nails out of boards.

Well, I'm really going to miss the old house, but, at least we will get to build another one (hopefully).

Enjoy!

~Johanna

A visit to the park & a visit with some friends

On Sunday afternoon (1/11) around 3:30 we went up to a nearby park. We were thinking of inviting one of our friends that live nearby, so Johanna called them. What's funny is that they were already up there! We didn't have to invite them. We mostly talked with them about such things as: politics, Creation Science, Alex (their son), gardening and, of course, health (we always talk about that!). Anyway, here are some photos of their cute son (their only...yet):

Alex was throwing & kicking the ball. I think he really enjoys that!

He has all 8 of his front teeth in. He's so cute here smiling! :)


I think Alex isn't quite sure about us taking his picture (we haven't been around him much)

I love this picture! He just staring down at the camera. So cute! :)

More of Mom's Artwork ~

Here are a few more pieces of art (either colored pencil or watercolor) done beautifully by Mom:



Purple peppers (watercolor) - "This was a values study to help me determine if I understand how to use light & dark paint to show 3-D form on a two-dimensional surface. I could've been more realistic & used green paint, but I had plenty of purple & thought it would be fun to use it instead! (And-some of you geometricians can give me a hard time if you like!)" - Julia


Three sisters (colored pencil) - I love this drawing, it seems so realistic (at least to me), vivid and...just good (but I'm biased).


Blackeyed Susan (colored pencil) - Mom drew this from a photograph taken by Joel


Blackeye Susan (watercolor) - This is just the same as the colored pencil drawing, except in watercolor

The Shepherd's Staff (watercolor) - This one mom designed herself. I think she did a wonderful job (but, again, I'm biased :) ).

African Violets (watercolor) - I'm not sure where she got this from, I think she got it from a photo out of some magazine. Or...she might have painted it from a plant we have. Not sure.

A Visit from the Taguchis

I am finally getting around to posting about the recent visit from our Japanese relatives, who are (for now) residing in Minnesota. So, here are several pictures from their visit:

Dad & Kiyoshi had a good conversation

Johanna & Jaden had fun jumping on the trampoline with (L to R): Ayika, Hyaito & Rowena

A family picture (minus Mom, Abby & I): (L to R): Dad, Kyoka, Rowena, Johanna, Jaden, Kiyoshi , Ayika, Hyaito, Grandpa, Joel, Grandma, Dennis Jr., Aunt Becky & Rachel.

The young people's table: (clockwise around the table) Rachel, Rowena, Ayika, Johanna, Caleb, Hyaito, & Dennis Jr.

Visiting on another occasion

Hyaito performed for us the "Indian Song" beautifully

The Taguchi Family: Kyako, Hyaito, Ayika & Kiyoshi


Some of the food, prepared by Johanna & Ayika (Thank you!)


Hyaito & Ayika with the Texas Cowboy hats from "Cowtown" (i.e. Ft. Worth)

The Taguchis & some of the Kautts.




Johanna enjoyed playing & visiting with Ayika & Hyaito

Grandma & Grandpa with the Taguchis