Hunting and Thanksgiving Season

Howdy all- sorry it has been awhile. My excuse will be forthcoming but not in this post. Here however you will find a bit of what we've been up to these past couple weeks. Hunting, hunting and Thanksgiving of course!

Kurt spent nearly a week hunting for the elusive buck in Michigan with the Sabatos Gang. He ate well but didn't come home with any venison. Meanwhile, I headed north to spend some time with my family since I was short a husband and a bit o' sanity. Kate enjoyed time at Gram and Pops. We got to visit with Uncles John and Tom, Great Grandma Helen and Trina and Kaylee and Trev. Trina had success in MN hunting and lead the charge the following week in our hunting season.

Kate and I went home and visited with Kurt Wednesday and headed north again on Thursday. Headed to Medford via Stevens Point/Amherst and enjoyed food and visits with the Cibarics and Tina Lepak former colleagues at Pacelli and hopefully lifetime friends. We made it to Medford Friday in time for lunch with the Hunting Gang.

This years hunt was quiet for me but I did get to help Dad track and bring in a nice 8-point buck. And my sister-in-law Trina brought home two more bucks while hunting in with us- a spike and a 5-pointer.


Following a few days of hunting up north, Kate and I headed home Tuesday to prepare for Snyder Thanksgiving that was held Saturday at our house. We had house guests from Wednesday night through Sunday. It was a really good time! Kate enjoyed her cousins from MI staying at our place and I enjoyed the help preparing for 25 people at our home. Thanksgiving went off with only the gravy being forgotten. My mother-in-law would have been stewing in the kitchen had that happened on her watch! But we didn't bat an eye and the food was DELICIOUS. Kurt did an awesome job on the turkeys and pies.

Now that the whirlwind is past and I am finally getting this posted. My hope is to get a few more posts in before the next bout of chaos. For now, I'm trying to enjoy the Advent Season and prepare my home and heart for the coming of Christ.

Gram and Pop?

Hello? Is Gram or Pop there? I am sick of talking to you on the phone so I am coming with Mom to visit soon. Daddy is going hunting. And Mom says sometimes when its just the two of us she goes a little crazy. Oh, and guess what! We're gonna drive the new van. Ok, my arm hurts, see ya tomorrow!

P.S. Mom might be posting more up north...I hope so otherwise she really isn't an avid blogger. And I can't type very well.

All Hallowstide

Happy Halloween- Feast of All Saints and Feast of All Souls!

We celebrated this three day celebration of the dead beginning Thursday with an All Saints Party at our home. Here is Kate in costume; she's St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

One of our younger saints...who found a marker during the craft project. Actually this was her first marker but not her last.

A full shot of St. Bernadette- the dress and the sweater are mine in a former life. My mom made the dress and I don't recall the significance of the sweater but it sure was great to see them brought to life again.

Sts. Joseph, Gianna, and Perpetua working on our saint craft.

St. Helena Empress of Rome with a card of St. Helena and a mini- St. Helena crafty.

Sts. Elizabeth and St. Mary, Our Blessed Mother were present and broke out in spontaneous presentation of the Visitation scene including a beautiful recitation of the Magnificat.

The celebrating continued as the Snyders made the trip north to Medford. My brother Tom had arranged for the best babysitters to watch our kiddos Saturday night (Gram and Pops, as dubbed by Kate) and Kurt and I joined in the masquerade.

Kurt thought up our costumes. He's Drew Carey. And I discovered on our ride that it was the first time he'd dressed up since he was in grade school. Pretty fun!

Here's the cheering section for the evening. Thomasina and Erin had spirit!

Drew and his assistants showcase the prizes on tonight's The Price is Right.

All of us out on the town.

The little pumpkin that Kate painted Saturday at the library with Gram.

Our little cheerleader...her uncle Tom was copying her and not the other way around.

The Cousins- Kaylee-Bug, Trev Bumblee Boy and Cheery Katie

A cute grin that was followed shortly after by tears because no one wants to go home after spending a weekend at Gram and Pops!

October- Celebrating Our Lady

October is traditionally a month that Catholic's celebrate Mary because of the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (October 14th) and like any good celebration it doesn't seem to end with one day, hence a post this late in the month. So, this year, the 14th fell on a Wednesday night and I couldn't pass up a teaching opportunity. Our Religious Ed. Parents' Night was fittingly scheduled for the evening of the feast and we were talking, making and eating the rosary!

Found this great idea on the Catholic Cuisine blog and it turned out splendidly thanks to some fast baking by a baker friend (don't think she's online or I'd link her new business, here).


Started out the evening with an old Totus Tuus song. "My Mother is Mary the Virgin" I am proud of the fact that I held up with the best of the students and my thighs burned for the remainder of the week.
The concept of the song/game was to stand or sit every time you sang a word starting with M. Then sing it and move FASTER! Hey, the kids and adults look like they're having fun.

We followed up our song with a short teaching on the Rosary. I felt a bit rusty having not taught that lesson in a while to a full house but it was a start. Then as a group we prayed a living rosary with vigil candles marking each bead and being blown out as we prayed. It was really effective in seeing where we were at in our prayer. Finally, the students and parents had the opportunity to make a rope chaplet rosary. By knotting rosary twine we had a few successes and lots of first time attempts. I think I found a market of buyers if I get knotting, too. Here are the directions if you're interested.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Pray for us!

Daddy is at work.

Daily, [today starting at 7:30 a.m.] Katie will ask, "Daddy?" As in, where's my favorite guy that lives here the one that bounces on the bed with me, tickles me till I'm drunk with laughter, gives me all my favorite snacks, takes me outside and to the farm etc. ? Sometimes it can also be interpreted as, "I'd like to hang out with someone other than you, Mom." No offense taken by me because when Daddy is home I am happier, too! In the evening we'll ritually make our way to the "daddy watching" bench by the window where we wait for his return counting cars and spotting dogs, leaves, birds and neighbors. Until the long anticipated Daddy pulls in the drive.

I've gotten creative in answering the Daddy question because the first answer is most always followed by, "Why?" And because the frequency of the asking has gone up in recent weeks- they've bonded!

Here's a recent conversation on this topic--
Kate: Daddy?
Me: Daddy is at work.
Kate: Why?
Me: 'Cause someone has to bring home the bacon.
Kate: Bacon? Eat?

Tonight though, Dad is away on business and his girls miss him dearly. I am so grateful that I am not the sole parent in this house and that Daddy is so obviously such a special part of Kate's life. We'll undoubtly start our window watching for his return tomorrow earlier than usual but hopefully not as early as 7:30 a.m.

How to Eat a PBJ Sandwich by Katie

First, have mom make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, preferably heavy on the jelly.
Second, take it apart so you can enjoyed fully. Then dig in!



Washing is optional if you ask me.
DE-LICIOUS!

You just missed....The Kieler Fire Prevention Parade

Every year the first Sunday of October, Kieler goes from sleepy little town to the Fire Prevention Parade Place to Be! You can't find a place to park....the streets are lined with lawn chairs (and you defend family spots with dirty looks)....there are MANY more fire trucks in town and a few additional tractors....and shouts from hungry children for CANDY CANDY can be heard for miles. Yes, you just missed this year's Fire Prevention Parade! We enjoyed welcome company from my family for the third year in a row. Here are some highlights:

It is a good morning when the Snyders serve coffee and sticky buns! And yes, the girls are having their a.m. coffee.

The weekend is never complete without a visit to the firehouse. Here, Trevor and I are checking out where the firefighters ride.

Walking/riding to the park and church garage sale for our deals!

The kids rode in style and comfort on our trip to Platteville.

Nothing is private around here and you can't go to the bathroom without entertainment.

Bug looks like she's got enough to keep her entertained for awhile.

Friends that joined us in celebrating this epic event- the Marlettes and the Rundes.


Bug and Kate "cheering" for the parade.


The fire truck Kurt drove with Louie his sidekick.

Trevor and I got to ride in the parade! Eat your heart out- I know you were wishing it was you!

Anyone for a rousing game of Ring Around the Rosie? The kids liked it and the naps were worth every bit of the effort.

Mark your calendars and join us next year!

Wisconsin in Michigan

WAY back on Labor Day Weekend we loaded up Kurt's brother's minivan and hit the road to visit the Michigan Snyders. It was all in all a great trip I must say. You can see our little Badger fan won't be swayed to Spartan pride. We had fantastic feasts, great company, a bonfire and Kurt and his brothers completed many a household task while we were in town.


Kate had time to enjoy her cousins (the ones closest to her in age on that side) and just be silly.


She also liked Aunt Beth and Uncle Dennis's trampoline. It was a hair raising experience!

But the best thing about the trip according to Katie was the souvenir. She brought home Elmo! Her favorite friend these days. Elmo (sans batteries) is pretty big for her to lug around but she insists on taking him all over and he keeps her good company at night, too! He's even started using the potty like Katie does on occasion.

A belated thanks for the hospitality MI Snyders! We had a great trip. Go Badgers!

Poetry

By the recommendation of a friend I picked up this book of poetry on Inter-library loan. I am SO glad I did! What a treasure! I am considering adding it to my Christmas list. So for your reading enjoyment today a poem and pictures.

An Evening with a Child

We walk along a road
at the day's end, a little child and I,
and she points out a bird, a tree, a toad,
a stretch of colored sky.

She knows no single word
but "Ah" (with which all poems must commence,
at least in the heart's heart), and I am stirred
by her glad eloquence.



Her feet are yet unsure
of their new task; her language limited,
but her eyes see the earth in joy secure.
And it is time I said:



Let the proud walls come down!
Let the cold monarchy be taken over!
I give my keys to rust, and I disown
castles of stone for ambushed roads in clover.



All the vast kingdoms that I could attain
are less to me than the dusk is mild
and that I walk along a country lane
at evening with a child.



Jessica Powers (1946)

Chores

Kate's a big helper when it comes to assisting Dad with feeding the calves.



More pictures of recent trips and activities to come....Michigan, Medford and more!