Melanie's visit

This week we had an extra special treat as one of my best friends from high school, Melanie, came to visit with her family!  Her brother moved to our town so she had two good reasons to visit.  :)  We hadn't seen each other since her baby shower in 2008!  We had a great time.  They came by Wednesday night and we had dinner.  Our children all got along great and had a "jam session" in the music room.  :)

She spent Thursday with her brother, and then on Friday we took them to BB and Poppy's farm!  We started with a tour of the farm and the children played for a while in the playroom.

Then we had lunch- BB made a delicious meal of drunken meat balls complete with cobbler made from their homegrown blueberries.

After lunch Marc took the children on a ride in the wagon as they ate ice cream-

Then it was boat riding time.  First the daddies took the three boys (Marc Jr. was at a birthday party and didn't come)-

Then Melanie and Morgan took their kids and Julia on a ride-

While they were paddling, Marc decided that he could push over this dead tree and after a few tries he got it!

After boating their little girl was ready for a nap and they had to hit the road.  It was SUCH a fun time- our families get along so well we will have to do it again.  After they left we had to fish a little. Julia is our family fishergirl, and all she ever wants to do at the farm is fish, fish, fish.  :)

Charlie loved holding his giant bamboo pole.  He kept saying "I catch a fish" over and over.  :)  He might like it as much as Julia.

While we had all the fun at the farm, Marky had the time of his life at a birthday party (homeschooled kids have birthday parties on weekdays- ha!).  We took Marky over there Friday morning and the birthday boy was totally surprised- he didn't know he was having a party!  :)  After about several more boys arrived they had nerf gun battles for hours.  (P.S. these boys are older than Marc- he just is very tall.  It always looks like he doesn't have friends his own age, but he does!)

We got home that afternoon from the farm, our friends dropped off Marky, and we had a peaceful Friday night.  We had pizza, prayed the Stations of the Cross as a family, and then watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  Marc had just finished reading the book to the oldest three and they were eager to watch it.

Thank you again Melanie for coming!  Let's do it again!

Overheard- Sissy

Julia:  "I love horses 10% of my heart, but I love God with 100% of my heart."

Knowing Julia- that is saying something.  :)

Overheard

Marc picked up Tucker from science class and took him to work today.  A group of lawyers came in and began their "drills" that they give him.  One said, "Tucker- tell us three flags that are red, white and blue."

Tucker:  France, Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The lawyers had to look it up.  Tuck Tuck, of course, was right!  :)
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Tucker was upset he didn't get roses for Valentine's day like Julia did.  BB reminded him that she'd gotten him a bag of trinkets-

Tucker:  This bag is just ridiculous.  I wanted roses.  (yes he got in trouble, but I laughed on the inside)

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 Daddy:  Tucker, buckle your seatbelt quick....

Charlie:  ...like a bunny. 
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Mommy:  I'm making brownies for the family.

Marky:  Yeah, I'm sure they are (puts his hands up in air quotes) "for the family".

Mommy:  Last time I checked I am in this family, son.  :)

Sunday and Little Flowers

Sunday morning at church-

We had Little Flowers Sunday afternoon.  We learned about the life of Saint Bathildis and the virtue of patience.  Saint Bathildis had an amazing life story- she was kidnapped and sold into slavery in France and King Clovis II fell in love with her for her beauty and piety and married her making her Queen.  The King died when his son was young and she ruled alone for years as the Queen Regent.   After her sons were old enough to rule she became a nun and eventually an Abbess and lived her last days in prayer and service.  We talked about how her patience and acceptance of her crosses pleased God.  Then we talked about Lent and all that we are doing to prepare our souls for Easter joy.  :)

Then we went outside and planted little bulbs in pots to learn more about being patient and letting patience bring forth beautiful fruit in our lives.

Then the girls had snacks and played.  It was a beautiful day to be with our friends.