New addition to the family

As if we don't have enough animals we now have another dog. Zack's been wanting a dog for a long time. So he's been looking around and saving up for one. Well he found two a sister and a brother that are six months old. We kept the girl Angel(don't be fooled by her name she's no angel) and the boy he gave to Nana who's been wanting a dog longer than him.

Working together for once!

It was nice to see them all work together in this picture

Top 10 of 2011

10.) Madison's 43 pound pumpkin got 2nd place in the Giant Pumpkin contest

9.) We got lots of apples from the orchard and a few pears

8.) A.J got new chickens and added a bigger outside run for them

7.) Had a great family vacation

6.) The kids had fun learning to can lots of jams, jellies, and pickles

5.) Madison started pre-point ballet class this year

4.) A.J got a job!

3.) Spending more family time together in the evenings

2.) Built a 12x12 barn for Zack's rabbits

1.) 80% of our Thanksgiving dinner came from The Little Effing Farm

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Gingerbread cookie making

A couple of Zacks bunnies

Card Making and Caroling

Today our 4-H group made Christmas cards and packaged cookies we made to take to the nursing home up the road from the Center. We do this every year and the kids have a blast and the people love to see the kids. The kids did great a little off key singing up that doesn't count.

Madison working on curling the ribbon on the cookie bags.

A.J and Nick talking while we waited to go Caroling

Zack, Joel and Joey working on their Christmas Cards.

How many people does it take to put together new gear?

The kids helping Arron put his new fire gear together.

A.J's wreath

Pictures of A.J working on his wreath

Finished for another year!

We'll after six shows in two weekends. And I lost count of how many hours of pracite and rehearsal time we made it through another year of Nutcracker. It really is amazing to see what these dancers can do when they are on stage. And to think we have one of those talented dancers living under our roof. Great Job!

Madison the Chinese Dancer. She's hoping for a new part next year.

Madison and Iona

The chinese dance has never been danced so well as in the last two weekends. These two put all their heart and soul into it. Then rushed backstage to get changed for their next part.

Zack trimming his wreath

Zack and Madison worked on making wreaths today. We've had the bows for about two weeks sitting on the sunporch. We just needed the time to do it. For their first time making them they came out great.

Madison trimming her wreath

The finished product

Games and Logic class last day

Zack watching Joey. Nick tried so hard to move out of the camera's way.

A.J playing rush hour by himself.

Karen showing Madison Jacob's Ladder on cat's cradle.

A.J and Madison working on there challenge.

Karen giving the kids the next brain teaser.

It's that time of the year again

Dress rehearsal is never any fun. And this year we weren't disappointed. It was suppose to start at 6:30pm and didn't till 8:30pm. And we didn't leave till 12:30am after Madison had run her part two or three times. It wasn't done then but you could go when you had run through your part and we still had over an hour drive home. It makes for a real long day. You can just barely see her in the back on the right. It's the best I could get at 12:00am.

This year she is Chinese and a dragonfly. She has six shows this year. Three this weekend and three next weekend.

She's trying so hard to stay awake.

My Dragonfly. Can you tell how tired she is? She started taking the costum off on the way to the dressing room I had her put it back on so I could get a photo.

Session #3 Games and Logic Thinking

Lay a piece of string flat on the table. Now pick up one end with your right hand and the other end with your left hand. Now without letting the string leave your fingers can you tie it into a knot?

During Games and Logic thinking the kids had to work on this brain teaser. It's fun to watch them figuring it out and not wanting any clues.

And yes it's possible. No one was able to figure it out on their own till Karen showed them. But When Arron came home the kids couldn't wait to have him try it out.

Arron trying it out with Madison watching.

Madison showing him how it's done

Arron trying it out now that Madison showed him how.

What does a 15 year old buy with his money?

A laptop.

A.J decided he was going to take his latest paycheck and buy himself a laptop. So after checking all the stores and deals going on he finally found one he was happy with. After setting it up he couldn't wait to load his game and start playing.
Best part he's not on my computer anymore playing his games.

That time of the year

The kids love Eggnog. So this year we decided to try and make it ourselves. Which means I had A.J make it. Mainly because then he can turn it into a cooking lab afterwards for school. He looks so happy about it. But in the end it came out very good.

Putting the finishing touching on his home made eggnog.

Taste Testing Time

Tasting his Eggnog.

Madison's first litter!

Zack gave Caramel to Madison for her Birthday this year. After talking to Zack they decided it was a good time to breed her before winter sets in. So here is a picture of Madison's and Caramels first litter. She had five healthy sable point babies.

Ice Cream Any One?

Some of our parents serving ice cream for after the awards were handed out. Zack decided to help out as well.

Madison with her prize for her second place giant pumpkin she grew for the Sandwich Fair this year. It weighed 43 pounds.

4-H Voyagers

Some of our group practicing before the awards ceremony begins.

Zackary, Joey and Joel working on their balancing challenge.

Madison and Megan working together on their project for 4-H.

A.J working with his group on the 4-H project.

Last art class !!!

Madison's felt bunny she made during the last art class.

Egg Time!!

Zack decided to do a little cooking today. He wanted to see how big the goose eggs were that he got this weekend. So he ended up making zucchini bread with one of them. He hasn't decided what to make with the other two.

Zack couldn't believe the size of the goose yolk.

Madison playing a game while the other kids look on.