Every year we visit our local county fair so I thought I would share some pictures with you...
This was the largest pumpkin a whopping 819 pounds!
I just love the 4-H building, so many ideas that can be implemented in homeschooling...
A huge lego mountain display
Mini real life model displays
This pizza is really a cake and looks good enough to eat!
Vegetables made into animals, people and dinosaurs...
The Hulk made from straw
Rides everywhere..homemade fudge, elephant ears, alligator eggs, deep fried oreos, grilled corn, horse and camel rides, animal competitions and more...
My children had fun rolling real beeswax candles...
But the funnel cakes are what we really go for!
Did you ever see a pig race? I love watching this every year because it is so cute and funny. They give the piglets a small piece of oreo cookie to reward them.
(Don't forget to turn off the music before viewing!)
A few weeks back we were able to attend the Family Economics Conference of 2012. I have been wanting to share a bit about it with you, there were so many great speakers and lots of fun. Here are some of my pictures:
Here is RC Sproul Jr. who gave one of the keynotes--at one point he even took off his shoes to illustrate a point he was making and walked around the stage in his socks. Needless to say, we enjoyed his talk..
One of the workshops I sat in on was on the topic of Hospitality (I was doing some research for a project) and on the panel was James and Stacy McDonald, Tonya Chapa, the Erbers and another person whom I don't recall right now...my daughter took this shot.
Resource tables were available--Kevin Swanson has a new book available called The Second Mayflowerthat looked really good!
Do these two young colonial men look familiar?
Naomi and Ravi were able to meet one of their favorite authors, Sarah Maxwell who has written the Moody Series (she is also daughter to Steve and Terri) and glad to get a shot with her after she signed some new books for them. I got a chance to meet the Vita-mom who also was featured in the movie, Indoctrination.
Here is a shot of Mr. Erber all dressed up and acting out the parts from Liberty Day
My son, Stephen, got to sit next to one of the re-enactors and was pretty excited about, especially when he jumped out and started yelling.
Here is my daughter, Joy, with her friend, Ruth Bandy, dancing some of the historical dances...Janai handmade this dress for her last year.
Speaking of dresses here was the dress Janai, my oldest daughter, wore:
It was a lovely find at our local thrift store and we purchased a matching creme shawl to go with it.
Naomi (14) decided to hand make hers:
I loved the blue damask pattern she chose--very elegant!
I will have to take some pictures of them wearing them in the future.
Here is some video of the singing performance:
(Note: don't forget to turn off the music at the bottom of the blog)
Here is another of me dancing the Virginia Reel with my sweet little twin son, Josiah, who is only five. Please don't laugh--I felt old as a now 40 year old mom trying to dance and keep up with my little guy-I was trying hard to remember the moves and not slip! These videos (this one shot by my 10 years old son) are certainly humbling me!
*Yes, I think my more graceful days of dancing have passed!*
Hope you enjoyed my pictures and videos from the Family Economics Conference!
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Yesterday the Duggar family of the hit reality TV show, 19 Kids and Counting, visited our old church, New Life, in Chicago (they were in the area campaigning for Santorum) and we got to listen to them speaking on parenting and family life. What a blessing they were to hear in person!
Here they are speaking:
Michelle was very passionate as she shared the gospel and her heart for her family and the Lord. She encouraged us to love our husbands and "love on our babies". After her talk, I was missing my babies! Jim Bob shared his story of financial freedom and how they used the pill and found out they lost a child because of it. Together they shared their journey in marriage and parenting and encouraged all that listened.
Michelle also shared that their new upcoming episodes were going to cover the loss of their most recent child, Jubilee. So if you have cable be sure to look for it. She was very emotional as she shared her loss but gave glory to God through it all.
Here is a picture of me and Michelle, these photos were taken with my mobile phone so that is why it is not as clear:
From left to right: Marisela (my sister-in-law), me (yes, I look weird-but bear with me), sweet Michelle, Susie (Our Simple Farm) and Rhonda (Walking with Sarah)
Michelle was very sweet and personable--she took the time to answer questions from everyone and sign every single card given to her. They stayed until the very end to connect with everyone andher genuine love for people just shined through.
Rhonda, Daniel Devine (WORLD Magazine writer and our personal chauffeur who drove us there--thanks, Daniel! :)), Jim Bob Duggar, Me, and Susie
(Jana, Me and Jessa)
The older children spoke to teens and children in another room. There they had a chance to answer questions from the audience and share what life was like in a family with 19 children! I was able to chat with these lovely gals personally and encouraged them to continue being an example of Jesus Christ to their millions of viewers and told them to continue on in defending the faith!
My daughters (and their friends and cousins) with some of the Duggar girls.
My oldest daughter, Janai, even got to meet her long time penpal, Jill Duggar, in person! Jill recognized her right away and they were able to catch up. Jill was so friendly and has grown into such a beautiful young lady. It was also announced that the Duggar girls are working on a book called Growing Up Duggar, but no news on the release date just yet!
Here is some video of them (not taken by me) but to give you an idea of how it went:
(Note: turn off the music at the bottom of the blog before viewing!)
New Life church is supposed to have a video of the entire talk and make it available tomorrow. When they post it I will share the link with you to view!
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