Growing Up

Today, Nathan, Willem, and I took our first real trip to school. The boys were extremely excited about going to the big boys school. There we filled out the necessary paperwork to register them for Kindergarten next year. Nathan and Willem got to take their first school test. This was to see what level they are at. They both enjoyed this (despite many wrong answers), and felt to grown up to be at the school.

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At this time, I am going back and forth of homeschooling the boys or sending them. Sending them involves that extra trip down the hill everyday in the winter, which I am not to keen on, or should I say that my van is not to keen on. (Alright, I admit it, I guess I am not also........it is a long way to walk when it gets stuck!!) But in the meantime, the boys are registered, no matter what our decision is.

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Now, if I can just figure out how to get through to these 2 boys of ours, that they are not going to school just yet, and that it won't be until fall. That is the trick!!! They seem to think that they get to go now.

Happy 5th Birthday Nathan

Nathan's Birthday was the 20th, while we were camping in New Jersey. Silly me forgot to bring his gifts, so we could celebrate it while on vacation. We did sing to him, and got cute little mini-cupcakes while camping though. The next week when we got home, we celebrated for real. Joshua and Isaac decorated, while Shannon and Hannah wrapped the gifts. Nathan was so excited and could hardly wait. We had pizza, chips and dip, oranges and pop. Then cake, and lime sherbet ice cream. Nathan got a book, beach toys for the ocean this summer, wicked cool sunglasses, a stuffed alligator, and a fun game which he enjoyed playing with Dad that night. Nathan is getting bigger and smarter each day!

Beautiful Brenna

Brenna has changed a lot of the past couple of months. She is turning into a beautiful little girl. She now talks completely in full sentences, or should I say paragraphs. She is completely potty trained, and loves to wear her "cute pink big girl panties" as she call them. She loves to play with her "baby" doll, and hug her teddy bear. She absolutely loves Strawberry Shortcake Videos, and reading books. Favorite food would be yogurt, and bananas. She isn't too keen on sliced cheese or carrots. Favorite color is definitely pink, but anything girly (with flowers) will work, especially if she has never seen it before. She loves to change her clothes often in a day, trying to find the cutest outfit. She counts to five, and sings her ABC's, along with Jingle Bells. Brenna is sweet smiley, bouncy, and happy little girl. She keeps up with all the kids, and especially likes piggy back rides from any of the boys.

Cape May New Jersey

Saturday afternoon it started to rain, and the forecast was more rain all week long. That isn't what I wanted to here for the kids' spring break, and John's vacation. We were suppose to be planting gardens. So with me being spontaneous and all, decided we were leaving the state of NH, and going to get some sun!! We packed that night, and headed out early Sunday morning. I didn't want to waste a day of sunshine. We got to New Jersey late Sunday night, and since all the kids were already asleep, we spent the night in the van. (YES!! All 15 of us in the van--believe me, it WON'T happen again!!) The next morning we got our yurts (I can't believe I didn't even get a picture of them--they are basically round tents with a door, and a skylight top.) They were so awesome. They had bunk beds in them, and a nice dry floor. Started out to be girls in one, and the boys in one. But because of the unfairness, we did take a couple boys in our girly yurt. Could spend hours telling you about it, so to make it brief, I will let the pictures tell the story.

After Cape May, we headed to Pennsylvania, stopping at Valley Forge. We camped in Grandma Barnhart's yard. All the kids had fun playing with their other Barnhart cousins for a couple of days. We managed to sneak away for a short bit, and took Hannah and Shannon to meet Hannah's little Amish girlfriend Susannah. They have been writing back and forth to each for about 2 years now. It was cute to see them meet after all this time. They are a lot alike, blond hair, about the same height, both cute as heck, and both a little shy. Susannah showed them both around her farm a little. She was in a purple simple dress with pin buttons, and a little black apron and bare feet, with her hair pulled up into a bun in back. Next visit, we hope to get them together again to play.

We had a wonderful family vacation together. It was nice to get a break, and just concentrate on the family, and not all the commotion that is happening around us all the time. And heaven knows that I needed the sun after yet another long New England winter. Now, back to reality--and loving that too!! And already looking forward to more little family trips to the beach, over night camping, and yet another trip to Pennsylvania in August for the family reunion.

Honor Roll Kids

All 10 kids did an excellent job in school last quarter. This was a huge adjustment for my 7 who have been home schooled for years. They struggled at first with trying to keep with assignments, learning to study for tests, and writing reports. Actually turning in the homework, took a while to sink into their brains, but after much effort, it has all paid off. Caleb and Shannon made the Honor Roll in 7th grade. Hannah and Joshua made the Honor Roll in 5th grade. Elijah and Zachery each got 89%. Only one percentage away from making the honor roll-maybe this quarter. But we are proud of them as well. Although the younger kids don't have the honor roll, they are all doing just as well. Way to to GUYS!!! Keep up your great work.

Elijah's Track Meet

Saturday morning we all got up bright and early to go cheer Elijah on during his WHS track meet. It was the first on we were able to all go together as a family. He was proud to have us all there yelling at him to win. He likes to run the relays to spread the joy with his team mates. They came in first with this. He also runs the 1 mile and 2 mile. Coming in 2nd with these. His newest even which he will try out this week's track meet is the javelin throw. We will see how he does.

Elijah is the smallest one running (lol) grabbing the baton.

This is a cute pictures because all the girls on the team are cheering him on, as he won the race.

He may be small, but he is fast!!

The school did an article in the paper last week. The WHS Track Section mentioned Elijah Barnhart has the newest member of the track team. It also listed Elijah as a person to be watching. He definately has potential.

Samuels Missing Teeth

Samuel finally did it! He lost 3 teeth in one week. He is so very proud of himself. Couldn't ask for a cuter smile then this. Don't tell him, but he talks kind of cute also. He has a hard time pronouncing some of his letter's lately for some reason.

American Original

The 8th grade had this big to do around the middle of April. The teachers gave them 2 months to complete a display with costume, poem, 2 time lines, power point presentation, collage, 5 artifacts, poster, and dramatization of an American Original Figure. Zachery got John Deere This was a lot of work considering, we had no idea what the heck we were doing, or exactly what the teachers wanted. So he did his best. They had to put this on for the school during the day, and community and parents that night. Turned out to be very interesting, and very good for the kids, they all presented their characters very well, and learned alot about many different Historical Figures. Shannon and Caleb are extremely anxious to do their projects next year. (I wish I could say the same--AAGGHHH!)

John Deere was born in Vermont in 1804. His father had sailed back to England to claim an inheritance when he was 4 years old. He was never heard from again. John was raised by his mother. They operated a tailors store. When John was 17 he signed on as an apprentice for a blacksmith here in Vermont. Three years later he opened his own store, and married. They moved to southern Vermont where he had a couple of daughters. Things were going bad, and he was loosing his shop. He decided to head to Illinois to secure a job and a house. After doing that, he sent for his wife and daughters. The farmers in Illinois were having a hard time plowing the clay filled dirt there. So he thought of a steel plow instead of the back east cast iron plow. In 1837 in invented the first plow using an old broken steel saw blade. This is how his trademark in history began. Now it is one of the biggest things in our History.

Brenna is Three

Brena Marie turned 3 years old this weekend. She is getting so big lately. She is loosing her toddler look, and turning into a cute little girl. It is amazing to watch her learn and do things on her own. She is definately a fun and outgoing little girl. She comes up with some pretty cute comments here lately.

We celebrated her birthday with a orange-lime jello cake with sprinkles on top since she likes to pick off the spinkles and eat them one by one. Brenna got hugs from everyone, and received a book all about babies, a baby bottle sucker, a mini-lunch bag full of little baby food for her favorite baby she got from Santa. Since Brenna can't wait to go to the big water and go swimming, we got her a swimsuit with the matching swimsuit for her little baby. They are so cute!!! And best of all, Hannah was so nice, and gave Brenna her Stroller and Carseat so received a couple years ago (and hardly used) for her baby. Brenna was extremely excited about this, and let out a "HEY!!!" She spent the next day pusing it around the house. When it get warmer, she looks forward to taking her baby for a walk. Brenna stayed up for a short while, and we payed dress-up, fed, burped, and rocked her baby. She will be a good mom one day.

Jacob and his Boat

Friday night Jacob pulled some old boards out of the garage, and had decided to make himself a boat. After about an hour (which was 8 pm) he finally asked for help. I had told him I would help him tomorrow. He was disappointed, since he wanted the help right that minute. Morning came soon enough, he was dressed, room clean, breakfast ate, animals done, and inside job in no time. Amazing what kids and do when they want something!! So by 9 am we were all outside enjoying the sun.

After a few hours of cutting, nailing, screwing, and painting this is what me and Jacob ended up with. Jacob was thrilled with the way it turned out, considering it was his mom that helped him with it. (John was at the Boston temple with the 4 older kids doing baptisms for the dead). Just when I thought I was done playing boat Joshua came to me with a stack of wooded and asked if I would do it all again......lol. I spend a coulpe more hours cutting, nailing, and screwing a boat for him. (Second time around was definately easier!) He played with also in the water, but never got around to painting it just yet. Good news is: THEY BOTH FLOAT!!

Cassidy Mae's Happy Birthday

Cassidy's 7th Birthday was last Wednesday. I surprised her by bringing in butterfly cupcakes for her class at school. She was so excited, and couldn't stay sitting in her seat when I showed up. She was grinning hear to ear.

Cassidy had a very "Buggy" Birthday. She loves all kinds of bugs, and is always catching and studying them. So for her birthday we decided to go with her interest. I made her a beehive birthday cake, which took her a minute to figure out what it was. (That tells you right there, it wasn't a very good replica---I'm not no Lana at making cakes.) She has been wanting a jewelry box, and we found the perfect buggy one. It has a musical butterfly to watch when you open it. She also got a buggy tea set for tea parties with the girls and their dolls. She got a book, gummy bug candy, a bug catcher, and bug facts matching game. She loved it all. She stayed up for her birthday night, and me and her played the bug game. We learned that crickets have ears on their knees, and that there is a bug that can breath under water. She was absolutely amazed by all the facts that she learned. We love you Cassidy Mae, Happy 7th Birthday!

Our New Cars

Due to having no car, John took off from work Monday and Tuesday. It was so nice to have him home, and spend time with him. Even though we basically drove around for the 2 days looking for a car. We decided it was best for our family to go with 2 vehicles, seeing that we have a lot of people in our family, a snowy and muddy mountain to climb each year, and 2 kids who are very near to driving. Not to mention a car that is always in need of repair. The extra vehicle will come in handy we are thinking.

Grandpa Cochran happened to be selling his 93 Ford Ranger so him and Grandma Cochran can go on their mission. We couldn't pass up this good deal, nor the whole idea of a 4 wheel drive pickup. Perfect for our hill, and our little farm. We love it!!

Then we ran across a 96 Toyota Rav 4......which was in pretty darn good shape, and a very reasonable price. It's pretty darn cute I think! We have them both licensed and registered now, and next week are inspections. Now we just need to get rid of the old truck, and banged up car.

Maine Beaches

That next day, we were a little on edge about the accident, and needed a break away from things. We were happy to be alive, and wanted to spend time as family. So, that morning we decided to be spontaneous and got the kids ready and headed on our favorite family outing.

THE BEACH!

We first went to a rocky beach just below Portland Maine. (Two Lighthouses State Park). This kids enjoyed playing on the rock, and searching for creatures and shells in the pools. They also had a playground there, which we obviously had to go to with 13 kids. Next went to Old Orchard Beach, which was Sandy. It was a nice sunny day, so it felt warm on our feet. The water was a little cold, but the kid's of course had to get their feet wet. They also collected more shells and crab legs. (We only let each kid bring home 2 of their favorite things) We had a great day out together. Can't wait to go back when it is a little warmer--the kid's are already talking about it.

Maine Rocky Beach

Maine Sandy Beach

We Wrecked Our Car

Last Saturday John had been working on the van's brakes and bearings. We needed one more part to put it all back together. So while the kid's were eating lunch, we decided he and I would go and pick up this car part. We were maybe half way there, on the highway, when a deer came darting across the road. John slammed on his brakes and we skidded for quite a ways. The deer hit the front end, and bounced onto the windshield, then rolled across the top before falling off. We heard a loud thump, and then an explosion, which sent little pieces of glass into our faces. I kept my eyes closed waiting for to see if we were going to go over the edge, or hit the guardrail. But we came to a stop perfectly on the berm of the road, as if we had just casually pulled off. We were fine. John cut up his finger a little when the windshield came in and hit the steering wheel with his hand there. I had many small cuts on my face, and a bigger cut where the metal from the top of the windshield came in and hit my head..........this one bled pretty good. I also got a good sized bruise and sore arm from when the rear view mirror went flying off and hit me in the shoulder. We had 2 policemen there, the ambulance, and the fire truck. They even offered us the deer to take home and put in the freezer.......lol. The tow truck came and got the car and us back to the bottom of our hill. Then because of the mud........me and John had to walk back up the hill to get home. (That didn't quite seem right to me, after being in an accident!)

Mud Season

Most of you know that we have 5 season here in New England. (Winter, Winter, Mud Season, Spring, Fall. ) Well ok, maybe not really like that.......although it seems that way. Oh, I can't forget Black Fly Season!!! That is coming up next--Can't Wait!!!! (NOT!) At the moment, we are nearing the end of Mud Season. We haven't been able to drive our van up the hill for a couple of weeks now. It is just too muddy. I have to put these pictures on here for my dad. My dad has this little driveway, which he likes to rake the ruts out of. Which makes me laugh when I look at our 1.5 mile driveway everyday. 1.5 miles of mud and 6-12 inch ruts. Completely yuck, and we have to walk it everyday. And there is no way that I am about to rake them out! The pictures don't do it justice--it is worse then it looks!

I tried to avoid the ruts by going to the side a little. The side gave out, and the van slid down getting me stuck in the mud. Hey, not to bad though.....I only got stuck in the snow on the road twice this winter, and once now in the mud. A good record for me!

Crazy Hair Day

The elementary school had a crazy hair day last week to bring in school spirit. Personally I think it brought in alot more then that. There was some crazy hair going on at the school. The kids had fun with it though.

One Year Party

We celebrated the one year mark of having Shannon, Joshua, Cassidy, Nathan, and Brenna with our family on March 25th. All 13 kids have been asking for the people sticker things that you stick on the back of your car for months now. We finally got them for our van. I labeled each one with a name and hung them on my little indoor tree. We ordered a special family tree cake with every one's names on the leaves, and had ice cream. Then came the fun part. I gave everyone a balloon, and had them use markers to decorate it to look like themselves and put their name on it. Then John gathered them all up, and we threw them all out in the living room. each kid grabbed one that was not theirs. Then I told them "This is the only time I am going to let you sit and jump on one another!" So we took turns jumping and sitting on each other's faces. The kid's had a blast with this. This took longer then expected.....so the next time we played family feud all together. It ended up being a 2 night party. Everyone enjoyed it!

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Me and John felt the kids deserved this. All thirteen kids have been through a lot in the past year with the adjustment and all. We are pleased at the progress everyone has made. And are thrilled how well they all get along and help each other out. I couldn't ask for better kids.

The Emperor's New Clothes

The Bath Elementary School took a week off from school work and everyday practiced for this play. It was amazing what these kids did a week. It was very cute, especially the little sheep. They were the hit of the show. Hannah and Joshua were townsfolk, Isaac was a student, Jacob was in the chorus, Samuel and Cassidy were sheep.

Just another Update

Everyone here is doing alot better. We have had that nasty stuff that is going through Vermont and New Hampshire. Except we are on round two. Everyone seems to be getting over it though...just a lingering cough. I am anxious to get the whole family to church at once this week. Last week it was the little kids sick, the Sunday before it was me, I will admit. Chemicals in my brain weren't working that well to say the least. I was down for about 7 days....couldn't focus, think, or do much at all. John took care of everyone over that weekend, and let me sleep, and not stress. Bumber, because we missed all the early and afternoon meeting at church......although people have kept us updated, which is nice. My medicines are working finally. I feel tons better, and actually went for a walk outside today. (Well part of that was because the mud on our road gave up, and the van slid to the side getting more stuck---so we had to walk up.) Thank goodness it is warm outside.

Gosh, there isn't much else going on. We have been busy for a couple weeks finishing up with this school quarter. Kids have been pushing really hard to get their grades up. They have been completing lots and lots of reports, projects, etc. Although with all 10 kids it probably seems more to me then it really is, once you divide it up. It all makes me stress a little. But I am trying not to worry about their homework, and just let them do their best. We should know by next week or so how they did.

Upcoming events...........hmmm......Elijah has his first track meet next week. That's about it. Post more later.