End of Year Wrap-up

2011 was a year of work, growth, and togetherness. 
Some significant happenings:

22 inches of snow that shut Sedalia down for three days, which we absolutely loved because it was warm enough to play in!

Tornado!  After more than a week of tornado warnings and two days after a EF5 hit Joplin Mo and did over $1billion dollars of damage, an EF2 tornado hit Sedalia's west side of town, lifting just shy of the hospital, middle school and two blocks from our house.

Girl's Camp, Youth Conference and Scout Camp in 100+ degree temperatures.

Victoria begins college at Stephen's College, moving into the dorm in August.  Her major is Equine Education and she is officially a college Junior beginning Spring semester 2012.

Cody began taking courses at State Fair Community College and is thinking of a degree in Music Therapy.

Chantel is continuing in her Bachelors of Nursing program through Capella University and working full-time at Bothwell Regional Health Center as a Pediatric Registered Nurse, with float opportunities to ER, Medical, Surgical, Progressive Care Cardiac, Skilled Nursing and Women's Health Units.

Vern is finishing his Bachelor's this December.



Other news:

Both boys are now taller than Chantel.  Jared is just about 5'5".  Cyrus is the tallest of the kids at approximately 5'11".

Cody got her permit in June and is working diligently to learn to be a safe driver.  Hopefully she will be ready to obtain her license at the end of January.

Victoria turned 20 this past June - Cyrus 14 this past June

Cody will turn 18 in January - Jared will turn 12 in January

Chantel and Vern celebrated 19 years of marriage this past June

As of October 11th, Chantel has worked at BRCH for a year.

Vern's computer business is really starting to pick up and do well.  You can visit his blog which is linked from this page on the blog list, or visit his business website at www.iknowaguy2010.org.

We look forward in 2012 to celebrating Vern's graduation, both Cody and Victoria continuing on in their college work, Chantel continuing on with her BSN and her work at Bothwell.  Jared will become a Deacon and begin attending youth nights and activities.  Both boys will be able to attend Scout Camp during the summer.  We will be looking into buying a home in the Spring. 


And, of course, we will update the blog for all of these special occasions.

Making Room for Christmas

This year we decided to put up the Christmas tree, and move the old red chair out to the back yard under a tarp until spring clean up.

Goofy Goofs Goof Around

Add Victoria, sugar, and a camera...and you get goofing around!

I Will Take Apple Pie, Please!

Cody made apple and pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. YUM!

Giving Thanks 2011

Setting the table in preparation for the food.





YUM! Turkey, Ham, Stuffing, Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Cranberry Relish, Homemade Rolls, and Gravy ofcourse.
It was just the six of us for dinner. The elders came over for Dessert a bit later.

My! How They Grow

Just a couple of handsome pictures of Cyrus.

Carving Pumkins

A couple of days before Halloween we carved our pumpkins.


You can see Jared, with the surgical gloves on, Cyrus in the green shirt, Cody in the purple....But who is that guy in the gray shirt?

Well, that is James. James goes to the college where Cody goes, and is in the midst of transitioning from his parents home to his own home. He didn't have a place to stay until he solidified his plans, so we offered him a two hots and a cot in the living room. He is only here 2-3 days a week, spending a couple of nights a week with friends and a couple at his sister's house on the days he works.

He is a good kid, and so far it has worked out well.