Other Fall Activities

Owl pellet dissection

When we did this science activity previously, I had ordered the owl pellets from a science website.  This one was kind of fun because we actually found the owl pellet in a parking lot.

Trying out the new disc golf in the park across our street

Grandpa and Grandma came out for several weeks this fall to spend time with us and stay with the kids while Russ and I were in Spain.  The kids had an awesome time with Grandpa and Grandma and will treasure the memories they made with them.

A day trip to the Stanley area with Grandpa and Grandma

Being treated to Culvers!

Putting together the new propane fire pit 

Since Grandpa was in Idaho when his potatoes needed to be dug, we had the Dordt boys (Nic and friends) from the "Spud" state help him out.

Reformation Boise Conference

The second Reformation Boise conference was held the weekend Russ and I returned from Spain.  Dr. Murray and Rev. Selvaggio spoke on "Living in Between:  the Chrisitan Life in the Here and Now."  Although we didn't have as many people as last year, the conference was still well attended with over 300 registrants.  The topics and speakers were excellent and the videos should be posted soon at http://www.reformationboise.com/.

The CURC youth group enjoyed playing games and eating munchies on a Saturday afternoon in November.  We all met to rake at the home of an elderly church member first and then had a fun time of fellowship.

Another Sawtooth Hike

In mid-October, we had friends from Michigan who were testing with MAF in Nampa for two weeks.  They worshipped with us on the three Sundays they were here, and we enjoyed fellowship with their sweet family for Sunday dinners each week.  Since they love the outdoors, they were more than game to drive to the mountains and hike.  We were prepared for a cool hike in the snow so that didn't take us by surprise.  The snow made the scenery even more beautiful!

A Few September Activities

Our first homeschool co-op activity was a trip to the World Center for Birds of Prey.  It had been a few years since we had been there so it was fun to check out all the raptors again.  We had a special treat that day as they did a trial run for their Fall Flights demonstration.  We were then able to tour the falconry exhibit which we had not seen before.  

 Sheikh Zayed Arab Falconry wing

Later that afternoon when the girls were home from school and we got a few things packed up we headed toward Stanley, ID.  We stayed overnight in a cute cabin (with a hot tub right outside our door!) and got up on time to take a ten-mile hike into the mountains to Alpine and Sawtooth Lakes.  After our hike, we stopped at the Kirkham hot springs to soak our sore muscles and remove all the trail dust.  

Lunch break at Alpine Lake

We hiked one more mile to Sawtooth Lake

Alpine Lake again on the way back down.

Still smiling after ten miles of hiking!

I finally finished crocheting Nicolas' blanket and sent it off to him!

 Seth and I have been studying early American history so we brought out the Jamestown and Powhatan Toobs and made our Jamestown settlement again.  I think this one was better than the one we made five years ago! 

Whoa!  That is one big chicken...

It is Concord grape season!  We were blessed with many grapes again this year which means lots of canned grape juice, Concord grape pies for the freezer, and grape jelly.  This steamer is by far the easiest way to make grape juice concentrate.