Time to Read

 We had a VERY late night as the first tow truck that arrived asked for a tractor and after assessing the truck hovering over the ravine, finally decided his truck wasn't suitable and gave Nolan another company name before driving off. Dependable towing was called next, they arrived about 11:30 and decided the tractor wasn't going to work and wanted a second tow truck to come help. The picture below if of the 2nd tow truck, the picture was taken through the living room window with the wood burner burning brightly in the corner which helped make the beautiful colors.

This driver also called the police to come assist as we are on a blind curve. The police never arrived but the second truck did. BUT by this time the driver of the first truck thought it would be better to use a tree and used a snatch block. That worked. It was after 1:00 am by the time the Meister truck was freed from the ravine. The tow truck driver followed Nolan over to Phil's house then gave Nolan a ride back here to the apartment. I went to bed around midnight but Mark stayed up until after 1:00 am just in case they wanted the tractor. It was sprinkling rain while they were working and that rain was falling on the snow turning everything to ice. The drives were not passable this morning. Mark used the skid steer to try to break up the ice then helped me move 2 bales in for the horses. Valiant got a bale and the weanlings got a new bale. I borrowed pancake mix from Sarah then made pancakes and sausage for her house and some to take over to the barn for Tim, Allie and Strot. Three of the truck doors were frozen shut but the front passenger side door was able to be opened so I climbed in that door and into the drivers seat to get it started. Nolan needed the truck to take Tim, Allie and Strot to the airport a little after 9:00 am. By the time he needed to get them it had warmed up enough to get the other 3 doors opened. I asked him to stop at Aldi on the way home to pick up 10 pounds of potatoes and a tub of ice cream for our Sunday supper tonight.  We went over to mom's house to watch church on line. While we were waiting for it to start Joan noticed the sliding board decoration.

What we were amazed at was the snow at the end.

David had the first message. A VERY interesting message and he even brought a prop along. I'm so glad they video the sermons now as mom's tv froze up during the message and we missed a bit of it. I will for sure watch it tomorrow. To watch this message click HERE. After the morning message there was a short break then the congregation came back for singing and a few words from Craig Stickling before dismissing everyone. Nolan dropped off the potatoes so I went to work peeling the 10 pounds and cooking the pork roast. The grand kids arrived and went sledding on the death trails. They came in pretty cold and tired. The meal was good. We have all been hosting since Wednesday and tonight most of us were happy to just sit on the couch and visit. The girls started on some crafts while the adults laid around.

Of course the grand kids got back their energy and thought it would be fun to flip the bouncy house while they were inside.

I'm not sure how fun it really was when they had to flip it back over. That was just plain work.

Kensley and Zion decided to roller blade for a while. These two zoomed around the gym.

Eden joined them. David and Israel decided to play 2 on 2 with Philip and Kensley.

That was a fun fast game and by the time they called it, they were ready to rest. It was a much more quiet Sunday than usual but I think we all needed the rest. We all left the barn early tonight. I'm going to sit near the fire and read a book this evening.

Snow Day

 The snow started 1:30 am and continued almost all of today. It wasn't snowing hard during the night only dropping a few inches but after breakfast it seemed to be coming down hard with lots of wind. The kids could hardly wait to go out and play.  Below Strot is filling buckets with snow to make a snow castle.

Joan lent out the sleds and the sledding started over at the new hill. The snow was almost too fluffy to get a good fast run. 

They moved to the death trails but that was the same as the cabin hill. All of this time Mark was busy plowing with the skid steer. Nolan used the 4 wheel drive truck to shuttle people over between working at their new house. The skid steer made our driveway packed and ready for action.

They would come in, sit at the fire drinking hot chocolate talking about the last run down and how they can't wait to get back out. Sometimes they wouldn't even finish their chocolate before they were back out. It was the perfect day with the temps hovering around 29 degrees but still snowing. Sarah took the pictures below.

Below are a few of the boots drying by the fire.

Of course we had to get a picture of drinking hot chocolate.

Check out the video below showing some of today's outdoor fun.

We ended up with 8 inches of snow on the ground. Both Mark and I did a lot of shoveling and he plowed twice today.

I left the kids at the barn then took the golf cart home to start on supper. Tonight we had spaghetti with meat sauce, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, salad, fried in butter Hawaiian rolls and brownies for dessert. The kids played in the gym after supper while we adults visited. Tim and Allie's plane is supposed to fly out tomorrow morning around 10:30 am so Nolan will drive them in with the 4 wheel drive truck. This evening Nolan's work truck got stuck in the drive with one tire off the road over the ravine. Mark tried to pull it backwards using the tractor but the drive was so slick instead of going backwards it went sideways and ended up with both front tires and one back tire over the edge above the ravine. They called a tow truck and that is on the way! A notice was sent out to all who live here just in case someone needed to leave the neighborhood or come home before the tow truck arrives but at this time of night I think all are already home in bed as we hope to be soon.

Winter Storm Warnings

It was only 19 degrees outside and we were out of kindling to start the fire in the wood burner. Mark went out to cut some. 

Believe me that fire was needed today and I'm thankful to have such an easy way to get it started.

Sarah and Nolan brought their girls plus Iris who spent the night down to join Kim, Tim, Allie, Strot, Mark and I for breakfast. Kim helped get the extension back on the table so it was long enough but we were short of chairs so used stools for the kids. They were almost too excited to eat the biscuits, scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage because they planned to go horse back riding right after breakfast. They were quick to head up to the barn but got distracted by playing on the haybales. 

They were quick to jump off when Missy was ready. Strot went first on Missy.

Zion rode next and showed Strot her canter. Then Iris rode to calm Missy down.

Strot wanted another turn even though it was still very cold.

Zion gave Missy a treat when she was put back then groomed the weanlings a bit. Disco was so glad to see her with that brush. He loves to be groomed.

He even moved sideways so she could do his back.

When she moved outside they all followed her and wanted her attention.

The kids made arrangements to meet downtown at the Caterpillar museum. Rhoda got some good pictures.

They ate lunch at Good Tequila's in East Peoria before coming here for a hike. Kim decided with the the winter storm warnings tonight she needed to leave for Elgin this afternoon so packed up and left around 3:00 pm. Below are more pictures from Rhoda during their hike.. As this was Strots first trip to Illinois he was excited to see everything. They stopped to pet Missy and Evan before heading to the lake.

He even got to drive the golf cart.

All of the kids came to the barn this afternoon then stayed for dinner and games. It was such a fun evening.

Below Eden and River are helping me set the dinner tables while the rest visited.

It was just so good to have the Texas Sceggels here in Illinois. He had a lot of fun getting to know his Illinois cousins this trip and our kids loved meeting him and enjoyed playing with him.

They were supposed to fly out of the Peoria airport tomorrow morning but Tim just let me know that his flight just cancelled. Amazing, the snow hasn't even started yet and they have already cancelled his flight AND Sunday lunch. Will we really get the foot of snow predicted?  Bad news on mom's wheelchair van. The part came in and it was NOT the right part AGAIN! We will be another week without that oh so needed vehicle. Mark found a place we can rent one but it is a couple hours away. We have been making do with using Joan's van but it isn't the best option for mom. We may not be going anywhere for a while if this storm actually happens. 

If it does snow as much as predicted Strot will get a chance to play in the snow, make a snowman and maybe even go sledding! They don't get much snow in Texas and I'm pretty sure he hasn't seem much if any in his 8 years of life.

Thankful On Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving morning the pies were all brought inside from the porch. The stuffing was divided into 3 crockpots and put on low. The turkey filled almost 2 crockpots. Those also were put on low.  We had breakfast at the house at 8:30 am as we didn't have to leave for church into 9:15 am. As Joan was going to sit with mom Mark, Kim and sat in the middle up front. Church was pretty full with everyone sitting with families. Craig Stickling had the message on Hope reading 1Peter1 then Mathew 4 and 11. Click HERE to watch that. After church I only had an hour to get the cheesy carrots done. Kim made both of the fruit bowls. Anna, Sarah, Gertie and Braelyn filled the water glasses with ice water. That was a big job as we had 104 places set. Tim Sceggel had the Thanksgiving prayer and then came the feast. There was so much delicious food that every bite was a delight to the taste buds. It really was the BEST Thanksgiving meal I can ever remember. I didn't think to take any pictures as I was making sure to keep the food bowls filled. Below are some pictures after dinner.

The kids all enjoyed the gym and game room while the adults visited and visited and visited.

Rhoda organized some games in the gym.

Sarah brought over Millie and her 3 puppies to show Strot, Allie and Tim and of course all the little girls wanted their turn to hold these precious puppies.

There is still one Cavapoo puppy available. So if you are wanting a precious companion for your family check out Gardner Lane puppies by clicking HERE. It was such a wonderful Thanksgiving day. We thoroughly enjoyed every bit, even the clean up went fast with everyone pitching in. What a great family and what a wonderful feast. I AM thankful on this special day. Thankful for family, thankful for the delicious food but most of all thankful for my Lord and Savior who gave HIS life for me!