February 10 - New Horse

Riley Tatum received her first horse, Ranger, today. She has been dreaming for a horse for 8 years now. Ranger is a little black two year old, with unknown breeding. Today all the Pogues, the Tatums, and a friend of the Tatums went to go get him today.

Ranger didn't want to get into the trailer. we tried bribing him with grain.

And pulling him in, then Dan and Kacy linked arms behind him and pushed him in.

He's in!!!

I think Riley likes her new horse.

Riley's little brother Kole getting to know Ranger

Welcome home Ranger!!! Congratulations Riley!!!!

February 13 - More Animals

Our shepherd neighbor gave us a crippled kid goat to see if we could spend the time it took to get his legs straight. In less than two days he was eating good and running around with the other lambs

This was as straight as we could get it the first day

This is what it looked like most of the time.

February 15 - GRACE Dress-Up Day - Your Favorite Era

  On the third Friday of each month is a dress-up day. Some of the costumes were very interesting. 

William Shakespeare - late 1500 

Cow hand from the old west - 1880s

David Crockett -  Late 1700s

Victorian Era - Late 1500s

Mechanic - 2042 :)

Disco Dancer - Early 1970s

Basket Ball player - 1970s

Hippy (1960s) and pioneers ( 1800s)

1970s

One Cowboy from the 1880s and Three boys from the Twenty-first century.  

1920s

1950s

Little Native American Girls

An English Caviler  from the 1600s 

A Medieval Squire...

...And Princess from the 1500s 

A Viking (400 A.D.)

 February 16 - GRACE Dance

After the Dance we hosted back in October, many people wanted to have another one. Today GRACE hosted one for the Family Fun Night.

In the Mother-Son dance, Rossella ended up getting to dance with all the boys.

Denise Tatum and her son Kole.

This is a dance our cousin taught us over Thanksgiving. It was a big hit.

One of the all time favorites, the Broom Dance.

Gabe turned seven today, and because of that he thought he was big enough to dance every dance.

This is what dance organizing looked like.

And then we did some swing dancing. 

We had set up a table for the little ones who didn't want to dance , but Garrett, Gabe, and one of their best friends Nate Tatum spent most of the time playing with it.

All-in-all I think the dance was a huge success.

February 20 - A afternoon with Mener (Short for Grandmother) and Pa (Short for Grandpa)

Rossella's Parents are taking a trip to see how citrus fruit in Texas is produced. While passing through our area they stopped for the afternoon. Since the dance was of his birth-date, we had an "official" birthday party today for Gabe.

Dan and Rossella getting lunch ready...

...and talking to Mener.

Grandpa has been a bible teacher for many years, so before lunch Janessa took the time to sit at his feet and learn.

After lunch Gabe had a Treasure Hunt. Garrett organized it this year and did a fabulous job. Gabe was thrilled.

In the Treasure Chest was a Lego Motorcycle....

...a wooden firetruck...

...a Lego Trash dumpster with fire of course...

... a silver flashlight...

...Secret Agent Crayons..

...Twenty diamond Ice cubes, two Million Dolor Bars, and two bags of Chocolate coins.

Janessa out did herself on the cake....again. Gabe wanted a Cars 2 theme. And Janessa did it with flying colors.

Gabe was surprised and loves his cake.

1....2....3.....BLOW!!

Now it's time for presents. This is a homemade gift card to Barns and Noble to get one book of his choice. 

The best part of a birthday party.... ripping open the gifts.

An antique car from Mener  and Pa. I think he likes it.

Don't you?

One of his favorites.... The Lego Forest Police Station!

February 7 - Babysitting and Surprises

Zach and Kacy went babysitting for a bible study at a friend's church. While we were there Zach told the kids the story of Nehemiah. The boys were so fascinated by the idea of building a wall that was strong enough to stop an army in front of your own house! They spent the rest of the time building stronger and stronger walls :).
  

So excited to get their tower so high....

...now he was almost floating with pride :).

Now it was time for our surprise.....
One of our neighbors is a shepherd and these two are doggies. Which means their mother wouldn't take them.

It was rather windy today, but Zach and Kacy spent a couple hours outside with the Lambs.

January 18 - GRACE Picture day

The home-school co-op we attend every Friday started with only about six families. Look at how big is has grown in four years! It has grown so much in the last two years that we have attended.

This is our annual group picture day.

January 25 - GRACE Field trip to Adrenaline City

 We, along with quite a few families from our home-school co-op, went to Adrenaline City in Lubbock, Texas.

We tried the ropes course first. Lexi is on the crossed ropes

Janessa is being a great example for the little kids. The little boy in front is the son of our former childhood babysitter! It was so cool to see her example played out in Janessa and someday to these three precious children!

Gabe playing it solo.

It was a great time of fellowship for the moms.

Watching the scores in the Lazer Tag room.

The younger kids were thrilled to have a 4-man air hockey table.

Then we moved into the trampoline room. This side is just for jumping....

...and this side is for dodge ball!!! We have many pictures of us playing, but in none of them do we have a clear picture of Zach...he didn't stop moving :).