Thanksgiving 2021

 Happy Thanksgiving, 2021!

Jenna made cookies and I bought pies! ;)

Handy Randy joined us for dinner this year.

The He family joined us, too.  Lawrence, Lucas.

Mason & Jennifer

Jenna enjoys making deviled eggs.

Basketball!

 Charlie played basketball for Calvary Baptist Academy this fall.  It was his first time playing, and he loved it!  As usual, people commented on how fast he is.  That's my Charlie!

Mr. Witt was his coach, as well as his geometry teacher this year.  Remarkable man on the court and in the classroom.  He held the players and students to a very high standard physically, morally, and academically, and they lived up to it.  So thankful for a godly man to lead these young men.

North Carolina, take two

 We took another trip to Charlotte, NC.  Jacob wanted to be in-person for his first week at his new job, Jenna needed to interview and test with a prospective school, and we needed to get a few more ducks in a row.

We drove from IL, through Indiana, Ohio, and into West Virginia on our first day.  In Ohio, we just happened to pass the exit for the Bob Evans Farm.  I'd always wanted to visit, so we did!  I love surprises along the way!

The all-familiar gold dome in Charleston, WV.

The mountains, with all the autumn colors, were breathtaking.

Chillin' at a rest stop in the mountains.

One morning, the "littles" and I visited the Billy Graham Library.  Phenomenal place! This will be one of the "must sees" for visitors.

We also visited Zootastic Park in Statesville, NC.

How many attempts does it take to get just the perfect family photo?  I lost count... 

Look out, Jenna!

Light the Night 2021

 Since we were still in town, we were able to host our final Light the Night/Candy Dive.  This is such a fun neighborhood event, and probably the only reason I'm thankful for so many oak trees!

We tossed over 3,000 pieces of candy into this leaf pile!

Charlie's stash at the end of the night

Handy Randy, aka bus driver for these teens, hung out with us.

Guess who got the first bags of popcorn?

Jacob and Grant Waterfield...too funny!

A rather huge stash of candy from our neighborhood and Chillicothe Bible Church's Trunk or Treat!

Trunk or Treat with friends

Jenna, Hannah and Rebecca Klingbiel

Laura, the cutest ladybug ever!

Neighbors gathered for the big candy dive!

Jamie, as always, took care of the popcorn and hot cider.

They even arrived on tractors/trailers!

Happy 16th Birthday, Charlie!

 Oh, my goodness, he's 16!  Grandma and Papa visited for Charlie's birthday, and we were able to celebrate Grandma's birthday, too, from earlier in October.

Ha, ha, Grandma!  It's shampoo!

Laura's never too big for cuddles.

Since the wait at Olive Garden was insanely long, Charlie chose Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner.

Happy 78th birthday, Grandma!

We visited the horse barn where Jenna rides.

Papa helped us finish the apple pie!

Denise and Randy dropped of breakfast pizza, donuts, and ice cream at 7:30 A.M. on Charlie's birthday, but...

Charlie was already at the DMV, first in line, to get his driver's license!

Congratulations!!

Her First Horse Show

 Jenna has a new love...horses!  She participated in her first horse show this past October and loved it!  She brought home three ribbons, valuable experience, and many precious memories.

Hannah Klingbiel rode Slam.

Helen, Jenna's trainer, provided the attire.  Jenna chose her favorite color, blue, for her English class.

Her horse's name is Gabri-El.

Carrie and Hannah Meffert, and Jacky Waterfield came to watch her ride.

Costume class...she wore her Chinese wedding dress.

Rebecca Klingbiel rode Trigger, Hannah rode Slam, Kate Bella rode her own horse, Lil' Miss, and Jenna and Kendra Waldemar rode Gabri-El.

Getting Gabri-El ready for show.