3 Girls, 1 Guy and a Zoo!: October 2017

Thursday, October 26, 2017

One of those moments...

Marissa was working on Math today and she is starting Algebra beginnings. She needed to write the correct algebraic expression for each word phrase. Her problem was the difference when a number n is subtracted from 15. She wrote n-15 and I was trying to explain to her that that was incorrect. That problem would be worded as 15 is subtracted from a number n. We went back and forth a couple times and Madalyn finally piped up with her words of wisdom. She says, "It's pretty easy Marissa! If you take "n" away from fifteen, it makes it fiftee!" At first I just thought she was being a smarty, but then I realized she was being 100% serious! LOL

Algebra should be fun with her!

Friday, October 13, 2017

October Field Trip

For our field trip this month, we headed back to our local state park and hiked the small trail they have. The kids love it, and it's great for a wide range of ages.

Madalyn and her hiking buddy ;)

It didn't take long for Marissa to get a walking buddy ;)

This tree was pretty cool!

We finished off the day with lunch and playing on the playground.

Marissa and Madalyn on are that far bench.

We had a great day with amazing weather!

We are looking forward to November's trip!

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Can you guess...

...who tried to come visit us?

We expected to see it lying on the ground, but either something came and took it, or it lived through this! I can't get over the detailed print that it left on the window!

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Projects with Grandma and Grandpa

During our day in Old Forge, Grandma and the girls were on the hunt for some pretty leaves for a project. We did this project as kids, but Mom and I both decided that we think the wax paper is different now than it was so they didn't turn out perfect, but the girls had fun regardless!

Ironing the leaves between two pieces of wax paper....

She loved it!

Marissa's turn...

They loved it!

The best part is, they don't know what they used to be like finished ;)

The girls had to show Grandpa and Grandma their "pumpkin patch".

We composted a pumpkin last fall and we ended up with 8 good size pumpkins!

The girls are pretty proud of them! ;)

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The perfect end to the perfect day....

Mercers...

I don't think better ice cream exists anywhere!

Marissa was too busy lovin' on a dog that was visiting for a picture,

but these three got one anyhow!

Monday, October 2, 2017

Hiking Bald Mountain

Doug had mentioned wanting to take this hike again, so when a beautiful weekend came along and the leaves had begun changing, we took the opportunity and went! My parents came with us. It actually worked out perfect. Mom had an appointment in Watertown Friday, so since that is only about 45 minutes from our place, they drove down, picked up the girls and took them for ice cream (Doug and I were at a youth group event) and then spent the night. We were able to head to Old Forge together and enjoy the day. It was warm, but since the humidity was low, it was not unbearable. Thanks Mom for the pictures! <3 :)

Heading up :)

Madalyn kept finding bugs LOL

I LOVE this hike! Granted, I was very thankful I had Molly.

It was so beautiful!

Marissa and her trusty partner :)

WOW!

Madalyn wanted to be a part ;)

Another bug...

I wonder if she will wear these glassed on her wedding day? ;)

She is so cute!

I was there too ;)

I kinda want to go again! I loved it so much. This is the second time we went, but it was just as good the second time. We headed into town and ate at a super cute place right in Old Forge. We got to eat at a table outside and the dogs even got to sit with us. I'm so glad we decided to take them. I was iffy on it, but Doug thought we should. They got along with all the dogs except one, and behaved perfectly. We didn't have to worry about them getting hot at dinner time since they got to eat with us so it was perfect! I'm not sure if Mom and Dad would do it again...I haven't asked how they felt the next day, but I'm thankful they decided to hike it with us!

If you were to ask me where I would see myself in 10 years, I never would have guessed that I would be here. However, I couldn't be happier! I'm very happily married to the love of my life and have two girls. We have begun our journey towards adoption and I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for us over the next couple of years. I'm a stay at home mom who home-schools. I enjoy researching and finding things out for myself. This blog allows me to share with others my passions and keep in touch with family that I wouldn't normally be able to keep in such close touch with.

Daddy is such a blessing to me. We met in college and became best friends. About one and a half years after we met we were dating. The rest is history. Together we have grown in the Lord and learned many lessons even in our few years together. Things haven't always been smooth, but together and with the Lord's help we can accomplish anything. He is the love of my life and my true soul mate. He is 100% committed to his family and the Lord. He is currently working for Dairy One in Ithaca. He loves to ski, ride dirt bikes, tinker on things, mow the lawn :) and spend time with his girls.

Marissa is our oldest. She was born in May 2005. She is 100% Daddy's girl. She is a home body and usually isn't away from home for long and she is asking to go back to our house. She always claims a job and sticks with it till its done. She is very quick and catches on fast. You have to be careful what you show her, because before you know it she is going to be attempting it herself. Madalyn is her best friend. She loves church and loves learning and singing about Jesus. Marissa is now is school and she is doing great. She loves to read and do projects. She LOVES animals and has decided that she wants to be a Veterinarian when she grows up!

Madalyn is our youngest. She is 100% Mommy's girl (nice of them that they split us up so that one isn't quite so overwhelmed isn't it?). Madalyn knows what she wants and goes for it. She has no fear and is usually the leader of my two even though she is younger. She does love to shadow her older sister though. She is my girly girl, but also my one that is always getting messy. She loves her hair done, to get dressed up, and shoes! We are in trouble with this one! She loves school and is super smart. She has decided she wants to be a "snow plow driver" when she grows up. She is also going to build a house RIGHT next to us and live there so she can still see us every day ;)

Case was actually our "oldest child". Sadly we said goodbye to him on October 29th, 2013. He was a black lab/ red-tick coonhound. He loved to roam the fields, swim, play ball, catch frisbees, go hiking and spend time at the barn. He also very much enjoyed those black and white cats that roam in the dark and have stripes down their backs...or he must have because he kept getting sprayed! He hated to be abandoned by his family and preferred us to all be in the house by 9pm or he started pacing. His biggest dislike was winter. He hated the cold and would rather hold his potty all day long than to go out and pee. Even when he did go out he barely makes it out the door and he was starting to go! Haha He was our "little boy in a doggie suit" as my aunt says. We love him and miss him like crazy.

Cali is our first cat together as a married couple. Sadly we said goodbye to her on October 8th, 2014. We got her from the barn shortly after we moved. She had to be one of the softest cats you had ever felt and of course one of the best looking calicos. LOL She was a great mouser and spent alot of her time in the basement hunting. She had a funny quirk. When she got ready to settle down and sleep, she parted the hair on her tail so only a few hairs were sticking up and then she proceeded to suck on those hairs.

Beaker is a litter mate to Cali. She is a great mouser. She loves to sneak outside when she gets the chance but if you say her name she quickly darts back in. She is VERY attached to Doug and is always coming up to him purring just as loud as can be begging to be picked up. Beaker of course never does this to me. She doesn't like change and isn't fond of strange dogs, although she has gotten much better with the dogs. She will still swat at Molly but it's not angry, it's almost like she is playing.

Sid was our Marshall Ferret. We said goodbye to him in 2012. He was amazing! Great with kids and other animals, but a total goofball. He definitely lived up to the typical ferret personality and a total thief! Sid's favorite thing to steal was pacifiers. He would take them right out of a baby's mouth if given the opportunity and then take off running! He always hid everything in the same place, so at least we knew where to find them, but of course they were always ruined. Anything rubber was in danger of ending up in the said spot. We definitely miss having him around.

Chloe is Cairn Terrier. She is a blast to have around and I'm definitely sold on the terrier family! She is great with the kids and loves spending time outside. She is a great woodchuck hunter and will sit at an occupied hole all day till she catches one. Even in the winter time she will spend forever out there and come back looking like a snowman. She loves to swim and will swim in any temperature water. She loves to mother other animals. Whether it be kittens from the barn, Case, or her own litter of puppies, she is a great mother! We have since fixed her. Although I'm sad there won't be another litter, it's for the best with the probability of us moving and having to find a new vet.

Meet Molly, our newest dog addition :) After taking some time to heal after losing Case, we decided that our household wasn't the same without a big dog around and we were missing something. So we took the plunge and went full out this time. Molly is a purebred, mis-marked mantle, Great Dane :) She has grown into one good looking pup! I'm still in love with this old picture though, so I'm not changing it! She stands about 31 inches at the shoulder and weighs over 100lbs (although honestly I'm not sure how much over because I can't lift her anymore!) She is great with the kids and loves to cuddle. She shares our bed and is the biggest baby ever. She is very protective and does not like when anyone is pinned down. She is right there to break up the "fight" LOL We love her to pieces!

When Doug's sister and her husband started breeding rabbits, I had a feeling deep down that it was only a matter of time....Here she is! Peterette started out as "Peter". When Madalyn realized "he" was actually a "she", she settled with Peterette. :) Peterette is a flemish giant, which according to what I have read is the Great Dane breed in the bunny world! Figures right? She is super sweet, very laid back and loves to be cuddled and pet. She'll stick her nose out of her cage when you enter the room just so you will scratch it!