Pioneer Trek

Meet the Kettle family, about to begin their journey on the Oregon Trail.

For the past few years, we have been part of a history club.  It has been our favorite homeschooling group.  Each family reads the assigned history chapters at home, and then we get together to do related activities.  In December, we read about Westward Expansion and the Oregon Trail.  My wonderful friend, Stephanie, planned a reenactment for the kids in the "prairies" behind her home.  It was one of our best activities yet!

First, everyone drew a slip out of a hat to find out which character they would be in the Kettle family.  Then they were given a map, and off they went.  Along the trail, there were markers with instructions they had to complete before they could go on.

 Archer Kettle in the covered wagon.

 Pa (Charles Kettle) tries to fit in with him, but it is a tight squeeze.

 The cover doesn't last long.

 Tanner Kettle climbs a tree to scope out the trail.

 A blizzard hits the Kettle family!  They cannot see because of the snow flurries.  They have to hang on to ropes in order to find their way through the blizzard. 

 Food supplies are running out.  Only flour and water remain.  They mix it together and make a meal.  Everyone has to taste it.  YUM!

 Next challenge--there is no firewood to be found.  Everyone needs to search the area for buffalo chips.

 Tanner is tired of searching, he stops to rest.

 Timmy, the oldest and most helpful son, hurts his leg when it is run over by a handcart.  He must ride in the wagon the rest of the way.  Not only does the family have to pull a heavier load, they have lost the aid of this valuable family member.

 Tragedy strikes again.  Ma and her son, Billy, have frostbite on their toes.  Their toes must be amputated to keep the frostbite from spreading.  Ma and Billy have to walk on their heels the rest of the way.

 The family is completely out of food.  If they don't have success hunting, they will starve.  Everyone tries to make a hit.  (If they hit the target, they receive beef jerky).

Only Timmy, injured leg and all, has success hunting.

Ma finds it hard to walk without toes and sits down to rest.

The hardships of the trail are over.  The Kettle family has reached their destination.  They are ready to begin their new life in Oregon territory.

Jason made a video of the trek.  Here is a one-minute clip with some highlights:

Baby in the dirt

We had beautiful weather last Saturday, so we took the baby for a walk and took our Christmas lights down when we got back.  I sat Archer on the ground by me and he immediately went for the dirt.  I thought about stopping him, but he was so happy that I let him play.  He had a grand time and I don't think he ate any dirt.  Although, I did finally have to take the shovel away since he kept whacking himself in the head with it.  I love that little bald boy!

Merry Christmas!

Hello Friends,

This year I'm writing our Christmas letter via our blog.  It's been a beautiful year.  I asked my kids to write their own paragraph about themselves for the Christmas letter (or to dictate it).  This is what they had to say:

Kayla (age 11):

This year has been quite exciting. Surprisingly, I have been to the hospital three times; once for a fractured wrist, once for a concussion, and yet another time for a bruised rib. I continue to love roller coasters and I had many opportunities to experience them this past year with a visit to Disneyworld, Universal Studios, and a season pass to King’s Dominion. Recently I’ve taken an interest in politics, though I've found it isn’t a very popular subject among 11-year-old girls. J My dad and I like to watch the debates together. My new toy interest is Squinkies-- tiny, squishy, creatures that can fit on the top of a pencil. Although my mom isn’t thrilled I’ve started another toy collection, she is glad that Squinkies are tiny and don’t take up much space. It has been a fun, fascinating year and I look forward to 2012.

Hunter (age 10):

One of the best things that happened this past year was on New Year’s Day. Every year on January 1^st, we have a brunch party at our house with our relatives. We have steaming hot chocolate, waffles, eggs, bacon, and cinnamon rolls, and I get to play with my cousins. Another exciting thing that happened was an adventure at Harper’s Ferry. We climbed big rocks, ate ice cream, and hiked steep stairways to look at old churches. Then something a little scary happened. Kayla, Tanner, and I got caught in some rapids while we were floating down the river. I was afraid we might drown, but then I said a prayer and my dad came and saved us. A little bit about me: I like to eat steak. I like to play video games. I like to play football and other sports with my Dad.   I like to play with Legos and Bionicles.  School is getting better, I even like writing now.  That’s a little about me.

Tanner (age 4):

I like to build with Legos and Bionicles.  I like to play Roblox on the computer.  I like to play Spiderman Friend or Foe on the X-box.  I like to play with my cars. I like to ride my bike, it’s my favorite thing. I like to write letters (the ABC’s), it’s my favorite thing too. I like going to the barbershop to get my haircut and get free popcorn and lollipops. I love lollipops. Candy is also my favorite thing. I like to play with Geo Trax. I like going to Disneyworld. I got to eat breakfast there for my birthday with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. I want to go there again.  I go to preschool now at 4 R's.  I like my teachers.

    

Archer (age 8 months):

Archer likes to smile, eat, and watch his siblings play.  He's scooting all over the place now, but still hasn't progressed from an army crawl to a regular crawl.  He sleeps great and is generally happy.  He is delightful and we feel so blessed to have him in our family.  More about Archer here.

The Parents: 

Jason didn't get his paragraph to me yet, so I guess I'll write a couple of things about him.  He is ever the wonderful husband and father, making sure we all laugh and have fun.  He is cubmaster at church and it suits him perfectly (in my opinion).  He has always been a natural at planning fun activities for kids, so this is just an extension of that.  He still works for Scitor and we're thankful for his job with a great company.  He is the rock we all lean on and I feel grateful for him every day.

 I am happy and thankful for my many blessings.  The highlight of the year for me was the arrival of baby Archer on April 12th.  I grew a garden for the first time and finally went on a roller coaster after many years of being too scared. I only went on ONE, but maybe next year I can work up to two!  I'm still homeschooling and enjoying it greatly.  We have a lot of fun together and I feel lucky to have so much time with my kiddos.  They are growing up so fast.

That's a little bit about us and our year.  We hope all is well with our friends and loved ones near and far.  Have a beautiful Christmas!

Love,

The LaFroths

Montpelier--Home of James Madison

As I was searching through our photos, trying to decide what to put on our Christmas card, I came across these photos from Montpelier and wanted to post them.  Jason and Kayla first visited here in the summer of 2010 and it was love at first sight...or something like that.  Montpelier is still going through the restoration process so it isn't fully furnished like Monticello or Mount Vernon.  However, the grounds are quiet, secluded, peaceful, and beautiful.  Jason likes this home more than the others because he feels he can really talk to the tour guides and ask questions as opposed to being herded through the house like cattle.  Plus, if you hit it at certain times, you can have a lovely chat with James Madison or Dolly.  Jason took Kayla and I to Montpelier this past summer, he took all the kids (except baby) in the fall, and then we went back for a Christmas candlelight tour this month.  Yes...he likes it that much.  The kids have had their fill of "old houses," but they are perfectly happy to explore the property without a house-tour.  What a lovely property it is!

 

Archer is 7 months!

Archer at Montpelier (home of James Madison), Sept. 2011

 Archer turned 7 months old on November 12 and hit a couple of milestones this week.  His first tooth broke through.  To my surprise, it was on the top of his mouth instead of the bottom!  I had been checking his bottom gums daily because his cries sounded like teething cries but I didn't think to check the top.  His other top tooth broke through a couple of days later.  Archer also started the army crawl this week.  He saw something he wanted across the room and to my surprise, started dragging his little body towards it.  It was so cute!  I'll add some video later.

Archer at Cox Farm, October 2011

For the record, we adore this darling boy!  Not a day goes by that I don't think about how wonderful babies are.  Yes, they are demanding, and when they are going through a fussy bout it does not feel wonderful, but when they smile, laugh, play, get excited, and do new things, it is so irresistable!  It's interesting how much of a magnet little babies are too.  I tried to shop at Walmart last weekend and had such a hard time getting any shopping done because so many people stopped to talk and play with Archer.  It was cute. 

Archer at Cox Farm, October 2011

More about Archer....

Archer is a very happy, content baby.  We went through some fussy spells early in his life but those days are gone.  (Well, they do return a bit when he is teething or sick.)  I keep marvelling at how fast babyhood goes by.  In the beginning, the days and sleepless nights feel so long but before you know it, they are past.  Before you know it, your baby can be happy without being held all of the time.  Before you know it, you can get things done again.  Not as much as you used to, but you can do some things!  Archer likes to play on the floor with toys, he especially likes to dump out his brother's bin of hotwheel cars.  He likes to hang out in his little play gym.  He loves cheerios and cereal puffs (they help extend the time he will stay in the play gym).  He loves all food now.  I didn't start feeding him solids until 6 months but he has taken to it with a vengeance!   He especially likes to gnaw on a tough crust of bread.  He loves to watch his brothers and sisters play, they keep him entertained.  Hunter likes to chant this little song over and over "Doo doo baby, doo doo baby.." getting progressively louder and louder each time he says it.  It drives me crazy but the baby loves it, so I tolerate it.  The baby is very fascinated with Hunter overall.  If I'm feeding Archer or changing his diaper and Hunter walks in the room, the baby will twist and turn so he can see him.  It really helps me to have the big kids around.  Archer still goes in his baby swing once in awhile but not to lay back and fall asleep. He is wide awake and trying with all of his might to grab the legs of the swing.  He doesn't want to be abandoned in the room but will be happy in the swing for awhile if he has people to watch.  Archer takes good naps in his crib when we are home but my days of staying home and keeping my babies on a perfect schedule are gone.  We are often away from the home for classes and field trips but he does pretty well.  All in all, I couldn't be more delighted with this little guy.  I love you Archie boo!

Archer with Daddy at Skyline Caverns, September 2011

Strategies for Sanity

I continue to mentally compose blogs in my head without managing to physically compose them.  I have more time to think than write I suppose. :)  So, instead of writing something inspiring and uplifting myself, I'll share something someone else wrote.  I recently found the blog of an amazing mother of 10 children.  I have seen her at homeschooling conferences over the past 6 years and always admired her from a distance.  I've only spoken to her a few times but every time I have, I've been impressed with her calm presence and beautiful spirit.  I am fascinated by big families.  I don't know why I find them so fascinating when I grew up in a large family myself (10 children), but fascinating they are.  Four children feels like such a lot some days and I wonder how people who have more do all they do.  Karolyn shares her "Strategies for Sanity" (or for keeping a firm mind and a peaceful home) on her blog and I wanted to share her straegies here too.  I'm just going to list them but it really is worth going to her blog to read the full description of each strategy:

http://firmnessofmindmom.blogspot.com/2011/04/strategies-for-keeping-firm-mind.html

1.  Make your daily spiritual/mental nourishment #1 priority.

2.  Work for physical order & guard your family.

3.  Use self-educating curriculum.

4.  Outside activities: less is more

5.  Know your personality strenghts and weaknesses and work to improve.

6.  You've only got one body; take care of it.

Other posts I loved:

"A Joyful Mother of Many Children" (expounds more on the above strategies)
http://firmnessofmindmom.blogspot.com/2011/05/joyful-mother-of-many-children-ldsehe.html

"Peace Which Passeth All Understanding"
http://firmnessofmindmom.blogspot.com/2011/05/peace-which-passeth-understanding.html