Family Photo Outakes

We got some family pictures taken today, and I figured that I would bring my camera along since the location was nice and the kids were going to look respectable :)

Sad News for Texans

Big Tex, the state fair's mascot since 1952, has burnt down to the metal bars, his belt and hands this morning. Makes for a memorable day at the fair.



What looks like a little bit of smoke in this picture soon turned to dark, dark smoke.

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State Fair, Chinese Lantern Exhibit

I can't believe I didn't take the nice camera with me. I had to use my phone today to take pictures.
This exhibit took three months to set up. There was so much more that I didn't take pictures of, like a tribute to fungi, a replica of the Temple of Heaven, dinosaur lanterns and more.















The lanterns above represents masks from the Peking Opera. Performers really paint on make up to make it look like masks.


The dragon is entirely made out of thousands of pieces of porcelain that were tied together by hand..











The Chamber of Fairies


The above sculpture is made out of little oil bottles.





A coral reef, complete with a mermaid.








Ants, ants, and more ants.


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Texas State Fair

We took a field trip to the state fair today. We received free admission for the whole family because we joined the science museum.
Our activities included seeing Big Tex burn, yes, that is the news item of the day in Dallas, the Chinese Lantern exhibit, the Children's Barnyard, working a miniature farm and watching a bird show.

White Buffalo, very cool.


The kids were obsessed with this crazy little goat kid.











Katharine and Charlotte are trying to attach the milk machine to the cow.


Planting seeds.


Taking feed to the cows and hogs.


Taking our goods to market.


Kassidy is paying for her goods with a giant dollar bill she earned on the kids farm.


The bird show was awesome!



Will make a separate post for the lantern exhibit as my phone is about to die.

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Location:Corral Creek Dr,McKinney,United States

Three Little Mice

Katharine made felt mice in school today, with a little help from me.

Here she is hand sewing the little guys.


All seen together, whiskers, ears and eyes.


And finally with their little tails.


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Applesauce Muffins

Today, for our cooking lesson, we made applesauce muffins made with chunky, home made, unsweetened cinnamon applesauce.
Before we started, we recited a poem about apples first to get focused.






We made heart shaped muffins and mini loafs, too.


Fresh out of the oven:


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Family Halloween Party

Lennon and Kassidy joined our Sunday school family Halloween party today. Erik stayed at home with allergy plagued Lukas and Katharine. Of course Keira had to stay with her Daddy.












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Happy Birthday, Iria!

Today Iria grew another year older in age, and another year younger in heart :)

Here she is all glammed up on the way out to our Borderlands 2 release party a few weeks ago.

The day started off with our typical breakfast birthday cake, and ended with a trip to the museum for the opening of a new poster exhibit from Paris at the turn of the century.

Iria got to create a poster collage on the way out. 

As you can see- a perfect ending to the day.

Iria Facts:

Drinks lots of coffee and tea.

Loves chocolate.

Typically eats something called a "morning round" for breakfast.

Favorite recent book: The Dove Keepers

Favorite TV shows: Parenthood and Project Runway

A date night at the DMA is one of her ideal nights out.

Loves the beach.

Favorite seasons are Spring and Fall.

Still takes dance lessons.

Afraid of mice, crickets and cockroaches.

Favorite singer: Ingrid Michaelson

Has an iPhone 5... and I don't!