Dance! Dance! Dance!

Karina and Adam didn't miss all the fun.  We had a great dance-a-thon for our Saturday night entertainment.  We all had a few moves to show.  Most of the Shoafs don't have much rhythm (except maybe Adam) but aren't we glad the Barnes' and Griffiths' do. 

Nature Lovers

When everyone got together the first week of Aug.  we had time for a little outing at Saunder's Springs Park.  We sadly had to send Adam and Karina to school.  The rest o the gang went to get some excerise and fresh air. 

Our hike around the little lake revealed a turtle also out catching some of the summer sun.  It is amazing how such a little fellow can attract such a crowd.

Eagle sighting

Adam had his Board of Revue a few weeks ago and he is officially an Eagle Scout.  I am not sure when he decided to finally finish it, it must have been when he decided to grow taller (when I wasn't looking).

Adam seems glad to have it done since we have hounded him for some time.  I think it has been 2 years since his project was done and he managed to finish his last two merit badges 3 months ago.  We look forward to his Court of Honor in Oct.  He planned it in conjunction with a camp-out at Fort Duffield.  It is a Civil War fort along the Ohio River.  Very Exciting!

We are really greatful for his Scoutmaster Steve Westover for all the time he has put into helping, encouraging and tutoring Adam.  As a parent, it is nice to have allies at the battlefront.

Life drifting by

There are always too many excuses for not keeping touch.  I was lazy and let too much time slip on by.  Now I am trying to make a few amends. 

Joel and I went to dinner with some old friends on Friday night and enjoyed watching the Belle of Louisville float down the Ohio River.  I enjoyed the cool breeze and the great company.  It was a nice break from the heat of summer we have had for so long this year.  There is something soothing about watching the water roll by,  maybe even 'inspiring'.  I plan to blog again soon  Love to all my family,  Mom (Grandma Shoaf)

Gratitude

Pres. Monson reminded us that true and lasting happiness comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for our many blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives.  I realize that I often neglect to say how much I appreciate my family and my many blessings.  I feel like Moroni who said he couldn't write even 'an hundredth part' of what he knew and I feel my list of blessings is so long that I wonder if I am even worthy of all that I have been given. 

My immediate and extended family are such a joy,  my home is safe and comfortable, my children are striving to make good choices, my friends are dear to me.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with all that I need and more.  Does my life reflect His goodness?  I want to express my love and thanks to each you for being a blessing in my life.  Thank you for loving, caring, working, and sharing yourselves with me. 

I am most grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.  His atonement is infinite and the only gate to return to our loving Heavenly Father. He teaches me to be humble in trials and strengthens me daily.  Pure love flows from him in the form of kind things you do and say.  He expects me to share the same with you.  So in meager words again, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. 

Grandma Goes West

I spent the last week at Melissa's in Utah babysitting for Macey and Henry.  Melissa got to go to Australia with Thomas for his work.  I really had fun with my grand kids which I don't get to do very often.  Macey is a very busy girl, but give her dress-up clothes and crayons and you can entertain her for hours.  Henry is an easy child that will eat, sleep, and play quite contently without much effort on my part. 

We played in the leaves, drew with sidewalk chalk, and visited with Sarah every day.  Lachelle and Ben brought their boys down to play on Thursday also.  The boys really liked riding the little car and drawing as much as Macey.  Thanks to Ben and Lachelle we all got to go for a swim in the hotel pool. 


What a contagious smile!

  We spent as much time outside as possible because rain was in the forecast for Monday and snow for Tuesday.  We enjoyed that pile of leaves more than once.





Henry played shy for Sarah's roommates.



I taught Henry a new skill cherished by our family, dunking graham crackers in milk.  

I took the kids up to Highland to see our family friend Tara.  She has quite a menagerie of animals... goats, lamas, chickens, bunnies, dogs!  Henry spent a long time at the door watching and 'talking' to the dogs in the backyard.  When we went to the barn, the lama spent a long time looking at Henry.  I wish I had had another pair of hands to take pictures out there.

 I think it was worth all the work of babysitting just to spend time with these precious grand kids of mine. 

Tricks and Treats

Halloween is something that my kids never outgrow.  Each year Joel says, "Aren't you too old for that?" and the reply is always a resounding, "NO!"  We do enjoy the dressing up and making goodies along with decorating pumpkins.  We don't even mind a few tricks in the process.  Karina and her friends Katana and Meagan made cupcakes for the cake walk game at church.  Adam dressed as a cow for Jesse's(Adam's girlfriend) cowgirl.  He helped give pony rides at Jesse's Trunk or Treat.


Karina's pumpkin was a monster in the forest, and our painted faces guarded the doorstep.



Cow boy?



Karina and Katana were hobos with a shopping cart and sign that read, "Will Trick 4 Treats."

This was our Halloween morning surprise and we decided to leave it for decorations.