Miss Lyla and a few extra family pics

This little lady is the most easy-going, smiley little lady.  We are so in love with you!

Thanksgiving Feast!

A year ago we decided that we were going to do our thanksgiving feast a bit different this year.  We knew our family was going to go big in the gardening department and we have some men who like to bring home meat.  So... it was actually my brothers idea... we decided that everything that lands on our table has to have been homegrown or hunted.  We had to improvise just a bit as our garden flooded, but we still did pretty good.  We are thankful for what God provides for our little family!  Ps... all women need to try this... the men were cooking in the kitchen way more than the women!  So fun :).

My brother made this... somehow he made duck look this amazing.  He has some hidden talents he whips out every now and then.

This actually tasted really good... there's pheasant in there. 

Roasted pheasant... right, Dad?

Corn... can't lie... from the local market :).

Home grown squash

Deviled eggs... from the ladies out back.

Apple sauce from our tastey apple trees.

Cute little place settings.

This was a hit... Matt created this goodness out of his deer.  If you're not a venison fan, you shouldn't rule it out until you try this.  

Conversation today in the Hoffert house...

I was reading a Bearenstain (sp?) Bear book to my kids and there was a page with 'Papa Bear' in front of several of his fishing poles...
me - "Why would a bear need a fishing pole!?"

Matt- "Well... they probably wouldn't need a car either."
... yes, true.

From the back seat of the car...
Eliott - "What does FDA spell?"
Madison - "I'm not sure, but I think 'ffff-dah'"

As I'm sitting in the back seat of the van trying to calm a screaming babe...
me - "Oh man, I have the worst headache..."
Matt - "Do you need a drink of water?"
me - "Well... Tay is yelling for her binking, Madison is 'fake crying' for her baby (who does everything Lyla does), Eliott is pulling on my pony tail, and Lyla is losing it... I'm not sure a drink of water is going to help"

That's it for now. Just thought you needed a little 'hoffert humor'...

Homeschooling...

We were reading a book the other day about baby polar bears that were raised by a woman named "Cindy".  T heard her name and said, "Cindy!  Like Madi's states and capitals!".  I was quite confused and he said, "You know... Indianapoli-'cindy'-ana!"

Front Yard 40 yd Dashes...

As we watched football tonight, I had mentioned how it doesn't look like the football players are that fast since everyone on the field is fast. Imagine I was playing in the Miami - Florida state game, and I managed to somehow get the ball and was 15 yards in front of any defender ... How far could I run before I got tackled... How far could matt run? 

So today the family gathered in the street in front of our house to time our '40's'.  Here's the outcome...

With my lightning fast 7.95 seconds for my 40 yds, and if my math is right (which was a bit tricky for this tired brain... might I add), and with the defender having a pretty fast 4.5 '40', I would get 20.95 yards before getting taken out. If Matt Reisetter has a good point... it may get stretched to 25 yds as I plant my face into the ground another four feet after I get leveled. I'll go with that... 25 yds... not bad. I'll take it.

Matt:  With his impressive 5.8 '40' (with snow boots trudging through the street), and the same defender, he would reach an impressive 38 yards. I'm sure he would claim touchdown. Pretty impressive.

Madison: In her pink cowboy boots and fur hood, she would get 15 1/2 yds before getting taken down.

Chief:   He would reach 188 yds before the end of his impressive run.

Eliott opted to stay inside and watch from the front window.

Happy Halloween...

... from our little puppy, spiderman, our little cheerleader, and our new little flower :).

Spiderman T

Go Panthers

Madison was going to be a princess.... which was great since she had all the gear.  Easy year for me.  Then, two days before Halloween, changed her mind and REALLY wanted to be a puppy.  Thanks to our good friend Jess for the mask and a trip to Goodwill, we made it happen.  Wasn't too bad :).  

Our little flower is usually pretty sunny :).  

She actually really likes her...

T and one of his favorite little ladies, Alaina.

Definitely a Halloween highlight... we were snapping a few shots of our kids before heading out to trick or treat.  I heard from behind me, "Hi Emily!".  When I turned around I saw this little pumpkin waddling around the corner.  I died laughing... how great!

First Smiles

Little Lyla Mae was sitting in her bouncy seat today.  The big kids noticed her little smile.  I figured it was another tiny baby 'reflex' smile.  Then she smiled again, and again, and again.  Long enough for me to finally grab my camera.  Love our little happy babe!