The Muench Bunch

2/29/16 Allie moved back to Iowa in December and just got her own apartment. She is trying to make it on her own. She has a job at a nursing home and now her very first apartment of her own. I wanted to make a special day for her birthday. I wanted to take her shopping for her apartment and groceries along with a special day. First, both Jayden and Allie go their hair done together. They picked out color, darker underneath and on the bottom. I had no say in the hair color or styles. Next we went out for lunch. Mark was in town and joined us at Hickory Park. Then we went on to some shopping. I showed her the Loft, a very trendy neat consignment shop. She ended up picking up a cute dress she wants to wear for Libby's wedding. The girls also tried on prom dresses just for fun. From there we went to Target and bought apartment supplies and finally groceries. I would say that Allie made out pretty good for her birthday. I hope she appreciates it.

2/28/16 Jayden seems to get busier all the time. 4H is starting to schedule horse and dog meetings. It is going to be once a week she has either a dog obedience meeting or a horse meeting. She has been working every Tuesday and Thursday 11-4 or 1-6. She rides with Marlee and Lori now 3 nights a week. This week Makenna came out one day to ride. It seems like getting it all in, especially school, is getting harder. School is the priority, but at times it gets cut short. She also has been doing more on the weekends with friends and has been enjoying the freedom of having a licence and wheels. She has gone to 2 TMRA bull riding to watch.  Last night she went to Makenna’s to watch the big American rodeo. Wade Sundell, our Boxholm native saddle bronc rider won three consecutive years,. Because of his win last night, he just won the whole deal winning $1,100,000. Wowza!

The boys participated in the Ogden homeschool art program. They met a few times at "The Well" in Ogden. They did some drawing, painting and clay. Jake got to know the neighbor boy named Luke. They are a year apart and farm kids. Here are some of the boys projects.

When asked if they would like to attend a Mother and Son dance, my prediction was totally wrong. I figure Luke, who loves to dance would be all over the idea and Jake would think he was too old for something like that. Boy was I wrong.  Luke didn't think that sounded like something he cared to do and Jake's response was "Sure." When the day rolled around for the dance, it happened to be an amazing, sunny, and warm day, perfect for being outside. That made for a challenge and the boys really weren't thrilled about spending such a nice day inside. The boys got dressed in their best with sports jackets and all. Luke wanted to wear his cowboy hat and did the entire day. Dad helped the boys get all dressed up.I told the boys how they should open the door for a lady and hang up her coat and pull out her chair. The dance was in Gowrie in the school lunch room. It was well decorated, they had a yummy snack table full of goodies, and a D.J. jamming songs. There were around

Our good friends the Buhr’s invited us out to dinner. It was also Jacob’s first youth group fun night. It was called the 180, 6 th grade Slam. Jake made sure his buddy Cademan was going to be there too. He was pretty nervous going into the church, but later told me he had a great time. They did a lot of running around playing games from 7-11PM. I am so thankful for his church group, it has been an  answer  to many  prayers . With our friends, we went to a Sushi Bar,  also know as Hibachi grill. We had a nice time visiting and being entertained by the  Japanese  as they sliced, diced and cooked in front of us on a giant grill. The food was excellent and we enjoy our friendship with the Buhr’s so very much. Another  answer  to prayers, God is so good!!

My hometown school Northeast Hamilton was having a school carnival. Alivia attends the school and Carina was a big part in organizing. I took the boys and Grandma and Grandpa where there too. The kids school has always put on a carnival, so I was expecting the beefburger, beans, chips, and a bar meal we have always had. The school also had a cotton candy machine, soft serve ice cream, and popcorn. Not the case at this school. The food was one are that could use some improvement. Each person got a corn dog, banana,animal crackers, and a cup of water. Needless to say we stopped and ate on the way home. The carnival was full of games and activities. Grandma was in charge of the photo booth and it turned out really cute. Luke got a Hooey tattoo to match his hat. The boys had a blast and I enjoyed seeing some old friends and classmates.  

Jake has been drawing with Nate on and off for 3 years. It is supposed to be once a week, but ends up about once per month. With the library only open on M,W,F afternoons and with our crazy schedule, it is hard to get there. They meet at the library for an hour. I sit back and look at books for Luke and listen to them argue of car and truck details. They are quite the pair, talking trucks, engines,makes, models, and stuff. I think they really enjoy each other.

2/21/16 Our Sundays seem to get so filled that they are a day of rest. I don’t know what to do to change that unless we all stayed home and never got out of bed for the day. Ha. We were hospitality so that meant getting to church an hour and a half early. We were out the door by 8:30AM. On top of hospitality I was filling in for Jayden by being a lead teacher in the child care for 3,4, and 5 year olds. Jayden went to the Beef Expo, so mom took her spot. With 9 kids and an adult helper it was really not a problem. The kids were cute and fun at the adorable preschool age. Jake also was very helpful as my assistant. After church we took Allie and her boyfriend Ryan out to lunch at Colorado Grill. I had not met Ryan yet, but Mark has known him and in fact he helped work for Mark at one time. I have heard so many good things about him from Mark’s sisters and parents. That makes me feel good about him and I felt he was a very nice guy, polite and well spoken. He is very good to Allie, helpi

2/20/16 Today was a little bit of this and a little bit of that. At 9 am the equine chiropractor came and adjusted our 4 horses along with Loree and Marlee’s. The Driver girls came to watch and brought their  brother Luke to hang out with Jacob. Mark and the kids spread the MAG salt on the arena ground to control the dust. That takes a gator driving with the spreader and someone cutting bags, someone dumping bags and there were 60+  bags. It takes time and muscle and is not an easy job. The neighbor boy Luke helped too. I think he enjoyed having a job to do and really likes to hang out with Jake. He is very quiet and doesn’t say much, but was making plans for Jake to come over to his house. Midday I ran Jake and Jayden up to Spillman’s where they went to a TMRA winter bull riding series to watch. It seems so strange to send the kids off to do things without a parent along. I picked Jake up at 10PM and Jayden spent the night. She was to go with Uncle Troy in the morning to watch Jayn

2/18/16 Today was my two week check up with my doctor. I cannot even believe I had surgery two weeks ago. The only indication of my surgery is the black and blue area surrounding my belly button. Otherwise I forget I had surgery. I have felt great from about day 7 on. I can’t really say I had any terrible pain or feeling bad as soon as I got home from the hospital. I am so happy and thankful to have it over and feel blessed it went so well! I praise the Lord for that! My doctor appointment went well. Mark and I went to Olive garden for lunch then to the Jordan Creek mall. It is fun to have a day out just the two of us with no rushing. In the evening, Jayden drove to her 4H horse project meeting in Fort Dodge. We convinced Jacob to go along. I would like Jake to still be involved in the horse project in case things work out for him and we also wanted someone to go with Jayden. It worked out great. Jayden had a busy day, from homeschool, work 1-6, then drove straight to her meeting at 7

The boys really love the snow days and being out in it. Here are some winter snow shots. 

2/15/16 Mark decided to join us for the homeschool ski day at Seven Oaks in Boone. Jayden also invited her friend Erica, who had the day off school. It was a great day to ski and we all had a good time. It was so busy as it was also Martin Luther King day and many schools had the day off. The girls ski lesson group was huge.  Jayden patiently waited with her friend as she took ski lessons.  After an hour or so, the girls were on the big slopes. We still could not get Luke on the chair lifts, he is just too afraid. He just keeps skiing the bunny hill over and over with the rope tow. That thing wears me out! It was a nice day for skiing with the sun shinning it wasn’t terribly cold.