The Muench Bunch

Monday of Memorial day was a rodeo day for us. Our pause to remember those who lost their lives serving came during the rodeo. At the start of the rodeo, we took time to remember and pray for the fallen soldiers. Flags were carried and songs were played. A couple veterans were honored in the arena. A flag was carried on horseback that was brought back from Afghanistan. In the middle of the day at 3:00 we had a moment of silence. It is important to remember the sacrifices and for our kids to understand and appreciate that. Rodeo day was sunny and hot, but nice. The ground dried out from a sloppy weekend, Most people down at the arena had stayed Sat, and Sunday night and this was rodeo number 5 for them. Jayden ran Tex and was having a good run until she knocked the third barrel. In the open division she ran Ace and had a clean fast run. He had some little flaws that cost him some time, but still placed 4th. It was hot and Jayden, Makenna,  and  some friends went for a quick cool off in

Why are we so quick to judge? This was copied, not my words.  The Cincinnati Zoo gorilla shooting of Harambe, a 17-year-old male gorilla, is definitely the fastest-growing and hottest news story the Internet has seen in a long time.  On Saturday, May 28, a four-year-old boy climbed a railing, squeezed through a fence and fell into the mote within the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo.  Once the boy was inside the enclosure, a 450-pound gorilla named Harambe grabbed him and, at times, violently dragged him around in the water while the mother yelled to him and bystanders stood in the horror of the situation. Zoo officials responded quickly and took the gorilla down with a rifle shot. Zoo director Thane Maynard said, “We are heartbroken about losing Harambe, but a child’s life was in danger and a quick decision had to be made.” Tranquilizers were not an option in this decision due to the time it takes for the drugs to take effect in a large animal like Harambe. The people of

Friday 5/27/16, started with the Anderlik/ Mitchell wedding rehearsal. I was asked to be the videographer for the rehearsal and wedding. My little niece Libby is all grown up and getting married.The rehearsal lasted about an hour and went smoothly. Libby’s grandfather Bob Anderlik was officiating the wedding ceremony. After the rehearsal, our family was not part of  the dinner, so I joined Mark and the kids, plus cousin Rylie and cousin Karley for dinner in Paton at 509 main. The kids spent eh afternoon together and rode horses. Saturday was the big day for the wedding. Our families had to arrive hours early to be in a family photo. It was a hurry up and wait kind of day. I also was the videographer for the wedding. Libby was absolutely beautiful, her dress and flowers were amazing. She had lovely bridesmaid dresses and all the nieces looked so good. There were tons of ferns at the front of the church for decoration, it looked kind of like a jungle. The ceremony was nice and Grandpa

I took the kids to "The Well" church and coffee shop for a photo session. They have the cutest classrooms with such neat colors and decorations. I thought it would make for a fun background for photos. I am happy with the turn out. These are just a few. And some fun ones too. Love my babies and capturing them on camera!

Jayden was asked to join Makenna in helping to entertain and show a foreign exchange student around. Dooter is from Africa and was staying with a host family in Harcourt. She lived with a family during the school year and with the beginning of summer wanted to do some fun activities with her. She wanted to ride horses and go fishing. The girls had a fun time together fishing and spending some time together. It was a neat experience for all of them.

I am sitting in the sunshine outside typing on my laptop. First time I have ever blogged outside. I am basking in the sunshine taking it all in. My white legs could use some serious sun. It is 77 degrees. I am sitting to the south of the house several feet from the pasture where two horses are munching on tall green grass. The birds are chirping and singing. The sky is baby blue with white puffy cotton ball clouds. Daisy my loyal dog checks in on me know and then by nudging my arm for a pat. It is quiet and peaceful as the rest of the family is out and about doing different things. There is a slight breeze and no bugs. This is the day that the Lord has made. This is what I think it will be like in heaven, only with lots of singing. I wonder if the birds will sing along with the songs of worship. I savor days like this.

Today was Luke's very last soccer game. His team is a bunch of happy go lucky kids that just like to run and kick the ball. They really never practiced any skills and drills, it was more fun and recreation. Most of his team was young and nobody really took it very serious. They just ran around and kicked the ball. Luke can kick the ball and does well as long as the ball comes at him. He isnt going to get in there and go after the ball in the middle of a group. I think this was the third year of soccer on a non-winning team. I am glad they don't post the scores for the games. It is all in fun and Luke enjoys it. I took a team photo at the end of his team. I also got the professional photographers pictures today. I am always very disappointed in the pictures we get. They are dark this year and you cannot even see his soccer ball. I also got my two buttons today just in time to wear to his last game. It sure would have been nice to have had it all season, as the reason I got them.

5/20/16 In the morning Karen and Orrie had special visitors Leroy and Anna from down by Bloomfield. They are an Amish couple and had always wanted to see their place, so came for a visit. Karen asked us to come meet them and she had Danielsons and Haskalls come too. The kids and I were only able to make a brief visit as we had plans and kids to pick up. We headed to the Des Moines zoo with the Ogden homeschool kids. Makenna went along with Jayden and we took two neighbors, the Driver kids, Elsie and Luke. IT was an interesting drive as the boys were loud and annoying and the girls were about to go crazy. Elsie is 12 and chatted with me nontsop. Luke D. Is 13 and Jake's new buddy. The first hour at the zoo was crazy busy with tons of little kids on field trips. It was the perfect day sunny and ideal. I let the kids split off and go on their own. Elsie stuck with me. They all had a great time and it went fast. We had to be back for our evening BBQ at the Graden's. They grilled th

 Tuesday was the first official day off from school also known as summer vacation .You could also say we are taking our snow days. The summer rule is television and electronics stay off until after lunch. Within an hour Jake was asking to have a friend over or go some place.They were used to a schedule and being busy and didn't know what to do. I sent them outside in the beautiful sunny morning and let their creative minds go to work. That is the problem with kids these days,they sit inside the house on a video games and glued to the television. Thy miss out on so much outdoors and using their imaginations The boys went out to the alfalfa hay field and made a home in it. They had  rooms, hallways, and decoration. They played for a couple hours, then I brought them a blanket and sack lunches. They thought it was the best! Day two started out similar and we got out the tent. another perfect sunny warm day. They even read books in the tent. I love days like this! Wednesday, Thursday J

5/18/16 On Monday morning I learned of a terrible accident involving relatives. Orrie’s cousin Elaine Walhtisen's husband Terje and son Tim were in a head on collision accident. They were travelling on a mountain round, rounding a curve when a car was on their side of the road and collided head on. Terje had many broken bones including, legs, back, and neck. Tim has been unresponsive since the accident. Although I have never met Tim, I do know his family is a homeschool family with 5 young children. Elaine and Terje like to visit Iowa every so often. They were here last in March 2015 for Karen’s big surprise birthday party. They were also back when Luke graduated preschool. They are very kind caring people that love the Lord. Elaine’s parents were evangelists and she is a very God loving woman and she just overflows with kindness. This is a very criticial time for these two and we will be praying diligently for them! Troopers and medics responded shortly before 7 a.m. to the rep

To finish the school year we like to end with a special Grandparents Day. We have both Grandparents and Great Aunt Alice come for lunch and the kids get to share their school work. Grandpa W. was unable to come as he was in the field. The kids make all the food and serve the meal. Jayden made her favorite taco casserole. For dessert we bought tubs of different flavored ice cream and everyone got to sample all the flavors and have as much as they want. They also get to show and tell about their year. This year we did a lot on World War II. The kids also had many stores and book reports.