Silver Dollar City

Thursday was a perfect day to visit Silver Dollar City so we put school on hold and I took the kids out to SDC for the day. It was lovely weather and no crowd, which is a perfect combo for a day at the park. Right now as part of the Harvest Festival, Silver Dollar City has a "Salute to the Great American Cowboy." The boys got to observe a true to life chuck wagon set-up and sample some beans and cornbread made authentic cowboys. Hunter declared that he would have gotten along fine as a cowboy eating beans and cornbread twice a day. We also watched a Western Stunt Show. The boys couldn't quit talking about it. So fun! We are planning to go back soon to do it again.

Everybody together for a picture.

Connor 's pose is awesome.

Waiting for the stunt show to begin.

Don't worry, he posted bail.

Great American Plunge - Carter and Connor.

Hunter by himself.

Front row, ready to ride Wildfire.

On Friday

Yesterday morning, before I woke up, I heard footsteps run past our bedroom door and then the front door open and close. I laid there a while and then decided to get up and see what was going on. Carter is usually the first kid awake and he had decided to get outside for a morning workout. When I found him he was attempting chin-ups on a tree branch. Todd got the picture of his muscle pose.

We took the boys out for a fun evening of bumper boats and go-karts.

This was just about the only thing Collins was big enough to ride.

Connor

On Wednesday night at Awanas, Connor was asked to write out a list of things for which he is thankful. This was his list.
(I left the spelling just as he wrote.)

• Parents
• God
• Awanas
• Flexabilety
• Dark hair
• Brothers
• Saving me (I asked about this...he was thankful that God saves).
• Bible
• Friends
• Longhorns
• Freeking people out
• Sister
• Anything good

Things that make me happy

1. A clean bathroom with a candle burning
2. A fountain drink Coke
3. Dove Dark Chocolates
4. Getting Collins out of her crib each morning and after naps
5. Watching a movie late at night with Todd
6. Days at home with the boys doing home school (OK, some days this makes me crazy, but overall I love it.)
7. Covers all the way up to my chin
8. Cleaning out a closet
9. Helping a friend
10. Looking at past End of the Bend blog books
11. New shoes
12. A chance to sit and read
13. When all the kids are in bed and the house is picked up. All is quiet.
14. Q&A Time at the beginning of our school day
15. Seeing God answer a prayer (More than happy...amazed and thankful at His great plan.)
16. Fall weather
17. Hearing Connor laugh
18. Watching Hunter care for Collins
19. When Colton does something I'm Third for his brothers
20. Carter's moments of greatness - when he chooses to be kind, to be helpful, to be thankful

From the Rapps

We are very excited to announce that we are having another baby! That's right, baby Rapp #6 is on the way. We are still a little uncertain on the due date, but thinking early May. Overall I feel good, a little nausea and I have been tired. Another great thing about this pregnancy is that I get to be be pregnant at the same time as my sister Brea.

Our boys have been awesome about the idea of a new sibling... Such a different reaction from when we told them about Collins. We told them while we were in Florida and they all started laughing, smiling and asking, "Are you serious?!" Last week in the car Connor said, "Way to go dad. Way to get your wife pregnant." So funny! They all seem ready and willing to welcome another sibling. We took a vote and they would like another brother, but to see them with Collins I know that they would love a sister as well.

So we are praying for a bigger vehicle, healthy baby, and thankful for another miracle to add to our family.

Collins recently

Eating frozen yogurt at Peach Tree.

In "jail" at Fuddruckers.

First ever ponytail.

Using a stool as a walker at the Engram's house.

Today at the Rapp house

It has been good to be home. We are doing a very light week of school...and I mean very light. Ha! We are still unpacking and getting back into our routine. This afternoon Connor climbed a small tree in our front year. You have to look close, but he is up there in the top branches.

Collins enjoyed some yogurt today. I started off feeding her, but she hollered until I gave her the spoon. The result was hysterical. Most of the time she just lifted the bowl up to her face, but she did use the spoon a little bit.

Aim for your mouth Collins!

Look at that concentration.

Who wants to clean me up?