::It's a Monday

Back to school...can't believe we're coming up fast on September. It's back to schedules, snack breaks, papers, new books, tests, ABC's. The really neat thing about home schooling (ok, one of the really neat things about home schooling) is getting to work with and around so many different age and skill levels. Me, as a Junior, working along side my baby brother in kindergarten. At the same time, working with my mom and dad, learning, gaining knowledge from them. It's going to be a really special school year and I can't wait to see all that God has planned for us as a family.
Still adjusting to Josh being away again - this time is almost harder than the last. Having him gone for a year, home again for the whole summer, and right back into having him gone again. But at the same time I'm so proud of him and just thankful for the summer months we had with him back home, getting to grow closer to him, making memories together. A Sophomore at S&T. How can that be!

Of course with fall and the new school year come all the new activities, new busyness. We're learning how to manage it all, still having time to be together on the farm, mentally taking note of all the precious moments filling up. In a big, home schooling family that can be a challenge, or with any family, I'm sure...It's constant focus to be *thankful* and *grateful* for every passing moment. The most important lesson to learn!

The big Riefer news is the new swingset! Joel has been out here with dad putting it together, and the kids can't wait for the "go." In the mean time, we get to babysit this kid inside with us! It's really exciting watching it come together - I admit I'll be out there as much as any of the kids. :-)You can count on pictures coming after it's all done!
Fun thinking of little Evan and all the other grandkids to come playing on it!

 Yesterday, as kind of a "final get together before school starts" thing, the four of us girls went out on the farm with the Clifford. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and just so nice being together as a foursome. Now I'm surely hoping we'll still be able to get together lots during the school year, but this was a fun adventure with the close of summer.

 Kelsey. And Missouri bark. A-mazing.

 The farm looked stunning yesterday. The clouds were huge in the bright, clear, blue sky. Even with the very dry summer the green everywhere was beautiful. Big space. I want to run forever across it.

 At the swimming hole..

 In other news, we miss Ohio, and those weird Ohians that we call our best friends. They are building a flying machine to come down and see us soon.

Connor, me, Jen, and Kels had a lot of fun this past week hanging out at Jeannie and PaPa's and watching The Queen before everyone beginning school...I'm wishing we had more time together in the fall. Let's meet in the forest, shall we clan?

In other BIG news around here, I'm excited to announce the new theater season! The upcoming Fine Linen Drama production to be performed in late February/early March of '13, will be: Drum roll, please....

I'm beyond excited and so BLESSED to begin another show adventure with the Fine Linen family. This will be a really fun show full of singing, dancing, and..pick-pockets. Oh yes, shall be fun. :-) Stay tuned! Auditions were this past weekend, and I'll be sure and post cast information when it becomes available.

Ozark Actors Theater has a very fun upcoming show too.....

Two shows with fantastic music and really exciting scenes. Such fun! I'll post more details on Little Women soon.

All for now - looking forward to the busy fall in front of us. Onward!

::snyder visit '12

The promised pictures! Oh, did we have a good time. Each time we go to visit the Snyders it becomes our new "favorite vacation ever." What better way to end the summer than a week with our best friends? We *love* these people. 

Grandma Gogey has always faithfully packed "Gogey bags" for our family vacations, stuffed with snacks, note pads, pencils, markers, etc..to help the car ride along. And this time, Jen and I were thrilled to find little dolls inside our sacs. Oh Grandma, do you know us - hit it right on. They helped us pass several hours. hehe
By the way, Jenny's name is Viveca and mine's is Renee.

Happy campers in the back seat!

Our car rides are very much a part of the experience. We're talking about 9 hours of singing, cracking up, games, silly texting, making videos...
We were driving along - not much had been happening in awhile. Dad switches on the radio, and what should start playing, but Boogie Shoes. Everybody's grooving and jamming with KC and the Sunshine Band. Oh yes, my parents are part of all of this. Of course. I have a video...sadly, it won't load right now. It's pretty great.

Lunch break! Reaching the half point.

Back on the road again....
We drove right through some really neat thunder storms, and a gorgeous sunset. Made it to Snyder's late Saturday night for a grand reunion and a few hours of rest before church the next morning. We really enjoyed visiting their church and getting to meet some of their friends!

Olivia, Kayla, Liz, and me on the way to church.

Sunday afternoon was spent playing instruments, more catching up, picking out dances and music for our dance the next evening, and of course...Egyptian Rat Screw...the undying war.

Liv, Josh, Jen watching Youtube videos.

haha...the sneezing panda...:-)

The kids love spending time with Mrs. Snyder. She's great fun - from digging in the yard, dipping pancakes in syrup right off the table(!), coloring pictures - she's the best. <3 br="br" nbsp="nbsp">

Olivia and her milk - how much did you drink while we were there?!

Early Monday morning we older kids(Josh, Liz, me, Kayla, Liv, and Jen) took a road trip to their church's gym to meet their friends for several hours of a serious volleyball tournament(the one with war paint. Oh yes).

Back: Olivia, Kayla, Carissa
Front: Lizzy, Liv, me, and Meghan(yes! Another one! And guess what?? We have the same middle name too...how amazing is that??)
We headed back to the house for a couple hours to rest and get ready for the dance in the Snyder's barn that evening. So much fun - we got to teach them some of our dances from home like the Scottish, Yellow Stockings, There She Goes, and we had a blast learning how to swing dance with them!

Game of LIFE Tuesday morning. ^

 More Egyptian Rat Screw...

As last year, Mr. and Mrs. Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Willis came over for supper. Mr. Willis shared his testimony which was one of the neatest stories I've ever heard. It was a beautiful night of worship and friends. God is good.

These people...two of the most incredible Christians I've ever met. I love them so much.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller!!

Jen, Josh, and Liz

Liz, Liv, and Stephie

- My wonderful parents -

Kayla and me

How many amazing people can you fit in one picture?? We've been SO blessed by all of them.
Back: Mrs. Willis, Mrs. Miller, Mom, Mrs. Snyder
Front: Mr. Willis, Mr. Miller, Dad, Mr. Snyder

Wednesday morning we got to hang out with their friends one more time before leaving...we went to a sand volleyball pit and then to the Mayer's house for catch phrase and Ryan's amazing pop corn. ;-)

Back: Liv, Jen, Kay
Front: me, Tyler, Tommy

Tyler and Josh - these two had way too much fun together, and dominate on the volleyball court. :-P

Time for goodbyes...
Josh, Jen, Ryan, me, Tyler, and Derek

Our wonderful new friends - (back) Josh, Jeremiah, Michael, (middle) Kayla, Liz, Ryan, Tyler, Timmy, Derek, (front) Jen, Olivia, me, Meghan, and Emily. We miss you all soooo much!! It's been non stop texting and emailing since we left...can't wait to see you all again!

It's tradition with the Sniefers (Snyders + Riefers....we came up with that one ourselves..clever, eh?) to eat at Hong Kong buffet in Vanwert before we head for home...
It's also tradition for Josh and Michaela to take a picture like the above and below. hahaha...

"Cleansing the pallet!"

Johnny and David

Stephie and Jack

Again, tradition....after-buffet-tummy-pictures.
We already know we're strange, yes.

"CCCHHHHeeeese!!"

We love our Snyders...looking forward to the next time we can see you all. Thank you for having us again - your turn to come out now! Until then..cherish the inside jokes. ;-) WE MISS YOU!

Home again, home again....

About 15 minutes out from the buffet I received a message from Lizzy saying, "You left your hair brush. You must turn back - you can't live without this." Sadly...we didn't go back. *sigh* Good try though, right?

This closes another adventure of the Sniefer clan. With many more to come. :-)