Life In The Zesch Household

Merry CHRISTmas

2011-12-27T07:39:00.001-06:00

Blessings upon blessings as we celebrate the birth of Jesus during this season.

"and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.: Isaiah 9:6

Jazz and Masquerade recital and an indoor soccer game

2011-11-14T07:29:00.001-06:00

Jimmie, Joy, and Joshua played beautifully at a recent recital. Jimmie's piece was Tribal celebration, Joy's piece was Dance of the Spiders, and Joshua's piece was Takin It Easy. Proud of you three!!

Then we went to Jenny's indoor soccer game. They played well 6-6. And, we got to see Jenny make a goal!!! Way to go Jen. It was really fun to watch Jen play, brought back memories of our fiesty little 4 yr. old playing several years ago. She is still just as fiesty:)

First deer of the season!!

2011-11-13T19:24:00.001-06:00

Joshua got his first little tagged buck of the season:). Thank you Joshua for getting us some meat for the freezer!! Ok, now its Jimmie, Joy, and Patty's turn.

Can he possibly be old enough to be driving?????

Yea Joshua!!!!!!

Swimming Pool

2011-10-13T19:35:00.000-05:00

The finished blessing!!!


Finished

We recently started building a swimming pool at our house. Here are some pics from the work in progress.

Day 1


Trench for lines to filter

Boys inspecting


3 Boys slept in the pool the first night


Day 2


Day 3


Day 4


Day 5


Day 6


Day 7


Day 8


	A pool party!!!


Finished

Roy and Julie's get away :)

2011-10-10T14:14:00.009-05:00

Roy and I had an opportunity to spend four days in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. It was a wonderful get away. We enjoyed each other so much, along with God's amazing creation. It was Awesome!!!!!!

Salt Lake City Temple Square.

The Mormon Temple - an amazing structure. It took them 40 years to build it.

The Mormon tabernacle and organ. There is someone playing and it sounded beautiful.

From desolate Rock Springs, Wy to beautiful Jackson, Wy

Can you believe those colors. God is so amazing with His beauty.

Such a good looking tourist:)

Bradley lake in the Teton National Park.

As we walked back from Bradley lake we could hear the Elk bugling .

One day we rode a tram to the top of a peak close the Tetons. This was a pretty pic looking down.

And, this is looking at the Grand Teton from the top of the tram ride.

Top of the peak after the tram ride.

Pretty Aspens.

We spotted a bull Elk way off in the distance. I couldn't zoom in any more.

The Tetons

Cow moose we saw on the side of the road as we drove out Sun. am. It was still dark so the picture isn't great. Apparently she got hit by a car. She could barely walk.

Cow and calf elk. A pretty sight.

Cute pics

2011-10-09T19:41:00.008-05:00

Beautiful Sunset!!!!! Thank you God for your beauty!!

Papa's leopard finally home and mounted:)

Good morning boys, what a way to wake up after a good nights sleep on the tramp:)

Good shot, Matthew!!

These next three are really cute, however; did not really show the total cute affect. Amy had been sitting on the steps with Blue and Killer with her arm around Killer :)

And, last but not least cute Patty!!!!!!!

Jenny's Birthday Party

2011-10-09T19:10:00.004-05:00

Can't believe Jenny McClure turned 19. We all had a fun time celebrating a beautiful young ladies birthday. Justin surprised Jen with all of us at the bowling alley. The cute part was the little guys really had a fun week. First, while I was at a meeting early in the week and Annie was keeping the three youngest boys they got to attend Justin's 20th birthday party and go see the Lion King. Then when they found out Justin had a bowling party planned for Jenny they were all excited again.
Jenny, we are so very proud of you and your wonderful husband.

Nice form, Kellen?!? :)

Bowling fun, look at that form!!

Amy eying the cake.

Matthew's up.

Grammy's Beach trip

2011-09-05T16:06:00.002-05:00

Grammy blessed us again this year with a trip to the beach. We went to North beach in Corpus Christi. We had a marvelous trip. The weather and beach were beautiful!! We all had lots of fun!!!!

Amy feeding the sea gulls

Michael feeding the sea gulls. Michael is the one who made sure we had bread for them.

Gearing up to fly kites.

Twins on a hermit crab hunt.

Flying kites

Annie and Patty playing with Amy.

The boys hermit crab village.

Playing around in front of the Lexington

Fun at the pool when they were not playing at the beach.

Joshua took Roy's snorkeling gear and had a big time with it.

Boys, boys, boys!!

Isn't this priceless. Michael's adorable grin. He would jump in, swim down and touch the bottom of the pool and he wanted me to get his picture as he came up. :)

Mark your calendars!

2011-08-21T17:44:00.001-05:00

H.O.M.E.

Heart of Motherhood Enrichment

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest Walk with me and work with me, watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message Bible)

The Heart of Motherhood Enrichment retreat is a retreat for moms that need to be encouraged, inspired and uplifted by the Word of God.

Mark your calendars!

February 3rd - 5th, 2012

Heart of Texas Bible Camp

Brownwood, Texas

$110.00

(This includes: Food, lodging, and much more)

There are about 24 weeks before retreat. If you can stash $4.50 per week in a H.O.M.E. retreat envelope you'll be paid in full.:)

We are looking forward to what the Lord has for all of us at this years retreat. See you there!!!

May today's rising of the sun mirror the rising hope in your heart of God's emphatic desire to be a part of your life in a very personal way.

If you have any questions; contact us on facebook or HeartofMotherhood@gmail.com

Family fun pics!

2011-08-21T17:16:00.004-05:00

Kellen and Justin playing with the horses!

Justin and Kellen playing chess. Roy brought steaks in right when they were in the heat of a battle. Believe it or not their steaks got a little cold:)

Paula, Stella, and Matthew at church:)

Joshua was wiped out after a missions trip in New Mexico; we found him like this the next morning. Guess he never moved once he laid down.:)

I found a little shorty in the dryer one morning. Stella joined her when I got the camera. Anyone surprised?

Another little Aggie!

A model in a style show

2011-08-21T16:53:00.003-05:00

Jenny called last week and asked if Stella could model for Barb Wire and Roses in a back to school style show that the mall was sponsoring. So, Here she is: What a beautiful model she makes:)

And, of course big sis makes a beautiful model as well!!!!!!

Amy riding bull while we were waiting.:)

A bunch of pretty girls!!

Happy Anniversary!!!

2011-08-20T16:25:00.002-05:00

23 years ago I married the man of my dreams!!!! Happy Anniversary, my Love!!! I'm so happy to be married to my best friend, favorite pilot, and Love of my life for the last 23 years. Wishing he were here, however; he is backpacking in the Pecos Wilderness with our big 3 that are still at home, another family and 5 others that they took with them. I admire and respect you Roy Zesch so much for all you do for your children and our family. The first 23 years have been awesome, I'm looking forward to whats in store for the next 77:)

All in a days work before lunch :)

2011-08-17T11:05:00.002-05:00

My little family and I got up, milked Bessie, had breakfast, read Psalm and Proverbs, killed a slimy, intruding rattlesnake, got some laundry going, and now were getting ready to start lunch:)

Jimmie just wants the rattles, he's ready for me to be finished taking pictures!!!! :)

Fun summer pics

2011-07-19T14:24:00.005-05:00

Yummy watermelon!!!!!!!

Patty heard running water up stairs and found shorty in the boys bathroom.

Dad's little helpers

Oops!! Matthew!!!

Patty and her helper

The 100 degree days called for water, so the country kids found a solution. They asked dad if they could use a water trough that wasn't being used. He agreed and they set off to haul it home. This is the first one they came home with. You see its pretty close quarters for 6-7 wanting to cool off. They used this for a day with Joy in control. She had scheduled times for each one to play in the trough while everyone else was playing with the scooters.

Dad suggested another trough. They liked this one much better. Still small but compared to the other one its much roomier.

Twins and twin horned toads:)

Joshua making a salad with his helper.
.

Trek

2011-07-02T09:34:00.011-05:00

Roy and I and another couple took 10 youth from House of Faith in Ballinger on Trek in the Pecos Wilderness, north of Sante Fe, New Mexico. We had a great group of guys and gals. Roy and Tony have taken our two families older children and a few others the last three years. This year Tony wanted to take a group from House of Faith and since we had guys and gals the men asked us ladies to go along as female chaperone's.
Everyone endured and pressed on even when the going got tough. We had to deviate from our plans several times along the way as there were fires in the area. Over all it was a great trip and the group of youth we took were great. They encouraged each other along the way, stood by each other when the going got tough, learned they had more in them than they thought they did, and saw some beautiful country!!!! God's amazing creation!!!!!

Getting ready to hit the trail.

And we're off.

One of our fearless leaders

Good lookin group of Trekers, everyone carries about 25% of their body weight

Filtering water in the cold Pecos river

First campsite. We met a group of 3 men who interestingly were from San Angelo. They were camped about a mile away from us and one evening they said they saw about a 400 lb. bear. Although it got everyone's attention and the boys really wanted to see it we never did.

Day hiking, we got off our trail and missed our peak, but had a great day.

Does anyone see a trail around here?????

Filtering water in this little stream. We were really glad we found it, as several of us were out of water.

Little buck we saw on our day hike.

On the trail again!!!

Pecos falls, spectacular!!!! Just as we arrived at Pecos Falls and were ready to get camp set up a park ranger came up and told us we needed to be out of the wilderness area by 8 the next morning. We were about 8 or 9 miles back and felt like there was no way. The guys looked at the map and after we filtered water and took some pictures we hit the trail again. We hiked another 4 miles that day and found a place to camp.

We saw these beautiful lillies along all the trails.

Our last nights camp site.

This is picture the last night we were there. You can see the smoke in the background.

Ensemble performers!!

2011-07-01T09:59:00.006-05:00

Annie, Joshua, Joy, and Jimmie played on an ensemble team this summer. It is really quite amazing. Joy and Jimmie played with a group of 9 other children. They played a piece call The Spy. They were all decked out in black with sun glasses and colorful hats. Joshua played a piece with a group of about 12 other Jr. high students. Their piece was called Rhapsody Grandioso and it was grand. The all wore black and white with red accents. Annie played on a high school team and they had 9 on their team. Their piece was an arrangement from Carmen. Fabulous!!!!

Playing at the hotel.

Much concentration.

More pool time with a friend

Look mom we braided out hair together.:)

Concentrating in the practice lab.

J,J, and J really enjoyed having Annie around!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, everyone enjoyed having Annie around.

The pool had water shooting into the pool and everyone had fun with the water spouts as you see Jimmie appearing to drink the shooting water.:)

Cute pics

2011-06-30T17:43:00.003-05:00

Patty and Amy mowing!!! I think we have one of Patty with Stella on her shoulders a few years ago. :)

Where's Amy? Hiding in daddy's closet!!!!

Two budding pianists, they really were playing together. Look how intently Amy is placing her fingers.:)

And, last but not least Amy's new friend. She was a little unsure at first.

Kothmann Reunion

2011-06-30T16:31:00.004-05:00

Cousins playing mother may I.

Visiting.

And , more visiting.

Lunch at Granny's after church on Sunday.

Good family visiting!!!

Justin, this is a family meeting, pay attention! I really don't know what Jen is saying, it looks intense.:):)

Roy visiting with his cousins.

Bodenhammer Reunion

2011-06-30T13:11:00.007-05:00

We gathered at the Llano river even though it was really, really low.

Roy's mother has 3 sweet sisters and one brother. You see they found a shady spot to visit.

Joshua and his cousin Payne fished and caught little's that they threw back. They had fun.

The girls playing Farkle.

Playing in the river

Cousins

Playing in the rapids

Roy, the watchman

Going fishing, and Stella posing, imagine that!!

More little rapids

Amy and Papa chilling

Sunday morning before anyone hit the river we gathered for church, except for the fisherman that we had to call back:). It is such a blessing to have a family heritage seeking the Lord and His ways. We enjoyed a good discussion on walking as fans or followers of Christ.

One more cute Stella pic!!

House of Faith Swim party

2011-06-30T09:52:00.006-05:00

We've been helping with House of Faith ministry in Ballinger for about 5 years and every summer we invite the kids to several swim parties. I took pictures for House of Faith so thought I would share on the blog. We had a really good turn out for our blessing to the families. We had a little over 100 in attendance. We invite the children's families and after we swim we have sandwiches and watermelon in the park. It was a fun evening.

Anyone else need a back rub?

Playing with Amy!!

A house full!!

2011-05-31T19:52:00.005-05:00

Our friend Darcy and her 6 beautiful blessings stayed with us the week after Jenny and Justin's wedding. They had a graduation to attend the following Saturday. Everyone had a great time. Darcy's are 15 and down, so it was as if we had about 7 sets of twins in the house. Definitely a house full of blessings!! The kids played outside a lot. They worked on a tree house that Caleb(Darcy's) headed up. I wish we had a picture. I will have to go down and take one. They also made a home made slip and slide, and rode horses almost every day. Darcy, it was a fun having you and your children!!!!!!

Magan and Amy

One morning when the horses came up they found porcupine quills in our friends horse, Annie. Roy pulled them out, apparently about 30 or so.

Matthew and his friendly horned toad

Swimming at the La Quinta that the Kings stayed in the last day they were here

Matthew catching the football. Patty threw to the boys for a long time and our Mr. athletic Matthew went for it every time.

Three little girls down for a nap

Now that's a full living room at movie time

Home made slip and slide. I was so proud of them, didn't they do a good job.

New calf

2011-05-31T17:17:00.004-05:00

The last few days we've been noticing Bessie showing signs of really getting close to calving and today we are sure the signs were accurate.

Isn't she cute!!!!! Joshua just said, "Are you sure its a she?" We'll not exactly, we ordered sex specific semen so we hope so.
OK, now for the name. The choices are; Sweet pea, Mocha, Carmel, Sweetie, and May. Place your vote now.

Mr. and Mrs. Justin Mark McClure's wedding and a recital

2011-05-24T16:10:00.009-05:00

Altar decorated and ready for a bride and groom.

Jenny Kay Zesch and Justin Mark McClure had an amazing wedding last Saturday. Jenny was beautiful and Justin was very handsome and a tad nervous. So now we have a new son and a daughter with a new name. We are so very excited to see what the Lord has planned for the two of them. We love you both very much Mr. and Mrs. Justin Mark McClure!!!!!

Jenny and Justin, Granny and Papa, Roy and Julie, Uncle Glen and Aunt Rae Ann

Sweet Aunt Rae Ann and Amy

Stella looking cute!!

Jenny and Justin, parents of the bride and groom

Cake topper

The gym is decorated!

Table centerpieces without the flowers

Grammy and G'pa

Cousin Katelyn reading to the little's before the wedding Saturday

Justin's cheesecake, oh, it was so yummy!!

Granny and Amy at the rehearsal supper

Michael, Matthew, and Stella practicing as ring bearer and flower girl

Hi Patty!!!

Aunt Penny and Joy at the rehearsal supper

Annie and Kellen; ya'll were awesome helpers . Nice shot by the way:)

I looked back in the van on the way to the recital on Sunday and saw one tired boy!!!!

Joshua at the piano playing Song of the Kilimenjaro

Joy, playing Harp song
I thought I took a picture of Jimmie playing his piece and I guess I didn't, sorry Jim's.

Annie, Joshua, Jimmie, and Annie played a piece at the spring recital. Their teacher Mrs. Schlaudt has asked Annie to play with the high school ensemble team in Arlington this year. They can have a select number of post twelve grade level members on the team, so Annie will join us. We will head to Arlington on June 17th to see these four talented pianists play on ensemble teams. Joy and Jimmie are on a team together and will play a piece called Spy. Joshua is on a team and will play a piece called Rhapsody, and Annie's team is playing Carmen. We are all very excited.
We'll have the professional pictures of the wedding as soon as the bride and groom come back from their honeymoon and we get with the photographer.

Horsing' around

2011-05-24T14:48:00.006-05:00

Patty having fun on her Ace!!!!!!

Joshua and Amy with Nickers

Amy loves Patty's Ace.

Annie's Birthday and some fun pics

2011-05-24T13:38:00.003-05:00

Cute and pretty pics!!

We celebrated Annie's 20th a few weeks ago. I cannot believe she is 20. My how time passes quickly!!!!

The boys caught a snake a few weeks ago. They had some friends over and decided they needed another friend to play with. Look at the heart.

More pictures from Garner camping trip on the Frio

2011-05-10T19:21:00.009-05:00

We wrapped up our weekend with a surprise visit to Granny's for Mothers Day. Great times!!!

Jenny and Justin messing around, think they were seeing who would get all the way in first. Stella's thinking, "Come on the water is fine." HeeHee. It was Frio!!!

Cute Stella

Annie enjoying her reading.

Annie and Amy

OK everyone, I'm ready to go back to camp, anyone want to go back with me?

A true gymnast with such form on the swing.

Patty looks like she is still climbing as she is swinging. That girl has form too. Look how high she is.

Go, Joy - Joy

Mom even tried out the rope swing.

Michael, just a swingin.

Fearless leader, just a swingin

Joshua decided to take some time out from snorkeling to swing

Such a wonderful man, helping lots of children on the rope swing!!!

And reading.

Joshua snorkeling.

Matthew swinging!!

Do you like Jimmie's paddles?

Jenny, will you give me a ride?

Look at the form that boy has while skipping rocks!

Amy and Joy walking back from the river.

Amy enjoying some hot chocolate

Joshua getting tackled.

Fun on the Frio

2011-05-10T08:11:00.005-05:00

Such a wonderful daddy taking the early birds to the river bright and early before breakfast. Notice the wet suit.:)

What more could a mother want than to have her family all together camping on mothers day weekend!!! It was wonderful!!! I was so blessed. We played hard and had lots of fun and good fellowship.

Beautiful flowers delivered Saturday morning.

Funny way to nap!!!!

2011-05-01T19:24:00.005-05:00

After church discussion I asked Patty to put Amy down for a nap and we all continued to fellowship and enjoy some coffee and hot chocolate since the temperature outside was about 55 on May the 1st.:) Anyway, when Patty went to check on Amy she found her asleep in Joy's desk chair. Now that's a funny way to sleep!!!!! Wonder what she was intending on getting into before she decided to lay down.

Weekend fun!!!

2011-05-01T18:10:00.004-05:00

After the storage building got cleaned out we had a surprise visit from Annie and Kellen.

The boys decided Kellen needed to pump weights on Roy's old weight bench. I am told after they had weights evened out on each end Joshua told the twins to each hang on one end. Now that would have been a load.

They wanted to show Annie their new tree house area, so - more monkeys in the trees.

Amy didn't want to be a monkey.

Patty monkeying around on the zip line.

Cleaning out the storage building

2011-05-01T17:44:00.004-05:00

Roy and the children tackled a huge job Saturday. Our storage building had gotten out of control. Roy is awesome!! He decided to take out a few walls that were in it to give us some more room.

Then to take everything out, decide what was junk and what was not.

Put together shelves.

Now its all organized. Didn't they do a great job.

TLC's Easter Outreach

2011-05-01T15:45:00.005-05:00

Tree of Life Church invites the city of San Angelo to the biggest Easter Egg Hunt around. They reach out to the community and provide a meal, gifts, lots of fun and fellowship topped off with the word of God and a chance to hear about the one and only God that loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son up for our sins.

This helecopter flies over and drops more goodies.

Roy and the big our bigger children have cooked for them almost every year. This year with all the fires around they could not have a pit to cook burgers so they cooked 10,000 hotdogs. Yes, you read right; 10,000. It really went well they had them cooked in about 2 hours. Now the ones who were stuffing and rolling them in foil didn't get done quite as fast.

Amy helping!!!

Amy enjoyed the egg hunt and was worn out when it was over.

Praises to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for sending His Son for us!!!!!

Clothes helpers

2011-04-29T16:39:00.006-05:00

As we were schooling last week I really needed a load of clothes hung on the line. I asked Michael, Matthew and Stella to do it for me. I told them to get stools if they needed them. They are getting too big. Its a bitter/sweet. Big helpers taking on more responsibilities is a blessings except it means they are growing up. And then the next thing you know they are getting married. I have always heard this and now it has become reality in our house. It seems like yesterday and Jenny was Stella's and Amy's age.

I know we have a picture of Jenny in the pajamas that Amy is wearing, I just don't know where. And, that was pre- digital camera era.

Cousin Amanda's wedding

2011-04-25T09:17:00.006-05:00

Stella posing!!

We recently attended my cousins wedding in East Texas. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding. Small and simple and fun.
Here comes the bride. And, now introducing Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bowen.

Our younger children have not been to too many weddings, however after one on the beach and this one out in the pasture they like weddings.

G'Pa and Grammy Mengers with part of the gang.

Isn't Amy so cute wondering in the woods.

Everyone had fun!!

Fun in the pool before a pretty country wedding.

2011-04-25T08:31:00.004-05:00

While traveling to my cousins wedding we stayed overnight in Palestine and the kids enjoyed an indoor pool. They swam the evening we got there and again the next morning before we got back on the road.
One Awesome daddy playing in the pool with the children!! They love it when he throws them around. :)
Joshua brought along some of our diving equipment and they all had fun with it.

Fun in the pasture

2011-04-22T15:01:00.006-05:00

Definitely some monkeys in a tree

My sweet husband planted a fig tree and Michael and Matthew decided we needed to check on it. They really, really wanted me to go with them, so we strapped Amy on and headed out.
Matthew was insistent on Ergoing Amy.
I had to capture all these monkey's in the tree.

Jenny's Bridal shower

2011-04-21T12:39:00.004-05:00

Our sweet Jenny's wedding is just a month away. She had a beautiful wedding shower. Lots of goodies to stock their little abode, lots of fun and fellowship with some wonderful friends.

She had sweet little helpers with the gifts.

We had her pose for this picture since she was wearing purple, the wrapping is purple and the card coordinates too.

Water Fun

2011-04-21T12:03:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago the little's and I were home and they asked to play in the sprinkler. I agreed, they quickly asked if Amy could play with them. They made her a little pool on the front porch. She loved it.
Notice Stella in the Boy's swimsuit. She was hanging with the boys and was totally opposed to wearing a girly swimsuit.

A friend of ours was over and he was in the doll stroller and Stella was feeding him her play food.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

2011-04-06T14:37:00.002-05:00

God is not in need of magnifying by us so small, but the reverse. It's our lives that are little and we have falsely inflated self, and in thanks we decrease and the world returns right. I say thanks and I swell with Him, and I swell the world and He stirs me, joy all afoot.
Ann Voskamp was dared to write a thousand thanks to God and as she has she is abundantly blessed. I encourage you to read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. # 7 on the New York Times best seller list.

Thank you Lord for the simple; lots of clothes to wash and hang on the line forcing me to see and hear God's beauty. The birds singing in the warm April breeze and beautiful butterfly's flitting by. He is so good.

Links to more Monahans sand pictures and a wonderful thought on Sand Dunes

2011-04-05T22:47:00.001-05:00

http://mom2countrykids.blogspot.com/2011/04/walking-dunes.html

http://txjonesohana.blogspot.com/

The big hill and lots of fun!!!

2011-04-04T10:13:00.005-05:00

We climbed up a really big sand dune and everyone had a great time sliding down. The work was climbing up, unless you had a buddy holding a rope for you to climb part way up.

Run, Patty; all the way to the top, feel the burn, feel the pain. The words of Patty's friend.

Joy, you are way over there.

Mommy, I'm sliding!!!!

Stella going down the big hill. She's so cute!!!!

Our group; we planned on taking a group picture on a sand dune and forgot, so we took one at the visitors center on the way out.

It was a great weekend; making memories!!! With the exception of missing our big girls.

The Petroleum Museum and Boys

2011-04-04T08:02:00.004-05:00

We went to the Petroleum museum during the heat of the day on Saturday. It was interesting. And, we really enjoyed the cool. They had a room with race cars and you can see who enjoyed them.

These are our executives!!

Patty are they twins? So cute!!!

Back to the dunes and everyone was ready to roll:) Literally!

Michael showing off his creation. He picked up a hard piece of sand and scraped layers off; it was interesting to see a little difference in the color as the sand packed.

Joshua brought his skate board. He took the wheels off at home and did some sand surfing. It worked good.

Digging holes at the Sand Hills

2011-04-04T07:32:00.005-05:00

One of the little's came back to camp to inform us the middle children were digging tunnels. Becky and I thought we'd check it out. We came over a big dune to this.

We decided to help with burying legs as the diggers proceeded.

Notice the legs in the background. Those girls dug that far down.

OK, The girl with sand up to her neck is standing in a hole. We all headed back to camp and she was shouting, "Hey, wait, I can't get out.!!!"

Monahans Sand Hills

2011-04-03T19:20:00.006-05:00

We headed west this last weekend to Monahans Sand Hills.

Our church family camped and had a wonderful time.

These two are so adorable. Amy's best friends mommy brought similar shirts for them to wear. Aren't they adorable. They are two weeks apart; they could be twins. :)

Breakfast was super yummy both morning with all those grilled peppers and onions. Mmm, Mmm.
Some of the kitchen crew.

Fall Garden

2011-02-20T14:14:00.003-06:00

Yesterday my wonderful husband tilled for about 6 hours and got the garden ready to plant.

His helpers threw rocks out of the garden and played in the dirt. They also picked up trash around the house. Thanks!!

After all was tilled we planted spinach, swiss chard, sugar snap peas, onions, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, brussell sprouts, and lettuce. We also planted some herbs; oregano, parsley and spearmint. So looking forward to yummy vegetables.:)

HOME retreat

2011-02-19T12:31:00.009-06:00

H.O.M.E. Heart of Motherhood Retreat was a huge, wonderfully, blessed success!!!
God orchestrated a beautiful weekend. To Him be the Glory!!

Retreat was wonderful!! God is so good!! We had clear roads for our ladies traveling, fantastic fellowship, lots of fun, fabulous teaching, and Gods amazing freedom. Ladies we enjoyed each of you and look forward to having you again next year. If you were unable to make it mark you calendars now for 2012 HOME retreat; Feb 3rd -5th

One of our helpers taking a break while blessing a mom.

Fellowshipping in front of a nice warm fire.

Our wonderful teen helpers.

Our fabulous young helpers. A few are missing here. Must be busy. :)

Fabulous worship!

Dynamic speakers!!!

Resource and food tables, and mom's enjoying their Little's.

Tea Party and very fun fashion show.

Patty is sporting her lovely cotton shirt, and the new rage in tennis shoes.

Molly modeling a beautiful ball gown that's sure to be a hit this year.

Becky's t-shirt and matched pants look stunning.

Our models were the life of the party. Thanks ladies, made for a fun night.
Enjoy more pics and another take on retreat at http://txjonesohana.blogspot.com/

Fun in the snow!!!

2011-02-19T10:29:00.003-06:00

We had several days of snow this year and everyone really enjoyed it.

They skied on the road.

Good shot of Blue.

Cute Stella!!

Snow angels, snow balls, and snow fun!!

Sliding on the ice!!!

Hand stands in the snow, what fun!!

Wow, you are so tough; shorts and t-shirts in below freezing weather.

Twas the Night

2011-01-29T08:29:00.005-06:00

The Awakening ministry team presented 'Twas the Night', at the river stage before Christmas. Lots of good music(with Kellen leading worship) and the Christmas story read in between songs. Annie you were a fabulous Christmas story reader!!:)
It was a fun night!!

Christmas pictures

2011-01-29T07:00:00.003-06:00

At Granny and Papa's Roy was playing on the floor with children and they finally got him down good. !

Jimmie and Uncle Billy throwing the football.
The Bodenhamers gathered at Roy's Uncle Lee and Aunt Sandra's this year. Lots of fun, the weather was perfect.

More wagon rides

Stella was determined to pull this full load.

Wonderful times as we all celebrated Jesus birthday and enjoyed family fellowship

Amy's getting big!!!

2011-01-27T20:27:00.004-06:00

Last week we couldn't find Amy and I told all the children to start looking for her. Some went outside and others looked around the house. Joy went up stairs and found Amy asleep in Stella's bed. She's getting so big.

Patty saw the little's playing cards and Amy kneeling down beside them like she was playing too.:)

Annual Sausage Makingn

2011-01-27T17:57:00.010-06:00

After grinding about 500 lbs. of meat. We stuffed about 300 lbs. and bagged the rest.

Amy and Sierra turning the stuffer. Joshua holding and twisting.

"Come on muscles, crank!!!"

Twisting the ring before tying so no air gets in.

Some stuffed and some ground.

We had our annual sausage making last week. Roy's family gets together every year to make sausage. Lots of work, fun and good eatin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We bagged some fresh too for pan fry. Michael was in charge of rolling the bags flat after we got the air out.

And, little did we know there was a concert going on up stairs while we were down stairs working.:)

Turning guts. All the Little's help granny.

Michael helping granny turn guts. He claims he turned the longest one.

Grinding the meat and the Little's spreading it out or playing in it. :)

Christmas Blessings !!!

2010-12-24T21:29:00.002-06:00

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

~ Luke 2:11

Greetings and wishes

to each of you and your families

for a wonderful and blessed Christmas

as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!

We pray, as we take time out to spend

with our loved ones over this holiday season,

that the Lord will be ever present

in our hearts and in our lives,

for Jesus Christ truly is the

Reason for the Season!

Blessings to you all!!

G'pa's Big Truck, Birthdays, and cute pics

2010-12-19T16:27:00.006-06:00

G'pa came by on his way home from his last delivery for the year. He blessed us, grabbed a sandwich, a bunch of kisses, and let the children blow the horns on his rig. Thanks for the goodies G'Pa; yummy, yummy!!!

Michael and Matthew turned 6 on Thursday!!!

They enjoyed their birthday cinnamon rolls and a few blessings.
I still cannot believe they are 6; seems just like the other day and we were swaddling them in our arms. You boys are awesome!!

One,two, three, blow

I want this one.
Patty turned sweet 16 today. Wow, Can't believe she is 16. Patty, you are such a blessing to us. We love you and bless you! We're so proud of the beautiful, mighty woman of God you have become. God has great plans for you girl!! She huffed and she puffed and she blew them out.

Cute pics!!!
Patty told me Stella took this one herself.

Parties, Cookies, and Armadillos

2010-12-17T07:05:00.007-06:00

We recently went to a friends birthday party at Concho Valley gymnastics. Little's had lots of fun!!!

Stella coming down the slide after climbing the rock wall

Amy had fun too!!

We decorated cookies last weekend.

Amy enjoyed the cookies too!!!

A few weeks ago several children were wandering around after lunch on a Sunday when they know we start worship after we clean up the kitchen. To wander is not unusual; however, to be gone as long as they were was out of the norm. When they did come back we quickly figured out why they were gone so long. The dogs found an armadillo and the children dug it out of its hole. If you know anything about armadillos to dig one out is quite a task. Wished we could have been a fly on a tree to watch. Grammy and Granny, yes we did have a talk about snakes in holes too.

Joy's Birthday and a few pics

2010-12-11T19:05:00.002-06:00

Joy turned 10!!! Joy, we're so very proud of the beautiful young woman of God you are becoming. Joy enjoyed her traditional birthday cinnamon rolls and her new paint ball gun!! Fun, Fun!!

This is a very cool gym in Brownwood where the Lady Saints achieved their first victory. Go Lady Saints!!!

And, Amy had fun climbing and climbing the stairs.

Jimmie calls this Amy's crash helmet. Its the top of the air popcorn popper that she dug out of the cabinet.:)

And, an irresistible picture. Anyone ever seen two kids in the feed bucket?

Tomato Harvest

2010-11-23T09:34:00.004-06:00

We decided to pick all the tomatoes since we are expecting a hard freeze in a few days. We should have tomatoes ripening for another month or two. Yummy!

These are most of them. We have a vegetable crate with the bottom full too.

Fun Pics

2010-11-22T16:04:00.004-06:00

Roy checking on our new milkers.
Annie, Jenny,Justin and Annie's friend Kellen came out and the boys got the job of milking. :)

Justin's always got a full lap.

Happy Amy

And, I found Amy eating fresh eggs. The refrigerator was full and Joy thought she had the perfect spot.:)
Some people have to watch their dogs so they don't suck eggs, we have to watch Amy.:)

Patty's playing basketball

2010-11-22T15:42:00.004-06:00

Patty's playing basketball with the homeschool association in San Angelo. These are a few pics from their game in Odessa. Will have to get some more action shots. That takes talent, and I'm not sure I have it as a photographer. HeeHee

Jimmie and Stella trying their hand at it during half time.

Joy's first deer

2010-11-22T15:39:00.003-06:00

Joy killed her first deer last week. A 5 point buck. We got him all cut up and in the freezer. Yummy, thanks Joy!!

Barrows Museum

2010-11-21T19:10:00.007-06:00

Granny, we finally went!!!! Granny has been telling us for years to go to the Barrows museum. Its only about 10 miles east of us and we finally went. It was a lot of fun. Mr. and Mrs. Barrow had a love for old artifacts and have several buildings full. One building is a music room with a pipe organ that works. Although I or shall I say Patty didn't get a picture of the pipe organ here is a cool picture of a record player. One building has lots of old machinery. One is full of arrow heads, guns, etc.
Everyone had fun, even the little's. A good friend of ours coming back to join us after looking at a railroad car.

Amy's one!!!!!!

2010-11-15T09:44:00.003-06:00

Amy turned one on Nov. 8th. Wow!!! can't believe it.

Joy gave her a tiger and she was kissing it.

Birthday cinnamon rolls. Yum, Yum!!!

Birthday Buddies!!

2010-11-01T07:33:00.011-05:00

Happy Birthday Jimmie and Stella!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, we celebrated Jimmie and Stella's birthday's. Jimmie turned 8, and Stella turned 4. It doesn't seem possible. We had our traditional birthday cinnamon rolls.

Then opened presents. Yea!

Jimmie and Stella both got a scooter.

Stella and Amy riding Stella's princess scooter. :)

Stella sharing her Scooter with Justin. :):)

Jimmie and his scooter

And, Jimmie and Stella sharing. Jimmie you look so cute on the princess scooter.

Go Stella

Fun playing

Everyone had lots of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amy's first airplane ride

2010-10-16T13:16:00.003-05:00

Amy took her first airplane ride this past Tues. She wasn't sure what to think about her headset.

Oh, I think I like this!!!

Hi everyone!!!

On the way home she crashed. We wore her out. The funny part was when she did wake up she would not pick her head up. I think the headset was a little heavy. She just looked around with out moving her head. It was really cute.

Down By The Bay

2010-10-11T10:58:00.006-05:00

Stella in front of the USS Lexington!! Doesn't she look tiny?

We had a wonderful weekend at Corpus Christi Beach. Grammy has taken our children for the last 8-10 years on her Grammy tour. They have spent the last 6 or 7 at the beach. It's become a wonderful tradition. Grammy asked me to join the group about 5-6 years ago. This year Roy and G'Pa both were available and joined us too.

She's so Cute!!! Poising by the castle G'pa built!!!

We got to Corpus about 5:00 and went straight to the beach. Had fun in the rolling waves.
Patty hitched a ride to the Skidmore/Tynan Football game. Cousin Zachary had a great game as their starting quarterback and led his team to a 41 -7 win.

After playing in the sand we rinsed off and warmed up in the hot tub.

That's a full tub!!

The next morning we headed to the beach again. The water was really calm.

Michael skipping sea shells.:)

The boys also found some hermit crabs. They wanted to bring them home. We talked them into keeping them one night and letting them go.:)

Joy decided to build a castle Sat. morning. This was not the finished product. It was grander than this picture; G'pa helped her build a mote and a bridge.

Check out the sun bathers.

Amy had a great time too!!!!!

The last morning Roy took the middles and littles to the beach while Patty and I started packing up. They took a walk and saw two dolphins about 10 feet away. It was great ending to a great weekend. Grammy always says; lots of memories.:):)

Skydiving!!!!!!!!!

2010-09-28T13:43:00.011-05:00

Sunday we all headed to San Marcos to go Skydiving. Woo Hoo!!
This all started last year when Annie's graduating class decided to go Skydiving for their class trip. We told her that would be our graduation gift to her if she wanted to go and Dad definitely wanted to chaperon the trip. Two of the graduates ended up making the trip. You guessed it one of them was our Annie. So... when Jenny graduated she wanted the same graduation gift. The problem was Jenny was 17 when she graduated so we had to wait until she turned 18 (Skydive San Marcos rule). After discussing this with family and friends we had a few extras join us this year; 13 of us jumped out of a perfectly good airplane. And, yes the us includes me, the mom. It was a BLAST!!!

Here is Grammy and sweet Amy hanging out while the jumpers are gearing up and getting ready to jump. Grammy was a huge blessing, helping watch littles while we jumped. And now I have to tell you the other reason Grammy and G'Pa came along. Last year they came to watch and G'Pa said if we jumped again he was going to jump too. So, at the young age of 70 G'pa jumped out of a perfectly good airplane.

I was going to post the graduates jump first and pictures will not cooperate, so here is the G'Pa.

G'Pa heading out to the airplane. He's up and out of that perfectly good airplane.
He's on the ground and grinning from ear to ear. He had a jumping buddy too. One of the girls friends, Kalleigh Bowhay's dad came and jumped too. I think these guys had fun!

Annie jumped again this year too. She's headed for the plane. She's on the way down.

On the ground!

Here come some more of the group.

Kellen, another friend, on the ground and grinning too.

Justin's down.

Justin, Jenny and I on the ground safe and sound. It was great!!!

The graduate and her man getting geared up. Which, by the way, Sunday was Justin's birthday. What a way to celebrate.

Becky and Steven Jones before take off. So cute!!

My handsome sweetie and I before we jumped.

Loading up.

The mommy coming in for a landing.

Dad is on the ground too.

It was a fun filled day making memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jenny is 18!!!!!

2010-09-24T10:56:00.004-05:00

Our sweet Jenny is 18; seems unbelievable. Just yesterday she was the size of Amy, now she is holding her and blowing out 18 candles.

Jenny requested our traditional cinnamon rolls and Joy insisted we have all 18 candles. Made for a very full cinnamon roll.

Dad thought we needed a fire extinguisher. HeeHee

Jen, we hope you had a wonderful day. We are so very proud of you. You have grown up to be a beautiful, mighty woman of God. We bless you!!!!!!!

I couldn't resist putting up this picture. Patty took this yesterday afternoon. Matthew was so very serious and focused as he looked at this magazine. Our 5 year old looks like such a little man.:)

Lake Buchanan

2010-09-21T13:45:00.005-05:00

Last weekend we all gathered at Lake Buchanan. The whole family. We had a wonderful time. Got to visit with our friends the Burrage's. This picture is a tribute to my niece Katelyn. Several years ago the Menger's clan gathered at Lake Whitney and in almost all the pictures Katelyn had a towel on her head. Remember, Katelyn? :)

The handsome boat driver and part of his crew.

Jenny slaloming. She looks pretty good, hey G'pa?

And the mommy having a blast!!

Amy's boat ride. Isn't she adorable?

Patty and Matthew tubing!!

Patty and Justin hanging on. We realized the tube had a leak, so it was slowly deflating.:)

And, the gang with out towels.:)

Sweet Amy having fun at the pool.

Jenny, Matthew, and Amy

Late post on six flags

2010-09-07T16:59:00.013-05:00

We went to Six flags several weeks ago. We took everyone except the twins and Stella. Justin looked into what rides everyone could ride. Most of them are checked by an individuals height. So after measuring J, J, and J, we decided to take them. Jimmie could not ride all the rides so when several of us rode the roller coaster batman, Roy took Jimmie on a smaller bat man.
Then Jimmie's sweet Jenny rode with him.

Going up.
Off the ride and waiting for the splash.Splashed and soaked from head to toe.

Eating lunch in the parking lot. What a crew.
Two really goofy best friends.
Amy hanging with Jimmie while we waited for everyone else to come out of Mr. Freeze.
Joshua, Joy, Simone, and Patty on the log ride.
Jimmie, Justin, Jenny, and Josh on the log ride.
Amy was a real trooper. It was really, really hot and she did so good. She is the youngest Zesch to go to Six Flags. Jenny would say way young since this was her first time to go.

More horned toads

2010-08-30T07:25:00.004-05:00

A few days ago Joshua and Matthew came in with two more horned toads. One very tiny one and a bigger one.
Here we laid it next to a quarter. It really is cute.
And this is what happens to little girls with brothers. Matthew thought his horned toad needed to go for a ride.

Rodeo

2010-08-29T16:09:00.004-05:00

Patty looked out one day last week and saw the middle's and little's in the round pen having their own little rodeo.
See the rope on the gate to pull the chute open.
I guess Stella and Michael are the quality stock. Looks like they're taking good care of their stock watering and feeding them. Maybe that's why Stella told me she liked cow cake.:)
I think Jimmie is the cowboy. And, its looks as if Joshua is observing.
Of course, Joy is in charge.

22 Years of Marital Bliss!!!!!!!!!!

2010-08-20T07:50:00.002-05:00

Happy Anniversary My Love, You're the Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trek and Family fun!

2010-08-19T11:31:00.002-05:00

Trek -Backpacking in the San Juan wilderness
Roy, Patty, Joshua, and Joy looking at the map of where they will be hiking this year. This is Joshua and Joy's first year to go on Trek.
Our Trekker's are on day 3 today. The last 4 years (I think), Roy and another dad have taken about 12 - 13 youth backpacking in the Colorado wilderness for a week. Their heart is to take our children and other children who do not have a dad to take them or can not go themselves. They pack in everything for 5 days and 4 nights. It pushes the endurance level of everyone and they have a blast doing it. This year the oldest 4 will each lead a devotional one night. We'll post pictures when they get back.
A normal occurrence in the Zesch household. A daddy fight. Stella is even in on this one.
Amy is thinking about it. :)
Joshua's bomber

The game of life.

Uncle Billy's Texas tour

2010-08-03T16:44:00.003-05:00

My brother and his beautiful family were here for the last few days. My brother recently came home from a year deployment, so we were all very happy to see him. Around our house he is known as Uncle Monkey. He's a big cut up and our littles and bigs hee hee love him bunches. We sure enjoyed having you all. His wonderful wife got us a jump start on the wedding. We now have a table theme and it is absolutely beautiful. Penny your awesome. Katelyn and Lee you are fantastic and I know God has great things for you both.
Gig 'Em
Playing Mr. Mouth
I accidently posted this one again, oh well. Its super cute!~!`!!!
A big table of Balderdash. It was hilarious!!!
A crowd of little monkeys watching Uncle Monkey's video's of jets taking off and landing on aircraft carriers.

Happenings

2010-08-03T16:15:00.003-05:00

Yummy fruit smoothie and berries.:)
Melons and more okra, Yea!!
A little budding pianist.
Stella kicked back watching a movie
Amy's pulling up!!!

Pics

2010-07-26T11:02:00.006-05:00

I couldn't resist this one!!!!!!!!
Annie recently re - did a collage of pics for Roy and these are the individual photos that she used. His frame says; there's a special place in heaven for the father of 10 children. I just don't have Annie and Jenny's.:)