Flint and Steel Farm

by Heather | 0 comments

I first met Angela at Bristol’s garden center. She used to work there and every spring gets invited back to bring her animals and knowledge to their open house. The conversation started when I noticed a bag of Lakeview Organic grain next to her goats. I was working on a farm that used the same product and she seemed like a friendly enough person to chat with about it. We talked grain, organic farming and chickens while the kids jumped in the bounce house.

We stayed in touch and she included me in the online homesteading group she started. This week I finally had the chance to visit her farm in Naples. It was such a beautiful day for an adventure and the kids were super excited for the surprise.

Angela grabbed a bite to eat as we arrived, she’d been doing chores all morning.

The kids loved all the inside critters!

Her English Shepherd really wanted to come in and meet the visitors too!

Ben listened as Angela explained their different breeds of chicken and rabbit. Someday she’d love to run a farm camp/farm school on the property, I think it’s an awesome idea. Angela’s daughter Lexi also runs a daycare on the farm (best day care ever!) so those kids were listening and interacting with the animals too.

Next we headed outside to meet the chickens and turkeys.

And goats.

And pigs too!

We ate our packed lunch outside, what a view!

Ben said his highlight was all the barn cats, there were 7 of them. I’m not surprised, he’s also told us he’s never getting married and is going to live in an apartment with all his cats :D

Cassidy’s favorite part was meeting the club footed chicken named Cassidy!

I’d brought a bag of empty egg cartons and Catawba grape jelly for her and Angela sent us home with some beautiful eggs. We certainly went home with more than that. Angela, thank you for your hospitality and opening up your home to us. We had such a wonderful time!

Sylvia Graduates

by Heather | 0 comments

Sylvia graduated (almost a year ago!) and I’m finally getting to the pictures! We first met her at church, as she was going to Elim Bible College and was assigned to work with our kids ministry. Sylvia is an International student from Uganda and has a huge heart for serving, helping and loving on little ones. We got to know her over several years and hosted her for breaks, holidays, American birthdays and family dinners. We’ve shared stories over campfires, gone thrift store shopping together and introduced her to snowmobiling and venison. She received a scholarship to attend Roberts Wesleyan College and is up studying in Rochester these days.

The campus is beautiful with several historic buildings. We had fun walking around and enjoying spring together.

Later that evening some mentors and teachers put together a graduation party for Sylvia.

That year I had the chance to work with students in Residence Life to develop their yearbook. It was a really neat opportunity and I love how the cover art and theme came together.

We love you Sylvia and are so glad you’re in our lives :)

Sledding!

by Heather | 0 comments

Our friend Kevin invited us over for sledding and a cookout today. It was such a beautiful sunny afternoon to share with friends, I almost didn’t mind it was still winter. We enjoyed some hot cocoa and smores afterwards too, so much fun.

I even got to do a little impromptu photoshoot with Steve and his kids while we made smores.

Happy holidays from the Honeckers

by Heather | 1 Comment

Christmas Eve day the kids and I volunteered at our town’s Community Support Shoppe while Andy was at work. We greeted people as they picked out free toys, clothes, housewares and lots of food! Our church helped with the free give away and it was great to just love on people. Afterwards we delivered cookies and jam to neighbors. And that evening we headed to the candle light service at church. Ben brought his battery operated flashlight candle he’d picked up at the Support Shoppe :)

We ended up having a white Christmas after all as it’s been snowing the past two days. Just enough to cover the grass but not make roads horrible.

Christmas morning before the kids were unleashed. Everyone actually slept in until 8, it was perfect! I knew we’d get there some day!

All smiles.

We read the Christmas story from Luke 2, opened stockings and then the kids started in on the presents.

Lamest parents ever…Cassidy received a booster “big kid” seat. She was SO excited though, haha!

Jack was not as excited and just wanted breakfast.

Kids got a few combined gifts like a set of magnatiles.

They’d also picked out a few gifts for daddy at the Support Shoppe. These included Christmas bracelets, tacky ornaments and a USB game controller for a windows 98 computer :D

When you’re an adult and order your own Christmas presents, you act surprised when you open them Christmas morning!

I was surprised by this awesome industrial desk lamp Andy made me. He’d been super sneaky working on it the past few weeks. The LED “filament” is all twisty and neat too.

Another present, I love stormtroopers!

Cassidy got to work building a magnatile castle.

And Ben spent some time with his new legos.

Ben’s big present was a Nintendo DS. It’s his “upgrade” from the Leap Frog video game he’s kind of outgrown.

Snuggly Christmas Colby during our Star Wars movie marathon. We got to stay home in our pajamas all day and it’s been awesome to just relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Merry Christmas!

From the Honecker family to yours!

Christmas pageant

by Heather | 1 Comment

The kids were a part of our church’s Christmas pageant this year! Ben was an angel and Cassidy was a sheepie :) We had fun piecing their costumes together with things from Goodwill (and lots of tinfoil for Ben’s wings). They didn’t have any speaking parts (Ben was nervous enough about getting up in front of people) but participated in the carols and some of the dances.

Practice before the big performance! Crystal and Emily did a wonderful job directing and choreographing the pageant.

The cutest bunch of little sheep, they’re from the 5-7 year old class.

Kids and teachers did such an awesome job!

Looks like Christmas

by Heather | 0 comments

I don’t think we’re in for a white Christmas, but we had snow a few weeks ago! The kids made an adorable snowman all by themselves and then asked for a carrot nose at the end. The carrot wasn’t cooperating so they had a little snack too!

Awkward family photos!

We set up the tree a few weekends ago too. Andy was out hunting so Jack was my helper. I brought down all the boxes from the garage and sorted out the ornaments for the kids to put on the tree.

Handsome fella!

The kids put up all the ornaments, on the bottom half of the tree :D Yes, we’re a fake tree bought 75% off after Christmas kinda family (although Andy grew up with a real one). Maybe someday we’ll do the whole getting a live tree adventure.

Afterward we pulled out their little nativity set.

And I put my ornaments on the top of the tree!

Time for movie and a snack.

This week Andy brought out the Christmas train set to put together with the kids.

I think Andy did most of the putting together though :) They do have fun playing with it and setting up the little village houses. Christmas memories!