Quick Family Update.

Rick and Bethany McDonnell

Married 3 years, are now expecting a baby boy (due in October).

Currently living and serving the Lord in Georgia.

Brent and Kaity Gellos

Married almost 6 years, they have three children, Emily(4), Abbie(3), and David(1) 

He is an evangelist so they take their home many places.

Jack and Nicole McDonnell

Married 1 1/2 years, they have one child Keegan(about 5 weeks old)

They are currently living in Indiana and enjoying their life as a family of 3.

Rick and Elizabeth Thacker

Married almost 3 years, they have two children, Kenny(1) and Adelyn(6 months)

They are living in Indiana as well.

Reid and Emily Thacker

Married 7 months, they are expecting a baby boy (due in August)

They are also living in Indiana.

Eli(19)

Is in Florida, going to Pensacola Christian College.

He is majoring in Business Management, and enjoys getting care packages from home.

Luke(17)

Is going to be a senior in high school this year, he is the Mr. Fix-it around not just our house, but friends' houses as well. He is still keeping us all laughing, as he always has. ;)

Anna(16) 

I am going to be a junior in the fall, and I enjoy spending time with my two youngest brothers and trying to plan "get togethers" with friends

 I love music, and enjoy teaching violin.

Molly(15) 

Is going to be in 10th grade this year, she loves math (more than a lot of us) and enjoys trying new things in the kitchen.

Aiden(14)

Is going to be in 9th grade, he loves Legos and drawing, is a big help around the house when Luke and Anna are at work.

Mindy(12)

Will be in 7th grade this year, Has just officially been added to the "older kids" group, but in reality has been in it for quite some time.

Connor(8)

Will be in 3rd grade, he is the family clown, loves attention, and is a talking machine all in one.

Nathan(almost 7)

In 2nd grade this fall, is the youngest, and therefore, baby of the family.

He is always the one to run out after you to give you a hug before you leave.

:)

And that is my wonderful family!

A few happenings...

 Dad, Mom, and Kaity went to Florida to see Rick perform in a play, while there they also saw Eli.

Spring concerts are finally over, I enjoyed them but it is definitely a relief to have them over with!

 These pictures are from two of the seven concerts.

 ~ Emily and Abbie Gellos~

~Story time with Papa~

Aunt Lizzie is a pretty good story reader too! ;)

In April we were able to meet up with the Sikma family and enjoy a day with them!

So much fun!

We went to Cantigny Park - There is a war museum and a historical mansion on the property that we went through.

 #thatawkwardmomentwhenyouretheonlyonesmilingatcamera  ;)

Mr. and Mrs. Sikma - Dad and Mom

Love spending time with these little girls!

 Mindy photo bombing our picture. ;)

Little Keegan is about 5 weeks now, but I just love this picture!

 Uncle Nathan - "Looking Startled" Addie - Uncle Connor  :)

 Alyssa Thacker graduated from college and we helped with a surprise party for her.

Congratulations Alyssa!

Have a wonderful week!

Baby Shower

 A week or two ago we had a baby shower for Nicole at church.

We went with with a nautical theme - as that is what Jack and Nicole's baby nursery is themed.

 Amanda Thacker did the decorating - and I think she did a fabulous job!

~Everyone seemed to take the opportunity to talk and laugh with friends~

 Little Ella didn't mind smiling for the camera! ;)

Baby Keegan received quite a lot of very nice gifts!

 I Love this picture frame Lizzie found!

Grabbed a McDonnell girls pic at the end of the day - Thank you Jack!

If you want to see a little more you can find some pictures here.

We all can't wait to meet little Keegan!

Dear Mom, 

With your Birthday just around the corner, I have been thinking of you a lot these last few days.

As your daughter I have seen some of the struggles you have been through... but I am sure I haven't seen all of them.

You have put up with me for 16 years, and that right there is no small accomplishment! ;)

Seriously though, you have been so much to me (and all the other kids), I wish there was someway to pay it all back...

I wonder how many things you have given up for us, how many times you have prayed for us, loved us even though we have so many faults (goodness knows how many!).

Sometimes I try to imagine having thirteen kids, I can't even begin to comprehend I am sure, but just thinking of it makes me smile and say "How did she do it?!", I am very glad you did though!

Thank you for all you have sacrificed and given up for us.

I couldn't have asked God for a better mother.

I Love you, and Happy Birthday!

Forever,

                     ~Anna Patrice

For those of you who haven't heard... Reid and Emmy are expecting a baby in August!

We are overjoyed, very happy for them, and can't wait to meet him/her!

A few weeks ago we snapped some pictures with friends at church.

 Molly and Samantha Hayman

~ Mindy and her new friend, Emily Woodman~

L to R - Breanna Hayman, Mindy, Lauren Smith, Molly, Madison Maxwell, and Emily Woodman.

 The other night we snapped some sister pics...

this was our mess up... "Are Sisters Forever?" ;)

The kids pulled out Monopoly again.... haven't played it in ages!

That's all for now, hope to get back soon!

What Do You Do When You're Snowed In?

We were snowed in for a few days this week, and it didn't take us to long to decide it was a good time to make Snow Cream!

Experimented with a few recipes and decided we liked this one best.

1 gallon bitter cold snow

2-3 cups of milk

1 1/2 - 2 1/2 cups of sugar

1 tablespoon of Mexican vanilla*

Stir together well (test taste to determine how much sugar and milk you will need)

and serve immediately! 

* if you don't have Mexican vanilla, just use vanilla extract, and throw in an extra teaspoon of it.

Some of our family members enjoyed pouring a little bit of coffee over it for "coffee snow cream" ;)

Enjoy!

Christmas/Grandma's Birthday Surprise!

~Christmas Morning!~

Christmas Morning at Grandma's always starts with Cherry and Blueberry Rolls, and Sticky Buns...

definitely a favorite tradition of all Eddy side of the Family! 

The Youngs came in to Iowa a few days before the surprise, and we greatly enjoyed the extra time with them. (Table games were definitely a favorite)

 We were able to meet Roger's fiancee, and enjoyed getting to know her. (they became engaged on Christmas day!)

 ~

 The day of the big surprise!!

Excitement building as we waited for Grandma to appear around the corner!

~Game time!~

Mindy, Melody, Molly, A.J., and Timmy.

 This is what happens when half the people don't want their picture taken. ;)

 ~Smiles~

There was an abundance of little kids there, and it was a challenge to keep all their names straight. :)

Riding Grandma's bus route on Sunday morning was a very cold but pleasant experience.

A few of the girls remembered me from our last visit. (thank goodness I remembered them as well!) 

 Grandma and I.

At the end of the visit we all sang together, it was one of the highlights of the trip!

Can't believe how fast the time went, but we enjoyed every minute of it.

That's all for now...

Have a wonderful week!

November!

 We have certainly had a lot going on lately, which is part of the reason I have been bad about posting.

Making cookies with the kids' "help" is always fun and challenging interesting! :)

Our church had their annual Craft and Bake sale...

 So many ladies put a lot of hard work into it.

 ~Setting up the Christmas tree!~

~Reid's birthday party~

The little kids did not lack for attention. :)

 Coffee and desserts were favorites of almost everyone. (who doesn't like cheesecake?)

 ~Thanksgiving~

Most of the married siblings were able to come over, and we had a good time.
Everyone wanted to hold the newborn Adelyn Nicole Thacker.

Born November 18th.

Kenny is a great example of all the expressions little kids make.

He had his first birthday at the very end of October.

 The new favorite game of the family is Settlers of Catan. (So much fun!)

Goofing off with Abbie! ;)

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We have had our first couple of snow flurries... I am hoping for a lot more before Christmas!

 Molly and Mindy

~

  You will probably recognize this as the rather noisy, but fun game of Pit.

 Em and I

 Cowboy Sunday, and Texas Brisket meal at church. (a promotion of the Fire Hero Gear program we just finished)

 We have picked, sliced, peeled, juiced, canned, and frozen, tons of apples.

Well that's all for now, have a wonderful day!