The Chmelars!

My lil buddy......

2012-01-16T14:07:00.000-08:00

Winter for realz.....

2012-01-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

this is what you call iowa weather.....

going from a bright sunny day and highs in the 50's to white stuff on the ground and a low of 15...

in just a few short hours...i know crazyyyy stuff!!

so....hello snow, glad you could join us for winter!!

Smiles and sunshine....

2012-01-10T17:19:00.000-08:00

Our family......

2011-12-26T07:32:00.001-08:00

Sista loving.....

2011-12-16T12:53:00.000-08:00

SHE'S HOME.........

2011-12-15T13:53:00.000-08:00

for 17 WHOLE days!!!

Just because.....

2011-12-08T11:55:00.001-08:00

I love this guy and he is pretty much my BEST FRIEND!!!

Sister day....

2011-11-22T14:31:00.001-08:00

Today i got to spend the day with my AMAZING sister Nicole! Here's a look of how we spent the day

decorating (i mean who says you cant decorate and jam out to christmas music a day before thanksgiving...exactly)

random projects,

before

after

eating yummy food!

but most importantly just hanging out,goofing off, making memories and enjoying the time we have together! Love ya nic!!!

Aubrey and Macy

2010-06-29T07:47:00.000-07:00

Nicole..

2010-06-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Last week i called Nic and told her that she just so happened to win a FREE photoshoot with me...ha-ha anyhow she took me up on the offer!

Nicole will be leaving on thursday for California to be with Adam a week or so then they will fly off to China together....please be in prayer for them!
Thank's Nic for the fun. I love you to the moon and back!

God's promises are new each day!

2010-05-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

Ketchup.....

2010-04-21T14:46:00.000-07:00

-Kittens-

-Tiffany in her new boots-

-Enjoy-

El Parko

2010-03-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Tiffany...

2010-01-26T17:03:00.002-08:00

here's a few photos from a quick photo shoot i snagged tiff for this afternoon... enjoy!

Friends.......

2010-01-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

..........the other day i was walking up stairs and i heard giggling, i walked by the bathroom door and Aubrey and her friend Macy were in there putting lipstick and lipgloss on...i grabed my camera and got a few shots!
-Best Friends-

Aubrey and Beth.....

2010-01-05T09:05:00.000-08:00

.......here are a few pictures.Enjoy

random..

2009-12-08T14:48:00.000-08:00

here a are few pictures....more yo come

here is a bunch of random pictures....enjoy!!

The AMAZING post....

2009-12-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

... that you've all been waiting for!

random moments

count downs

photo shoots

craft days

- going out to ice cream with friends-

- concerts-

hello........

2009-12-02T17:05:00.000-08:00

ok sooooo sorry that we have not posted in forever!!
But just wanted to say a really amazing post is coming and soon!!
stay tuned.

Our Summer....

2009-09-14T14:36:00.000-07:00

here is a preview of our summer.

:County Fair:

:Church Rodeo:

: cousins:

Hope you all had a great summer!!

Welcome Home Tiffy!!

2009-07-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

We are so glad to have tiff home!!

As most of you know tiffany went to Indiana to get her CNA, she was gone for about a month!!

It is so nice to have her home!!

We are SO Proud of you Tiff!!

*to see more pictures you can visit www.misstiffjoy.blogspot.com

Mom's Birthday Gift... that keeps giving... and giving... and giving...

2009-06-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

For Mom's birthday we repainted both the porch and the arbor and bought her a wicker swing for the porch. Here are our beginning efforts.

* we got the littlest involved... I see the makings of a master painter *

The arbor was a frightful sight... can't believe we weren't more embarrased to have our friends walk under it! The boys had to scrape the old paint off before...

... the new could go on.

* we still managed to have smiles at the end of the day *

Happy Birthday Mom! May you enjoy this gift for many months to come!

(The gifts that keep re-giving itself over and over are really the best! You should try it sometime!)

Any Thoughts...

2009-05-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

... on our fashion choice?!

*click to enlarge photo and see shirt detail

Progress continues....

2009-05-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

SEPTEMBER 2008

Last Night:

By the time this treehouse is finished, the boys will be ready to build a house!

Da Bestest

2009-05-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

So we had a lot of fun on Sunday with our amazing Mom.

* * Here's a little view of our presentation of gifts * *

* * I think the little girls win the prize for "Most-Uniquely-Wrapped-Gift" * *

(shoe and sweatshirt)

* * Gifts cards in cute wrapping are always a good deal * *

* * Some gifts get accidently left behind at the store, so a picture has to do for the day! * *

(We won't mention names to protect the guilty!)

* * The fav candy always brings a smile * *

Mom, we love you so much.

Thanks for being ours!

That Time of Year...

2009-05-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

* every cookout always ends with rides on the zipline *

Little Miss

2009-05-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Somebody's not a teenager anymore...

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- - -

* I know Tiff will hate me for posting this picture... but I couldn't resist. She looks like she has enough air to put out a house fire!!

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY TIFFANY!!

Operation: Crownpoint, NM

2009-04-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

Chris and I were in New Mexico last week on a mission trip... working with the Navajo Indians. We were doing remodel/building projects in the Crownpoint area.

These people are up against many struggles... a 50%+ unemployment rate... the average annual salary is $4200... so many needs.

As with any mission trip, you go in thinking you will be a blessing... you will make a huge impact. The reality I see over and over again is that you are the one blessed... you are the one who is impacted.

Here are just a few pictures from week. I am so excited to see where God takes us from here. I am more and more in love with the ministry... and it was exciting to see Chris catch that heart. It's an adventure that is just starting!

The mountains and bluffs were so beautiful. All around us!

Lunch breaks... snack breaks... any break was welcome!

This precious family was got the start of a makeover on their house that had it's room ripped off by extremely high winds.

This is the family whose house Chris and his team worked on wiring, insulating, and dry walling.

This is the house my team stuccoed and added a handicap accessible ramp to.

* * *

"It is more blessed to give than to receive"

* click here for more pictures

So...

2009-04-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

So about a week ago, I had amazing intentions of posting this rockin video of what's been up with the fam. That was before Chris and I took off for a mission trip in New Mexico last Saturday.

So now 7 days later, we sitting in an airport -- on our way home -- and I never got the video posted. (Go figure, huh?!)

Just wanted to let you know we got some good stuff coming down the track, not the least of which is that rockin', amazing video! You'll love it so stay tuned...

Some Changes

2009-04-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

Here's the newest member of our family... Boodles. Mom allowed the girls to keep the bunny in their room until it gets bigger and weather gets better. Since then she's has fallen in love with this little fur ball. They love to watch it hop around the hall. It can even jump out of it's little cage! One morning while I was getting ready for work, I saw this little black shadow jumping towards the little girls room.

With these shocking changes in mom's behavior it wouldn't surprise me if we had a pet giraffe in the house! Well ok, that's a slight stretch but she is talking about a dog... I don't think I can be surprised by anything anymore!

And can you believe this is legal? Tim pushes the number of family drivers to six!

Gas Station Adventures Part 2

2009-03-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

We had a major dejavoo moment after the boys' basketball game Friday night. So get a mental picture of this...

It's 10:15pm. A car full of tired and crabby people - we won't say who was who in this story. With our gas gauge blinking on empty, I figured the responsible thing would be to pull into the dark gas station and fill up... right?! Right -- well, ok. All was right except the part of leaving the key turned so I could roll down the windows.

Ok. How lame is it that less than five minutes of battery usage like that would drain the dumb thing and leave us stranded???

Stupid. I KNOW! Thankfully our friends from across the field had followed us. So we jumped out to quickly fix the problem.

Ok. So maybe it wasn't quite as quick as we hoped. There were a few minor problems to overcome.

First. This precious Couch we were driving had collided with another unlucky deer two weeks prior which left the hood completely crunched in. This isn't actually the problem. The problem is that the new mis-match hood that replaced it doesn't latch. Well, doesn't latch on it's own. It's being held down by miles of wire which made it very difficult to untangle.

Second. Hours later - it seemed - when the wire had been untangled, we discover the hood had been jammed down in the latch to aid in it's security. This posed a new problem which also took hours - it seemed - and many object hitting it to resolve.

Only with the amazing help of strong, handsome men, were we able to get the hood up, the battery charged, the hood re-jammed and wired shut before going on our merry way.

Go figure. Just another day in the life!

Several hours - it seemed - into this tedious process, we remembered the camera in the car. Grace took these two pictures before that battery died.

Go figure.

(Of course it's the only shot we have and I'm the only one looking like a total retard... oh well.)

One big random picture post

2009-02-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

krista and tiff
tim eating a double decker something or other

tim remodeling the pantry

tiff's date

getting ready

valentines cookies

troublewe love you nicole!

the ducks enjoying a warm day in iowa

mom and aubs

basketball.

ok so don't laugh at this random, profound, post... but nicole wanted to see photos of us. so here you go nicole!

for all the rest of you groupies... this week you need to vote chme up... or chme down...

Chme up= vote to keep this blog going and in working order

Chme down= cancel this blog and kill it because it's boring

VOTE SMART VOTE RIGHT!

INTRODUCING...

2009-01-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

(We hope you enjoy the newest aspect to our blog. Every week there will be something different. But every week, it's bound to make you laugh!)

Dreaming...

2009-01-28T07:33:00.000-08:00

Of days when we can dress like this....

see sky like this....

and play outside like this.

- 51 days til SPRING -

2009-01-15T13:46:00.000-08:00

Ya, so it's not everyone who was in that wonderfully warm place... just me.

But now we're all back together enjoying the ungodly temperatures that are a trademark to this great state we call home!

- 6.7 F
Clear

Hmmm.....

2009-01-05T23:38:00.000-08:00

Guess where we are???

A Look

2008-12-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

2008-12-19T16:47:00.000-08:00

(ok, so lame shot of the Christmas tree... but it's upon request!)

~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~

Sadie, Kayla, Amber

2008-12-01T13:49:00.000-08:00

Our cousins three kids have the tradition of spending the weekend after Thanksgiving with us. They are always so good and fun to have around.

Sadie and Kayla - 4

Amber - 6, Grace, Sadie, Kayla, Beth Aubrey

Mickey

2008-11-14T11:31:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of my rockin'-amazing-photograher-sister, Grace. She has a great eye for photography... and it's fun to watch her get better and better! Here's some of what she did today with our friend Mikaela.

Which one is your favorite??

A Party

2008-11-05T13:38:00.000-08:00

Last week we had some friends over for supper, games, and a bonfire. We played the Chmelar-family-initiation game, Guesstures, and laughed and laughed and laughed. Thanks guys for such good times!

The Colors of Fall

2008-11-03T12:01:00.000-08:00

The Work Continues By Night...

2008-10-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

When Chmelar's Get Stranded.

2008-10-21T14:53:00.000-07:00

It can be a dangerous thing when we are sitting at a deserted gas station at ten o'clock at night... - Here's what happens -

- Dancing -

- Impersonations -

(how do you like my impersonation of a brick wall?!)

-The Discovery of The Fire Extinguisher -

Ok, ok... I know - we're killin you. So we'll stop.

- - -

Goodbye

The Home Stretch

2008-10-16T14:51:00.000-07:00

We are right in the heated center of an intense mailer for the local campaign we are helping with. We are learning so much of the inner workings of a campaign, we are learning to how address envelopes quickly (you have to when there's 5000!), we are learning about keeping those 5000 envelopes in alphabetical order, we are learning that you don't get things in life without a little (and sometimes a lot of) hard work! It's been an honor helping on Jarad's campaign and it's been blast. Here's a look at what our mornings have been looking like!

Gotta keep hard after operation 'Address Envelopes'!

Here's our awesome mom carving time out of her busy days to address some envelopes!

YOU GET OUT THE VOTE!

ARE YOU DOING YOUR PART?!

A New Point Record

2008-10-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Everybody who's spent any amount of time with our fam, knows that Mom is huge on giving points for random good things. You never ask for the points, just wait to be awarded. We just have the coolest Mom ever!!

It's FALL!!!

2008-10-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

A New Friend...

2008-10-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

On Monday night we had a new friend over for supper and games. He is the campaign manager for Jarad Klein - the man running for state representative in our district. It was fun getting to know him better and boy did we have FUN!!!!

From a typical Chmelar supper (which he lived to tell about!), to bowls flying across the table, to dancing and music, and then a wild game of charades, it was a night full of laughs! We all hope he comes again real soon! Here's a little look into our night...

- Guesstures -

Cards in order...

Tap the top...

AND ACT!!!!

(I'll just say when the losing team rocketed ahead in the final round, the whole room erupted in wild delight! I'm surprised the floor didn't give way!)

- LAUGHTER -

"A merry heart doeth good like medicine"

Proverbs

BIGGER ANNOUNCEMENT

2008-10-07T15:02:00.000-07:00

Nicole made a big announcement on her blog today. If you want to be on the inside loop... hop over there and check it out.

EVERYONE LOOK THIS WAY!!!

2008-10-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION ONE AND ALL!!!

We want everyone to know that our 'iowatelecom' email address has been cancelled without us getting all your email addresses of the archives there.

I you want to continue hearing from us, can you send your info to our new address?!

Thanks!!!

chmelarfamily@gmail.com

Aubrey

2008-09-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Beth

2008-09-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

*Photos compliments of Grace Chmelar

The Summer's Last Hurrah!

2008-09-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

The last weekend of September is always the Kalona Fall Festival... where we've been selling corn dogs for the past four years. We were up and out early this morning to get the fryer frying the fried dogs. K, that's really corny. HEHEHE!!! ;) I'll stop now.

Here's what's happenin'

We gotta get ready cuz we have to take the stage tomorrow morning at ten and give an hour program. Anybody care to come for moral support?!?!

Tree House 2

2008-09-25T14:42:00.000-07:00

The boys continue to work on their ever growing tree house. Here's some of the updated looks.

Watching History

2008-09-18T16:04:00.000-07:00

Guess who we saw today???

(Go HERE to see more!!)

Chris

2008-09-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

Some people think I'm partial. But......

.... I have the cutest brothers in the world! "Love you Chris!"

Old Threshers Reunion 2008

2008-09-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

So I have decided to take somebody's advice and post some pictures of OT. Even though it is not really news more like history. We still talk about it and laugh over all the great memories! Here are a few picture. Enjoy!

This is were all the cooks live during OT. and my Mom happens to be one of them. The food is to die for. It's all cooked over an open fire and it takes all day! Thank you cooks!
We got to OT on wed. and got to watch the parade. Some of our log village family was in it.
Preparing the inside of the tent for all the bedding. (it was like the great exodus)
Tim along with Grace and Beth (his two side kicks) were instrumental in making sure the van was loaded and that we didn't forget anything. They did a great job! "Are you sure you have everything Tim?!?" :p
Not many moms would rough it for five days and four nights in a tent in the middle of Aug. But our Mom isn't like many moms. WE LOVE YOU AND THINK 'you adorable!'

Nicole feeding her face... Have i ever mentioned how much fun I'm having with this girl?!?!
The school children
Micky=D
A bunch of us on a trolly. We were really squished on those two benches.

After supper is over, dishes washed, chores done, and lanterns are lit, everyone gathers around the porch and the instruments come out and we play good old country folk tunes and dance the virginia reel. It's all in a days work at the Log Village. Can't wait for next year!

Local Injuries On the Farm

2008-09-08T21:10:00.001-07:00

Life's been a little dangerous around here lately... wear your steel-toed boots if you're planning a visit anytime soon!

Hello!

2008-09-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

I decided to re-surface for a few minutes to let you know that yes I am still around. I'm having the time of my life with my sister and the rest of my family. I might show my face again in a few months. But until then you can find me somwhere next to Nicole. :) I'm off to hear another story, give another hug, giggle about nothing, engage in a heart to heart talk, or just stand next to her. Tootles!

Drumroll please...

2008-08-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

...cuz we're one big happy family again!!!

Caption Contest

2008-08-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

Ok... this picture is asking for a caption. I love it! If this isn't a TimBob face I don't know what is. :p

Rodeo Sunday

2008-08-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was the Marion Ave. Baptist Church Rodeo. It was alot of fun being part of this big day.
Prayer

The Grand Entry

Chicken Chase for the little kids

Bull riding for the brave young men.

Grace captured the fall. Can't see it to well. :)

And a good old fashion greased pig

This picture was just fine untill I posted it. Can any one tell me what I did wrong?!?

Water fights

Cowboy

Chris couldn't control his horse very well so i jumped on to try and help. This horse and I respect each other. He bucked me off once. And I slapped him. We're friends now. Kinda.

After a long day of being in the saddle some of us girls were TRYING to relax, untill some of the guys started cracking jokes, talking loud, and throwing the football. This 12 yr. old kid was asking for it. I almost caught him. :)

Between this kid and my brother Tim, we were all roaring!

It was hopeless. I couldn't ignore them. *shrug*

Brace Grace

2008-08-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

Braces,how do i start??
The beginning would probably be the best place....last monday i got my braces on my top teeth and they did not hurt for the two first hours then that's when the pain started kicking in:)The pain killer helped alot it was my constant friend for the next couple days...well that pretty much sums up the story.Tootles,Brace Grace

St. Louis Road Trip.

2008-08-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

This weekend we are in St. Louis at a Reliv International Conference. Here are a few pictures of our trip so far.

This picture is weird. Didn't mean to put it on here like this and so weird. (pop quize for nic. where is this sign located?) this sign holds a special place in our families heart.

The sleepy head!!

A random picture from some where on the way

The arch.

St. Louis is a nice place to visit but not to live. Give me the country any day!

Aubrey had a lot of fun jumping on the bed when we got here.

You would have thought we brought the whole family:)

Go Reliv!!

Crossing the very busy street. (notice Beth is suspended in the air.)

Shake cups.

4 of the girls. (we miss you nic)

The most adorable couple in the world.....love you to the moon and back!!

Swimming in the hotel pool.

Keep it right here for pictures of a car rollin'. Yeah you heared me right. :)

Prayer

2008-08-05T06:39:00.000-07:00

Last Wed. night our family heard a message on prayer. It was so good and G. knew that was exactly what I needed. I want to share the verses and points with all of you.

Acts 16:25-31

And at midnight Paul and Silas pr. and sang praises unto G. and the prisoners heard them.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: And imediatly all the doors were open, and every ones bands were loosed.

And the keeper of the prison awakening out of his sleep, and seeing prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and silas, and brought them out and said sirs what must I do to be S?

And they said, believe on the L. J. C., and though shalt be S, and thy house.

1. Start pr. then you can start praising

2. People will start to hear and see the peace

3. When you pr. things get shook up

4. Doors will open

5. Bands are loosed

6. People fear G.

7. People get saved

Bike Riding

2008-08-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Last week Mom took us kids and two babysitting kids on the bike trail in West Chester. It started off well. We were all excited, the bikes worked, we had packed plenty of water, (or so we thought) and we were loaded up and ready to go. We went along just fine for about three miles when our bikes started giving us fits, people started getting cranky (no names to protect the guilty) and we were running out of water. I'll spare you all the details and leave it up to your imagination. So we turned around and drove/ walked/ drug/ our selves and our bikes back to the van. It was alot of fun to say the least and we made lots of crazy fun memories! Here are afew pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Paying the trail fee.

Our Mom is the bestest! She's such a trooper! We love you Mom!

Drinking lots and lots...

...and lots of water!

Me trying to take a picture of my shadow while riding. :/

The happy bikers! We had fun...

...but we were all to happy to see this sign!

Randomness

2008-07-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

Nic has been begging me to do a random picture post. So here you go Nic

Tea time is the best of times!

2008-07-28T09:44:00.000-07:00

One of the best things to do on an over cast, cool day is to have a tea party. We decided to switch our tea party day to Friday since I have off. I happened to be randomly working for the Yoders this last Friday but made sure I was off in time for some tea. :)
Mom, Grace, and Aubrey, were home baking up a storm. (Beth had gone to work with Dad that day.) Mom put little flowers on the tops of all the sugar cubes along with making biscotii, rye bread sandwiches, and cheese patties.

A Mom's touch is the best!

Some people (no names to protect the guilty) get carried away.

Had to put this picture up. Grace took it. She's getting really good even on our little camera.

The lovely ladies. (Minus the camera girl, the china doll, and betty.)

Date with Daddy

2008-07-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

(All pictures compliments of Grace)

Tree house

2008-07-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

The boys have been working on this 'home away from home' really hard the last couple of days. It's turning out to be rather large and very cool! We joke and call it the 'Honey moon suit'! Keep looking for more updates on this new addition. :)

Day at the park...

2008-07-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

Ready, set, GO!

Lunch

Play ground

Feet
The shoes that go on the feet

These are the seekers

These are our hiders

Swinging

Crazy TimBob

If this isn't an Aubrey face I don't know what is. :)

Grace, Beth, and Mitch on the tire swing.

They had no problem getting on but Grace was having a hard time getting off without getting wet.

Alittle help from our man and she was off in a flash

A Timothy... are you sure you knew what you were doing?

Oh Deer!

2008-07-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

Many of you are wondering why in the world 'The Couch' (that's my lovey name for my car.) is smiling. I've been talking about selling The Couch and buying a more gas efficant automobile for about a week now. I guess she didn't like the thought and now has a smile on her face. I now have finally joined the ranks of a 'Deer Killer'. My good friend Alyssa Yoder took us girls out to eat on Friday night. On the way home, much to The Couches pleasure, a deer jumped out in front of me and has now secured a home with me for at least a little longer. Lesson learned... respect The couch! The Couch loves me. :)

A post for Nicole

2008-07-09T08:40:00.001-07:00

We made this chain for you Nicole to count down the days til you get home and we're all one big happy family in Iowa again. On each chain we wrote something that we love about you that we're missing. From your vocal oppinion about gas prices to your white teeth! Every day when we rip one off we are hanging it on the mirror in the dinning room so you can read them when you get home. We miss you like crazy and the chain isn't getting short fast enough! We love you! And can't wait for you to get home! Be safe!
LOVE YOUR FAMILY!
Dad, Mom, Tiffany, Christopher, Timothy, Grace, Beth, and Aubrey

What the Chmelar's have been up to

2008-07-02T08:22:00.001-07:00

Beth's Tenth Birthday! Happy birthday Bettey!

Tent revival meetings

Kid Fest with sheriff Dunbar

Laundry, laundry, and more laundry!

Farm Stuff

Lots and lots of bug spray. (To those of you who aren't in Iowa... the bugs are really bad!)

Setting up our pool!

Making music with new friends.

High waters

Send off parties for Nicole

Little big things we're going to miss about Nicole

2008-07-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

- eating supper with her

- calling her 50 thousand times a day on the phone

- singing and making music with her

- eating m-n-m's togethar

- her great blog posts

- sitting next to her in church

- her great big sister ideas

- talking to her about the important things in life

- her great sisterly advice

- and much more

We're going to miss you Nicole!

Love you to China and back!

Flooding.

2008-06-11T10:23:00.000-07:00

No, it's not a beautiful river along Interstate 80... it's a field completely immersed in water.

Please be in prayer for people all across eastern Iowa... as I mentioned on my blog yesterday, we have had so much rain and the rivers are overflowing. Whole towns are being evacuated because of the rising waters. Sunday afternoon, some of us went to Iowa City to help sandbag in preparation for all the water that is headed that way. It was a great way to help out and be the hands and feet of Jesus. Thanks for your prayers.

We helped out a restaurant and they fed us some awesome pizza and subs!!

We helped bag two huge loads of sand and then stack the sandbags all around the building... yes, I could feel every muscle in my back!

We just have the awesomest, funniest dad ever! We laugh and say he is such a goober! *smile*

Aubrey's Seven!!!

2008-06-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

Anticipation...

" Can I hear what it is?!"

The Birthday Girl on the Birthday Bike!!

Yummy in my tummy!!!

- - -

We love you Aubrey!!!

Here Chicky-Chicky!

2008-06-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to our friends to butcher our 25 chickens... it was our first time and it was quite the experience!

Thanks Schlabachs!!

THE Crew

25 Chickens goin' to market

The stench in the van was terrible...

Our victorious-chicken-killing mom!

Preparing to pluck.

Icin' it down.

* * *

Our freezer is now full of chopped and whole chickens... yummy, yummy. You are welcome to come over anytime for supper.

Carpe Diem

2008-06-03T14:11:00.000-07:00

THE GRAND OLE' PARTY

Saturday we kids walked for Jared Klein, a republican who is running for Iowa State House, in a local parade. We spent more time preparing for the parade than actually walking. Oh well, it was fun.

We were swimming in our XXL tee-shirts.

When I said swimming, I meant SWIMMING!!

God bless the USA!

***

HERE COMES THE BRIDE...

Tiff, Chelsy Bontrager and I played the music for a wedding in Cedar Rapids Friday afternoon. Then we sped down to Washington for another wedding at six... the same night!

Always... talking... always...

Joe and Charity... the most in-love couple I've ever seen! (This is the youth pastor at our church and his now-bride)

Don't ask me why...

* * *

So here's a snippet of our weekend... and there's lots more to come!

We always have to remember to 'carpe diem' -- seize the day!

A Watermelon Eating Contest!

2008-05-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Our Baby's Growing Up...

2008-05-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday mom walked into the living room where Aubrey was sitting on the couch with a phone and telephone book. I thought you would enjoy the little conversation that ensued! (Bear in mind that Aubrey was completely serious during this conversation!)

Mom: Aubrey, what are you doing?

Aubrey: I am calling the library to renew my books.

Mom: Here let me help you!

Aubrey: I already found the number. I can do it.

Dials library number that she found in the telephone book herself.

Aubrey: Yes, this is Aubrey Chmelar. I need to renew my library books... actually, they are on my sister, Nicole Chmelar's card.

Silence...

Aubrey: Yes.

Silence...

Aubrey: Ok.

Silence...

Aubrey: Thank you!

Bethie...

2008-05-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

Beth was sick last night and it ended up with a trip to the emergency room via ambulance early this morning after vomiting blood. We roused friends all around Iowa, in Wisconsin and Oklahoma at 1:30 am to pray for the situation. The ten minutes waiting for the first responders seemed to take hours... but God was good. After multiple tests, xrays, blood samples, etc, we were told she had probably swollowed blood from a nose bleed and the upset stomach was something viral.

Thanks to everyone who prayed... we will never know the extent of what God really did early this morning. We believe it was a miracle! She is now resting safely at home after ten hours in the hospital!

God is still amazing!!

Our local first responders... leaving with our Bethie!

* * *

"He will give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways."

Psalms

Dreams, Dolls, and Weddings...

2008-05-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

Every girl dreams of many things in her future... but often those dreams are centered around two things. Her wedding and babies. Beth, Aubrey and our neighbor girl, Brianna, must have been in an extra dreamy mood the other day. They played wedding outside... complete with the dress, veil and photographer!

I love their serious expressions... and the little kitten attendant! *smile*

- Someday my prince will come -

Ketchup

2008-05-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

HERE IS SPRING AT OUR HOUSE...

and a few other random things that we've been doing! We hope you enjoy this Ketchup Day and thanks again for your patience visiting!

Tulip Festival

May first, all of us girls went to the Dutch settlement of Pella, Iowa, to enjoy the annual Tulip Festival. We watched the parade full of people dressed in Dutch costumes, enjoyed yummy food, and scouted out all the little shops down Main Street!

THE FAMILY ADDITIONS:

Our family recently grew by four: three goats and one lamb. Here's a little view of our trip to the sale barn to get them!!

My favorite red-head sister!!

* * *

PS. We are sorry to admit that our three goat friends didn't make it more than a month at our house. I should say they were sick before they got to our house... and -sniff - they never recovered. You might not want to come to our house if you are a goat. We don't have the best track record!

A Random Picture From Tiffany's Birthday!

Don't they make the sweetest couple?!

MIA

2008-05-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

Due to logistical difficulties, the post on spring has to be postponed to the next day.

Thank you for your understanding!

-The Blogging Team

Coming soon...

2008-05-12T11:50:00.000-07:00

... just what a Chmelar spring looks like!

Watch for this tomorrow! *smile*

An Overdue Sprinkling!

2008-04-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ok... so thank you all for your patient hounding. Yes, we are very very very very very (very into infinity) overdue on posting. I won't bore you with excuses... just post. I had all these really cool pics to post from the additions to our family... but couldn't find my flashdrive... get to the library, sit down, look in this one part of my purse and vwala... there's the flash drive. So I'm not sure what all is on there, so what you get today is a very random sprinkling of our life since... well, I'm not sure when. Enjoy!!

Chris and I took care of Dad's delivery business when he was gone in March. (Yes, I drove it!!)

What do you think... is this shirt green?!

This is the new and inovative way to keep close tabs on rowdy kids!

Wow, this is really digging back in the archives! We have about this much rain at the moment!!

The Last Smiles From Camp

2008-04-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

So here's the rest of the pictures from our time at TeenPact. We learned so much, not only about the legislative process, but also we grew in our relationship with the Lord! We made lots of new friends and are already looking forward to next year!! You all should plan to join us!

So we ate lunch on our way to the camp at Taco Johns. When Tiff left her chair, this screw fell out of it. Uh-oh!

Spring

2008-04-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

Guess what's happening at our house?!

Though the rains are falling and the sun peaks out occasionally, we are hanging on to the hope that spring is just around the corner... and here's a little proof!

Better Late Than Never... I Think.

2008-04-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here are another group of pictures from TeenPact. We have about double this many or more to post, but time constraints keep me. Keep watching and enjoy these!

(A big prize to whoever gets the theme of this grouping of pictures!!)

* * *

The Governor's Speech at graduation. With his body guards.

The governor with all his body guards. (Don't you love the shades?! They were worn all day long... yes, even inside.)

This is the FOILMNOPQZTRQVWXYZ - or something - committee that I was apart of with Mikaela and Chris.

Yup, this is me with the Governor!!

A group of us walked through the tunnels that went from the Capitol to another building on the other side of the street. We walked over a mile and a half underground, under-road, etc.

The lovely ceiling in our conference room in the Capitol where the speech class was held.

Doesn't she look so stuffy... I mean studious?!

Governor Johnson with his mean looking body guards. (Are you seeing a pattern here?)

Tiffany getting the privilege of shaking the Iowa TeenPact governor, John Johnson.

Chairman Felix Knutson and Clerk Tiffany of Committee EEC... and John Freed... and Josh Meyers. (What you won't do to get airtime!)

Chris with the program director, Jonathan Morris.

The people who put the camp together!

The staff girls... and Fuzz. Yay for Fuzz!

An more serious picture of the staff guys, with our beautiful state capitol in the background!!

Teenpact-Impact

2008-03-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

So here's what's been happenin' to us the last week. This is just a sampling of the dozens of pictures we took. Stay tuned for more and also visit Nicole's blog to see even more exclusive pictures not shown here!

Lots of laughter

Tests

The two governor candidates answering questions

The Representative candidates answering questions.

Tiff was Micheal's campaign manager... he didn't win, but for sure next year.

Some really obnoxious, loud, fun game with lots of screaming, chopping and laughing.

Speech class

It was a little hairy getting back to the camp everyday. We seemed to take a different route each time. Tiff and Micheala trying not to be side-seat-drivers. Ahem.

Me, just trying to get us back. And yes, I did everyday!

Turn here??

Here??

HERE!!

Polka-dot-day

Lunch!!

We met this adorable girl the first day of TeenPact and found out that she already knew us!! She reads our blog, which she found through our friends. Shabana was really fun to be with and we just had to let you all meet her!Hi, dear! Thanks for the fun!

The staff guys

Walking to the Capitol

* * *

Disclaimer: We apolgize for any photos that lack picture quality. The camera has been having issues lately. Sorry.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, happy easter to you and all your family! I have been thinking a lot the last two days about what it really means that we have been redeemed by God Himself! I guess I was really inspired to appreciate this even more after we watched the movie "The Sin-Eater". I would really really recommend this to all of you older readers. Viewer discretion should really be considered for younger kids because of scenes of peril and violience. I won't tell the story so it's not spoiled for you, but I will just say it is a moving story of how one cove in the hills discovers that Jesus Christ is our only Sin-Eater. It is one of the best movies I have watched in a really long time.
We are off to spend the day with our friends the Blairs... should be a real blast. Click here to see our last holiday together!
Also just wanted to quick let you know that we will be absent from the wonderful blogging world for this next week. Us four older kids are going to something called TeenPact in Des Moines. It's a class to teach kids a Christian worldview in government. I can't go as a student cuz, well, I guess you could say that I'm a little too, well, um. Ok, I'm too old. That's alright though. I've not had to do all the homework that comes along with the prep stuff. So, yay for being old!!!
Hopefully we'll come around with pictures soon!
Have a great week!

A Tribute to Precious Memories

2008-03-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

Brandt... there are just no other words.

SCHOOL!!

The famous Thursday tea parties

The hyper laundry girls

Tiff-n-Matt

The Traditional 'Laundry Dance'

Brock's famous pumpkin pie

Bubbly-Bubba

Needed!!!

2008-03-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I was in China last summer spending time with orphans in Beijing. I am so excited that God has opened doors for me to return this summer! I am asking for your help though. As you can imagine, the kids can't get to the week long summer camps unless there are funds to support them being there. It costs $250 per kid for one week.

Last year, my friends at Bring Me Hope - the organization I went with - had this really cool fundraiser to send the kids to camp. They had the first ever Night Walk... where Americans - and even a group of Australians - walked for one hour, with a big group of orphans in China walking at the same time. What was so cool was that before we started the big walk, all the walkers got onto a live conference call and got to hear each of the kids in China say in English "Hi! My name is _____. Thank you for walking with me!" It was so precious!

Sooooo, where you all come in. I am helping my friends from Bring Me Hope, David and Kristen, with planning this year's Night Walk. All over the US and even in Australia, there will be people all walking at the same time, according to their time zone! I am asking you if any of you would be willing to walk with your friends and family in you area, to raise money for the kids to go to summer camp. I would really appreciate the support and I know if the kids could say so, the would be grateful. For a lot of these kids, camp may be the only place they can go and be shown and told that they really matter!

And as you think of possibly being involved, don't think that you have to do anything really big. I mean, last year I just did it with some of my siblings and a friend who was staying at our house. Every small part helps!

If you would like more info, you can email me at misschmelar@iowatelecom.net

Thanks again!

Our Day Trip

2008-03-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

We saw the brand new movie "Horton Hears A Who" based on the Dr. Suess book by the same title.

The entire day-trip clan, minus the camera girl - yours truly.

Sometimes all that shopping and walking makes a person a little loopy!

Resting on the world's comfiest lounge chairs ever in Scheels!!!

The Guns...

2008-03-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

Ice Cream

2008-03-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

After our monthly nursing home service yesterday afternoon, Dad and Mom took us to McDonalds for ice cream cones. Well, sorta. We really went to wash our hands and use the restrooms, but the ice cream machine was yelling at us all so loudly, we had to stop and oblige.

Alas, when we ordered our 6 cones and one chocolate shake, the machine decided to quit working... well, sorta. Instead of perfectly shaped ice cream confections, we received ill-shaped and malformed ones. It was quite hilarious after we got over the initial shock. That poor worker kid had quite a time.

Oh well, bless his heart. Maybe he just wasn't cut out to be an ice-cream-cone-man.

*smile*

Help!!

2008-03-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

Let's help our fellow homeschoolers in California!! This petition the Homeschool Legal Defense Association has written, asks the California courts to 'depublish' the ban on homeschooling in the state. Click here to sign!

I know we'd want this kind of help from friends all over if our we were facing this in our area! So let's return the favor.

Thanks!

Not to be forgotten...

2008-03-10T11:22:00.001-07:00

We just couldn't let you all not meet Mom and Dad Brenneman... so here they are!

Aren't they just the cutest couple?!