Silver Lake

We enjoyed a trip to Silver Lake on one of the warmer weekends of April. The kids had a lot of fun playing in the sand and wading in the pond. There is a neat waterfall (from a dam) and we brought bread to feed the ducks. It was a fun relaxing way to spend the day. We plan to do it often this summer.

Livy - sitting pretty by the lake

Dad - enjoying a nap on the hill
Daniel and Daddy checking out the ducks

Justin, Livy, and Abby feeding the ducks

Daniel LOVES slides

So adorable

Grammy and Danny

Hike!

Justin

Ramps and stairs are another favorite feat for Daniel

Garr playing catch with the girls

Playing in the sand

Abby

Great Days...

Grandma calls over her shoulder as she leaves for work,

"Have a great day everyone!"

Olivia answers (with a bit of Olivia-attitude),

"Of course we'll have a great day!!! Why wouldn't we?"

Oh, to have the outlook of a kindergartner.

Abby's Birthday

Abby celebrated her 8th birthday this month. We baked cupcakes (she loves to bake) and decorated them to share with her class. After school, she opened her presents from mama and daddy. It was Awana night, so we headed over to the church. She had a tummy ache and came home early to lounge on the couch and play her new DS game. The next night was Friday, so we had a family party for her. She invited two friends from school. Her theme was High School Musical. When I asked her what special dinner she wanted, she said "Pizza!" (a girl after my own heart!) and ice cream cake. The girls and Justin had fun playing school and going outside to ride bikes and play with their bubble wands (I let them break into their goody bags early.)

I think this is going to be a rambunctious age for Abby! We are convinced she is 40% boy and you might see why in some of these pictures :)

Enjoying her ice cream cake!

Daniel getting in on the present action

"Ooooh - what is it?"

"AWESOMMMMME!" said in concert

Justin wearing the HSM headset

Can you guess what Abby is doing here? One of her favorite pasttimes.

Leave a comment if you can figure it out!

What a silly birthday girl!

Makeup!

Too cute.

Ending a fun day in a favorite way

Daniel - what a guy!

Daniel, you ...

turn 17 months old tomorrow.

are absolutely adored by this family.

love Barney and The Wiggles.

say "Ma-Ma" and "Da-Dad" indiscriminately.

sign "hi," "bye," "more," "all done," and "no."

say "uh-uh" and shake your head 'no' when you don't want something - adamantly.

like to blow raspberries and then belly laugh out loud.

love your daily walk in the stroller with Grandma and Dad-dad.

love to be outside.

eat grapes, blueberries, and apples (whole - unpeeled.)

are a rather picky eater.

are mesmerized by animals.

adore big sister Eme (Meh-muh.)

like to push cars around like he's driving them.

love to snuggle your fur-real Kitty.

are attached to the Gerber First Essentials pacifiers.

are without fear when it comes to climbing.

insist on walking up and down the stairs - but will hold Mommy's hand while doing so.

like to ride your rocking horse.

absolutely adore Dad-dad.

like to play swords.

love the librarians b/c they always give you a lollipop!

are territorial with your Winnie the Pooh chair :)

stop in your tracks when you hear a motorcycle and turn to check it out

think tooting and burping are hilarious

Daddy and Daniel

Having had all girls, Daniel is a true boy! He thinks tooting and burping (to be completely blunt) are hilarious! And he didn't just pick that up from Daddy :) The first time he realized he passed gas, he stopped, looked at me, and laughed out loud. Another time he was sitting on Garr's lap when Garr did the same. Daniel turned and looked at Garr with this look on his face like "Daddy, you are so funny - that was hilarious!" Our girls laugh at this kind of thing too - (well, Abby does - Eme and Liv get annoyed like Mommy!), but I really think Abby learned from Garr that it was funny. Daniel just seemed to know from the get-go!

Pushing sis in the car

Snuggling with Abby

Driving



Boys and sticks

Boys and swords

checking out a neighbors dog
(I know the dog looks weird in this picture but he really is safe)

lounging with Grandad

eating like a big boy!

eating pizza - he eats the cheese off the top instead of taking bites :)

Our little man who always messes up his hair as soon as I've got it brushed!

A Way

So I was going to share our big news with you all, but some "stumbling blocks" (not road blocks!) as my friend put it, have occured today. I will tell you this: it involves buying our first house ~ for which we are so excited. But what a stressful time we have had! Throughout it all, this song keep running through my mind:

God will make a way,
where there seems to be no way.
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.

He will be my guide,
hold me closely to His side.
With love and strength
for each new day,
He will make a way.
He will make a way.

I know my God is bigger than me. He's bigger than this house I want so badly.
He's bigger than my mortgage broker and my realtor put together. And sometimes, I think God likes to do the impossible. He likes to surprise us. He likes to make things happen that we think couldn't possibly happen.

That way, we know He did it. We can't pat ourselves on the back. Or our realtor or mortgage broker. Only Him. He's the only One we can praise because He's the only One who could make a way where there's seems to be no way. I'm trying to keep my eyes on Him and trust Him.

Dinner again.

I don't know about you, but I get so tired of eating the same meals over and over. On top of that, I get tired of planning meals every week! But on the days when I have a plan, my day goes so much better. (funny about that!) So here is another dinner idea that might make one of your days easier. :)

Tonight we are having a summer favorite ... since it is so summery here today! 90 degrees! And although it is a bit time-consuming to put together, it is super easy to make. We just cut up whatever veggies we have on hand ... zucchini, squash, red and yellow peppers, red potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc., and then cut up a fresh (or canned) pineapple. Mix it all together and pour some Italian dressing (we used Wish-bone tonight - or you could use teriyaki sauce) over it. Wrap it in some foil and put it on the grill for 20-30 min. If you want, you can cook rice to eat with it. Since we have so many taters, we are forgoing the rice. Mom did make some yummy - from scratch - blueberry muffins to go with it though! We'll see if there are still any left at dinner time :)

I promise to try and post tomorrow (with pictures) about our big news!
(...and NO, I am NOT PREGNANT) lol... :)

Cranberry Chicken

It has been ages since I have updated. There is so much happening here that it seems almost overwhelming to try and write a few paragraphs about it all. I also have some great Easter photos that I will try and post this week. (only a few weeks late, right?)

I was just making dinner (we eat our main meal at noon on Sundays) and thought I would share it. I don't know about you, but I love quick, easy meals, and this is one for sure! To read the ingredients, it sounds rather gross :) but it is actually super yummy! Even the kids ask for seconds!

1 can cranberry sauce (we use whole berry, but jellied will work fine) - or make your own!
1 med. bottle Creamy French dressing
1 pkg. Lipton onion soup mix

Mix these all together. Pour over skinless, boneless chicken breasts and bake for 1+ 1/2 hours at 350 degrees. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!