Refreshed

I returned a few hours ago from my own little retreat.  My very sweet and kind hubby arranged for me to have about 24 hours of my own time at a nearby retreat center/camp.  I had Greta with me, but funny how after 4 kids, only having one basically feels like I am alone!  It was so nice to have extended time to read, pray, journal, take walks, etc.  I feel like a new woman.  Thank you, Steve, for letting me get away!

Spring Fashion

Oh my.

I just had the funniest thing happen to me. Anyone who has small children will sympathize with me and not mock me. Somehow, a (clean) turkey baster got into our baby toy basket. I was sitting here at the computer doing a few things and Aaron brought it up to me and put it down my shirt, between my sweatshirt and t-shirt under the sweatshirt. I laughed and continued what I was doing. I'm not sure how much time passed, at least 1/2 an hour. I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth and was wondering why my shirt looked so terrible on me today. I kept adjusting it at the bottom, trying to make it lay flat up top. I finally tried to adjust the top part and realized that the turkey baster was still in my shirt. It totally cracks me up that I could be doing things for that long and not realize that I had a turkey baster in my shirt. Oh my.

My Little Jack-O-Lantern

Eat my Heart Out

A crooked haircut and a turtleneck.

Happy Birthday to Us

It's birthday time around here. Steve yesterday and me today.
We got to spend the evening tonight with some good friends at
a fun little Greek restaurant downtown. It was a beautiful night
so we even got to walk around a little. So fun.
Last night we had a little party for Steve here at home and when
Steve was unwrapping the gifts the girls made him, Aaron kept
saying in a whiney voice, "Where are MY presidents?"
My cuz Shannon stopped by today to give me a gift, she planted
grass seed in this cute little pot. What a fun gift to have on the
counter!! This pic does not do it justice. It's so cool!!


While Shannon and I were chatting, the kids were pretending
to be camping. Here they are roasting their corn cobs over the fire


Sleep time

My Faithful Friends

Each spring, this little cluster of daffodils comes up way earlier
than any of my others. I love to see them!!

Engrossed

This is how both my girls spend much of their days:

What a kid

This past weekend it was Claudia's turn to go to Ohio with my mom
to see my brother and his family. So Morgan got to spend the
day with grandpa today. Cracks me up... how many 6 year old
girls get excited about spending the day loading firewood?!?
She set her alarm to get up in time to "hit it" early. Here they
are with the load that they brought to our house (THANK YOU,
DAD!!). After they were done loading wood, they went to Denny's
and got cheezy fries and a grand-slam breakfast. Only a grandpa
would approve that menu.

Lovin' his cars

This is pretty much how Aaron spends his days

Spring is Springing

This past week the weather has been so nice, on Sat. it was
almost 70!! Even though it has cooled some, it has been a nice
week, for which I am very thankful. Today for the first time
in a loooong time I took the kids on a stroller/bike ride. It's
amazing what some fresh air can for this mama! I feel like a
new woman.
On Sat. the girls decided that they wanted to wash the van, I
couldn't resist a few shots of their efforts.




Helper dude


Greta was inside the glass door looking out as I sneaked out
for a moment. It was so cute to watch Aaron talking to her
though the glass. Check out his reflection in the window (and
her reaction!) Lots of love going on there!!

This is Why...

When you are making homemade baby food that you
should never push "MIX" without the lid on!

Family Dinner

Last night I was able to help my mom serve a meal at her house.
She had all of my dad's siblings and spouses over. All but 2 were
there so it was a gang of 18! My mom does a great job of making
everything look so nice. It was really fun to help and see all my
aunts and uncles whom I have not seen in a long time.
I'm bummed that my picts turned out yellow. If I was smarter with
my camera I would know what to do to fix it. I'll get there...

Here is the table. My mom has tons of these pretty glasses, which
she calls peanut butter glasses. I guess when she was a kid that
is what peanut butter came in! Now they are collectables.


Nice shot of your bald head, dad.




Thanks, Shannon for keeping the kiddos so I could go!!

Aaron's First Powdered Doughnut

Snow Day

I have been wishing and wishing for one last big snow before
spring comes. Well, yesterday I got my wish! It snowed a good
5-6 inches, for sure the most we got around here all year. Well, it
wasn't quite all I had hoped for. I was hoping for a whole morning of
peace and quiet while the kids played outside...
About 10 minutes after they went out, the following awaited me at the
front door. Apparently he did a face plant in the snow.


A happier moment sipping his hot chocolate


I was a good mama and made some cookies while they were playing

Peek-a-Boo