Pictures, finally!

Here are a few pictures from the last month. While Brandon and Cindy were here my whole family spent 3 days at a cabin together. There were 19 of us!

With 6 granddaughters (plus aunts) there was a lot of fingernail polish smell in the air
There was also a lot of book reading.

And a lot of games...

And a lot of baby holding!
(Angel is holding Adam and Riah is holding Ashton -I think)

(Home from the cabin) Brandon stopped in one morning and brought me a Rutter's cappuccino. Made my day. I love Callie's expression on this picture.

Cindy's sister, Ciara came along to help out. She felt like part of our family and she knits too! (she's holding Adam -I think)

I am so pleased with this picture! I only had to take about 1,000 to get it. Ashton is on the left and Adam is on the right. Wishing I could squeeze them again. :(

One of the many...

It was so fun to see all the cousins pick up from where they left off. Anna Lee and Nate are only 2 months apart in age. I wish I knew what he was telling her.

This picture has nothing to do with Brandon and Cindy, it's just for my records. One morning while we were in KS Jeremy and my dad took the kids to a park and a small zoo while Mom and I went to a ladies brunch. While at the zoo Nate got pecked in the face by a goose -serious. Right below his eye. Left a nasty bruise. Sadly, no picture of that. Also that morning Callie fell at the play ground. I had to take a picture of her first "wound". She did not like looking at it and would pull her skirt down to cover it. I liked how this picture turned out with Jeremy holding her.

Travels

Warning: This was written by a rather sleepy person.

I really want to post pictures, but Jeremy is working on the computer that has all the pictures so I'll have to settle for words.

The past few months have been busy with a lot of coming and going.

In January I attended the second Among Women retreat near Columbus. While I was there Jeremy and the children were at my aunt and uncle's place in Cincinnati. I joined them after the retreat. Sadly I think we only have about 2 pictures from that weekend. Jeremy took them of Isaiah and Nathan sleeping in a double bed. They are cute pictures, but the cuteness wore off sometime during the night when they woke up fighting about covers. I was blissfully sound asleep 2 hours away. (Jeremy has very graciously encouraged me to be part of Among Women while he carries on the "home" responsibilities.) We always enjoy are time at Joyce and Paul's. The kids love all the new toys and we love the relaxing, the great food and the great company.

In February we attended CMC's pastor's conference in Kansas. It was a long trip, but it was worth it. My parents also attended the conference and we were able to stay at the same place they did. My parents helped out a lot with the kids -very much appreciated (and needed). The evening before we left to come home Isaiah starting throwing up. Great. Nate woke up at 3:30 AM doing the same. Jeremy decided we should just get up and leave for home then. I'm not sure if I've ever dreaded a trip that much. We buckled the kids in and I sat in the middle of the van with the bucket close by. Thankfully no one threw up. They boys slept a lot. Callie didn't. She isn't a real great traveler. :( We drove 19 hours straight to get home. We stopped only 3 times. It was a very long day, but it was nice to be home and wake up in our own beds Saturday morning.

Brandon and Cindy along with their family and Cindy's sister arrived here on March 1. It was wonderful to finally meet Adam and Ashton. I'm in love. I have some great pictures that I'll hopefully post soon. My whole family spent several days together at a cabin. Good times. I'll let the pictures tell more. :)

I'm sitting her trying to stay awake until Jeremy is done with his online class lecture. I'm done and he is still working. :( Speaking of Jeremy, last weekend he and I were very blessed to be able to get away for the weekend -Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. So good. I'll post more on that later, maybe.

Blog Banner

I used this tutorial from Clover Lane to make the header on my blog. I got the link for Clover Lane from www.moneysavingmom.com I don't know much about Clover Lane, but I liked this tutorial.

Picasa

Who knew Picasa could be so much fun! I could waste a lot of time on there. I like this a lot better than those flowers!

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

No, I'm not really on a cooking kick. Two friends requested two recipes so I'm just posting them here in case any one else is interested. This recipe is awesome.

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

1/3 c. oil

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. mashed bananas

1 pkg. chocolate chips

1 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl whisk together oil, sugar and egg; stir in mashed bananas and half the chocolate chips. Combine dry ingredients and stir into banana mixture just until moistened.

Spoon into 12 greased muffin cups. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips evenly over the tops of the muffins.

Bake for 15-20 minutes.

P.S. Not sure I like all these flowers all over my blog. I wanted something new, but I'm not sure this is what I was looking for. :(

Beef Burritos

Here is a simple recipe that my family, kids included, really likes. I like to make it ahead of time and freeze it. I hesitate to add my own comments especially after I was so hard on people commenting on recipes awhile back. :( Note: We love this recipe with or without the changes. There, now I feel much better.

Beef Burritos

1 lb hamburger, browned (I add onion)

1/2 pk taco seasoning (or more)

1/2 - 3/4 c. salsa

1 can refried beans (if I don't have them I just use a can a black beans)

Mix all ingredients. Serve with sour cream and salsa on warm flour tortillas.

Among Women

There are some new posts on the Among Women blog. Check it out here. At the end of the newest entry two questions are asked:

• What is one thing that you have learned from a woman who occupied a different sphere from your own that changed the way that you think or act?
• Have you ever found unity in a surprising place?

These are great questions. Think about them then please give you feedback -don't be shy! Leave your comments on that blog, not this one. :)