Honoring America

I had big plans of editing some photos for this post. Thus the delay in writing it. Well, I haven't gotten them edited in the creative way I'd planned. Nor do I see myself getting it done any other time this month. So, I'm going to write it with (mostly) unedited pictures. 

The College of the Ozarks hosts Honor America every year...a week before Independence Day. There are live bands/facepainting/ food vendors all afternoon. Then, at dusk they make some patriotic presentations, veteran recognition, and we all sing our national anthem/say the Pledge of Allegiance as a group, which is really neat. 

And of course, at dark there are fireworks. 

This was our little group this year. We had a good time over on the blanket by the rose garden! 

 did you ever notice that Jonah is eating in a lot of the photos I post?! But look how much he is enjoying that watermelon!! We had to cut him off...he wanted it more than the cookies! 

 We tried and tried to get a good shot with the pretty fireworks in the background. We got good shots of us, and good shots of fireworks. (the creative editing I had intended was going to superimpose the two into one great photo...maybe someday!)

the little guy was in awe every time! we'd told him it would be loud, and it didn't seem to bother him. actually, we tried to prep him a bit by watching fireworks on YouTube beforehand, so he'd know what to expect. 

Happy July! 

(only one week until our sweet daughter arrives)

The Day for Fathers

We sure are blessed to have great fathers in our family! 

I found that shirt for Jonah a couple of months ago. I'm glad I remembered to dig it out of hiding for him to wear on Sunday!  

We are very thankful for all these wonderful men!! 

Summer is HERE.

I took the kids out to breakfast to celebrate the beginning of summer vacation. We had the most fun on the way to the doughnut shop. Jonah was cracking us up in the car. He was in a really good mood and answering any question with lots of excitement. When asked if he was drinking coffee, he replied, "COFFEE...YES!!" And when Ben coughed, he shouted out "good cough, Ben!" 

I am determined to take lots of photos this summer. I only have a few remaining weeks with these dear children of mine. We shall make the most of our time...and document it accordingly. 

Sweet Summertime

Nothing says summer like Pop Ice Popsicles. 

And nothing says sweet like this kid.

Put them together and you have Sweet Summertime!

Valentine's SNOW DAY

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. We got out as a family this morning to enjoy some of the snow that fell all day yesterday. This was really the first time Jonah has appreciated/understood anything about snow. He was so excited to get all bundled up!

 Jonathan built him a snow man...which pretty much cleared the ground in that area. We didn't have a ton of snow, but it has been pretty. It is all melting away now. 

I caught some of the fun on video for you. Since I didn't get around to making Valentines this year, I hope that this goes straight to your heart! 

Twas the Night Before Christmas

I just realized I had forgotten to post our pictures from Christmas Eve. 

We always gather with my mom's extended family on Christmas Eve. We have a couple of games we play each year. When I was a kid Emily and I got to open the gifts from our grandparents/aunts/uncles on Christmas Eve too. Well, now that we are adults the table has turned a bit. We now all shower Grandpa with gifts.

This year Emily got him the BEST gift imaginable! 

"M.E. Brewer

 World's Best Turkey Cook"

(yes, that is a "gold" turkey on the top of that trophy, and yes, the guy at the trophy place looked at her funny when she placed that order) 

It is a fact. He makes the BEST turkey I've ever eaten!

Then, in the midst of our celebration the front door burst open and some unexpected visitors came on in. When you are Santa, you don't have to knock!

Jonah was very nervous. It took a lot of "warming up" and mom and dad joining him for us to get a picture with Santa. 

Then, we got Jonah to give Santa a cookie, but the camera snapped at the wrong time and my only picture looks like Santa is the one doing the giving.

And then a festive kiss from Mrs. Claus.

our FAVORITE Christmas gift!

I don't usually label things as favorite. Especially when there is risk of hurting someone's feelings. BUT, I think we can all agree that this is the best Christmas gift a mom can receive!

In case you can't tell, it's a canvas.

(I didn't capture the brown ribbon by which it hangs, but you can imagine)

My mom had a secret photo shoot with the little guy...in a borrowed suit. I loved all of the pictures, but this one is just takes the cake! We love it!

We had a lovely Christmas. We have now celebrated with both the Varnell and Atkins families. We love this time of year and really enjoyed the nice weather. Now we are glad to be home and are going to try to force ourselves back into that elusive regular routine! 

Have a Happy Beginning-of-2012. 

Soon I'll tell you about our overwhelming exciting New Year's saga adventure. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our busy house to yours. 

Boys of Fall

So, today, we woke up to the first snow of the season. It's just a pretty little dusting. Jonah doesn't know what to think of it. In honor of that, I thought I'd feature one of our wonderfully mild fall days.

I love these boys. They are very dear to me. I love watching them play together.

I couldn't resist taking some cute fall pictures of my little sweetie that day. 

Enjoy!

The Dressing That Changed My Life

Really? FOOD that is life changing? Well, I admit that food isn't THAT big of a deal. But it's true. Before I tried this recipe I DID NOT like dressing. At all. (nevermind that I was 8 years old) 

I may have been 12 when I first had this recipe. My mom discovered it somewhere. She MADE me try it. I don't even know if I admitted that I liked it at the time. But, it has stood the test of time. I still love it. And people who try it for the first time always agree that it is the best. 

Not only does it have a fantastic flavor...it's MADE IN THE CROCK-POT. How can you not give it a chance? Who doesn't love a good crock-pot dish?!

I realize this is very last-minute for this year's feast, but if you are searching for something new to wow your guests...look no further (and start chopping!)

My Favorite Thanksgiving Dish

Crock-Pot Dressing:

8 in. square pan of cornbread

8 slices of day-old bread, toasted

4 eggs

1 med. onion, chopped

1/2 C. celery, chopped

1 1/2 TBSP sage

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 cans chicken broth

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 TBSP butter

(there is a bit of prep work...doing the bread...but that can be done the day before, if you need to save time)

Saute the onion and celery in the butter before adding to the pot. 

Throw in everything and cook on low for 4 hours. You may want to stir a couple of times...and I guarantee you will not be able to resist sampling. 

(*note: I like to let it get really well-done..."dry," but that is a texture issue on my part)

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving. 

Cutest litte Cat-in-the-Hat!

Our church has a Kid's fun night every year on the 31st. Well, we like to make it a Family Fun night...cause our family likes to have fun together!

see:

When Jonah was a baby we were given this Cat-in-the-Hat costume by our friend Dawn.

So, I have been planning this dress-up-as-a-family idea all year...knowing the Cat would fit Jonah this Halloween. 

But, as usual, I was scrambling around at the last minute. Why do things have to take longer than anticipated to put together?

But, we made it. And we had a good time!

    Jonah's favorite area was the one with basketballs...

throwing a bean bag to knock down the crows. thank you, mrs. jan for your help!

And he also found a new way to "play" at the duck pond. he re-arranged each duck to a new pond, rather than pick just one to see if it was a winner! they ladies running it thought his idea was a good one!

Oh my goodness....look at this cute cute girl I saw. I have no idea who she is or which adults she was there with...but her dancing brought quite the crowd!

And then, after we got home, he had to sort through his loot. I didn't even have to teach him how to do this! 

I LOVE Fall

Fall is beautiful. 

And it smells amazing! (I wish I could capture smell in a photo)

Things I love about Fall

*crisp cool air

*freshly fallen leaves

*marigolds

*snuggling under a blanket 

*bonfires

Fall Foods 

(which, for some reason, always taste better when the weather is cool)

*pumpkin spice latte

*apple pie

*frito pie

*hot chocolate

*most any kind of soup 

Another Trip to the City

Last weekend Jonathan's parents came to visit. We took ourselves (with our season passes) out to Silver Dollar City. We really use them far too little. It's free (if you don't count gas or the occasional food purchase) entertainment. 

Anyway, we headed out there on Friday, and we sure were glad we didn't try to go on Saturday...cause it rained ALL day Saturday!!

(there may or may not be multiple collages today...be glad I didn't post all of the pictures individually...there are a lot of great ones!)

Remember this similar picture from the same time last year:

Jonah and Grandpa tried on some hats:

Jonah also did a lot of this:

And then, on the way out, Jonah (re-)discovered pumpkins!! (he thinks they are all BALLS!)

Home Grown Veggies

We love to plant a garden every spring. 

We don't have a ton of space, but I think we utilize it well.

Bear with me...there are a lot of pictures here.

March

(we start most of our seeds inside in these handy little dirt pods...just add water)

April

Sometime late April/early May the little younglings made it out to the big garden.

(and well, now it is confession time: NONE of my early starts survived. I was overly eager and didn't "harden them off" before planting...they had all died by the next day)

 Below is our 2nd attempt. We purchased some bell pepper plants and tomato plants.

We replanted okra and squash by seeds directly into the garden.

June: we have plants!!

 And July brings some harvest. 

It is actually kind of pitiful this year. The okra, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumber haven't done much yet. The squash & zucchini have produced a ton, but are almost dead.

Kanakuk/K-Life In Review: The Early Years

Well, guys, as you probably know by now, this is Jonathan's last week at a job he's had for eight years. I'd like to dedicate the remainder of this week to his time with that job and all the neat things that have happened along the way!

When I met Jonathan he was already working for K-Life. He also worked for Kanakuk each summer. He was the cook at one of their kamps. (yeah, he worked in the kitchen with a bunch of other girls in his life). 

Once I came along, this all changed. Mainly because it was not conducive for him to keep that job each summer AND be married...so...I WON. (or as we like to say..."WE won")!

That kitchen still bears his name! I love it.

Then, the two of us met and he got me involved in his crazy little world. (a world I was familiar with from my own experience...which was actually something he'd prayed/hoped for in the woman he married!)

 Ah, those were the days! The picture above was taken at Krunktober, one of the annual events for K-Life. They start off with a big region-wide dodgeball tournament and then usually bring in someone to do a big concert that night.

And the picture below was taken on a ski trip. I think it was the first year we were married. That was the only year we chose for me to go on the ski trip.

Easter Sunday

yep, those owls are smocked on there!

he's waving...love it!

Jonah had a cute little outfit made by Grammy Pammy!

When I was young she made me a new dress each year for Easter...she's very talented with a sewing machine. She loves to create cute things. Sadly, Jonah is quickly outgrowing handmade "cuteness". I'd better have a baby girl someday!

Our Easter Sunday was a bit unconventional. We physically went to church, but not as a family or to the actual church service. Our church likes to have the Easter service in a local theater (to integrate a large crowd into one worship service). With that comes added responsibility. So, Jonathan and I helped out. He was helping with hospitality...they served doughnuts and coffee to everyone! (early that morning he picked up 100 dozen krispy kreme...yes, you read that right, and no, I'm not exaggerating)

I helped in the nursery. I (and several others) loved on some babies while their parents enjoyed the church service. It was fun. Jonah got to be with me! 

After church, we jumped in the car and drove down to be with my family. 

(i forgot the camera, it was raining, and my dad had to work, so NO family picture this year)

Our usual family tradition is to fly kites after lunch on Easter. I LOVE that tradition, so I was pretty bummed that it rained so much. 

If you haven't already seen it, watch this video. It is a fun, non-traditional way to celebrate what Easter is all about: