Sunday gathering

Family Fun!

April in the ZOO

Oh how we love the Zoo!!!!! It was a wonderful day...beautiful weather! We had a yummy picnic. The animals were so fun to see! My favorites are the elephants and the giraffes. Well the zebras and the tiger are great fun too. The train ride is always refreshing , but aren't the kids just so adorable???

Happy Birthday Chelsie!!!!!!

Chelsie!!! I can't believe you are all grown up now!!! 19!! And BEAUTIFUL! We are so very proud of you. We are so blessed to have you. I remember a time many years ago ( you were only 18 months old) when we didn't think you would make it.But thankfully, with many prayers you were finally diagnosed right , and after surgery you healed ...and look at the flower you have blossomed into! We love you Chelsie. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

All together again!!!

Marshall and I are so lucky!!!! We were able to have all of our kids and their families together Yes!!!!! It was soooo much fun getting reacquainted with our little grandkids! We were finally able to meet little Abe for the first time ! He is already 3 months old!!!!!!!!!! Everyone had a crazy good time. At any given time we had a housefull of kids and grown ups . 9 grand kids and then our two young boys 11 kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and then our grown up kids and spouses and boyfriends ....Our house was full of blessings!!!

A Passion for Children's books

So... Have I ever told you how much I love children's books?????
My favorite thing is to read books to my kids. Just this last year we
have rented nearly 500 books! I am determined to have my children
love reading , and realize that a book can take you anywhere. Being
the visual person that I am though... I must say that I am smitten
with the illustrations , and if they are not appealing ...well..then the
book has to be fabulous in a different way or I may overlook it. My
older son and I now of course, enjoy the unillustrated chapter books
together. Our favorites there are of course Harry Potter books, Alex Rider series, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Bridge to Terabithia, The Roald Dahl books, Little House, Where the Red Fern Grows, There are so many great ones. We love the Dk Eyewitness books too ( I still love those humorous, or heartwarming, children's picture books though!)

My theory is just have fun reading!
Above are a handful of books we have liked ...but there are soooo many more!
I love the creative ones, the hilarious ones, the ones that really help you learn about science and nature ...and the books that make us cry!

Donning the green!

Oh yes! St. Patricks day arrived here too! WE wore green ....(except Marsh, he actually wore green by mistake earlier though!)WE listened to celtic music all day long ....Irish Lullabyes, Celtic instrumentals, and of course Kate Rusby! We read some Leprechaun stories, and even went over the history and folk lore. Lime muffins were on the menu along with limeaid and homemade Irish potatoe soup( I even through in some broccoli for the green!)! Well... I'm pretty sure that along with our mixture of Swedish , Scottish, English and Danish ancestors there is an Irish line right??????

Woo Hoo Fun outside!!!

YES! The out doors is our playground now!!! Talk about CABIN FEVER!!!!
It may only last a couple of days ... but hey grap it while you can RIGHT?

Betsey's Birthday

We love you Betsey! We couldn't ask for anyone sweeter than you for a
daughter-inlaw ! And you are the best mom ever to your kids! We miss your smile around here so much. Can't wait to see you soon.

Arianne turns 4!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Arianne!!!! We love you sooooo much!
You are so adorable , spunky, and sweet! We already miss you.
You are a real fairy princess. Thankyou for being in our life !

Happy birthday Elijah

Ok , Elijah ....... Who said that you could EVER grow up!!!!!!!!! You are amazingly darling, and extremely talented! We just love you so much! Where did those last 7 years run away to???? Thankyou for being such a sweetheart !
Elijah wants to be a movie maker when he grows up. His favorite thing to do right now is build with Legos and draw. Spaghetti is his favorite dinner, so that is what we made for him.

Valentines fun

Well ....we like to make Valentines, and frosted cookies for Valentines day. We also like to pretend it's the beginning of spring around our house. We have hopes of sunny days , and spring flowers , and seeing green sprouts on the trees around this time. However... we do not live in California, and we have been receiving snowstorm after snowstorm! But I promise that I caught each of the girls trying to leave the house in flip flops or toe less 4 inch heels last week. Chelsie went to the store in shorts!!!Anyway, We all hope you had a Happy Valentines Day!And that maybe you received some flowers ,if there weren't any in your garden !