Beach Bag

Made this beach bag for one of our teens beach birthday party. I knew this fabric would make something special one day and I'm glad I purchased it--perfect for a beach bag.

Home Grown

Can I just say I love the fact that my husband loves gardening? Fresh veggies, green plants, time with the kids, and I get tons of compliments...like I'm the one who maks our yard look beautiful. Don't worry, I do give my husband the credit.

Side garden: field peas, tomatoes, sweet corn

Squash

Sago palms

Baked Goods

It's official. Grandma & Grandpa can't leave. Child care, baked goods, clean dishes, home cooking--they think they can just leave after spoiling us all?! Seriously, they are THE best parents-grandparents ever. I asked my mom if she could make me some more zucchini bread I could take to camp and this is what she accomplished this morning:

Yes, one loaf is already missing 3 pieces courtesy of Micah and I. Delish. The zucchini was given to us by some church members--we received lots and they were HUGE. Thank goodness Grandma was around to help make something yummy out of them. We are also enjoying fresh baked bread & rolls (with freshly ground wheat I might add), homemade cinnamon rolls, and whatever other goodness she thinks up. The kids are thoroughly spoiled with excessive attention and treats. And why do they live so far away again?!

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Sophie's Zucchini Bread (adjusted)Ready In: 1 Hour 10 Minutes Servings: 24"Extra dense with zucchini, this loaf has the classic combination of cinnamon and nuts to tempt you into a sumptuous oblivion."

INGREDIENTS:
2 ¾ cups freshly ground hard white flour
6 tbl ground flax seed
2 T lecithin
2 cups Sucant with honey
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups grated zucchini
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
3 eggs

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 3500F (1750C).
2. Sift together flour, salt, soda, lecithin, flax seed, cinnamon, baking powder.
3. Beat eggs. Add Sucant with honey, vanilla, oil and mix well.
4. Add zucchini to egg mixture.
5. Add dry ingredients, mixing well.
6. Stir in nuts if desired.
7. Pour into 2 ungreased loaf pans.
8. Bake at 3500F (1750C) for 1 hour.

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Sophie's Zucchini Bread (with all purpose flour)

Ready In: 1 Hour 10 Minutes Servings: 24

"Extra dense with zucchini, this loaf has the classic combination of cinnamon and nuts to tempt you into a sumptuous oblivion."

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups grated zucchini
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
3 eggs

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 3500F (1750C).
2. Sift together flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, baking powder.
3. Beat eggs.
4. Add sugar, vanilla, oil and mix well.
5. Add zucchini to egg mixture.
6. Add dry ingredients, mixing well.
7. Stir in nuts if desired.
8. Pour into 2 ungreased loaf pans.
9. Bake at 3500F (1750C) for 1 hour.

Nutrition Information
Total Fat: 10g Total Carbs: 29.4g Cholesterol: 26mg Dietary Fiber: 0.7g Calories: 216 Sodium: 165mg Protein: 2.6g

Boy x 2

1 girl + 1 boy + 1 boy = our growing family

Happy Father's Day x 3

A few reasons why you fathers are so very amazing.

Jason Father of our children 3
A few of the reasons we love you so:

- you lead our children in righteousness

Micahel Newman Photography

-you gently, yet firmly guide them

Michael Newman Photography

-your playfulness never ceases to bring laughter and joy

Michael Newman Photography

-your sense of adventure is contagious

Michael Newman Photography

-comfort is readily found in your strong arms

Michael Newman Photography

-our children find rest in your arms

Michael Newman Photography

-as much as you love our children, you put our marriage first and always find time for romance


Jack Father of mine and my siblings 3
I have so many wonderful memories growing up with a dad as wonderful as you. Your integrity, wisdom, and love have made an indelible impression on me. I think what I've enjoyed the most is watching you love on yoru grandchildren.

Pa's heart was immediately stolen when little Bright Eyes 2.0 first looked at him. She's the only one I'm willing to share that place in his heart with.

He loves thoroughly spoiling his grandchildren, which includes mulitple trips to the donut shop and Ivory & Pa pizza dates.

While searching through pictures it was near impossible to find a picture of Micah and Pa, because our little princess loves to monopolize Pa's time. Don't think this means Micah doesn't adore his Pa. The past two days he's been asking for, "Pa, Pa, Pa" when waking up from his naps. Precious.


Arthur Father of my husband and his siblings 3
While I wasn't raised with you, I've grown to love and respect you. Your strength of character, zeal for the Lord, and love for your family is admirable and has definitely been passed down to his son. I have especially enjoyed watching him interact with his grandchildren.

Grandaddy with his first grandson.


Grandaddy never ceases to bring fun and laughter to his grandkids lives.

Ivory expresses it perfectly--I love you. We love you Daddy, Grandpa, and Grandaddy!

Father's Day Lunch

Mom helped me pull off a delicious Father's day meal for the great men in our lives. I'm so grateful that two years in a row I've been able to spend Father's day with my wonderful dad and my precious husband. So special. Mom and I made mashed potatoes, salad, crescent rolls, zucchini casserole, and a fruit tray. Dad was kind enough to grill some delicious steaks that Mom marinated.

While Mom and I cooked Ivory "cooked" for Pa in her outdoor kitchen as the grillmaster was hard at work. Micah was practicing his fathering skills inside.

He happily pushed this stroller around for half the time we cooked and ate snacks the other half. Notice he is pushing around his favorite toy--"Ba, ba, ba."

All that daddy business wore Micah out so he couldn't keep his sleepy eyes awake long enough to enjoy our Father's day meal--don't worry, Micah, we saved you some. Love my sweet family.

Notice Ivory digging in--her steak was nearly gone by the time we said the blessing. She *loves* Pa's steaks, as do the rest of us. I'm grateful for such special fathers and that my children are blessed to have such a wonderful dad, grandpa, and grandaddy. Thanks, dads!

Family Day

We started off our day with an early Father's day celebration since Father's day will be a busy one for us.  Ivory and Micah helped make this shirt for daddy last year and the following shirt this year.

I can hardly believe how close in size Ivory & Micah's feet are!

Love that my husband views our children like God's Word states

We also got daddy a hat and some flip-flops--it was a big hit.
A kind neighbor offered his pool to us so we took the kids swimming after a pancake breakfast.

Grandpa snapped this shot for us.

After swimming we were all worn out so went home for snacks and a nap.  Then, more outdoor play!


I love these precious little faces.  People are starting to say more and more how much Micah favors Ivory.  They definitely grow more alike in appearance as Micah grows older.  Their personalities are still as night and day as ever.  Sugar and spice makes for  a tasty treat, right?  They make life that much more fun...and yes, challenging.

While the day was thoroughly enjoyable, Ivory did have more then a few meltdowns and tantrums.  This girl just can't seem to handle life with too much ease.  Good thing she's so darn cute!

Micah was content as ever...and enjoyed a few spoonfuls of mud.

It was super hot out and the kids drank more of Mom & Dad's water then I think we did.

My kids sure do adore their dad.






The cup is nearly as big as her head, love that her little face is still this small!

Cleaned up, ate pizza, and had a family movie night!  Micah only lasted a short while before crashing after a long day of play.  Ivory was very snuggly with Mom--a rare and beautiful experience I'll treasure.


Grandpa decided he would take the opportunity to take Grandma on a date, but not without saying goodbye to the kiddos first when he heard that Micah woke up asking for "Pa, Pa, Pa."  Ivory wasn't too impressed that Pa was taking Grandma on a date and not her.  She eventually decided it was okay and gave Grandma some instructions before she left, "Jesus is in your heart.  He will give you the answers and keep you in the right direction."  Then she gave them both some final instructions, "No fighting.  Be home before dark.  I might be scared.  There might be bears."

Fun with Bath Foam

Surprise Package

Who doesn't *love* getting fun, surprise packages in the mail?!  I LOVED getting mail as a kid...the excitement is still there, but has worn off a little since now it's mostly fliers & bills.  But, when a day like today comes with a surprise package, well that is an EXCITING day to stop at the post office!  My dear friend, Danielle, sent me a very thoughtful package with a sweet card that may or may not have made me tear up, a funny & informational postcard, a blast from the past shirt, gift card for baby 3 and this fabulous necklace she picked up in Guam on one of her many traveling adventures (this girl is super hard to track down--she travels like crazy!).  I love that no matter how long Danielle & I go without talking, we stay dear friends.  She has been so precious and faithful to me in some of my most unlovable years.  Danielle, thanks for the fun package and for being such a dear friend.

Okay, so when I put on this black dress this morning I looked through my necklaces and just didn't love how anything looked with it.  A fleeting thought of a new necklace passed through my mind and I immediately dismissed it as greedy and unecessary.  And I couldn't even imagine what I would want to go with this dress so I settled for some big earrings.  Then the surprise package on the way to run errands.  Seriously?  A necklace that goes PERFECTLY with the dress I was already wearing?!  And the earrings match great, too. 

It was one of those moments where I thought, wow, God, you spoil me.  Love the button clasp closure.

It was also a fun surprise that my husband decided to spend the day tagging along with me as I ran errands.  He didn't want me to have to push the heavy cart and he figured that today might be as close to a date as we get for a while.  I sure have a special man.

Dinner Helpers

I had two helpers in the kitchen last night as I made our chicken pot pie.

Love moments like these. They may be short lived, but they are precious.