The Wonder of Weeds

So, this past week (and the week before) have been extremely hot and humid. It's been like a sauna out there. For example, I took the kids to the zoo on Thursday morning and as we entered the Lied Jungle (rain forest) it was actually LESS humid in there than it was outside. And Thursday wasn't the worse day, by far!! Well, as you can imagine, our backyard and gardens decided to invite every weed in town over to our house for a growing party. OOOOHHHH, it was bad.

THANKFULLY, (I'm really into capital letters today, huh?) the heat and humidity magically lifted today. On a Saturday, no less! It was wonderful. I forced myself to take full advantage of it and rid our gardens (vegetable and "flower"--well, one day flowers will grow and not just get overrun and die back there) of the weeds. Talk about work! Whew!

I must say, however, that there is something just sooooo fulfilling about hard maual labor in the garden. It all looks so nice back there now, with my few little veggies growing (this is my first attempt at gardening and let's just say I'm learning as we go!) and even my sad little Hasta, Mums, and Columbine are looking better. Well, they're looking more than better b/c Cubby went out and bought some mulch and that just makes everything look pretty.

I wonder if people everywhere would be happier and feel more satisfied with life in general if they all found some sort of physical work, like gardening or farming, to make them get out there and really work. I wonder if that is part of the pull for farmers out there even now-a-days. Working, growing and creating is so fulfilling. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity today to get out there and sweat (even if I didn't really like it while I was doing it!). It made the day very satisfying!

Father's Day 2009

This post is a bit belated, but I just wanted to record that this past Sunday was, of course, Father's Day.
In our home we've got one great Dad! One of the reason's that I married Cubby was because wherever we seemed to go, kids flocked to him (they still do). I just knew he would be a terrific father. He loves to play with Emily and Christian. He is definitely not one of those dads who "sit and watch" the kids play. Like my own dad, Cubby is almost always on the floor, playing with the kids. Also, like my dad (and his!), Cubby is a teaser. Sometimes, the kids will go along with it, other times they run to Mommy for help! His humor lightens the mood in our home and I'm so grateful for his enthusiam and his help in the evenings with the dishes and the children. It really makes the end of the day pleasant and something to look forward to.

Thank you, Cubby, for being a fantastic dad and husband! We sure love you!

Rain Delays

So, when it decides to rain (pour) right before our scheduled playgroup at the sprinkler park, one has to improvise quickly. Luckily, Emily and I had just the plan.

We had read the story, Apple Farmer Annie, by Monica Wellington. In the back of the book there are three simple apple recipes: Applesauce, Apple Muffins and Applesauce Cake. Now, even though this would be more appropriate for the fall after apples have been picked, we wanted to give the Applesauce Cake a dry run. Emily is becoming quite the good little baker and it was a lot of fun putting it all together. Too bad for her, though, that her mother forgot Baking 101 and tried to take the cake out of the pan before it had cooled. So, the cake broke and the frosting made a lame attempt at concealing Mother's mistake. However, it still tastes great--according to Mom. In true Emily style, she doesn't want to try the cake.

Applesauce Cake
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 c. applesauce
2/3 c. raisins (we didn't used them though)

Cream together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs and beat well. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add to creamed mixture alternately with applesauce, beating after each addition and blending well. Stir in raisins. Pour batter into 9 inch greased tube pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 min or until browned. (Toothpick inserted into cake should come out clean.) Cool, then spread with Butter Frosting. (Oh, and another thing Mom "learned," don't frost on a cooling rack. It'll drip.)

Butter Frosting
2 T. softened butter
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 T. milk

Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Add milk and stir well. The frosting should be smooth and easy to spread.

Also, while the cake was baking, my kids did come up with a good use for our living room rug. Maybe Pottery Barn could include this in their description for what their rugs can be used for: fun!

"Look, Mom! I'm a hotdog!"

Two-Year Stats

Christian had his two-year check up today. He was such a big boy and only fussed a little bit when the nurse had to prick his finger for a blood sample. The doctor couldn't believe that he's two already--and neither can I!

Here are Christian's latest stats:

Weight: 27 lbs 12 oz (50%)

Height: 34 3/4 in (60%)

Head Circumference: 51 1/4 cm (95%)

Yup, he's definitely Cubby's son. Big head and all.

Here are a few things that Christian is "into" right now:

*Trucks, particularily, "Diggers"

*The Little Mermaid (he loves to swim and pretend that he IS a mermaid)

*His favorite color is green

*He currently LOVES Starbursts and well, anything chocolate

*Snakes (fake ones and the ones at the zoo...behind glass)

*Sharks (mostly b/c Emily has a thing about them, and b/c they swim like mermaids)

*Finding the "super letters" on the PBS show, Super-Why

*Coloring w/Emily--and, basically just playing with Emily in general

*Reading "The Flying Dragon Room" by Audrey Wood and any truck or Mermaid story

*Saying prayers before nap and bedtime (his prayers consist of "Amen"--totally great when we're hungry and he gets to say the dinner prayer!)

Christian is such a wonderfully funny little guy! He loves his family and we're so grateful that he's a part of it!

Farewell to Good Friends

'Tis the summer to move, it seems! At least, that's what you get when the majority of your friends are military! This month, three terrific families are moving. (Not to mention a few other friends who have either moved, or will be moving later this summer!) Each of these families have children that Emily and Christian have enjoyed playing with and we will miss them dearly. Thank goodness for blogs and all of the modern technology that allows us to keep in touch with those who have touched our lives. Thank you to the Broughs, Lymans and the McIlleces for all that you have done and given my family through your wonderful friendships! Ya'll come back to good-ol' Nebraska, ya' hear??

All Hail To the Garbage Men!

Friday mornings are just full of excitement around here--it's garbage day! The kids go about their usual morning routines until they hear a familiar rumble...and...they're off! Up onto the couch where they assume their watchful perches while the big robot arm hoists our garbage cans into the air and thankfully, ridding us of our stinky trash from the week. Hurray for our garbage men--both for taking our garbage away and for making my kids' morning so exciting!

The Happenings of our Happenin' Week

Last Monday, I was able to attend my mom's dance recital! It was a lot of fun to watch her continue to do that which she's always love to do--ballet! She has wonderful stage presence and danced very well. Her fellow teachers seemed to agree as this year, Mom was the recipient of the Judy Settles Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was set up in honor of a former dancer who passed away of cancer and is given each year to a dancer who exemplifies a love of dance and passes that love on to their fellow dancers. Mom will receive a scholarship toward her tuition next year. Go Mom!


Two days later, Mom and Grandma promptly left for their trip to Sweden and France! They'll be gone for a few weeks. I'm so excited to see their pictures and hear stories when they return!



In other news of the week, Cubby's dad and his youngest sister, Tessa, came through for a quick visit on their way back home to Michigan from Utah. Though they were only able to stay the day, we tried to make the most of it! Cubby was able to take the day off and we took them to the Bellevue Berry Patch where it was strawberry picking time! Grandpa really got into it (he's such a good Grandpa!) and he and Emily had fun searching for the reddest berries. Christian liked it too, but had much more fun looking at (and riding on) the tractor. It was a gorgeous day and we spent the afternoon playing out in the backyard. As they drove away Friday morning, Emily said, "I really miss Grandpa and Tessa already." Thank you for making the stop!

Sweet Sister Emily

This post is dedicated to my sweet little girl, Emily. She has been such a big helper these past few months. She helps me around the house (usually without too many reminders!) and, biggest of all, she plays with her brother. I have decided that the most lovely words that I've heard lately are, "Christian, let's go play downstairs together!" Seriously, it's like the heaven's part and the angels decend down upon us.

Emily also now plays very sweetly by herself, we've snuck up on her giving her favorite "blue lovies" a tea party (although she told us that she was serving hot chocolate and lemonade, not tea :-).)

Emily has also become a snuggler too! (Granted, she has to be pretty tired, but hey, I'll take it when I can get it!--Grandma helps too!)

I'm just so thankful for her and am so grateful that she is a part of our family. I love you, Emily!

Christian is Two!

Last Friday, the 29th, was Christian's 2nd birthday! I can't believe two years have gone by already...

We let him open his presents from us...and insisted upon saying "Cheese!" and me taking a picture before each one.

My Mom and Harvey came over with their gifts--his new digger was his favorite gift of all and I have almost 15 minutes of video of him moving around on it and making truck noises until the drool came down his chin!

Then he got to blow out his candles on his big birthday cookie. Yum, yum!

Saturday afternoon we had a "truck" party. It was mostly family and two of his little friends. The weather was very warm and so we spent time playing in the water in between a couple of little games I had the kiddos play. It was a lot of fun and we all loved celebrating with our big boy!