Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Making them Michigan girls...Dad's way!

Ted had plans for a Dad and daughter date on Friday night.  It had been awhile.  The looks he got when he told the girls what they were going to do were priceless!  And maybe a little un-nerving for the faint at heart..."We're going to go squirrel hunting!"  Yes, it was a shock and awe announcement.  They were taking a walk in the woods to scope out a place for Teddy and Dad to really hunt..."but we're not going out in the woods without a gun...and hunter's orange...and camo paint!"  I giggled and waved as they headed out the door...HOME ALONE!!!!
I got this picture with an invitation to join them for dinner.  I declined and let them have their time together.  They came home smiling, "We had fun! We saw 3 squirrels.  We got to go to the Burger Joint.  And we got frozen yogurt...and Dad liked it."  Earrings and face paint...makes for a great date with Dad...they just had to experience it!  "They saw those squirrels way before I could see them!  Maybe I should bring them along!  Girls."

Reminded today that God's ways are not always our ways!

God has ways of reminding us that He has everything under control.  Both...little details that bring irritation...and big circumstances that bring fear and tears.  I'm thankful in the midst of it all...God has a perfect plan in it all.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Tried a new thing...

 fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich the Triple D way.
 Peanut butter sandwich dipped in egg wash like you would do for french toast...
 dipped into crushed Frosted Flakes and fried in butter...
 dusted with powdered sugar...for a dessert.
Most of the fam like it...I think it needs to be tweaked!  Thicker style bread to be sure!  It is always fun to try something new!

Serve-A-Thon Week

 Big kids helped clean up parks and roads in our community.
 Younger kids said "Thank You!" to various groups with singing and gifts.  We got to go see our friend Miss Jane at the library.

 She was so excited for us to come again.  She did a special story time just for our group and had special activities for us!
 I got a cup of coffee to celebrate making it through the day...especially with Mrs. K going home sick at noon!  We haven't been able to rise above the nasty K3 germs yet.  "We will probably come down with the Ebola virus...I know how we got it...bodily fluids!"  We joke and laugh...but we aren't amused when parents send sick children to daycare!

Our version of school pictures 2014

 Teddy- 6th grade
 Ashlynn- 8th grade
 Alisa- 7th grade



The prettiest fall wedding day ever...

 for a friend and co-worker.  It was held on the grounds of their church.
 We walked down a short path to this scene...
 It was so pretty!  It was chilly too...with leaves swirling down from the trees.
 The family was seated on rough benches with old quilts.  The aisle was lined with cut logs and baskets of leaves to throw at the end of the ceremony.  So many neat touches!
 Her dad gave the charge to the couple.
 The girls wore cream colored lace dresses and carried sunflowers.  Because it was so chilly...they wore brown leather jackets or sweaters and boots.
 They braided three cords for their "unity" piece...something I had never seen done!
 We walked a path to the reception behind the church building...right to the little coffee/tea/hot chocolate tent!
 We stayed warm and toasty..except for our toes.  Miss M thought of so many details for her friends and family!  A play area for all the kiddos, a bonfire with smores, breakfast pastries for appetizers, and their favorite breakfast brunch.
 The big tent was a warm place to gather!  Lights, fall decor, candles...
 friends and family to spend time with!  Uncle Pastor wrote down some advice for the couple.
 We ate yummy food served by the wedding party!  Pumpkin pancakes with cream cheese mousse!?!
 I stopped taking pictures...too many neat things to capture!  Her wedding photographer was from our church and her shots will be amazing!  So many details that were cool!  They offered breakfast cereal...on a dresser...the drawers held the bowls and spoons. 
 The girls enjoyed the wedding!  The guys went squirrel hunting!
 Ready to aim and fire!
 But the only thing they saw...each other and some other hunters!  No small game!  Another day...another area!
"We will bring home a squirrel to make stew!" they keep threatening.  That will be the night I head out for Chinese food.  Yuck!  I still remember the frozen, skinned squirrel that Sean put in the freezer when we lived in Grand Haven.  Ewww!  No thank you!

In K3...

 we got a new toy!  I love good finds at the Salvation Army with all the parts included!
 we are constantly having battles of the will...which is proving to be very exhausting and less than fun!
 we are learning all sorts of fun things...like "walking the dog" (ball) till it runs away (they have to kick it).  Such a neat idea to teach them how to use their legs and feet to dribble and kick a ball.  I like watching how other teachers can get students to learn things!
 we celebrated Mrs. K's birthday.
we play with anyone and everyone who is willing to play with us!  I love watching my big kiddos interact with our little friends in the mornings...makes all of us smile.  My big kiddos love the stories I tell from our days in K3...laughter is a good thing on the days that are really hard!

Autumn has been a beautiful season...

 for weddings!  We attended the wedding of a couple in our church a couple weeks ago (yes, it has been awhile since I've dumped pictures).  It was so pretty.
 And...I tried an orange piece of wedding cake...think creamsicle...and it was very good!  The top layer was orange. The second layer red velvet.  The bottom layer vanilla.  OH. MY. Yummy!
 We have used the fireplace numerous times...in an attempt to put off turning on the furnace!
 Ted finally got the pilot light lit and fired up...it was getting a little too cold in the mornings! 
 We have added the cozy, fall decor and lights in the house.
 The trees have been absolutely beautiful!  This week...they are finally all golds, oranges, and browns as they blow off the trees.
 The sunrises have been breath-taking!

Friday, October 24, 2014

It was a long week...


so glad it is Friday!  I started the week out sick.  Monday night...Teddy started a fire for me so I could get warm.  I all but stuck my feet in the fireplace waiting for the NyQuil to kick in!  Missed Tuesday...went back Wednesday...to hold a little girl with a steadily climbing fever!  Oi!  This isn't going to help me out!  Made it through Thursday and Friday...barely!