Beck is 4

Four years has really flown by with this guy.  With his turning of four we leave behind the baby years, including diapers!

He's feeling pretty good about it. 

He was "super duper" excited about the festivities.

He wanted a blue cat with a kitty cat on it. (Not my best work, but he was pleased!)  Yes. He did wear this costume all day.

Trying to stifle a grin while being sung to.

This guy. He's got his eye on the future.

And he's got his eye on you. 

Thanksgiving 2013

Thankful for a second year of hosting Thanksgiving dinner in our home. Thankful that everyone brings most of the food. Thankful that I am hosting people that know me and love me and therefore the pressure for a perfect house is off!  And of course I'm thankful for my family, and friends who love me in my crazy, and hold my hand in this thing of life. And for my savior, who leaves me speechless and in awe of his mercies and grace.

Steaming pots, roasting turkey, pretty table and reminders of gratitude.

A few of the faces I'm thankful for, dessert,  and mad lib reading.

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It's about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.” 
― Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table, with Recipes

Nerd Alert!

This past year Dennis' brother Dwayne and his wife Abby came over to watch Downton Abbey on Sunday nights. Sigh....Downton. Anyway, because sister in law is AWESOME she threw a Downton themed party. We dressed up, ate fancy food and had Downton names.  So for those that know that food matters, I give you the Menu:

Variety of Cheese & Crackers

Split Pea Soup with Creme Fraiche

Smoke Salmon with Dill Aioli

Turkey Brie & Apple Sandwiches

Lemony Dill Cream Cheese & and Cucumber Sandwiches

Nutella & Raspberry Sandwiches

Spring Pea & Bacon Salad

Individual Beef Wellingtons

Strawberry Tarts

Dark Chocolate Coated Truffles with Vanilla Filling
Beverages ~ Lemonade, Seltzer with Violet Syrup, White Wine Spritzers, Gin & Tonics 

May is done, June has begun

If you were to ask my daughter what the most important thing about my birthday is, sh would reply that it is also the new kittens birthday. We were headed out the door when they kids come running up the basement stairs holding the teeny kitties. We thought the cat had worms...not babies. I didn't know they could get prego so soon (she's not even a year old).  Ah well. A memorial weekend with 2 cakes and many loved ones and perfect settings and kitties. Not a bad way to turn 36.

We finished our first year of homeschool! Evaluation done (Eden reading for the evaluator above) and now turning in papers, then we can get started on next year take a rest.

Last Sunday evening was beautiful and we took a ride exploring nearby abandoned barns and a quick stop to the river. The wind was blowing in Beck's hair and it stayed like that. Back home for a strawberry lemon tart. My kind of Sunday.

I have this app called Old Photo Booth Lite (lite as in free version).  Now and then we go to it so we can laugh really hard. Here is Jesse. He like the one with the tie while I am particularly impressed with how pretty he is.

Oh my pretty little boys. Van on the left and Beck on the right. Beck's might be my fave.

Eden. Ah, the mullet is kind to no one. I'm thankful my kids are good sports, but I do wonder if we should also start a therapy fund for them.

October

In a desperate need for family time we took the older two on a walk while the younger two napped.  It was a perfect day to enjoy the changing foliage, signs of life and the beautiful view provided in our extended back yard.