The "Raquarium"

We took a last minute, Friday afternoon trip to the "raquarium" as Kirkley would call it.  Alex ended up with a rare free late afternoon, we hit up one of our favorite priceline 4-star $65 room deals, and got on the road!  We packed in all kinds of things in our 24 hours -- Brazilian steakhouse, aquarium, lunch at my favorite diner, and catching up with several friends!  My tired self only captured aquarium pics where daddy was in charge of all things fun and energetic!!!

The kids had a blast, and I think they love the aquarium almost as much as their daddy!  

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:
all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air,
   and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas."

Psalm 8:3-8

VBS Wrap Up

Vacation Bible School wrapped up Sunday night with a program and fair!

Any chance to get on stage makes Kirkley's day.

She's not a pushy stage star though and stood in the back row, so there are no pics to show!

I do have a few hilarious pics from the week...

She had so much fun with her teachers, the Easts!

I had told her earlier in the week they were moving to Africa.

She asked them why during VBS one day.

Matt basically told her they were going to tell people about Jesus and take care of children who didn't have mommies or daddies.

He said she paused and said, "So you'll be babysitters?"

Love it!

If you haven't watched Jamie and Matt's story yet, click here to see it or here to read about it!

"The Lord looks down from heaven;
He sees all the children of man;
He who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds."

Psalm 33:13, 15

Daddy's Day

Father's Day came a day early when we loaded up to do this activity after nap Saturday...

Yep, bowling.  

I love seeing what's on tap when Alex gets to pick!

We had an afternoon filled with bowling and a dinner of sloppy joes and tater tots.

The kids loved the bowling alley -- we're signed up for the free bowling all summer so it won't be our last trip!

I'm pretty sure holding a baby helps your form.

Such a fun evening celebrating daddy!

Kirkley was precious that night as he put her to bed, calling out, "Happy Father's Day!"

as he shut the door!

We love our daddy!!!

^"As a father shows compassion to his children,
   so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
   He remembers that we are dust.

 As for man, his days are like grass;
   he flourishes like a flower of the field;
for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
   and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
   and His righteousness to children’s children,
to those who keep His covenant
   and remember to do His commandments.
The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,
   and His kingdom rules over all."

Psalm 103:13-19

Ready to Go!

Kirkley has asked almost every day for months now if we can go to Disney World.  Unfortunately, she's got crazy parents that really want to wait till she's older to go, you know, after naps and strollers, when memories are formed, etc. 

But she's persistent.  Every cartoon character she sees, she wants to know if they too live in Disney World.  Every day she asks if and when we're going.  She's even named Mickey Mouse her future husband.  She finally softened our hearts the other night when we walked and and found this...

She was packing the suitcase she'd made at VBS for Disney World.  Toothbrush, hairbands, and then she was off to get board books.  Hygiene and education! :)

So we're starting to plan a short family trip for the fall and eating our words that we really want to wait till elementary school.  Please pass on any Disney tips and tricks! 

"A joyful heart is good medicine"

Proverbs 17:22a

VBS

It's VBS week around here, and we sure are enjoying our fun-filled mornings, nap-filled afternoons,

and matching family t-shirts! :)

It's a Big Apple theme with taxis, city scenes, etc. everywhere!

And of course there is many a craft to be made!!!  Even Jay has come home with some!

She's got precious teachers including the Easts -- check out their story if you don't know them here.

Loving, loving our first VBS!

She's of course elated to perform all of the VBS songs on Sunday!!!

"And they were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.  

But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them,  

'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.'  

And He took them in His arms and blessed them, laying His hands on them."

Mark 10:13-16

Jacksonville 2011

We hit the beach last weekend with the Rileys.

Heather is a long-time childhood/high school friend of both Alex and me.

 We loved getting to see her, Scott, Ford, and Gray!

I'm calling this Jacksonville 2011 in hopes that there are more in the future!!

The kids loved the water and the sand, fun friends, and a new place to explore.

We sooooo enjoyed our time filled with sun, sand, good food, and sweet friends!

The kids did great in the car and have become quite the travelers.

Thanks to movies, daddy's iPad, and lots of books!

Big thanks, Rileys, for a great time!


"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand."
Psalm 139:17-18

Blueberry Season

The start of summer fruit is a major event in our house.

We love it all, but our fave is getting blueberries from a local farm.

We headed out early on the first day of picking to get a gallon!

It was so lovely and picturesque for like 15 whole minutes. 

 Then Kirkley
wanted to trade buckets,
wanted me to give her some of mine, 
wanted to eat every other one,
got tired,
got scratched by a brier,
wanted in the stroller,
etc.

Can you tell whose bucket is whose?

I quickly finished up one gallon so we could scoot out.

A gallon of blueberries for $10 is a steal -- we use half and I freeze the other half.

Freeze a rimmed baking sheet for 30 min, fill with a layer of unwashed blueberries, freeze, then transfer to zip bags and keep in freezer.  Remember to wash when using.

Besides snacking, here are two of our favorite blueberry recipes...enjoy!


"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Psalm 34:8

Emily's Poppyseed Dressing
Emily is such a great cook!  You'll want this salad all summer long!

1/2 c mayo
1/3 c sugar (or less if you don't love sweet)
1 T poppyseeds

1/8 c red wine vinegar
1/4 c milk

- Whisk together the mayo, sugar, and poppyseeds well.
- Add the red wine vinegar slowly, whisking while you add.  Do the same with the milk.
- I keep it in a jar in the fridge until the milk's expiration date.
- Options for the salad: spinach/romaine, blueberries/craisins/strawberries/mandarin oranges, toasted pecans/almonds, or you could also add grilled chicken and call it a meal!

Alabama Blueberry Bread
From Penzey's How We Became One cookbook

1/4 c sugar
1 T cinnamon

3 c flour (White Lily if you can)
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
2 T cinnamon
1/2 t cloves
1/2 t nutmeg

2 c sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/4 c canola oil
2 t lemon extract (I didn't have this)

4 cups fresh blueberries (mash 1 c of these)
1 c chopped pecans (optional)

- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 c sugar and 1 T cinnamon.
- Prepare two large 9 inch loaf pans: spray with Pam with flour or grease, line with foil like in the picture, grease the foil, then shake around the cinnamon sugar to coat the bottom and sides.  Pour extra back in the bowl to sprinkle on top of the batter.
- Whisk together first set of dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Beat sugar, eggs, oil, and extract on low in a small bowl till well mixed.
- Mash 1 c of the blueberries in a small bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, add egg mixture, stir just until mixed.  Add blueberries and nuts and stir just until mixed.  Do not overmix bread/muffin batter.
- Pour into prepared pans and sprinkle with leftover cinnamon sugar.
- Bake 1 hour.
- Cool in pans for 10-15 minutes, then lift foil to carefully remove from pans and sit on cooling racks.
- Keep refrigerated after cooled.

One & a Half

My December birthday self always longed for a half-birthday celebration!

We did it last year for Jay and have enjoyed his half birthday this year too.

Loving every bite of his half-birthday breakfast!

One of sister's favorites too!

Kirkley insisted we hit the store after breakfast to get him some presents.

She told him the whole time we were in the toy section to shut his eyes.

We came out with his first little carry along train set and matchbox car!

Lunch at the pool....

Showing off his kicking and swimming...

 We keep telling him to shut his mouth -- for some reason, he's doing his eyes instead!

He did awesome at the pool today (minus a dirty diaper), and had a blast hanging in the one foot pool.

People kept telling us boys are different, and he has been sooo different from his sister.

He's totally tenderhearted -- trying to toughen up his tears some!

He's a man of few words -- besides "DA!" -- he is a TOTAL daddy's boy and will jump from me to get to Alex!

He's a super helper -- tries to put his milk away and got Alex a trash bag out the other day after he'd taken it out.

He loves bananas -- we considered having him walk in Whitney's wedding and holding a banana at the end of the aisle to lure him to us.

He is a morning person like his sister -- we've seen 4:30am several times this week (or Alex has anyway) -- his last incisors we're hoping.

He loves his sissy and loves being all in her space!

He also loves sour things (like his sister!) so his half birthday treat tonight was key lime pie!

He's loved getting sung to all day!

We are so enjoying our little man!  Happy 1.5 Jay!

"And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men."

1 Samuel 2:26

Baby Visit

Shealy and I loaded up the kids in the rockin van to go see Brooke and meet Baby Alex!

The kids did awesome in the car and were precious playing together.

Baby Alex was beyond sweet and quiet.  He never made a peep.

Brooke made being a mama of two look like a walk in the park.

Will is a precious big bro!

Happy 1 week birthday Alex!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord...."

Psalm 127:3