Swanson 4

What's Your View?

2012-01-28T08:30:00.000-08:00

This is the view out our windows. We've had to dig ourselves out so we could get some light! It took a while to get our snow pack, but now it's here to stay for a while!

WELL...!!!

2012-01-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, we have some snow!!! This is what we got the past two days...

The girl's sled run!

Last night! We couldn't even clean out our own driveway. ITD had to come and dig us out.

The joy of living in Powell!! We got 3 1/2 feet of snow in two days!

Christmas with the Swansons

2012-01-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

Long over due! Finally I got this post done. I've been working on it for the past week. My picture wouldn't load up for me, but I got it done.

We had a wonderful time with the whole Swanson family( eight extra people staying with us and mom and dad stayed at the Lodge down the road). Everyone came up on Friday and were here for a long weekend. We had a few problems, such as our water pump quit on us and we had no water Christmas day. SO after a good cry I caved and we used paper plates and napkins. I didn't even get to use my new cloth napkins that we just bought. Oh well. A glass (or two) of champagne did wonders.

The week before Christmas the girls got to open one gift a night. Which really help them enjoy every little thing. Even if it was just socks one of the nights.

Here they're open their dresses from Auntie Holly and Uncle Ryan.

Boxing Uncle Pat

Christmas Eve we had our traditional brunch of Sticky buns, pineapple with raspberries, scrambled eggs with deer sausage.

New drink for us instead of Mimosas we did Rodolph's Nose (cranberry cherry juice, vodka, triple sec and champagne with raspberries) Very Good!!

Zach and Audrey getting ready for opening gifts on Christmas eve!

Josiah and Cora just chilling

New sleds for the girlies which they have throughly enjoyed!

Grandma and Klara

Melissa and Jeremy

Autie Nola's first visit to Powell!

Audrey's new fishing pole

I made this letters for each of the nices and nephews

Cora's new sleeping bag

No, don't worry the beer is not Cora's and nether is the hat (she stole both of them)!

the crazyness of the Swansons!

Tara, Nola and I

Zach's letter

Our big surprise was Josiah open this T-shirt gift last to let us all know that Melissa is due in August!

Christmas Eve mom made green apple and Jarlsburg panini's and Melissa made tortilla soup! Amazing!

Christmas morning after church and before stocking opening!

wearing their new dresses

All the kiddos!

Who knows what Cora is thinking here!

Christmas dinner of Moose backstrap with a Tarrogon Barnise sauce, spinach salad with feta, roasted red potatoes and Flourless chocolate cake infused with cherry liquire.

the bros

the ladies

Wow, 5 years!

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Today Lucas and I celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary! It's pretty amazing 5 years has gone by so quickly. I'm so blessed by such a loving and wonderful husband and I look forward to many, many years to come.

Just the beginning of our story...

... and much more to come!

2011-12-13T18:10:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and blessed time getting ready for our only Savior, Jesus Christ's birth.

Cutting my losses

2011-12-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

Some days things just don't go the way you really want them to go. Like this day. I couldn't find my tried and true sugar cookie recipe so I made a different one and they tasted gross! No flavor. But I really didn't want to waste them so I started frosting them and one whole plate fell in the dirty sink and the box fell on the floor. So I cut my losses and found my good recipe and started over.

A First For Lucas!!

2011-12-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

Last night right before dark Lucas shot his very first mountain lion! It's pretty amazing! I'm so proud of Him. It's really hard to get a lion without hound dogs, but he watched for it over a dead elk kill. It was a 110 lb female! From the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail she was at lease 7 foot.
Sorry, the pictures are a bit dark and bloody. It's hard to cover the blood on white snow!

Thanksgiving weekend in Pictures

2011-12-05T13:45:00.000-08:00

These thanksgiving pictures are long over due, but here you are. We were all bad and didn't take very many pictures at all. Oh, well. Next year right? It was just a quite day with family and neighbors and friends.

Bounty of desserts (the only food picture taken)!

setting up the camera for family pictures

I really like this one, but it was just a little over exposed.

wasn't it beautiful weather? The girls enjoyed not having to get all bundled up every time they went outside.

First Haircut

2011-12-02T08:42:00.000-08:00

The other day I took the scissors to Audrey. She had never had a hair cut so I thought it was time. She loves bouncing her hair around now.

Last Day of Deer Hunting

2011-11-22T15:53:00.000-08:00

On Sunday afternoon Lucas and I went out for the last day of deer season trying to get me a buck. I passed up quite a few does during the season hoping for a buck. So off we went trudging (and I do mean trudging) through knee to thigh high snow. But no buck for me this year. I'm not to sad, with getting a moose I kind-of just didn't care this year. There is always next year!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope you have a wonderful day remembering all that God has blessed us with and rejoice in Him for His amazing bounty.

Today!!

2011-11-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

Chilling after playing hard in the snow for 2 hours.

Snow, snow, snow snow! This is more snow then we usually have at this time of year, but we're not complaining. We love it. 8 inches just last night!

My little helper

Love this one!

Little Trapper ~ 2

2011-11-17T18:07:00.000-08:00

Lucas just trapped this red fox today. Audrey was so excited to hold it.

Our Little Trapper

2011-11-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

Isn't she adorable?!

P.S. we have a foot of snow now!!!

Two weeks in Pictures

2011-11-12T19:02:00.000-08:00

Spending some time with uncle Pat

Think I need some chains for Audrey's bike?!

Setting up marten traps and tossing rocks in the river.

the beauty of Powell

chilling with dad by the fire!

Lucas has a fisher and Audrey has a marten and Bandit is licking Cora

enjoying the snow

Happy November

2011-11-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

I wanted to get this out yesterday...but here we are on the 2nd of November, so this will have to do. Just wanted to show us hunting for our Christmas tree on Sunday! Now I know you all are thinking, what in the world, it's a little early! But here we have to pick it out early when there isn't any snow so we can even tell what the tree looks like without getting covered in snow.

fun pumpkins

Here's what we woke up to yesterday. Isn't God creation beautiful?!

My Girls

2011-10-25T05:14:00.000-07:00

trying to be mommy

Hide and seek

Loving on sister

Ice cream face

Just wanted everyone to know we got our first snowfall last night! It's not going to stick around cause it was just a little bit, but it got me all excited for winter!

Sunday Best and getting ready for winter

2011-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to show you the girls outfits from Sunday. I just thought they looked so adorable.

Yesterday we were getting ready for winter with stacking the last of our chopped wood, before the real fall and winter hit us. The girls had so much fun playing in the rain while Lucas and I worked. We've had such a wonderful Indian summer and now it's raining, a very cold rain for the last 4 days and winter is just around the corner.

Random Pictures

2011-10-07T19:50:00.000-07:00

I wanted you all to see how much meat we got from my moose, 58 gallon bags!!! I don't think we need to worry about lean red meat for a couple of years! God is so good.

My new favorite cooking pot!

homemade tomato soup

Our little bear!

My new haircut...

...which I love!!

Adrenaline Rush of a Life Time

2011-10-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

This past week Lucas and I spent many, many hours and covered many many miles hiking around trying to find a moose for me. It was a lot of hard work as well as really exciting. We heard and saw elk, bear, deer, flying squirrels, grouse and a ton of trees. It taught me a lot about myself and how to persevere when faced with adversity.

Just enjoying the view!

An elk rub that Lucas found. Lucas couldn't even reach the top of the rub. After 5 solid days of hunting and hiking our butts off, our persistence payed off.

At 6:30 September 29, 2011 I shot this beautiful bull moose!

A "little" excited!! I have never had an adrenaline rush like that in all my life. I was hyperventilating and shaking and I couldn't control it. Packing a hind quarter (110 lbs.) to the a spot in the shade, until we came back in with stock. Riding on Tilly the mule. We packed the meat out (about 300 lbs) on a horse and mule, which was wonderful that we didn't have to pack it out on our backs.

It was an amazing, tiring week, but a wonderful experience.

4 and Counting

2011-09-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

Lucas and I shot 4 bears between us this year! I love hunting bears. It's really amazing watching a bear come into the bait sniffing around and eating. Last night I rode up on the ATV and was in the tree stand for 2 1/2 hours and then here came this black boar. He sniffed around for a while then he laid down right in-front of the barrel and started shoveling in the food. One shot, one kill. I try pulling him out by myself, but couldn't do it, so I rode home and got Lucas and the girls and then it became a family affair. The girls love petting the soft bear hides.

5'3" about 185 lbs

On to moose hunting!

2011-09-22T15:56:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FALL!!

I'm so happy that fall is here. It is one of my favorite seasons. Love the colors and the actives that we get to do, and just the cooling down of the weather.

So yesterday we went out and baited the bear bait and then went grouse hunting. We both shot a limit (4 each) and a grouse slam together (one of each kind, rough, blue and spruce). It was a great way to start the fall off. Next week moose hunting!!! I'll keep you posted how it goes.

Cora's Party

2011-09-08T19:49:00.001-07:00

Before the Party

Sisters

Look how they're both holding their hands!

cake (note to self don't try holding any kind of form with cream frosting)

This is the most children we've had for a birthday. It was so much fun. A couple of the boys were from our "neighborhood" and a couple from church. (I think we need some girls!)

gift opening

very good friend Amber and Karis (who I think is adorable).

So many "helpers"

Cora's big girl "bike"

Look at that smile!

notice Audrey?

We are so blessed with Cora in our lives. We thank God daily for her, and her sweet prayers, her humor, love, soft heart (though stubborn) and smiles. We look forward to many, many more years watching her grow.

Happy Birthday my sweet Cora!

The "BIG" 2

2011-09-04T16:33:00.000-07:00

Cora is our big 2 year old!

Cora turned 2 on the first, and we had a pizza picnic on a lake by our house. I can't believe she's two. What a little independent go getter.

pizza face

our beautiful silly girls

Happy birthday, Cora!

We love you so much and look forward to watching you grow into a little lady who loves Jesus and follows Him.

Birthday party pictures to come.

Sunday Fun...

2011-08-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

...ATV rides around the house. The girls have so much fun. They squeal with delight as we go around and ask to go faster!

It's that time again, fall bear baiting. The girls have to be right in the middle of the prep.

Cora kept say, "yummy, mommy".

Award and things about me...

2011-08-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

I've never gotten a blog award before! Enter my friend over at www.eatsleepandrun.blogspot.com . The rules of this award are simple: list 7 things about yourself and pass the award on to 7 other bloggers. So here I go!

1. I am deathly scared of snakes. Any kind. I have nightmares after I've seen one. During movies I have to cover my eyes.

2. I absolutely love hunting! Bears and deer are my favorite right now, though I'm looking forward to hunting for moose this year.

3. I do not like cities! I don't mind visiting, but I pray that I will not have to live in a city.

4. I love dancing crazy with my girls and being all goofy with them.

5. I love costume parties. I have loved dressing up since I was a little kid and I still really do! Can you believe that, even at 32?

6. I love singing really loud with the radio or any music playing.

7. Cooking is one of my favorite past times. I really enjoy trying new recipes.

I'm passing this award on to:

Holly @ www.howdeydowdey.blogspot.com

Clattie @ www.skilesfam.blogspot.com

Nicole @ www.bandncovington.blogspot.com

Tara @ www.pianopiece.blogspot.com

Nola @ www.poetryandinspiration.blogspot.com

Christine @ www.cohensinmoscow.blogspot.com

Kristen @ www.thetellings.blogspot.com

Little project...

2011-08-16T14:48:00.000-07:00

Last year, mom and dad gave us this entertainment center, not exactly what I was looking for but we didn't have anything and I thought I could make it work. Though it didn't happen until this last visit (a year later) that I got it finished. I brought it back to California with us and dad helped me fix it up!

Before...

After!

I love the way it looks. You really can't even tell it's the same unit.

Thanks for all your help, Dad!

First Fruit

2011-08-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

Weekend Happenings

2011-08-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had some great fun. It started with Lucas taking me out for my birthday to the Red Bird (a wine bar and restaurant) in Missoula and we shared Champagne Fondue (which was amazing with pears, bread and bison) and some really great wine, then we went to a movie. It was great just being with Lucas and having some alone time.

Saturday I went grocery shopping and Lucas had some girl time. They took a hike down to the pond and went frogging and looked at the beaver homes and beaver damage and just had a great time with daddy.

fresh beaver cut

having fun looking at the frogs frog in the pocket

Sunday

Happy 35th Anniversary,

Dad & Mom

May God bless you with many wonderful years ahead!

I love you both so very much.

One of those days...

2011-08-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

We started with a bowl of cheerios all over the floor this morning (wish I would have taken a picture).
Then I thought the day could only go up from here, but while I was exercising, this is what Cora was doing.

Mayo and sour cream all over everything!

Thus another clean up! Time to really mop tonight.
my little mess maker

Last few outings!

2011-07-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Coming home from the beach we stop to see my aunt Vicki at the Livermore Harley Davidson Dealership, where she works. The girls had a great time looking at all the bikes and running around. Our next outing was to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield. Mom and I took Evan with us. The kiddos had a great time seeing all the Jelly Belly's, though I think it's geared more to older children and adults.

In the truck all ready to go!

I just had to put this one up. It's too adorable.

The last little bit of time with the cousins.

We had such a great visit with everyone. The girls had so much fun getting to know their cousins and seeing Papa and Gaga, and auntie Holly and uncle Ryan. We look forward to seeing them all again, (I think with daddy next time!)

More from California - New Brighton Beach

2011-07-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

The girls, mom and I all drove down to the Santa Cruz area to spend some time with some very dear friends (since '88) of ours. It started out just seeing our friends the Lutz family, but it turn out that most of my childhood home school friends were all in the area at the same time (can we say God's providence) so we had a little mini reunion.

The day started out on the chilly side and overcast, but that didn't stop the girls from going into the ocean.

doing a little sand fishing

We were having a bit of trouble keeping up her pants after they got wet on the legs.

Nothing better then sand and cherry juice!

Audrey made a new friend in Gillian

Audrey had such a great time she didn't want to leave. She loved the water.

The five of us girlhood friends (plus of few of the kids). What a great time we had seeing all our children playing together and enjoying our fellowship together.

Here are all of our children. Quite a bunch. What a blessing from the Lord.

The the girls and I spent the night with Erin and her family.

The kids had a lot of fun dressing up.

we had princess', pioneers,

Gillian

and soldiers

Peyton

I love their playhouse and so did the girls! Isn't it adorable?

Erin and her youngest Kendall

We had such a great time together. Looking forward to the next time we see them!

Goode Times!

2011-07-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

The past four days we've had one of Lucas' Marine buddies staying with us from Mississippi and we had a great time with him. We had a lot of fun remembering and telling old stories from the Corps (which was great for me) and we did a lot of laughing!!

Thanks for coming all this way to see us Goode, we really enjoyed having you!

Tid Bits from from the 4th weekend

2011-07-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

I didn't get a picture of all the food that we made but here are a few pictures that I took.

We barbecued zucchini and red pepper with Romano and elk burgers and fried sweet corn.

burger buns

dessert Earthquake cheesecake

We had a wonderful time with a family from church and the "boy" had a shooting competition and wrestling matches. It was good food and great fellowship.

We then had a great surprise of old Marine buddy showed up that evening from Mississippi and we had him here since. It's been a great visit.

We hope you all had a great 4th weekend.

Happy Birthday, America!

Birthday Celebrations

2011-06-30T10:39:00.001-07:00

While we were in California we celebrated my dad's birthday as well as Evans, which was a blast since it was the first birthday party that we were able to attend of Evan's.

The strawberry-rhubarb pie that I made for dad.

the only "candle" that dad got happy birthday dad! may God bless you with a wonderful year to serve Him and grow in Him. Then we had Evan's 3rd birthday party with lots of family and friends. It rain that day so once again we were inside. Evan's beautiful mommy! Cora got a hold of some tissue paper and enjoyed stomping it. It was so adorable. I wish I had gotten a video of it! Holly and Noah it's he so cute?

Take a look at this amazing cake Holly made!

She did such a wonderful job and it tasted so good!

Happy Birthday, Evan!

California Trip

2011-06-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

This post has been a long time coming. I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to post any pictures of our trip to California. Right after we got home Audrey got so sick and so I really didn't get much done on anything that first week or so when we got back.

The girls and I spent 3 weeks we my family and friends and just had a blast. Though I though that being in California would give us some great sunshine... guess again! It rain almost two full weeks out the three we were there! Thus there are a lot of inside pictures. I'll be splitting up our different little outings. But here is a bunch (and I do mean a lot) of the cousins playing at different times. They all had a great time playing together and getting to know each other.

Noah and Cora were the love bugs though. They were always giving hugs and head loves and they just really played well together.

Papa with his grand babies

Evan, Audrey, Noah and (little miss independent) Cora

One of Audrey's favorite times was snuggle time with Papa in the mornings. Papa usually fell asleep, but Audrey didn't seem to mind much.

Audrey got to ride Papa's Harley and all she could say for days was, "this is fun and we're going really fast mommy!" "wee!!!" She loved her ride around the block. She is still talking about her ride with Papa. the future's so bright you've got to wear shades Noah and Cora (who love their food)!!! wakey, wakey Gaga and Cora Cora's favorite toy while we were there. A rocking Harley!! we can both rock

reading with auntie Holly

one of the nicer days

over at auntie Holly and uncle Ryan's house

more to come...

To the wonderful Father of my children!

2011-06-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

Our day started out at a very leisure pace with snuggle time with daddy as I got breakfast started. Audrey has been so sick that church was out of the question. But it gave us a great day of resting and spending time together.

I love to watch the girls with Lucas, it's so special. Sleeping in with dad (well, it was only 6:00) so I guess that really isn't sleeping in.

Sage deer sausage with buttermilk biscuits and eggs Lunch was Caesar salad and elk lasagna and wine we topped it off with German Apple cake with cream cheese frosting and...popcorn of course Lucas is such a outstanding daddy. He's a wonderful leader, strong when he needs to be, cuddly and loving. I thank God that he gave me such a wonderful husband.

I wish I would have gotten a picture of it the other day, but I'll just tell you. Lucas was mowing the lawn and Audrey was walking right beside him with her hand in his pocket. SO precious.

I wish all you dads out there Happy Father's Day!

Pictures of our trip to California to come.

Lions & Tigers & Bears, OH MY

2011-05-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

Last night Lucas and I had a "bait date". It was the second time we had gone out bear hunting and... it turned out great! We sat on the bait for about two and a half hours and then this beauty came in. A chocolate red boar! What a beautiful bear. I put one shot in him and he was done. What an adrenaline rush it is to hunt bears. We were sitting in a tree stand and just watching him and it was so cool. My husband has got me hooked on hunting. I had so much fun! Lucas said it was a great birthday gift (his birthday is today).

I'm looking forward to the fall when I can hunt them again!

Last Post of the Trip Back East

2011-05-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

This will be my last post on our trip. I realized the I hadn't posted these pictures, so here I go.

These were taken in D.C. across the street from the National Cathedral and I just though everything looked so beautiful.

In front of the National Cathedral

If you look closely you will see in the middle of the picture is the VP's home. Just below and to the right of the Washington Monument.

After the Cathedral we went to Arlington Cemetery.

It was awe inspiring, when you look out over all the graves and think about the cost of freedom and all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Knowing this is just one cemetery and there are many men and women who are laid to rest across the country and world.
We got to the tomb of the Unknown Solder just in time for the changing of the guard. It was really amazing!

If you look out from this point you can see the Pentagon in the background.

Our last trip to the Marine Corps Museum.

This wall pays tribute to all the men who lost their lives on Iwo Jima. Each pin represents a man who die in the battle.

Jess and I couldn't look at it without crying.

Giving you a small glimpse of a base in Vietnam (it was even hot and humid).

Our last night with the kiddos.

We had so much fun with all of you. Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to show us around. We miss you all so much and look forward to when we will spend time with you again.

I hope everyone enjoyed a little glimpse into our trip, I'm sorry that I had so many post on it, but I just couldn't limit it to one post.

Daddy's Marines

2011-05-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

The girls have so much fun playing with daddy's Marine Corps covers. Here's a few pictures of all of us having a great evening dress-up.

Daddy's Little Marines! Aren't they so cute?

His crazy girls

Fishing Outing

2011-04-30T18:52:00.000-07:00

We took the girls fly fishing down the Locsha the other weekend (the one where we had some sun), and the girls had so much fun. Here we're eating lunch and trying to stay warm (34 degrees), but there is some sun!

our little fisher girl!

Easter Celebration

2011-04-28T14:25:00.000-07:00

I hope and pray that you all had a very special and blessed Easter weekend celebrating our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

We had a wonderful weekend with Uncle Pat (Lucas' younger brother). We did our celebrating on Saturday so the girls would have happy and joyful hearts and so Pat could enjoy it with us and not have to head home so soon on Sunday. The weekend was the best weather we've had so far, I even got a sun burn!! Then it snowed on Monday. Can't wait for good weather all the time.

Our Family picture from Easter morning. Sorry it's not the best picture quality, but it was the best picture of the all of us.

The girl's egg hunt in the house AGAIN this year. But Cora and Audrey had fun anyway.

Cora's first egg hunt and she caught on to what she was suppose to do very quickly.
"Please chocolate, Uncle Pats?"

Love this hiding spot for the egg.

"Please Daddy?"

Not in your white shirt.

Poor, poor pitiful me!

"ove (love) you."

Bubble blowing on the porch.

Easter dinner

Elk steaks with creamy Gorgonzola sauce, rice pilaf, and green beans.

topped off with Blackberry Cheesecake.

blackberries that we picked last summer

Sunday morning

in their Easter dresses

Audrey's was from Lizzie and Cora's was Audrey's 2 years ago.

Trip - Take 4

2011-04-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from our trip to Mount Vernon. The kiddos had never been and we showed up a few days after the lambs were born. So sweet and the rain held off until we left.

I love this picture of Dan and the boys.

What a beautiful view of the Potomac from the deck. As you can see they were re-planting the grass.

I found it so beautiful, all the glorious colors of spring.

George Washington's tomb.

George and Martha's coffins are shown here.

The conservatory. It was wood feed 24/7 during the winter, so they could have orange trees and some tropic flowers and bushes.

A fun picture in the children's section of the museum.

We had a lot of fun at the National Rifle Museum. Some really amazing weapons.

That a look at that bullet in the gun case below! WOW!!

Trip - Take 3

2011-04-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

We took a day off of sightseeing for some R & R and some fun time with the kiddos!

their favorite game... Uncle Lucas playing the tickle game (tag, but tickling instead of tagging).

Dan, Lucas and I took Jake and Gabe to one of the playgrounds by their house.

Monkey see...
Monkey do!

Jake

Gabe

crawling through the bushes. Are they Marine kiddos, or what?

Born to be Marines!

Jor Jor (Jordan)!

peek-a-boo!

Such a happy and smiley baby!

playing the tickle game

Sam (glued to Uncle Lucas)

Gabe

I really wasn't sure how the kiddos would do with us, just because Lizzie and Sam were so little when they left Moscow and Jake really didn't know us (since he was just a baby), but they all love spending time with us so much. We didn't get as much time with Lizzie and Sam (being at school) but it was so much fun being with them. I pray that we will have many times together.

No Kidding!!

2011-04-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is what it's like today!!! November or April?

Trip - Take 2

2011-04-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Our second day was totally jammed full with sightseeing and Dan was our "tour guide". Jess was in such great pain that day she wasn't able to go with us, which was a big bummer, but she was able to join us that afternoon and picked us up (for which my feet and legs were very thankful).

We started the morning off with a Amtrack train ride (my first) from Quantico t0 Union Station (which I'm disappointed that I didn't take any pictures of the station) it was a beautiful building. Then we started to walk and walk and walk...

First to the Capital building...

Then we went to the Smithsonian of Natural History...

then the FBI building... then the Smithsonian of American History...

I thought all you ladies out there would appreciate these pictures of Julia Child's kitchen. Sorry the pictures aren't real great with the glass and flash ; { It was tough being with two guys who were rolling their eyes at me with wanting to take pictures of this and seeing the First Ladies exhibit. OH WELL... I still had a great time with it. How would you like to do you laundry like this?

1. Soak over night

2. Scrub

3. Boil white linens and cottens

4. Rinse

5. Rinse again with bluing powder

6. Dip in starch and hang dryNot me!!!

Here I'm trying out my wringing power, I did it 15 times and gave up for the line behind me. then on to the Washington Monument... Vietnam Wall... the Koran War memorial, the forgotten war... This monument left me speechless. I just read a book about the Korean war and it really sobered me. With the greater than lifesize men ready for anything to happen."OUR NATION HONORS OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND A COUNTRY THEY NEVER KNEW AND A PEOPLE THEY NEVER MET"

1950 ~ KOREA~ 1953

I was trying to show how the wall was engraved with these pictures, but it really didn't come out very well... You can see Lucas and Dan in the shadow.

then the Lincoln Memorial...

A view from the Lincoln... the Reflecting Pool, empty? What's up with that?

then the Marine Corps Memorial to finish the day...

Jess was able to join us at this point and we took a moment for a photo op.

More to come...

Anniversary Trip - Take 1

2011-04-15T14:10:00.000-07:00

For our past anniversary Lucas and I decided to take a trip back east. We haven't taken any long trips away from the girls except over night, so this was a big adventure and a needed break! We went to Virginia and stayed with Jess and Dan for a week and a half. After a bit of a rough start (plane delay in Phoenix for 5 hours which didn't put us into Baltimore until 2:40 am and finally arriving at the Jess & Dan's at 4:30 am), we still had a wonderful time. We had a great visit with Jess and Dan and the family (and my mom who's been there helping Jess out after she broke her back) and sight seeing all over D.C. and Virginia. It was so beautiful and green! We had some really great weather (as I'm posting this it's snowing! Yes, it really is!) while we there. I'm going to be posting in stages, so here I go...

The first day (after sleeping for 5 hours) we went to the Marine Corps Museum with just Dan & Jess. I didn't take very many pictures this trip to the museum, so the first picture was actually from the second time we went, that's why we have different clothes on.

More to come...

Yogurt & Tub TIme with the Girlies

2011-03-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Cora wanted to drink her yogurt instead of using a spoon.

Audrey then wanted to copy Cora. Silly, silly girls.

I haven't posted any bath time pictures for a while I though these were just too funny.

Audrey was washing her farm animals.

I'm still here

2011-03-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

Just wanted everyone to know that I didn't fall off the face of the earth. A week from this past Friday my back completely seized up on me. I was flat on my back for three days and ended up having to get muscle relaxers from the doctor so that I would be able to get out of pain and take care of my family. I'm starting to feel better now but having to be very careful with what I do. No exercising and heavy lifting, being careful when I pick up Cora.

Random Cuteness

2011-03-07T13:12:00.000-08:00

A new Sleeping Beauty dress-up from Gaga & Papa Reiter
Wearing daddy's ear protection
I took this picture of Audrey while she was running past me.

This is how I found Audrey eating her ice cream. Notice the ice cream on her foot.

fun in the box

Cozy time with daddy

Big Changes!

2011-03-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

So one of the first big changes in our family is... Audrey is all potty trained. The third week of January was when we started and she is 99% trained. It was rough that first few days and then she just took off and knew what to do. It's been a breeze since. Thank you Lord!
Our next big change...

Cora is in a big girl bed! I can't believe it. But it's been all week and she loves it. Though she doesn't love a pillow yet. She's always pushing it away.

Cora's bed

Audrey's bed

The room is still a work in progress but we're getting there. All of the furniture was my grandma Reiter and it was built in 1920! I need to do a little restoring, but it's a beautiful set and I'm so happy with it.

Surprise, Surprise, Happy March!!

2011-03-02T18:27:00.000-08:00

Early Tuesday morning this is what we woke up to.

HAPPY MARCH!!

18 inches of fresh snow! Now our snow walls are 9 ft.

This is my favorite one. Can you see the house?

12 inches and counting...

2011-02-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

The past two days we've had over 12 inches of snow and it's still coming down!! Welcome to Powell!! Anything can happen.

Cora wading through the snow this morning.

Audrey loves to cut trails!

I was standing on the deck while I took this one.

That is our kitchen window that you can see! Well, maybe you can see a little speck of it.

Welcome to our walls of snow.

Audrey & Cora

2011-02-18T16:15:00.000-08:00

These pictures were taken while Grandpa and Grandma were here during Audrey's birthday weekend.

messy face

fun with Grandma in the snow

wearing her new shirt from grandma and grandpa

enjoying the sun!

after church

before church my little cutie pie!

Audrey The Big Three

2011-02-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that Audrey is already 3!!! What a big girl. She wanted a pink, Sleeping Beauty birthday cake, so we had a Sleeping Beauty birthday party.

Grandpa and Grandma Swanson were here to celebrate with us.

tea party with grandma

Happy Birthday my "big girl" Audrey! We love you so very much. May God grow you into a woman who follows the Lord and seeks Him with your heart, soul, mind and strength.

Snuggle Time

2011-02-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

Nap Time!!

Tag! Your It...

2011-02-02T17:59:00.000-08:00

Rule #1: the tagged person must write their answers on their blog and replace any question they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.
Rule #2: tag 4 people to do this quiz; they cannot refuse (ok, so nothing bad will happen if you don't participate but I would love to see your answers). The tag-ee must state who tagged them.

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals or are they members of your family?
We have a black Labrador retriever and he's a pet, he's apart of our family but we do not view him as family member.

2. If you could have a dream come true, what would it be?
For Lucas and I to tour Europe.

3. What would you do with a billion dollars?
Buy a large piece of land out right and build a big ranch style home, with a separate house on the property for my parents.
Set up bank accounts for college and weddings for my girls.
I would love to just bless people who were in need without them knowing who it cane from. Build a church building for our church.
Take an amazing vacation in Europe
Bank the rest.

4. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?
My husband loving on me and just talking to him, as well as praying that God would change my attitude, or how I'm looking at the situation. Singing I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Really it works. How can you sing that without a smile on your face. Listening to Casting Crowns. A good glass of wine never hurts either.

5. What is your bedtime routine, with your kids?
It starts around 6:30 for our girls with brushing teeth, putting jammies on, baths every other night, reading the Bible, praying with the girls in bed and singing the Gloria Patri and lights out between 7 and 7:15.

6. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your significant other?
OK, ours is a funny story. I had moved to ID in Sept. 2004 and met his sisters Nola and Tara at the church I was going to in Moscow and they told me they had a brother in the Marine Corps and it just went in one ear and out the other. Then I started attending another church and in January Lucas showed up and on his first Sunday I saw him and..., well lets just say he made quite an impression on me and I had to find out who he was. (I was so attracted to him from first sight). So I asked a friend of mine and she told me it was Tara and Nola's brother. But I really didn't meet him for a few months until a mutual (guy) friend asked a few of us out for drinks at a bar (Lucas was in the group). My girlfriend and I said we'd go, they left and then she changed her mind about going and so I walked the half a block to the bar and told them we weren't coming and that was when I met Lucas.

7. What kind of books do you read?
Books on Christian Theology
Jane Austin
History and Military books especially on the Marine Corps
Christian fiction

8. How do you see yourself in 10 years?
Married to my husband for 14 years, 42 years old (wow) loving on my growing children.

9. What's your fear?
losing my husband, children, family member and that our country won't repent of their sin and bow the knee to God

10. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to see outer space?
NO, there's so much here on earth that I want to see.

11. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?
cuddle with Lucas for a minute and then make the bed, if we don't do it right off it makes the whole house fill messy to me.

12. If you could change one thing about your significant other, what would it be?
that he would watch chick flick movies with me more often. Like that's going to happen ; )

13. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I've always liked my name as long as people didn't call me Nicole, but I really didn't like my middle name Danielle as a young girl and I wanted it to be Laura : )

14. If you had to choose where you would live would you rather live in the east coast or the west coast?
west coast

15. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?
meat

16. What is the thing you enjoy about blogging the most?
allowing my family and friends who are to far away to come and see us all the time, to see my life and children in all our craziness.

17. Do you prefer salty or sweet foods?
salty

18. What items are in your purse right now?
wallet, pens, lip gloss, lip stick, 9mm

19. If you had to choose between vacationing at the beach or in the mountains where would you go?
Beach, we live in the mountains

20. What do you watch on television that you know you shouldn't?
we don't have television

I'M TAGGING...
Holly Dowdey
Nicole Covington
Clattie Skiles
Tara Swanson

Cora, Cora

2011-02-02T15:04:00.001-08:00

Audrey pulling Cora on the snowmobile sled

Cora got stuck!

Not happy with me taking the picture instead of helping her out.

While the girls were napping...

2011-01-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

Lucas and I did a little target shooting with the .22 pistols. Great fun!!!

Piling Up & Snow Bunnies

2011-01-26T07:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we were out dealing with the snow on the driveway, as well as stacking more firewood on the deck, so here are a few pictures I took.

Audrey had so much fun just sitting and eating snow on this snow wall.

She was being such a goof while I was taking these pictures!

I just had to stick this picture into the post, it's a favorite of mine!

Snow Time!

2011-01-24T10:17:00.000-08:00

This is what it looks like when Lucas goes out to snow blow the driveway, with the girls and Bandit following right behind.

Cora loves to be outside, but she's still trying to figure out how to walk in her boots!

The horse trailer

Family/Sister Time

2011-01-18T14:04:00.000-08:00

The girls favorite thing to do hangout with daddy!

Audrey loves to hold Cora

reading with daddy

Dancing

Audrey dancing with her moose

rocking out!

76 and Counting!

2011-01-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late in posting this, but, since we were gone last week... I had to do it. Please bare with me, I know that I've post a bunch on here, but I haven't shared my wedding photos with you all.

A week ago today was mine & Lucas' 4th wedding anniversary! The title on this post is quite unusual, but when we got engaged we set a goal of 80 years. I know. I know. You all are thinking that is quite ridiculous, that would put Lucas 107 & me 110. Well, God is the only one who knows our time here on earth and so we just wanted it to be a vast number of years. All that said, I hope you all have fun looking at these pictures.

Where we started...

I love this picture of me zipping up Lizzie's dress.

sisters

sisters-in-law

favorite groomsmen picture with me

favorite bridesmaid picture with Lucas

favorite bridesmaid picture with me
I love the the dress for the girls (and mine too)!

the whole party mine and Lucas' favorite

my cute and adorable flower girls Klara (our only niece on Lucas' side) and Lizzie (and our only niece on my side)

a very tired ring bearer Sam (nephew on my side)

the rings

a little kitten snooze before the wedding

Sam walking down the isle

Kristen Telling made our cake and did a beautiful job. Thank you Kristen!

first dance with Lucas

dance with my dad

This was the only time I cried at my wedding, me the emotional person I am. Go figure! It took my dad crying while dancing with me. You can't tell by this picture but he's got tears rolling down his face.

the spread that Joyce Johnson did for us. What a God send she was! Thank you Joyce.

We're out of here.

this taken on our anniversary in Tri-Cities. We when out to the movies (the last time we when to the theater was our last anniversary last year) and a romantic dinner together.

... and where we're at now!!

God is so good.

Cheers!

Fun with Papa & Gaga

2011-01-05T08:55:00.000-08:00

We had such a great time with my parents. The girls had so much fun reading with papa and gaga and playing blocks and just being silly with them. What a great visit and we miss them lots already.

veg time

Christmas Pt. 3 - Breakfast, Gifts and Stockings

2011-01-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

I started my day at 5:30, with a shower and getting the sticky buns in the oven. We then had breakfast of pecan sticky buns, bear sausage and scrambled eggs with Mimosas.

Sorry, I didn't take any pictures of breakfast.

Cora drinking orange juice out of the mini "wine" glass. She loved it.

Cora opening her stocking on my lap. We got the girls coon skin caps. What a blast it was watching them playing with their caps.

Audrey on daddy's lap.

sunglasses and M & M's in their stockings.

Cora got a lab puppy.

princess jammies for Audrey

a dress for Cora

Audrey wanted a sleeping bag to take with her to the grandparent's house.

I think Cora loved it has much as Audrey.

A new scarf and beanie made by Auntie Holly. You did a great job, Holly.

chilling with daddy and puppy, wearing daddy's new beanie.

boxes are always the best toy, though!

Audrey and I with our gift from Holly. Audrey didn't take it off for a couple of hours! She loves beanies.

dress-ups from Bama (grandma) and Papa Swanson. Bama is the name Audrey gave mom Swanson!

Cora in a dress-up

Over all we had a great day with Papa and Gaga (mom and dad Reiter). It was so fun being at our home and having my parents with us celebrating with our family. What a precious time we all had.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010-12-31T20:33:00.000-08:00

THE SWANSON FAMILY WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A VERY BLESSED AND HAPPY 2011! MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN THE COMING YEAR!

P.S. more Christmas pictures to come, visiting family right now.

Christmas Pt. 2 ~ A first for Everything

2010-12-28T08:13:00.000-08:00

This year was the first time Lucas or I had ever gone out and checked beaver traps! We took the snowmobiles and found that we had two beavers out of our three traps! They're funny little guys. They were about 50lbs each! Good catch!

Christmas Part 1 - Christmas dinner.

2010-12-26T18:39:00.000-08:00

Elk backstrap with Bourbon and Port wine sauce

Scalloped potatoes and Green bean cassarole with bacon & sharp cheddar cheese.

my new Fiesta ware gravy boat (new from my sister, for Lucas and my anniversary).
Then with this meal our dessert was White chocolate cheesecake with blackberry sauce (the blackberries we picked this summer as a family).

We hope and pray everyone had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends celebrating our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ's birth.

I wanted to post this for my mother-in-law.

Computer and Fur!

2010-12-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

This is how I found Cora this afternoon! She loves the computer, though she's not suppose to be on it.
Busted!

Our girls love this red fox fur. They carry it all over the house and cuddle with it.

cozy coat

hide-&-seek

the winter hat

my favorite!!

Cora

2010-12-14T12:50:00.000-08:00

smiley

coy

thoughtful

Can you see the theme in the pictures? The only real good pictures I can get of her is when she's in a highchair. She doesn't stand still long enough!

Our little Cora is such a bundle of joy! She loves to play and dance and read books and loves her sister, Audy. She's talking way before Audrey did (I think it's because big sister talks all the time and she's trying to keep up). She loves dogs and loves our Ban (Bandit), except when he licks her in the face (not a big fan of face licking). Sunday I was so happy she actually said, momma. My heart melted.

We love our Cora.

Playing in the Snow

2010-12-08T13:36:00.000-08:00

Well, you can't play in the snow without eating some.
making a snowball

throwing the snowball at mommy

teaching Audrey how to make a snow angel!

Audrey making a snow angel...

... finished product!

She then proceeded to make a heavenly host of snow angels.

Warming up by the fire, with a cup of warm (hot) chocolate.
All in a days work.

Fun times with Audrey

2010-12-04T14:49:00.000-08:00

the cuddle bug (sometimes)

the dancer

kitchen help

camera dodger

I wanted to share some fun pictures of Audrey.

A Thought on Christmas

2010-12-02T14:41:00.000-08:00

Our family has been going through the CREC Advent devotions and I wanted to share a thought by Doug Wilson on Christmas.

This is in the application aspect of the devotion.
"Prepare the members of your family to think of Advent and Christmas in very material terms. This is not a season that celebrates vague spiritualities, but rather the season that celebrates God taking on flesh. The instinct to give gifts, to eat chocolate, to cut down a tree in the woods to bring home, is therefore all very healthy and in line with the holiday. Matter enables us to give, and not just to grab."

If anyone would like to add these devotions to your Advent celebrations and preparations you can find them at: http://www.christkirk.com/ , we have found them insightful and such a blessing.

Getting Ready for Christmas

2010-12-01T10:17:00.001-08:00

Our biggest tree yet! I picked this tree out while we were bear hunting in the spring! So I really couldn't wait to cut it down. We can't use our front door at all (though we never do anyway).

Projects

2010-11-30T07:59:00.001-08:00

Advent calender

While Lucas is gone I love to work on little projects at night while the girls are asleep and here are a few that I finished.

Red stocking for Cora

Tree skirt

Inspired

2010-11-27T09:38:00.000-08:00

With all that Lizzie has been through losing her hair and all her treatments and pain, I wanted to do something for her and other children that are in the same boat as her. I was also inspired by a friend of mine who did this as well. I'm donating my hair to Locks of Love.

Thus the journey has begun...

the finish line!

I'm so happy with how it turned out and I love the fact that I'm able to fix my hair from start to finish in 10 minutes!! Yeah!!

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family! I hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving. God has truly blessed us!

Lizzie

2010-11-22T07:37:00.000-08:00

I wanted everyone to know that today is Lizzie's last treatment for leukemia! We are so thankful to God that He has brought her through this and we continue to pray that God will keep her strong and healthy.

Praise God with us!!

The Beauty of Powell

2010-11-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had a lot of snow that fell and I wanted to share the beauty of it all. The girls and I went outside and played in the snow before naps and the girls had so much fun. Cora loved being pulled around in the sled. She also would fall on her back and just lay in the snow with the snow flakes falling on her face and she would try to catch them with her tongue. It was so cute. I'm sorry, I don't have any picture to post. All I had was our 35 mm. camera. Audrey loves the snow this year. She's discovered how much fun it is to throw snow at Bandit and sissy and me. When she would throw it at sissy's face she would be giggling and sissy would laugh right along with her. What a spot Cora is! It was so adorable. I'm just so thankful to be living here.

Fun Pictures of the Girls

2010-11-16T14:37:00.000-08:00

Need to explain?

Helping daddy duck hunt. Audrey enjoyed carrying the ducks up to the truck after Lucas shot them. You should have seen her trying to carry the goose. I think it weighed more then her. But she gave it her best. Sorry I didn't get a picture of it.

I just love these overall on Cora. They just fit her personality.

cuteness!

Fresh Snow and What I did today!

2010-11-12T13:04:00.000-08:00

Today Lucas had the day off so he watched the girls and dropped me off about a half a mile from our house and I went trekking though the snow and found this doe. We played cat and mouse for about 10 minutes, just watching each other. Then when she thought it was safe she turned to her side and I put one shot through her and dropped her. I then carried her on my shoulders for a mile and a half to our house (well, I did drag her for a quarter of the way and then carried her the rest).

I just love this picture of Audrey holding the tail.

What a great day. We drove all but half a mile from the house. What a blessing from God! She'll make great breakfast sausage.

Fun Outside

2010-10-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday we had so much fun playing outside and hiking around our house that I just had to post some picture. I'm sorry there are a lot, I just couldn't choose which ones not to post.
"feeding the bears"
Audrey loves to go with Lucas to fill our bait barrel, so whenever she's outside she plays like she's feeding the bears, which she says, "makes happy bears"!

smiley

Cora just loves running (well stumbles) around outside.

still working on the cheesy smile

sisters.

Snow, Snow, Snow

2010-10-26T08:56:00.000-07:00

This morning he had our first snow! We all got out of bed and rushed out without jackets, gloves, hat etc... to play in the snow!
eating the snow

without the flash

with the flash. Don't ask me what happen here.

I just love the first snow! It's so wonderful having a fire burning in our wood stove and snow on the ground, I'm ready for winter!!! Bring on the snowmobile and sleds and snowball fights, hot cocoa and Christmas music (well, if truth be told I've been listening to Christmas since the end of September) : ). Who says you can only listen during Christmas time?!

Have a happy day!

Fun with the Camera

2010-10-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

The other day I was just having fun taking pictures of things and people around our house. So here's a few that I took.

I really like this picture that I got of Bandit.

My little blue eyed girl!

Hats and Slinkys

2010-10-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Audrey found this hat and wanted to wear it around the house (because Daddy had a "hat" on).
smiles with daddy

Cora to a tee!

fun with the slinky

I'm not happy!

Fun with kiddos

Meat Party

2010-10-16T20:32:00.001-07:00

The other day Lucas and I cut up all the elk meat. What a job that was! But what a blessing it is to cut all our meat and know who has handled it and worked with it.

A little help along the way. Drink of choice for this meat cutting party.

Look at the bounty of the land and of God's hand. It's also such a great time to spend with my husband. I love our time when we're working on something like this that he loves to do, well as something that is such a benefit to our family. I had never hunted before I met and married Lucas, but now (as he puts it) I'm corrupted and I enjoy it immensely.

Nuked

2010-10-16T10:17:00.000-07:00

We had our first frost the other night and this is what my garden looks like now! : ( Though a few things did make it, it's only a matter of time when they'll be dead too. That's OK I'm looking forward to the snow.

Dark Chocolate Cake & Hair

2010-10-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

I made this amazing flourless cake the other day. It tasted like you were eating a dark chocolate truffle. I didn't want the wedged look when you cut it, so I put it in cupcake tins. Here's the recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Flourless-Chocolate-Cake-I/Detail.aspx

Most of us moms have to worry about our kids getting a hold of the scissors and cutting their hair, but what I never thought I'd have to worry about would be my children cutting my hair! The other day I had some scissors in my pocket from cutting flowers and Audrey removed them without me feeling it while I was on the phone and proceeded to snip my hair!! I didn't realize what was happening until I heard the hair snipping sound. Then, I was mortified when I realized it was my hair that Audrey cut.

I guess it's not to bad... It could have been much worse. Thank God for His little blessings.

A BIG Boy!!

2010-10-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the elk/deer rifle opener here in Idaho, so of course Lucas had to work it and when he was working he saw this beautiful elk, but with it being the opener he's not encouraged to hunt. So this morning Lucas went out elk hunting and ...
this is what he came home with!
The muddy spot in the first picture was the elk's bed this morning and the point in the distance with the grove of tress (on the right hand side of the picture) is where Lucas shot him from. He shot the bull at 6:35 this morning. What a blessing! We've been praying that God would bless us with and elk. But we weren't going to be picky. We just wanted good elk meat. It's so good to eat!! We love it.

Lucas thought the the bull weighed 900 lbs! I picked up the head and all I can say is that I'm so glad that it wasn't me packing it out! It was so heavy.

He's not happy is he?

Look at how thick the antlers are. We're going to do a shoulder mount on this "big" boy!

the head filled the back of the truck!

I just can't thank God enough for His amazing blessings, not only living in the wilderness and beauty of Idaho, but also living in this great country.

Little Blessings from God

2010-10-07T10:36:00.001-07:00

Flowers are little blessings from God! I delight to go out and pick them when they're ready to be on display in my home.
my little garden
I've used the green onions and basil many times over. I love going out and picking the fruit of my labor.

Tri-Cities Vacation

2010-10-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Sunset on Saturday the day we arrived

After the volleyball accident and going to the quick-care office. Thus the lounging around began!

Sunrise in the boat on Monday when the men were Salmon fishing

catch of the day! Can you guess what we had for dinner that night? Salmon (which I'm allergic to). Everyone else really enjoyed dinner, though I'm not to sure if Cora really likes Salmon, but Audrey really enjoyed it.

the men and Cora

Audrey and Klara playing in the playhouse. Audrey got her shirt all wet, so she took it off and this is what she played like for the rest of the evening. Our little ragamuffin

All the Swanson cousins take a bath!

Monday I couldn't just sit around so I made this amazing Up-side Down Pear and Apple Pecan Cake. It had a bourbon sugar glaze on the pecans and it was so delightful!

the kiddos enjoying it!

We had a great trip! It's wonderful when the girls get to see their cousins and Papa and Bama (Audrey's name for Grandma) and their uncles and aunts. We always eat good, have great fellowship and fun! I'm looking forward to the next time we're going (Lord willing) Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll be more help next time!!

Pray for Patience

2010-09-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Right now we're here in Tri-Cities with the Swanson family enjoying fishing and beautiful weather. But... an hour after we arrived I started playing volleyball with Tara and I heard and felt a pop in my calf and I tore my calf muscle! SO... I'm now on mandatory vacation. No weight on my leg, icing it all the time just sitting around.

Please pray that I will be gracious in my confined state. I can't stand just sitting around and having people do everything for me. Though I'm very happy that it happened here, where mom is able to help me with the girls! And nothing more serious happened, Praise God for that.

My Favorite

2010-09-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

My very favorite!

fun flowers!

Sage Deer Sausage Stuffed Pizza

2010-09-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

red and yellow peppers, tomatoes, black olive

topped with garlic and crushed red pepper