Colorful Day

It's been a rather dreary week outside. The rain was great, but the clouds are still hanging on today. Rachel and I decided we needed some color in the kitchen this morning, so we made M&M cookies! If there's anything my Rachel loves more than chocolate chips, it's M&Ms!

M&M Cookies

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup shortening

2 eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups M&Ms (divided)

Mix all ingredients and 3/4 cup M&Ms. Scoop onto pan and press three M&Ms into each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes.

First Communion Day

As well as a 40th Anniversary, we celebrated Teresa's First Communion Day yesterday! My college friend and professional costume designer/seamstress Nicole incorporated parts of my wedding dress train on to Teresa's dress. The embroidery and skirt overlay are from my dress. She also wore her own headpiece, but the veil was mine from my First Communion. 

She said it was, "The best day of my life!" 

It was a wonderful day receiving the Body and Blood of Christ and celebrating with our family and friends afterward.

Teresa's grandparents

With Great Grandma and Grandpa Neises, who were also able to join us

with her godparents, Dann & Michele and Katie &
Rick

The Joachim Family

the Melius family

Stopping for a quick photo with her cake before going back to play with cousins and friends. :)

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 40th Anniversary to my parents today!

We are thankful for your love, guidance and sense of humor through the years!

Dandelion Season

Dandelions always make me remember my Grandpa Joachim. I spent a lot of time with him outside in his garden growing up and dandelions stood absolutely no chance with him! I didn't understand why he disliked these beautiful yellow flowers so much. I especially loved the Eureka park where the dandelion blossoms were HUGE and even greater in number. 

Now, as a (sort of) gardener myself, I totally get it. Dandelions send roots down to the earth's core and keep coming back!

Yesterday Rachel tried to plant dandelions in the garden as I dug up those that had already sprouted.

Teresa brought me this beautiful bouquet after school.

They are kind of pretty--just not in my garden. :)

Catch Up

Time to do a little catch-up blogging!

Last week was just too much fun! It started in the Cities with my sisters in law and ended with three different meals out with old and dear friends! (Tina can't get too upset with me for not blogging, since one of those evenings was spent with her!) :)

Oh, and we had Well Read Mom yesterday, too, so this week isn't off to a bad start either.

Perhaps the most exciting news of the week came on Saturday!

Landen had Middle School Band Contest in Aberdeen this year.

His Tuba Trio received a 1, the Middle School Band received 1's from all three judges, and Landen received a 1+ for his solo! He worked very hard on it and it showed. I always enjoy being his accompanist (even though I get nervous, too!) and look forward to Nathan joining us at contest next year.

A little farm fun

We have had a few days that indicate spring can't be far away! With basketball coming to a close this weekend with the Y Tournament for both boys, it has been time to get my pitching arm warmed back up and the big 3 ready for baseball season.

There are plenty of other things to do in the backyard, too, and most often I hear "Mom!" coming from four directions wanting me to join in on each of their fun.

Here are my options:

Pushing Rachel on the swing. How many hours have we spent on the swings over the years?  Too many to count! But, now instead of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" as the most requested song, it is usually the "Peppa Pig" theme song, which really just requires a lot of snorting. :)

Playing with the rabbits. Landen researched that they like apples, and it's true! 

Sometimes they even get their hair combed . . . or is it HARE??

Teresa has discovered that the ladder in my garden makes a great way to climb one of our big backyard trees.  Rachel agrees.

 And . . . a bonus photo that I have not yet posted on my blog. I posted a long, long time ago that my friend Tina gave me a couple of window screens to paint. I finally got one done for spring and summer! It was super easy with just acrylic paint and a paint pen to outline. It look me about a year and a half and 30 minutes to complete. ;)

Proof

Thanks to my mother-in-law, I do have one photo to show our Easter Sunday best, and the Easter Sunday best of the Melius family who were in Cresbard for Easter. :)