Take 2!

This past Sunday was the perfect day to make up our family 4th of July.  We traveled to Minnesota for our niece and goddaughter's 4th birthday.  (I can't believe our "baby" girls are turning 4 this year!)  I don't have any photos from that occasion due to the fact I was eating (very important) and a lack of motivation to walk across the street to get my camera, but it was a very fun time!

After the party, we went swimming!!  All three of the kids found their favorite thing to do.  Teresa loved the kiddie slide.

 

 Nathan made it up to the top of the rock climbing wall lots of times.

 Landen went down this huge slide (and up all those stairs) 25 times by his count.  At one point, the lifeguard told him he was probably going to break a record for the most times in one day.  After that, he made it a point to surely claim the record as his alone.

 We woke up in Sioux Falls on Monday and hit the ground running for our day of adventure.  We started at the Great Plains Zoo.  It  is a nice little zoo and just the right size for kids.

 Then, after a three year hiatus, we finally made a return trip to Chuck E. Cheese's!  Our previous trip near the Cities was the highlight of the boys' lives.  This trip to the Sioux Falls location did not disappoint.  David's favorite part was watching Teresa with her own cup of tokens.  It is interesting to see how a 3 year old will spend her money!

 They all wanted to visit the waterfalls (the actual Sioux Falls in Falls Park), so we stopped by there for ice cream on our way out of town. 

 Our last stop for the day was a little town not far from home.  The boys finished off their t-ball season undefeated (as does every t-ball team). :o) 

Whew!  When we have Daddy along, we make every minute count.  It was a super two days of great family fun!

The 4th of July . . .

Overall, we had a fun 4th of July.  There was a parade with lots of candy . . .

 A ride in Papa Butter's red racing car . . .

 and slipping and sliding . . .

 but, we were missing this guy. 

(Credit for this unflattering photo goes to his daughter.)

Did you know that it is legal for farmers to work on the 4th of July?  Yep, it is.  Several of my "farm wife" friends can testify to this.  So, we did what we had to do.  We saved the 4th of July for the next weekend!

Little Blessings

Here's the great part about pregnancy--you wait for 4 long weeks to hear this quick whooshing sound for about 30 seconds.  Then you're on your way and happy as a clam. 
It's all pretty crazy. 
I was really hoping for another ultrasound today, but I had to settle for the Doppler instead.  Next time will be the official 20 week ultrasound.  This baby is already a little movie star with three appearances so far.
Even though baby has looked great on all three, I'm still a bit on edge for the BIG one.  With the unusual things that have happened my past two pregnancies and this one (all of which have turned out to be fine), I am no longer one of those giddy moms who hops on the ultrasound table and asks, "Boy or Girl?" 
I tentatively walk into the dimly lit room, hold my breath for a few minutes and then I ask, "Healthy?" 
We are very thankful as our prayers were answered and the complication I had existing beside (but not affecting) this baby has since healed.  Measurements and heartbeat are right on track. 
That, of course, also means I couldn't hide this pregnancy any more if I tried.  (Thank heavens I don't have to any more!) 
One of the excuses I came up with last winter when God was faithfully presenting this leap of faith to me was, "but I just gave away all of my maternity clothes!"
Well, my friends, never doubt that God will provide.
Yesterday my friend Deb presented me with two big totes of maternity clothes.  Some of the clothes I gave to her last summer were in there, too.  It was nice to see my old friendly mommy clothes again.  I have been invited to "shop" at friends' houses as well and I have a nice Target.com order arriving shortly.  (They had an amazing clearance sale on maternity clothes.  I couldn't resist!)  No--a lack of clothes will not a problem at all!
If you have been keeping our family in your prayers, we thank you!  If you haven't, don't worry.  We will still need some in the future, too, especially when we are REALLY outnumbered come December.  :o) 
Good night and sweet dreams!

Peaches & Cream

All you need is a generous splash of whipping cream, a little milk, some sugar, a dab of vanilla and a few peaches. 

(How's that for precise measurements?)

Let your taste buds be your guide and enjoy the plentiful July peaches!

Festive Food

Check out these festive cupcakes I made for the fireworks gathering tonight.  They don't look quite as professional as the ones in the magazine, but as my mom says, "They will still taste good!" 

(My mom actually says that about every type of botched food--except for bread that has been squished by a value pack of toilet paper.  She has no encouragement for that unfortunate catastrophe.)
I am excited to have breakfast guests tomorrow before our local parade.  I am going to make my friend Tina's Baked Caramel French Toast.  Remember that post from almost 2 years ago?  It is so very yummy . . . and must be shared!
I hope you are having a blessed Sunday and a safe and Happy 4th!  We are thankful for all those who continue to fight for our country so that we may live in freedom.