Enjoying family...and horses...

Wade's parents are here for a visit...love them!

We all went out to watch Madison's riding lesson.  Gorgeous, gorgeous day- we had a great time and I took 150 pictures!  Here is Madison on Wildfire-

And Madison with Mrs. Patti, our friend and her amazing teacher. 

Easter 2010

Azaleas

I don't remember these having pink on them last year.  Is this typical?

Birthday Girl

Our sweet Ellie just turned 12.  She is a ray of sunshine we are blessed to have in our lives-  and is turning into such a beautiful young lady!  She is so compassionate, intelligent, loving, talented and funny...a great encourager and full of spunk.  I can't wait to see what this year holds for you, Ellie!! 

Some dear friends were staying with us on her birthday, having moved out of their place and getting ready to head out of town to live in AFRICA for several months as short term missionaries- how cool is that!!??  We will truly miss them!  Here you see Ellie with her birthday breakfast in bed.  Surrounding her are Griffin, Katie, Jennifer, Madison and Mason.

 

Just hanging out.   Griffin thought Katie's $100 school calculator was very cool...it even has games on it!  We went to see Planet 51 in the evening and our beloved "Coach Kelley" (she has coached all the kids in church league sports teams somewhere along the way!) treated the kids to ice cream afterward while I shopped for some last minute items for a send-off I was helping with the next day for our Africa bound friends. 

Unfortunately, Dad had to work this birthday but we are used to celebrating whenever we get the opportunity to all be together so when he got home we had a family dinner out- Ellie's choice.  Then home for cherry topped cheesecake.

Trying to get Abby in the picture!

We love her sooooooo much!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Me and my sweetheart - 1987

I love Valentine's Day...

Madison, Ellie and I made this banner yesterday...well mostly Madison and I- Ellie got bored quickly and Katie was taking a much needed Friday afternoon nap. Maddie and I had a great time.  I really LOVE working with pretty paper and must find time to scrapbook more- the combination of beautiful paper and photos of the people I love makes me so happy.  I was inspired by this http://www.bhg.com/holidays/valentines-day/decorating/hand-crafted-valentines-day-decor/ and was all ready to run out to Hobby Lobby to get some supplies but decided instead to try to use what I had on hand.  The bhg garland was made of fabric but I have SO much scrapbook paper- plenty to make a pretty heart banner and lots left over.   The buttons and ribbon were Madison's touches-  I think she plans to decorate more hearts but we turned our attention to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics~ 

 

enough cough-ee

Now that I'm in my forties I have started to drink coffee.  I NEVER thought I would.  My kids liked coffee before I did.  The whole Starbucks fru fru coffee revolution finally got to me.  One iced mocha at a time.  Katie is thrilled that I am finally on board the coffee train...making coffee in the mornings.  Especially now that she gets up for school at 5:30 am.

But...that isn't what this entry is really about.  What is REALLY on my mind is that I am sick and tired of being COUGH-EE.  I really shouldn't complain since it is the first time I have been sick this winter but after almost a week it is getting old.  I messed my back up today with all my coughing.  Wade had it before me.  Ellie is coughing a bit, too.  Ugh.  

don't let those sweet puppy dog eyes fool you...

Abby has been a very mischeivous dog of late...thinking of getting a fence...maybe an underground fence.  She has been SO great about staying in the yard the last couple of years (since we moved- we had a fence at the last house) but lately she has been wandering off regularly.  It's partly my fault- I sometimes let her out to do her business and forget that I did.  She used to paw at the door to come back in...EVERY TIME.  Today the sweet little old ladies that walk their beagle every day brought her home.  Maybe she has a boyfriend in the neighborhood?

Waffling...just a little

Ellie, MaKayla, and Madison enjoying a family favorite.  My mom made these when I was a girl-

CHOCOLATE WAFFLE COOKIES

2 squares unsweetened chocolate melted
2 eggs
1/2 c butter
3/4 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 c flour

marshmallow cream

Mix first 6 ingredients and "bake" in waffle iron.  Top with marshmallow cream when still warm.  Enjoy!