How I got my kids to eat a 4 pound bag of quinoa in the last 2 weeks....

...Starting with a recipe I found on the bag, I came up with one tailored to their taste buds...it is a family favorite...one that I knew I needed to include in their "scrapbook". And the best part...it is super healthy, LOADED with protein! Here goes... 2 cups Quinoa and 1 cup pine nuts or pumpkin seeds. Brown in a medium size pot for approximately 8-10 minutes on medium heat. Add: 3 cups water, 1 tablespoon chicken stock, 2 bay leaves, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then let simmer (covered) for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let it set for 5 minutes before removing lid and "fluffing". Remove bay leaves. Add: 2 bunches of cilantro, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 cup fat free feta cheese, 1 can light red kidney beans, and 1 small chopped onion. Enjoy!

Happy 2nd Birthday Eva Faith!

the fourth....

was celebrated with friends. We went swimming most of the day, went to the parade, then ended the day with fireworks, food and fun!!

Tina.

Our neighbor. Friend. Last minute baby-sitter. She spoils the girls ROTTEN with her generosity. I can't even begin to list all the wonderful, selfless ways in which Tina has blessed our family. She can't even go outside and sit on her back deck without the girls running to her fence, begging her for a popsicle, juicy drink or to just go play with Playdoh. She truly loves our girls and for that we are so thankful. Because, not only does she watch our girls to help us out or give us a break, she does it because she truly WANTS to spend time with them. Thank you for ALL you do...you have NO idea how MUCH you are appreciated.

Softball.

Jared almost fell over when Emma came home and decided that she was going to play softball. He soon learned that ALL of her best friends were playing and they were going to have "cool socks and pink uniforms and do cartwheels on the way out to the field". She was sold on the idea. Although the uniforms "weren't quite what she had in mind...and there were few less cartwheels than what she planned on...and the socks were hot"....overall, she had a whole lot of fun with her friends.

Swim Team 2012

Emma and Ellie had another successful summer on swim team. It has been fun watching their personalities emerge...Ellie is quite the competetive and confident one and Emma is definitively a tad more laid back. As I mentioned last year, Ellie knew exactly how many medals and ribbons she had won and Emma was just going to "share hers with the neighbor because she didn't have one". Here was a few of our conversations at their first meet: Mom: "Emma, you swam so hard and you just won, you got first place!!" Emma: "Really, mom, are you sure?...Really, I really DID beat that girl??" Mom: "Yes, Emma, you really did!!" Emma: "Wow! I still can't believe it!" And on the other hand.... Mom: "Ellie, you swam so hard and you just won, you got first place!!" Ellie: "I know that already mom, I'm gonna win ALL my races."

Golf 2012

May is always such a BUSY month. **sigh** High school regional and state golf have been just a few of our activities in the past few years. The Chieftans had an awesome year and won the League and Regional Tournaments and Jared was such a proud head coach. They came in 2nd at the state tourney by one stroke (but we don't mention that. ever.) The "golfing boys" came over multiple times during the season for breakfast and "team building" which turned into some wrestling on the trampoline, the girls being chased and of course, the girls teasing the boys. Much to daddy's dismay, the girls got pretty excited and giddy. Toward the end of the season, the girls all had "boyfriends". Eva is pictured with Tyler, the one she gravitated to. But the girls warned her, "Now Eva, you just need to know that Tyler MIGHT be already married by the time you are old enough to get married, ok?"

Dance Recital 2012

What fun it is to get all dressed up, put on more than a necessary amount of make-up and dance the night away!

Love this guy...

...because after a long hard day at work, he can instantly muster up enough energy to turn into a dog...or a horse...or whatever else the girls dream up. And...he allows them to tie a pink scarf around his neck as his leash. There are always LOTS of giggles and squeals. Music to my ears...and heart.

Easter....

...was spent with both our families over the weekend. The kids had a wonderful time with all of the fun that comes with Easter...hunting eggs, coloring eggs, being with family and playing with the resurrection eggs over and over. Thank You Jesus for this fun spring celebration where we are reminded of your sacrifice and NEW LIFE!!

Emma June....

turned EIGHT on April 2 And yes, I will use another annoying cliche but there is no other way to say that it doesn't seem like we are old enough to have an EIGHT year old! Emma June, we love your sweet sensitive spirit. You have such a gift in knowing what others need before they ask. We love that you avoid drama and always want to do the right thing. That, my child will get you so far in life. We love that you enjoy reading so much, that you have to beg us to stay up later just so you can read more. You are such a wonderful big sister and I know we place extra responsibilites on you...thank you for taking them on so well. We love you so much Emma June and we are so thankful to have been chosen to be your parents!