Visitors

This weekend we had some fun visitors! Grandpa and Grandma Eckstrom were passing through with Aunt Joni (my Mom's sister who lives in Pennsylvania). They had been visiting Uncle Larry and Aunt Lynne (my Mom's other sister who lives in Indiana). The kids had fun playing baseball and Mexican Train (a dominoes game) with them. We also put them to work cleaning our garage and mowing the lawn!! (they wanted to!!) We love them very much and it was a blessing to see them. :)

True Friend

We are so thankful for this true friend, Eric Kainer. He has been so helpful to us in the past (moving furniture, painting, watching our kids with Lisa, and much more) and now that John is "down" he has proven to be one of those true friends that will really "be there" when you need him.

Doesn't this picture say it all???
Last night he came over to help John open up our pool. P-U!!!! It was so stinky and gross under that pool cover. I can't believe that he is sticking his arm in there! Last week he came and mowed our grass . . . in the rain!! He truly is a good friend and we consider him a blessing.

Jake's Pioneer Day

Last Friday, Jake's class had a Pioneer Day to end their unit on the pioneers. It rained, but we had so much fun!

We started by having a picnic lunch (indoors because of the rain) on blankets. The kids brought their pioneer lunches in pails and baskets. Jake had sausage, a hunk of cheese, and some fruit. (no chips today!!)

I was one of the people in charge of the pioneer games. . . one game we played was blind man's bluff.

Jake thought this person was a girl because he felt the bonnet. He was surprised to see it was his friend, Zak!
We also did spoon races. . .we used marshmallows instead of eggs, though.
Jake enjoyed making homemade bread, "churning" real butter, and making caramel apples. My friend, Heather, and her daughter Haleigh enjoyed all of the activities as well.
All of the pioneer moms.
Jake even did a little calligraphy writing with a feather (quill) pen. Of course, he wrote "White Sox".

Some bread making . . .
. . . a little candle dipping. . .
. . . and rope making . . . (the boys' favorite part). It was funny how much the boys liked their ropes. One boy even came up to me and said, "I can't wait to get home so I can play with my rope!" Simple things. . .much better than expensive toys!

It was such a fun day!! (Thanks, Mom, for watching Luke so I could be a part of Jake's day . . . that was a "blessing" .)

Favorites on Fridays . . . Like Oprah's "O" List, But Not Really

Favorite Sandwich : Panera's Frontega Chicken

Are you drooling?? :) You should be!!! This sandwich has been my FAVORITE ever since I was pregnant with Caroline. I CRAVED it and only it would hit "the spot".

Smoked & pulled white meat chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, red onions, chopped basil & chipotle mayonnaise, grilled hot on their Focaccia. . . yummm. Don't look at the ingredients or calorie count because then you won't enjoy it as much. :) It is a "once in a while" sandwich for me and I really can't find anything I like better.

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day . . . we went to church and then returned home for a delicious lunch made by the kids (little pizzas served with fruit, veggies, and a salad). Auntie Diane, Uncle Colin, and Caleb joined us. :)

Here are the little chefs.

Here is what they made . . .pretty yummy!!

We spent most of the afternoon playing "Olympics" in the backyard and then I got to do a little more planting. (I'll take pics of all my planting when I'm finished)

Here is who helps me be a good mom. :)
John's getting pretty used to those crutches!
Auntie Diane and Caleb enjoyed a Mother's Day moment. :)

The kids sure love Caleb!
This Mother's Day was really special, but it would have been even more special if I could have seen this lady . . . my Mom!! She has always been my cheerleader in life . . . encouraging me to be my best. Love you, Mom!!

Favorites on Fridays . . . Like Oprah's "O" List, But Not Really

Favorite Bar of Soap: Trader Joe's Oatmeal and Honey Soap

It may seem strange that I would get excited about a silly bar of soap, but I am excited about this one!! I have very sensitive skin, so I have to choose my soaps carefully . . . I can't have anything with fragrance in it. This soap is pure vegetable soap so it is very mild and it has real oatmeal flakes and sweet smelling honey in it. . .smells sooo good (just don't eat it!!) Our whole family uses it. Love it!!

My Sister

I am thankful for my sister, Diane . . . yesterday she came over and rearranged a room for me that I had been trying to figure out for ten months. She's so good at it! She is always helping me with not only my
decorating issues, but much more. Diane helps me to be a better person. She is always holding me accountable for things such as diet, nutrition, sleep, "me time", and more. I am grateful that she is so willing to spend so much of her time helping me. Thanks, Diane!!