Play Group at the park

Here are a few pictures from this mornings play group. Looks like the kids had fun! :)

Birth Announcement

Ezra John made his entrance into the world on Sunday May 6th. He weighed in at 8lbs. 9 oz. Congratulations Seth and Anya, and big brothers Nate and Juda.

Birth Announcement

Hadley Sue made her entrance into the world on Friday May 4th. She weighed in at 7lbs. 1oz. and was 19 inches. Congratulations Andy, Shauna and Mianna!

Fruit and Veggie Cookies for Finicky Toddlers

Recipe submitted by Janel

Basic Cookie Ingredients:

1 C applesauce
2 T brown sugar
1/4 C honey
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla


2 C whole wheat flour
1 1/2 - 2 C oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt (optional)

*see below for additional ingredient ideas

Beat together applesauce, brown sugar, and honey. Add eggs and vanilla and blend together. Add in flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Add in additional ingredients and mix well again. Drop in balls onto cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. It makes about 3 dozen. Refrigerate or freeze what is not eaten right away.

*Ideas for add-ins:

1 Cup finely grated or pureed carrots
1 Cup finely grated or pureed zucchini
1 Cup raisins or other dried fruit (ie. apricots, mango, currents, blueberries, strawberries)
1 Cup peanut butter (if no known allergies)
1 Cup chopped apples
2 mashed bananas
1 Cup chopped pear
1 Cup mashed sweet potatoes
1 Cup crushed pineapple
1 Cup crushed peaches
1/2 Cup finely chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, sunflower, peanuts) *if no known allergies!
1/2 Cup grated flax seed
1/4 Cup wheat germ

Another idea: Try it with a more salty, herby flavor with pureed spinach, mushrooms, tomato, basil, parsley, oregano, zucchini, carrots, whatever you think would be good.


Note from Janel: Sophie hates veggies but loves cookies. So, I decided to try veggie cookies. I added the carrots, zucchini, raisins, and peanut butter to my first batch. She loved them. It is quick and easy on the run and for picnics. AND IT GOT HER TO EAT VEGGIES!

If anyone is interested in getting together with Elizabeth and I sometime and "experimenting" with different recipes, let us know. It could be fun!

Summer Book Club

I have decided that I am going to re-read "Stepping Heavenward", by Elizabeth Prentiss. I have read this book maybe 3 times and have enjoyed it each time. I would highly recommend it. It is very thought provoking. It might be a little hard to get into a first, it was written in the late 1800's, but I assure you it is a treasure. Here is the book description by Amazon,

"How dreadfully old I am getting! Sixteen!" So begins Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss, the journal-like account of a nineteenth century girl who learns, on the path to womanhood, that true happiness can be found in giving oneself for others. "This book is a treasure of both Godly and womanly wisdom told with disarming candor and humility, yet revealing a deep heart's desire to know God," says noted Christian speaker Elisabeth Elliot. "I do not hesitate to recommend it to men, who need to understand the wives they live with, and to any woman who wants to walk with God."

Amazon and half.com have the best prices on this book. Let me know soon if you are interested in joining me in this adventure. I will set a start date and post questions for the book for anyone who is interested.

Thanks!
Elizabeth

Anya's Baby Shower

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend Anya's baby shower on Saturday. We successfully pulled off another surprise! :) Nicole you did a great job planning. Everything was fun and beautiful! And, the food was awesome...thank you!

We can't wait to baby boy meeks...just a few more weeks!

A Beautiful Story

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward."
Psalm 127:3

I came across a link to Eliot's story and I had to share it. This is a beautiful story of a parents love for their baby; and how they treasured every moment they had with him. I was touched beyond words. It was yet another reminder of how precious life is. Putting things into that perspective makes those hard days with small ones under foot so much easier. I want to see each day and each task as a gift from God. It is a privilege to get to serve God taking care of His little ones. After watching this I hugged my kids a little closer and praised God for the three little blessing He has given to me.

Please watch. You will be so blessed! Just a warning, you may need some tissues.



You can also watch this video at Igniter Media group
The makers of this video "Igniter media" posted this video on Youtube.

Shauna's baby shower

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to the party last night; and for venturing out into the snow. Turned out to be a great surprise.

Priscilla tried to get rid of our evidence of footprints before Shauna came home!

Shauna was very surprised! yea!

Lots of food, fun and fellowship!

Can't wait to meet the new baby set to arrive May 4th!

Clothes swap...a fun success

Thanks to everyone who participated in the clothes swap on Friday. It was a lot of fun and everyone who came left with something. We should definitely do this again. Hopefully more people will be able to come next time.

Thanks Amy for hosting!

Clothes Swap Party

We are going to be having a clothes swap party this week. Amy is hosting it on Friday March 30th at 7:00 p.m. We will be trading clothes, shoes, purses, belts, jewelry, any accessory you can think of.

If you don't have stuff to swap, don't worry you are still invited. If you don't bring stuff you can still take things home. Please come for a girls night of fun!

If you have any questions or need directions to Amy's house give me a call.

Hope you all are having a good week. Looking forward to Friday!

Elizabeth