Chocolate Give-Away!

Check out this great give away over at Sarah's. If you like chocolate - you'll love this one.

It's Another Party Over Here!

Yup - today is another birthday in the family. Katelyn turns 20 today! Unbelievable!!
She has picked Death by Chocolate for her birthday cake (dessert). Tomorrow I will be making a birthday meal for her - steak, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with marshmallows and blueberry muffins. How is it that I can have a child no longer in her teens while I stay so young?!!!
Happy Birthday Katelyn - We love you!

Ice at Holland Beach

I mentioned to Katelyn last night that I would like to go to Holland to look at the ice. "Funny, you said that" - she had been thinking the same thing. So after talking to Cheri today, we went this afternoon. I'm so glad I talked with her because we all put on many layers. I was surprised at how many people were actually there. We all walked quite a ways out on the pier but when I saw part of the water moving, I decided that was far enough. The girls were able to walk on some of the patches of ice. It truly was very beautiful. Nothing like you see in the summer. This is one of the many reasons that I love living in Michigan - our 4 seasons are each spectacular in their own way. Enjoy some of the pictures I got. Hope they take your breath away as much as they did for me. (Maybe it was the cold air that took my breath!)

Do you Smell Cake?

Well, you might not smell cake, but there's a cheesecake baking at my house.
It's Chelsea's pick because today is her birthday. She's 17!! She chose
to have chocolate chip cheesecake instead of a regular cake. We're actually
celebrating tomorrow when Katelyn can be here but she's choosing supper. This
may seem strange but she picked french toast for the meal. Oh well, it's her
choice because it's her day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHELSEA! Hope you have a great day. We love you!

Can You Guess...?

There's a show called "Ask This Old House" They come up with nifty gadgets that the hosts have to figure out what it's used for. Well here's my version. Can any of you guess what this nifty little gadget is that I just acquired ?





















It's a flute stand. My extremely talented brother-in-law, Bob made it for me. Mari told me that I had to come over because Bob had something for me. I was just thrilled. When I play at church and go to sit down or actually sit up for the entire service, I either have to hold onto my flute the whole time or lay it on the chair. To have a place for it to stand is so convenient. I got to use it on Sunday. It worked so great! Thanks Bob - I love it!

Merry Christmas!

We've had a great Christmas Day. We started out at church with a wonderful service of music and worship. My Dad, Ann and my brother spent the day here. After enjoying a ham and many other fixings, we spent the day playing games and just spending time together. I hope you all had great Christmas also - celebrating with family but also remembering the reason we celebrate - the birth of our Savior!

Just Look at it Now!

Do you remember the picture I posted on Friday of our picnic table? Well, just look at it now - can you believe all that snow?

Warning!!

Stay off the roads people!!! It's 9:00 here and I just returned home. Chelsea had to work at the nursing home this morning so I took her. It was horrible. I couldn't see a thing. There was maybe a lane plowed on Chicago Drive and it's starting to drift badly. At least churches were smart and cancelled services. Now I have to head back this afternoon to pick her up. I don't think there will be any improvement; in fact it will probably be worse. Just take my advice and stay home!

The Need for 4 Wheel Drive

For those of you who don't live in a northern state like ours, I hope these pictures explain why we sometimes need gas guzzling, large, 4 wheel drive vehicles!
This is just the snow from around 3:00 this morning. I'm not really looking forward to going to work today but.... guess I'll just put it in 4 wheel drive and go slow.

Oh FYI - it is a snow day!

Prayers for the Byker Family

I have a prayer request for you all. A man Dave used to work with was diagnosed with a brain tumor last September - 2007. Throughout these last five weeks, he has had many problems. He went home last Friday with hospice care. Today, it was updated that he could be passing away anytime. He is only 42 years old, with a wife and 3 children - ages 14, 12 and 9. I know this family could use a lot of prayers right now. Thanks.

It's Christmas Candy Time!

Saturday was our annual Christmas candy making day. We always plan this about the 2nd week of December. Everyone is assigned different candies. It takes a bit of time to do it but we always have fun. (and get some great rewards out of it!)

Katelyn was in charge of truffles, peanut butter balls and white chocolate mix.

















Chelsea had to work in the morning so when she came home, she did tiger butter and puppy chow.













Shaelyn made peanut butter balls, pretzel sticks and pretzels with m&m's.













Here's everything we did. No - we're not hurting for snack foods!

It's Snow Much Fun Out There!

Yup - it's that time in Michigan again! SNOW!!! and lots of it. I know some of you aren't thrilled but really, don't you need snow for Christmas? I think it's so beautiful and the kids are enjoying playing in it (and hoping for a snow day)















Look at my little Angels!

Call Me Crazy but...

Meet Lilli!













I know we have 3 cats already but Katelyn wanted to get this one for Shaelyn for her birthday. She is 1/2 Persian - very fuzzy and flat faced. The other cats seem to be adjusting well and Milli is more than ready to be a friend. (If only Lilli knew that) Now everyone has their own pet!

It's the Day After Thanksgiving so.....

We put up our Christmas Tree!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Wow - Can you believe the snow that fell this morning? I thought it was going to start this afternoon. I had to head out this morning and it was slippery. I saw a few cars needing a tow truck. I brought lunch to Chelsea so that I had a reason to tell her to drive SLOWLY!

It does look pretty though, doesn't it!

Shaelyn's Having a Birthday!

Shaelyn turned 6 years old today! She chose to have broccoli cheese soup for supper.
It was yummy!! After supper, she got some presents to open. Katelyn was at the dorms so we don't have a picture of her with Shaelyn.
Hope you had a fun birthday, Linnie Li! We love you!!!











































She wanted a soccer ball cake - and yes, there are 6 candles on it!

Soup Time!

Would you like to try a quick and delicious chicken noodle soup?
I made this last week in the crock pot. Everyone loved it!
It's perfect for the weather I'm seeing out there today.

5 cups hot water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
46 oz. can chicken broth
2 cups cooked chicken
1 tsp. salt
4 cups noodles, uncooked
1/3 cup thinly sliced celery, lightly cooked in microwave
1/3 cup chopped carrots

1. Dissolve bouillon in water. Pour into crock pot.
2. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.
3. Cover. Cook on low 4-6 hours.

It's not even Christmas Yet!

First, she got this 4 weeks ago......















Today she got this!

It's November 4!

I voted this morning. Have you?