Grandpa and Grandma and Christmas

Top Row: Mary, my mom and Maggie, my dad, Carson and Tanner (Carrie's son's)
Bottom row: Hannah and Gabe

Cute Pictures

Favorite Photo Friday

Trick or Treat.........Part 2 and 3

Part 2: For some reason the town Joel works in decided to have Trick or Treating the night before Halloween. So I decided to get the girlz dressed up and go. (I put a lot of time into making those costumes--so I wasn't going to waste an opportunity ; ) This is a picture of the girlz with Joel at the fire station. Just in case you can not tell what the are for Halloween. Joel is a fireman ; ) Mary is a veterinarian, and Hannah and Maggie are princesses (of course).

Part 3: I am sorry to say that I don't have pictures of Halloween night. We traveled to our old town to visit our friends the Trevino's. We had a great time watching movies, visiting and eating and more trick-or-treating. Gabe and the Trevino boyz played video games most of the time. I think that I only saw him when it was time to eat. Thanks Trevino's for being such good friends and hosts. Can't wait to do it all again.

Gross!!!

I was wondering why I had been going through so much cat food!!! All I can say is, "oh gross."

Trick or Treat.........Part One

We had a great Halloween x 3. Yep, you heard me right x 3. I will start-off with our first stop-- it was a week before Halloween with Grandpa Jeff in Iowa City. The University hosted an event for the little ones to come and explore 3 different buildings all decked out for Halloween. (with treats, of course) I did not realize that this girl was 'wearing' a live snake until she asked me if I wanted to pet it. I kindly said no and then high-tailed it out of there but not before snapping this photo. All three girls petted the boa, but when looking at this picture I am not so sure that they wanted too stand to close. (Part 2 & 3 to come)

Yes, Maggie God does answer prayers

Here is our latest picture of Molly all ready for cooler weather. The kids have been asking for a dog for a long while now. I just didn't know if I was ready. However, we had started looking for a dog. We just had not said much to the kids because I didn't know when it was going to happen. My mom had watched the kids for us about four weekends ago. Maggie happened to be in my mom's Sunday school class and mom had asked each kid to say a prayer. Guess what Maggie prayed for? Maggie prayed for a dog--hence the title. I guess I got lucky because one kid prayed for a snake and the other an elephant...I'll take the dog.

It's a Boy and a Girl

Here is our newest addition to the zoo ; ). A kitty that Joel found while biking. The kids call him Milky Way. I affectionately refer to him as Gus. As you can see, he is Maggie's kitty. He is very sweet and lets Maggie carry him around like a baby.

And also a 10 week old beagle named Molly all the way from Orange City. These pictures where hard to get she does not sit still for very long. If I could give her medication for ADHD, I would ; ) However, she is starting to grow on us. 1 husband, 4 kid-o's, 2 pets...... it is a houseful of fun. Come by for a visit soon. I promise you won't be bored.

More Football

Here is a picture of Gabe and his good buddy Zach (also our next door neighbor) at their last football game. I have so much fun watching these two play. Both are good athletes and seem to get the team pumped up and ready to play. I think these two will have many more years of making memories on and off the field. Good luck boys we are all cheering for ya. (do these school colors remind you of someone else's school colors????)

Mushroom Asparagus Quiche

I just had to share this recipe that we tried on Sunday. Quite honestly, I have been a little afraid to make Asparagus. It is just not a vegetable that I am familiar with. (Now I know sauteing it in some butter, is oh so good.!) I saw this recipe in the Feb/March issue of Taste of Home. I like quiche, so I thought lets try it. This one is going in the recipe box for future use. It also looks so pretty before and after you bake it.


Mushroom Asparagus Quiche

1 tube (8oz) refrigerated crescent rolls
2tsp prepared mustard
1-1/2 lbs. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2" pieces
1 med. onion, chopped
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup butter, cubed
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups (8 oz) shredded part -skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder


Separate crescent dough into eight triangles; place in an un-greased 9-in pie plate with points toward the center. Press onto the bottom and up the sides to form a crust; seal perforations. Spread with mustard; set aside.
In a large skillet, saute the asparagus, onion and mushrooms in butter until asparagus is crisp-tender. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in asparagus mixture. Pour into crust.
Bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the edge comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Yields:6-8 servings




If you try it, let me know what you think!!!

First Football Game

Well, I am so excited to share with you Gabe's first football game. I love to watch football ( high school, college and the Super Bowl). So this was a real treat for me to watch my own child play. These pictures were taken before the game. They are not very good because it started pouring rain before he even hit the field. He is the one in the far right (1st pic), # 44 (2nd pic) and the bottom pic is his cheering section. Even though we are soaked to the bone and they lost the game. I am ready to do it all again next week!!! See I told you I really love football.

Maggie's Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated Maggie's 5th Birthday. We had a visit from Grandma and Grandpa H. We had presents and cake and a birthday dinner at Cheddars. (where they play the kazoo's to the tune of happy birthday, instead of singing) Soooo cute. In lu of Maggie's 5th Birthday here are five things you may or may not know about this princess!!

1. Loves the color pink. (YAAAAAAY!)
2. Loves shoes and purses. (Hitting garage sales with mom has contributed to that.)
3. She is very silly. (Thanks, mostly, to her older siblings. She treats them as her audience.)
4. Likes to eat steaks and pork chops. Just no hot dogs please.
5. loves her mom and dad (maggie's words.)

More Summer Highlights

More Pella

Hannah at the State Fair

Hannah's 11th Birthday

Picture by Maggie: Uncle Dan, Isabella and Mary

Summer Highlights

Mary 9th Birthday

Bunny we found on the 4th of July

Maggie and her friend Katie

Visiting Pella with Grandpa

Wet Camera!!!

First Day of School Pics