Unexpected Package

The girls (& Jack) received an unexpected package in the mail from our good friend, Patti. Ellie got a new tutu and some fun window paints. Saedi received an adorable green Spring shirt and some bathtub paints. And, Jack, well, he's in heaven with his new squeeky chipmunk toy. So...oodles of thanks to Patti! We love mail!


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Belated Valentine's Party Pics

Our brave friend Jen hosted a Valentine's Party for her daughter Emmy and her friends. The kids had a blast decorating cookies, gluing gems on foam hearts, and feasting on delicious treats. Thanks for such a great time!

Brooke, Ellie, Emmy, Caleb, Peighton, Joshua, Saedi, Meadow

Jodi with kiddos

Joshua & Brooke

Saedi


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Crepes By Suzette

We found an adorable book at the library called Crepes by Suzette. It's a children's book with cartoon illustrations, realistic photos of Paris, and common French phrases (with pronunciations and translations in the back). My girls adored the book and in the back was a very basic recipe for crepes...which we were absolutely delicious! I had never made crepes before and I was surprised at how simple it really was.

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 C milk
1 C flour
1 Tbsp melted butter
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt

Combine ingredients and pour a small amount onto buttered skillet. Smooth batter thin and let it cook a few minutes. Flip and fill with whatever you like...we tried these combinations:
Ellie: apple slices and peach jam
Saedi: peanut butter, banana, honey, and cinnamon
Me: spinach, onion, mushroom, and feta cheese

After adding filling let it cook a minute. Fold in half once and then in half again. Eat and enjoy!



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Saedi's Snowy Birthday!

What a special 2nd birthday for Saedi! Her best friends came over for a morning play date, lunch (chicken pot pie, pineapple, & cheese...all her favorites), and then a feast of a monkey-shaped chocolate cake with yummy peanut butter frosting. That afternoon the snow began to fall, and after dinner we attempted a trip to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. The weather was so bad, though, that they had shut down early. The snow continued falling through the night and we woke up this morning to 6+ inches of beautiful white fluff on the ground. Brooke & Meadow came over for sledding & hot chocolate. What a delightful treat!






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Our Newest Addition

Proud Ellie and her new best friend, Jack.

2/3 of the sleepers of the family.

Saedi alone with Jack only because she feels safe in her car :)



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Garbage in Garbage Out

I'm a music junkie and this song goes along with a new challenge our family is starting...scripture memorization! Over Christmas, my sister-in-law, Carri, was explaining a really cool Bible scripture memory system that their family uses. So, I ordered it a few weeks ago and our family has started it this week. Riley and I have a packet of Fighter Verses and the girls have a packet of Foundation verses (both bought here) The packets come with an explanation on how the program works, in regard to how to memorize & retain the scriptures. Of course, memorization has tons of benefits, but we're most excited for our girls that "If the word of God dwells richly in them, they have wise counsel with them at all times. In addition, God's word is so much more powerful than our words; it will protect them from the attack of the enemy." (p10 of Handbook) And by Riley and I working together on our own verses, we're modeling the importance of memorizing God's Word but also, "They are verses that give us a word of cousel...feed siritual growth as the Holy Spirit brings them to our minds...are promises of God...witness to unbelievers...give us a ready defense against our enemy...will have the Word of God to defend us." (p14-15 Handbook). So, truth in truth out...we're ready to transform our minds!


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Happy Birthday Riley

Happy 31st Birthday, Riley! Riley's birthday was on the 5th, but I'm weeks late blogging about it. Ellie made his birthday cake with her new easy bake oven. We spent a quiet evening at home while he opened his gift, ate turkey, lemon poppyseed bread, and his special cake from El. Last year Riley deployed the day after his birthday so we're so very thankful to start this year out together!





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