I made a blueberry pie today. Even though Rachel and Tommy don't like it, they want the juice from the pie on ice cream, then they mix it all up like a shake. They get that sort of behavior from their father.


There were three in the bed and the little one said, "Roll over! Roll over!"

Adam and Abby

Well isn't this something? Adam actually wanted to have his picture taken! However, you can see how Miss Grumpy pants felt about it. Cathy, she's wearing her new outfit!

MOPS

This is my friends Amanda and Jackie at our MOPS meeting today. Amanda already covered the event in her blog, but I wanted to post a pictured about it too. We have such a good time together!

Is this why I don't fit in?

You Belong in 1958

You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Crazy Kids

OK, don't mind what Rachel is wearing in the picture, just look at the beautiful decoupage work they have done to the closet door. They are both looking down to see the cup of water they knocked over right as I was snapping the picture.



Tommy REALLY got a kick out of Adam trying on the different winter hats. I can literally see his tonsils in this picture.

Thanksgiving

We had a great time at my parents. I was a little worried about the roads coming home, but I just took it a little slower and everything was fine. Casey was home when I got home, so that was nice. He had a fun day at the restaurant, and his van actually got him there and back. I think it needs a new belt of some kind, don't ask me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am excited about tomorrow! I love my mom's cooking, and I know all my friends feel the same way about their moms (Don't ever get into an argument with Pam about who's mom is the better cook- because you won't win). My brother and his fam will be there, too.
Rachel made this little napkin holder at school, I used to love crafting in elementary. My favorite thing I ever made was the paper mache duck in Mrs. Falk's 3rd grade class. Man, were they ugly, but everyone's had a distinct look.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone- I'll post pictures when I get back.

I thought this was funny

My brother used to love Walker, Texas Ranger. My hubby thought he was pretty cool, too. So this is dedicated to them.

Pic of the Day

He's going to blow a disc.

Church Potluck

After Sunday service today we had a great meal. But the best part of the day was seeing Robyn and Levi and their growing family! I even got to hold little Daniel, such a cutie. The speaker for the morning service was from New Tribes Institute, and even a couple of their students gave their testimonies, which is always so encouraging. I wish I would've taken more pictures, I did see Cathy with her camera out, maybe we'll see some of those! We missed you today Phil- hope you're feeling better soon!

Abby's Birthday- the big "1"

Some of the words are hard to see on the slide show, which is irritating. The last picture of Abby with the donuts happened later this afternoon- I was talking on the phone with my Grandma Decker, and when I came out to the kitchen they had all helped themselves to the donuts that Laurie and Dean brought back from Bayne's. Sugar was everywhere.

Today is Abby's Birthday!

Today "Baby Girl Joy" is ONE YEAR OLD! Tommy calls her Baby Girl Joy instead of Abigail Joy. :) She is a joy! We love you Abby!

Someone's in the Kitchen with Kara

Abby is VERY eager to get started on her birthday cake. I will do that when they go to bed tonight.


Who would dare do this?!?!?!?


The guilty party- I think we all guessed that one correctly.


Now that Thomas and Abby are napping, Adam and I can get down to serious business- making some muffins for the bazaar at Rachel's school tomorrow. The money from the bake sale goes to the school. I bet that pecan pumpkin cake would fetch a pretty penny.

I want to make this!

Every fall I see this recipe and drool over it, but I have never made it. It's from the Taste of Home website, it's called Pumpkin-Pecan cake. Doesn't it look scrumptious?

Everyday Life

Here Tommy is helping out Mark Hudberg. We had a drip from our hot water heat, but Mark repaired it with no problems last night. He's the best.


Abby prefers to sit in a booster chair up to the table with everybody else instead of her highchair. Her cold seems to be about gone, finally!


Here we are- on our way to school. Rachel was very excited for me to see her turkey hanging in her classroom this morning. Casey takes her to school on Mondays and Tuesdays, so I always look forward to my turn.

A Family Favorite- for the Tag Game

Chicken Enchiladas

4 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
1 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups hot water
1 TBS chicken-flavor instant bouillon
1 8-oz. container sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 4-oz. can chopped green chilies, drained
1 tsp. ground cumin (I've never used this)
10 8-in. flour tortillas

Preheat oven to 350. In med. saucepan, cook and stir onions in butter until tender. Stir in flour, then water and bouillon; cook and stir until thickened and bouillon is dissolved. Remove from heat; add sour cream.

In large bowl, combine 2 cups sauce (from above), chicken, 1 cup cheese, chilies, and cumin. Sofent tortillas according to package directions. Place equal portions of chicken mixture on tortillas; roll up. Arrange, seam side down, in greased 13x9 baking dish. Top with remaining sauce and 1 cup cheese. Cover, bake 25 minute or until hot. Garnish as desired.

Fall

We have no trees in our yard, so the only leaves to pick up are the few that blow over from the neighbor's. The kids tried really hard to make a pile, so I had them sit by it for a picture.

We're getting there!

Now I have to figure out how to finish the thing. It needs a back, and a layer of batting in the middle, but binding the edges is what baffles me.

One More Week - She'll be ONE!

It feels like yesterday that this pretty little baby made her way into this world. Now she is toddling all over the place, wiping her snotty nose on everything... where does the time go?

Last of the Season

This is it, it's always a little sad for me. The rose has fought to the bitter end, there are just a few leaves clinging to the bushes. The mums still look nice and bright, though.

My First Quilt Block

I love the log cabin quilt blocks, so I finally got out my scraps and went to work. I would like to make a festive little table topper for Christmas. Hopefully when it's all done it won't look so busy- because the one block by itself is not very pleasing to the eye! I'll show you when it's done.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!

Casey said I should choose a paint ball picture for your birthday, so here you go! Hope you have a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSH!

We hope you have a great day, and enjoy your tacos!

They're Going to Live

After a quiet day yesterday, I think we are mostly back to normal today. Rachel coughed half the night, but she's up and around today, and Adam is actually eating breakfast, which is a miracle in itself. Getting him to eat anything is a challenge. Yesterday he had a peanut butter & jelly sandwich around 6:30, and the was the only thing he ate all day - he just slept and slept. Thank you for your prayers. We always worry when Buddy gets sick because that means his kidneys are susceptible to flaring up again.

The Plague

I have 2 sick kids on my hands. Rachel and Adam are both under the weather. Rachel got it first, Sunday afternoon she stared coughing a bit, but we let her go to Gopher's. We should not have. By Sunday night she was very warm and looked rather pale. She stayed home from school Monday, her voice was gone, and she layed on the couch all day. Now Adam is very warm and laying on the couch. He has been bouncing off the walls since Halloween, so this is actually a nice break. Rachel is still in bed this morning (it's 8:30), so she must still feel icky. Please pray for us that this will pass quickly. I have 2 more kids that will probably get it. It feels like we'll be sick all winter at this rate.

Saturday Evening Fun

Rachel is getting pretty good at whacking the ball. Grandpa T. loves to play outside, too.


Laurie, this one's for you.


Abby getting a little help from big sis.


This is Thomas having another meltdown.

I'm a Terrible Housekeeper and Disciplinarian

The kids have been really messy lately. The boys love to make piles. Yes, there is a booster seat and a fan in the pile. I love piles, too, but I think mine are a little more organized than theirs. Adam cries when I make him pick up his messes. He wails, "You make me work too hard!!!!!!!!!" Funny, it doesn't stop him from doing it all over again the next day.


Abby loves toothbrushes. She is searching for them in the drawer. This is how she entertains herself when the others kids are taking their baths.


Praise for the week : neighbor Judy gave us this lovely "rocking couch" (that's what Adam calls it). It is the size of a loveseat, both seats recline, and it matches our couch perfectly!


I overheard Adam telling Rachel that he and Tommy didn't like their beds anymore, and this is where they are going to sleep now.