2.24.2012

Culture / Missions Fair & Waterpark Weekend
We had a culture / missions fair at our homeschool group where families who wanted to could come and represent a chosen part of the world and a ministry working there.  Of course, we brought the Ethiopia!  :) 



Let me just say, we have serious love for some Ethiopian cuisine.  Luca I think about ate her weight in doro wat, injera and lentils that day.  Seriously. 


We had a little bit of everything, and my friend Tracy brought her coffee ceremony and some more goodies.  So many memories of our trips came flooding back with the smells of the spices, the items we found, the pictures....it was really fun to "play with everything"  :)  as well as to hear what other neat projects others were supporting around the globe. 






That same weekend, we got to tag along to the Corn & Soy Expo (sounds exciting, I know), which just so happened to be taking place at the loveliest of resorts in a nearby town, which just so happens to own an indoor waterpark the size of Miami (okay, maybe a slight exageration).  ;-)  The girls and I got to participate in some Ag in the Classroom fun and then hit the waterslides. 



Wonders of Physics Show

This was a really neat show put on by the Physics Department at the University in Madison.  A variety of speakers did all sorts of interesting and silly things involving physics.  The kids were mesmorized.


Drop test to test your reflexes



Just waking up the tin man with a Tesla coil....



So much was happening here from exploding hydrogen balloons to geysers to x-rays....quite the show! 







Exploring the physics museum after the show.






















Full House
We also added to the population of this 'ol house again, as a friend moved in for the coming months.  He happens to be Kenyan, so we're enjoying the sound of Swahili and as always balancing the joys and challenges of sharing space and doing life with a larger crowd (his 2 kiddos joining some weekends as well).  This house just doesn't seem satisfied until there are not one, but TWO African countries representing!  :) 

2.01.2012

Happiest News from Taiwan This Morning!


I'm the youngest grandmother in the history of grandmothers!!!  :) 


Sweet Aleynne has arrived and I'm sure MUST
be the most beautiful baby anywhere ever! 



I told you....she's exquisite.  


Oh yeah, and her middle name? 
Also happens to be our last name!!!

Our hearts are full and forever in Taiwan with our beautiful family there. 

We love you, Iman, Dwi and Aleynne
Lucky parents, lucky baby! 


"It is no small thing when they, who so fresh from God, love us."
Charles Dickens

1.31.2012

Skiing


A cross country ski in my parents' "back yard." 





Two of my favorite peeps...my dad and my big girl.  




Of course, no activity is ever silent with this little punky along...
hold onto your ears, 'cuz she'll talk them right off!   :)



My little prairie Northerner.



We're so small.  The wild is a good place to come and remember that.






I sorta kinda really really like this kid.



A last minute lesson from Grandpa at the top of a hill.  His famous line that I've heard atop MANY a hill (literal and metaphorical), "You can DO this."  I find myself saying this all the time to the girls (AND to myself!).  People sometimes cringe when they hear themselves sounding like their parents, but I'm pretty partial to this parent and the things he says.  :)



My fave shot of the day.


Beautiful, wise winter. 


1.20.2012

This is a few days late in posting, but I can't pass up the opportunity
to send some love all the way to Taiwan and say....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERIK!!!!!! 







We


You!



1.13.2012

Ice Cream for Dinner



The tooth fairy rides again!  I was looking through Bren's teeth and realizing there aren't many baby teeth left to lose!  Won't be long and we'll have a sweet brace face on our hands.  




Quite a haul!  (p.s.  How much do you LOVE Pippi!!!!!)




I saw this coffee filter bunting at Pitter Patter Art and fell in LOVE!  We had a snowy day yesterday, so the girls and I gave it a try.  (And I have to say, it makes me  SO HAPPY!!!)  It's so bright and colorful....we just can't stop admiring our work.  :) 




Bren's watercolor "night sky" and total sweetness, "Count your blessings like the stars."  Mixing words with image....my kinda artist!! 



To make the buntling, just watercolor paint on coffee filters,
fold them over and glue to some fun ribbon!



Luca is an absolute lover of color. 
In everything she does.  The brighter, the better! 








Finally, my friend Daphne inspired me to create New Year's interviews with the girls.  I love this idea of asking them questions and being able to look back on what was important to them at different ages.  Here are their answers.... 

BRENIN - 2012 - Age 8
1.  Fave food:  Sweet things (surprise, surprise)
2.  Fave drink:  Grape soda 
3.  Fave toy:  3DS
4.  Fave things to do:  Read, swim, camp, repeat
5.  Fave movie:  Secondhand Lions
6.  Fave TV show:  Wizards of Waverly Place
7.  Fave book:  Too many to name!! 
8.  Fave restaurant:  Culver's 
9.  Fave holiday:  My birthday
10.  Fave animal:  Horses
11.  Fave season:  Summer
12.  If you could change your name, what would you choose?  Eve 
13.  What do you love about Daddy?  He can never say "no"   (ahem....) 
14.  What do you love about Mommy?  "Everything"   (Had to put that in quotes, because that was HER exact word.  And then I gave her ice cream for dinner.)  ;-) 
15.  What do you love about Luca?  She's a really good person 
16.  Where would you like to go on vacation this year?  Chicago (I just love the museums there!)
17.  What are some of your wishes for this year?  To get more fit, to read more books and to get more healthy
18.  What do you want to be when you grow up?  "That's easy, a librarian!  Also a songwriter and a pastor." 
19.  Best friends:  Tucker, Olivia, Naomi and Luca 

LUCA - 2012 - Age 6
1. Fave food:  Spaghetti and macaroni & cheese
2. Fave drink:  Cranberry juice
3. Fave toy:  Baby dolls
4. Fave things to do:  Play with toys, swimming on hot days, camping
5. Fave movie:  Barbie Fashion Show
6. Fave TV show:  Cartoons
7. Fave book:  Joke books, On Mother's Lap
8. Fave restaurant:  Chinese
9. Fave holiday:  Christmas
10. Fave animal:  Monkey
11. Fave season:  Summer
12. If you could change your name, what would you choose?  Lily
13. What do you love about Daddy?  "I think Daddy's funny, and also he's kind and loving." 
14. What do you love about Mommy?  "Ahhh, lots of things!  She helps me,and she goes to the park with me.  She watches me play sports, and she also loves very, very much."  (Clearly I've brainwashed my children or at least taught them to butter me up good and thick.)
15. What do you love about Brenin?  "Her pranksters, I think for one.  She's very kind and is kind of funny when she says funny things." 
16. Where would you like to go on vacation this year?  Paris
17. What are some of your wishes for this year?  "I would like to see real fairies and go to Disney Land."  (Don't be afraid to dream big, sweetness!)  :)
18. What do you want to be when you grow up?  "What are you, Mom?"  I'm a transcriptionist.  "I could probably be one of those, 'cause you know I'm a Mother's girl!" 
19. Best friends:  Brenin, Meadow, Rayna, Eli and Carissa