Miss Lo's Birthday Weekend and Cake

We had a very big weekend around here.  Miss Lola turned 4.  It hardly seems possible.  We, of course, had chocolate chip pancakes on Friday morning and then pizza and a movie (in) Friday night (Tangled of course).  I should probably mention that little man developed a double ear infection and we had to take him to the dr Friday morning.  He was a trooper : (

Saturday was the big party day - 'Tangled' themed, of course.  We had a lot of familiy and friends here and Lola had the time of her life : )  These pics are a bit out of order, but I think you get it...

Opening her presents with an audience.

The preschool day before her birthday when she brought cupcakes - very exciting!

I believe these are self-explanatory...

Tangled cake!

Thank you, pinterest : )

It was a very special time.  Lola is so very, very sweet, lovey, helpful, and special.  She does not pass up an opportunity to cuddle and often says, 'Mommy?  I love you.'  out of the clear blue.  She loves her older siblings and although she does her fair share of following them around she likes to come find Mommy in the kitchen and help.  She is all things girl.  If it's frilly she loves it.  If it's pink it's perfect for her.  She has been the one to let me dress her and is always requesting a dress.  She is very excitable.  She can't seem to keep her hands off of things.  She has to touch!  Grandma says shes very tactile.  She's very funny this way b/c it absolutely breaks her heart to get in trouble and she requires much consoling and sheds many tears.  But, she doesn't seem to be able to control herself.  She is always getting in her older sister's things and picking things up off the counter that aren't hers.  That's what I have to constantly remind her...'If it's not yours, don't what?'  *sigh* 'Touch it.'  She has what you might call a zest for life : )  Her excitement was contagious this weekend and I think everyone enjoyed it more b/c of it.

Lots and Lots

I have lots and lots of things to talk about. We had a very big weekend and I've tried a few new recipes, things just get away from me...

I need to start with my anniversary dinner with My Man. It was absolutely fantastic. We left after baby had eaten for the evening and the kids spent the night with my mom. Except Little Man, he stayed at the house with my sister. And let me just say, that a late night dinner was the way to go. Everytime I thought of my kids throughout the evening I knew they were asleep in their beds not even missing me. It was so relaxing.

We have always wanted to go to Piropos, been saving it for a special occasion. Such an occasion finally arrived. My parents told us a year ago they wanted to send us out to dinner for our 10th. They're so wonderful - and a complete blessing. Piropos serves Argentenian food and originated in Parkville (there's one in Briarcliff now, too). I could tell you step by step exactly how each course tasted but you might get sick of reading the word 'amazing'. Everything was so wonderful. We had empanadas, mahi mahi corn tortilla tacos, avocado soup (that's right), lamb chops, and ravioli deliciouso (lobster, crab, scallops, cream sauce... mmmmm). The server then brought out the dessert menu and told us to select something on the house for our anniversary. So, needless to say, I wholeheartedly recommend Piropos. Amazing food. Fantastic service. Oh, and the dessert we chose? Dark chocolate cake with chocolate ganache. There was something crunchy and mildly oreo-esque in there (obviously much more gourmet) with gorgeous fresh raspberries on the side. 'So good' just doesn't seem to give it justice.

And that was just the food! The company was even better : ) There's something to be said for having 6 hours alone with your husband of 10 years. He knows me so well. We have so many inside jokes and memories. And we actually have very little time to just sit and talk - I'm sure you can imagine. My very thoughtful husband asked me to choose just one moment that was my favorite in the last 10 years, which brought on a conversation about all of our best memories. And I'm sure there were some we failed to mention. We camped out for 2 or more hours. We sat at a table for two (not six : ) by the window and watched the sun go down on Parkville. What a great town - they have little fairy lights up year round! So romantic.

I would be remiss if I left out one very specific topic. We talked about God's grace. Specifically that we wouldn't have made it without Him. How much He has blessed and upheld us. The turning point in our marriage that really caused us to lean on Him. I've recently noticed how rarely I speak of my faith on my blog and it shames me. God is very much a part of my life and in every detail of everything I do. I hope all that I do as a wife and a mother glorifies Him above all else and I wish that showed up here more. Looks like I have work to do ;/

Regardless, all that we have and are is by God's grace. And we're so thankful.

I'll share my pictures next time, but for now I'll close out our date. We finally left the restaurant and took a little stroll around the 'ville (all that food!) Hopped in the car and took a round about way home. I've been thinking about it off and on all day everyday since. What a wonderful night.

So, I'm Behind...

Goodness, it's been busy! We're closing off the school year right now. Field trips, field days, tball games... Maryanna is about to turn 7, Powell is about to turn 5 and Lola and Christopher are 3 and 6 months. This year has gone so fast and been SO eventful! We've continued to enjoy crafts and baking. We also celebrated my baby brother's graduation. Below are a few pictures to try and catch up the status of my blog!

I love the smile on her face in this picture.

Down and ready!

Easter morning. Aren't they precious? Christopher was napping in the middle of the living room floor at this time!

That's my girl. She certainly enjoys a little silliness.

That would be avocados : )

I couldn't resist. Sometimes I look up and have to take a head count and pinch myself.

My sweet girl...

This was the day before Easter. We had big plans. I love how Lo and Powell are holding hands. They really are the best of buds while Nana's at school.

An Easter treat we tried (got the idea from a friend).

Powell helping decorate his Easter treats for his class. I don't know how the hat thing happened.

Maryanna's field day. She so enjoyed herself and so did I!

It's warming up! He such a lover!

I know. That hair.

I don't know what this was about...

And again with the hair.

This cracks me up. I've totally seen this face before. This is exactly what Nana and I look like when we cry.

He asked if he could hold him. : )

Baby brother's graduation cake.

Powell's birthday treats for his preschool class. Chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing. He's totally his mother's son.

I had some pictures stuck on the internal memory of my camera forever. So, here's a pic of our valentine's cookies.

Happy Happy Birthday...

Miss Lola was 3 yesterday. We had chocolate chip heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. :D Boy, that's a mouthful. I also made an m&m cookie cake for dessert after dinner. It was a high sugar day! I can't believe she's so old. She'll start preschool in the fall. Seems like we just brought her home from the hospital. The pictures of that day are precious. Powell still looks like a baby in them. Talk about a mess of a post. Random thoughts all over! Well, let me try to organize a cohesive thought...

I've just started a new study on the book Crazy Love. So far I love it. I've always been taught to start prayer by praising God. Telling him how awesome and majestic He is. And while He is all of those things, that doesn't really roll off my tongue well. But, in this first chapter of Crazy Love Francis Chan talks about the scripture that actually describes God in the Bible. Jewels... glowing.... angels contstantly singing 'holy, holy, holy'.... with their hands over their eyes...

And he shares this clip that I've linked to below, that shows how teeny tiny the earth is. And suddenly the few moments that I have in the morning before the house wakes up are much more focused. I don't just start throwing my stuff out at God's feet like a laundry list that needs to be covered in prayer. I just look out the back door at the stars and the snow and I think about who God is... and inevitable I think about how grateful I am. And suddenly my laundry list of worries and requests seems so insignificant and small. My God can easily care for those needs.

And you know what? The last few days have been really hectic. But, I have been very content, and even patient! There's a part of me, the realist I suppose (although my husband would tell you that I don't have a realist inside anywhere), that says the answer to day to day contentment and peace and patience isn't that simple. But, what if it is? Doesn't it make sense that if I just keep my priorities lined up with how big God is they won't get out of whack or overwhelming?

Stay tuned...

Crazy Love

Last Weekend

Well, we've still got some sniffly noses hanging on, but for the most part we're doing alright. And, for the moment, Christopher's sleeping fairly well. He seems to be able to sleep at night ok despite the 24-7 gas.

Saturday was a bit crazy. We went to my neice's 4th birthday party in the afternoon. Total princess party. Precious. Good food too. The girls wore dress up clothes and got to decorate crowns and wear makeup. My son dressed up as spiderman and chased people. He also made his own crown. Christopher, however, decided to be cranky. It could have been gas. It could have been that pesky 6 week growth spurt. Or he may just be a homebody. We really have stayed home more than ever before this time around. For many reasons. The weather. Illness. The number of kiddos running around here. Obviously the age of baby and my recovery. Anyway, back to Saturday.

Saturday after the party we went to my in-laws for dinner. My MIL graciously offered to feed us and give us a place to hang out and get ready in-between the party and the Christmas Program that night. So, we gobbled down chili and changed the kids' clothes (all the while nursing and consoling cranky baby), and then took off for our church.

The Christmas Program was precious, despite cranky baby. Young children in sheep costumes can't help but be cute. Even if they won't stand still, face-forward like they're supposed to. Or, despite all the vaseline to cure a chapped ring around his mouth and cautions not to lick, they're caught with their tongue out. The pictures tell the story.

Sunday we stayed home - again. Don't get me wrong, I love church. And I love showing off my new baby boy. But it seems like Lola comes home sick every time we go. And it's nearly impossible to keep anyone else from getting it. And, well, with new baby I've been more wary than ever of bringing even more germs home. We'll make it back. Eventually. Note: I've definitely been missing this influence in my life - there's just nothing quite like the teaching, praising and fellowship together.

So, we were home. recuperating. Christopher was still cranky, but it was much more manageable at home. By the afternoon, I was itching to make more Christmas treats. I've really, really enjoyed these activities this year. I'm sure it's partially b/c we've been home so much. Seems like I'm doing more of them too. Note to self for next year. Maybe I try to go too much. Anywho, last week I made sugar cookies and Sunday we made chocolate covered pretzels. The kids took turns choosing the type of sprinkle they wanted to use and then decorating their alotted pretzels. These were actually dipped in almond bark but that doesn't roll off the tongue the same.

So! Without further ado, here are the pics from the weekend!

Beauty.

Here is my relucant princess :-)

My gorgeous SIL. Can you believe she just had a baby?!

Spiderman!

Notice how often the sheep on the end is a blur...

Licking...

Swaying...

Turned around backwards... I should call attention to my girl's strict aderence to what she's supposed to be doing. That's my girl! (She gets very upset when everyone doesn't do what they're supposed to)

Licking and turned around backwards...

Got in trouble for running off into other people's pictures...

FYI, this is the pre-haircut pic. We girls are going to the salon soon.

And here are our pretzels and sugar cookie.