Love the Lord your God, listen to His voice and hold fast to Him, for the Lord is your life! Deut. 30:20


Monday, June 21, 2010

Arkansas


Jill, Hannah, Sophia and I went to Arkansas last week.

It was a LONG drive!






People say that Kansas is hot - but Arkansas is HOT and HUMID!! The girls jumped into the pool soon after we got there!











Josh had worship team practice the evening we arrived and Staci suggested we go to one of her favorite restaurants. We followed Staci but she made a turn and we missed it. The adventure turned out to be fun! Staci directed us via cell phone as she went the way she was going and we went another route. We ended up going through the University of Arkansas campus, including the stadium.


Here is the place Staci wanted to go to.





We didn't know it, but it was Daddy-Daughter date night at Chick-fil-A that evening. Over half the tables had white tableclothes complete with flowers in vases. Each daughter was presented with a flower too. This man was quite the Southern gentleman.


Meeting the cow.



If you look closely in the back, the cow is playing peek-a-boo. Emeri was frightened by the cow, but he slowly eased himself closer and in the end, Emeri even high-fived him.


The gentleman gave each of our little ladies a kiss on the hand. It was just adorable!








Eli didn't get a kiss. He did get a hand shake though. (Notice his KU shirt?! It was from us of course)



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Emeri and Eli live right next door to their other grandparents (who are also dear friends of ours). They have a koi pond and the kids got to feed the fish.





Playing in Elijah's walker is a blast!



Bed time story. I think Emeri looks like the baby on the cover!


The next day was also very hot. Josh and Staci have friends just down the street who have a pool and we went to take a dip.






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I had purchased these from Bed, Bath & Beyond. Waxed pipe cleaners that bend to make all kinds of things. Hannah loves crafts so I knew she would love these!


Hannah and her mommy made some pretty cool things with them. Hannah came up with a bumblebee all on her own. And the spider too I think.


The cousins took a picture to give to Papa for Father's Day. The mommies were pretty frustrated because the kids didn't cooperate but I thought they turned out ok. The kids were pretty silly!






It was time to go back to Kansas and on our way out of town, of course, we had to make another stop at our new favorite fast food place again!


Would you believe they encourage parents to get in the play gym with their children?





Rumor has it that one of these restaurants will be making their way to Wichita soon! (I know there is one on the WSU campus but it will be fun to have one that is not on a college campus)
It was fun to see you guys! See you again in August!

Celebrating Dads

Celebrating Dads
Mom invited us over to honor our dads.
We had brownies with all the toppings.

YUM!


Aunt Millie also came. And Mindy too but I didn't get a picture of her. Sorry Min! Sophia and Hannah love their Aunt Mindy!


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But before dessert, we went on a hike on the trail just north of the Bethel College campus. If you have never done that, it is well worth it. Has a feel of being in Colorado! It was almost 100 degrees yesterday, but in the woods, it didn't feel so bad actually.



Water break!




Stopping for a picnic supper.....
...do you see Sophia's little fingers pinched together? Can you guess what she found?
Something a little tasty - mulberry bird poop. Yep. Guess she didn't know that a wonderful brownie dessert was waiting at Grandma Lois' house.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Community Life pool party

Allen and I led a newly married community life group (small group at church) this past year. This weekend we had a pool party at the Olson's. (The Jordans weren't able to come and we missed them!)

We had great food!! brisket, chicken, potato salad, devilled eggs, chips, brownies.....

Here is Brian and Christina Siriwardina's recipe for their excellent bbq sauce:

3 cups ketchup
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon curry powder

1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the all the ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered for 1 hour. Stir often.
2. Remove from heat. Cool mixture to room temperature. cover and chill in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Makes about 4 cups.


The guys played water polo.














While they took a break, we girls went in to relax.






We played this yard game but first we had to get rid of a spider.



What happens when the guys play...




community life....
living life together