Happy Birthday Aunt Leigh!

Today is Aunt Leigh's birthday! I pray her day will brings to her the favor of the Lord.

Here's a picture of Aunt Leigh and McKenna playing the Thinking Game. They were playing hide and seek in their minds. (Only Leigh could come up with that.) However, Leigh seemed to think it was okay to hide in the trunk of the car!!


I had a few other pictures of Aunt Leigh....but each picture was of her hair swinging around the camera as she tried to dodge the lens or of the palm of her hand as she tried to cover the lens before I snapped it.


Happy birthday Aunt Leigh!

Kjelshus Family Reunion

This August we went to the 2nd Annual Kjelshus Reunion at Kjelshus Point on Lake Hanska. What a pretty lake and what a gorgeous spot! The day was fun. The girls had a blast. They swam in the lake with Daddy. Later, Daddy brought them (and a few other cousins) on a paddle boat ride. McKenna also got to ride a jet ski for the first time. I was in high school the first time I rode a jet ski!

A special thanks to Frank and his crew for planning and organizing. Thanks to Anne and Dave and family for hosting. Thanks to Dave for giving the kids jet ski rides for 2 hours!! And, thanks to Aunt Virginia for taking and sending pictures!

Here are Cousin Kelsey, McKenna and Ella. They picked flowers, twigs, cat tails, etc and made "nature wands" for a while. Here, Ella was a little fixated on binding her wand together with a long piece of grass.

Afterwards, we stopped by Aunt Virginia's farm. This time of year most farms have lots of kittens wibble-wobbling and pouncing around the property. Hers was no different. Those of you who know me, know that I cannot be around kittens without touching them. I'll tell ya what...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. McKenna and Ella couldn't stay away from them. There was one particularly cute kitten. It was black with longer fur. It had subtle markings around the face and tummy. It reminded me of a cat my family had growing up (We had a white cat named Crocket and a black cat named Tubbs). I REALLY wanted it. Almost this bad! I still want to drive back down and get it. It was the healthiest of all the cats and the calmest! Aunt Virginia....hold on to it. I am still trying to convince Arthur! Arthur, PUH-LEEZE!!???

When we asked the girls what their favorite parts of the day were....Ella said, "definitely the kittens." For McKenna it was a toss up between the kittens and the jet ski!

PS: That black kitten that Ella is holding! I want it! It's so cute. I cannot kiss it enough!

Wordless Wednesday

Amusement Park Fun

Recently we took a little trip to Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America. We joined our friends the "J's." They had some season passes that were soon to expire. McKenna will pretty much ride anything she is tall enough to ride. Ella is a bit more selective, but having a fearless friend along helped her quite a bit. She rode the log chute for the first time--and loved it. Here are a few cute shots we managed to get.

Ella really enjoyed the characters. She is quite the kinesthetic learner. We could hardly keep her from pinching, pulling, prodding and poking the costumed employees. It was funny.

Mmm...mmm....Monday

Again, these recipes are from church friends. Enjoy!

Caramel Chex Mix

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. Corn syrup
1/2 c. margarine or butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. vanilla

In a GLASS bowl, mix first four ingredients and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Mix once. Add baking soda. Micro 2 minutes. (Should be at full boil.) Add vanilla.

Dry ingredients could be a variety of things.... Here are a couple of suggestions:

option 1:
10 cups cereal (chex or crispex work well)
3 cups mixed nuts
4 cups mini pretzels

(I have also used Cheerios and Total!)

option 2:
3 quarts popped popcorn

Pour syrup over dry ingredients. Micro 4 minutes stopping at each minute and mixing well. Pour out onto cookie sheets to cool. Break apart and serve!

Almond Bars

Crust:
1 c. butter (softened)
2 c. flour
½ c. powdered sugar

Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
2 eggs
½ c. sugar
1 t. almond extract

Frosting:
2 c. powdered sugar
¼ c. butter (softened)
1 ½ T. milk
1 t. almond extract

Crust: Mix butter, flour & powdered sugar until crumbly & press into 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

Filling: Mix softened cream cheese, eggs, sugar, & extract. Spread over crust & put back in oven for 15 min.

Frosting: Mix together powdered sugar, butter, milk & extract. Add more milk if needed & mix until spreadable. Spread onto cooled bars.

Variations:

Use orange extract and orange food coloring to make "Orange Dream Bars" or peppermint extract and green food coloring to make "Christmas Bars."

Little Fire Fighters

A friend from church organized a trip to the local fire department. I did this at a different fire department about 3 years ago. It was interesting. The fire department that Stephanie brought us to was fantastic. It was HUGE. The firefighters that gave us a tour were so patient and understanding of our kids. They just let the kids go in and out of the trucks, try on the clothes, ask questions. Kudos to the NSPFD!!!

McKenna's Gymnastics Show

I told you about Ella's ceremony, right? Yea, I thought I did. Over Memorial Day weekend, McKenna was in the Spring Gymnastics Show at Rising Stars! The show went ALL DAY LONG. Thankfully, we just went during her class time slot. Whew!

Here's a picture of her age group warming up. There were a lot of girls in her age group. They broke them into groups of ten after the warm up. It was a little like a 5 ring circus.

A part of McKenna's floor routine.

Here she is receiving her medal on the plat form. Before they announced her name I watched the announce whisper something to McKenna and McKenna responded back. What do you think that was about? Maybe name pronunciation? That's my guess.

The Things They Say

While walking into Petco, a local pet and supply store, Ella explained to me how strong of a desire she had.

Ella: "Mom, I really want a kitten."

Me: "We already have a cat, Ella."

Ella: "As much as I have Jesus in my heart, that's how bad I want a kitten! Really, Mom."



On another occassion, when she was quite happy with me--

Ella: "Mom, your the bestest mom. Even better than Sophie's mom."

Wordless Wednesday

Mmm...mmm....Monday

Greek Garden Appetizer

1 carton (8 oz.) spreadable garden vegetable cream cheese
2 cups (8 oz.) crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup plain yogurt
½ teaspoon minced garlic
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cups chopped cucumber
1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes
¼ cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
Pita bread pockets, cut into wedges

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, feta, yogurt, garlic, oregano and pepper. Spread into a 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with cucumber, tomatoes, onions and olives. Serve with pita bread wedges. Refrigerate leftovers. Makes 4 cups.

This recipe came from a friend from church.

Gymnastics

Ella and McKenna have been in gymnastics all year. On the last day of Ella's class there was a little program. The girls did a floor routine (a few jumps and a forward roll) and received a medal. It was one of the cutest things! Thanks to Ella's friends and grandparents for coming to support her.

Here is teacher Ron and the students. There were only two girls in the class. We loved that!

Sitting in the circle waiting to warm up!

Ra Ra Ree

McKenna school offered a cheer clinic one Saturday in early May (it could have been April, I am that far behind on things). McKenna and her friend decided to go.

She really enjoyed it. I didn't realize that her little hips could swing so far! For days now she has been dancing/cheering down the grocery aisles, at the dinner table, probably in Sunday School. We have to remind her to stop.

Happy Independence Day

Here's an oldie, but a goodie. Four generations!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday. I do not have any recent photos of her and I am a bit angry about that.

Mom, you never want your picture taken. I will not listen to you anymore when you say that!!

Picture or no, I do wish her a happy birthday. My mom does many great things for me that help me and sometimes mold me. However, it's her prayer for me that is priceless and much appreciated. I know that when I call my mom and ask her to pray for me, she does. She prays fervently!

Mom, happy birthday!

Also, these friends and family are celebrating this month as well:

3rd Laura Seeber
3rd J.C. Cambron
4th Laurie Nothom
8th Samantha Gay
11th Pam Higgins
12th Lindsey Zielinski
19th Kyle Beshears
19th Linda Arledge
20th Dylan Kotten
21st Max Arledge
21st Joanna Yoder
25th Nathaniel Gay

Whew! That's a lot of family birthdays! Now, you see why I say this!

Wordless Wednesday