Memorial Day Weekend

Was a GREAT Memorial Day Weekend.  It's usually hit or miss around here...cold and rainy or warm and sunny.  This year...warm and sunny all weekend long!  Sunday we went to church and had my parents over for a cookout to enjoy the beautiful weather.  Went on another walk along the River Walk in Mishawaka and actually used Ben's pedometer to see how long of a walk it was...2 1/4 miles one time around from Central Park to Logan Street and back.  Nice walk for the doggies.  Ben and Tyler did some twilight golf at Juday Creek while Gabi and I just relaxed the rest of the evening. 
Monday we went to the Parade in Mishawaka with my parents and Tyler and Abby. 

They went their separate way while Ben, Gabi and I picked up Gabi's boyfriend (yes, he asked her to be his girlfriend with a homemade sign and Hershey Kisses on Saturday evening) to go fishing with us.

We have a rule to hang out with her boyfriend right now, it's with mom and dad too.  Gabi has been a good sport about it all, but it's just all began.  We went up to Birch Lake and got into some bass.  It's kind of funny...Alex is a football player and a wrestler and he won't touch fish.  It was definitely comical watching Gabi take the fish off the hook for him.  Alex did promish he may try to do it in the future if he goes again with us.  We had a good time.  Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful weekend.  And to listen to the storms roll through during the night was calming.  Great weekend.

Gunnar Turns One!

So I probably went a bit overboard for Gunnar's first birthday today.  Made Maizy and him some doggie cupcakes (recipe found online), but mainly just cuz I wanted to see what they were all about.  They didn't look too appetizing but they both liked them.  Went to the Farmer's Market this morning after a quick photo session with the one year old and picked him up a Lamb's Ear.  He finished that sucker off within 5 minutes.  Tops.  Loved it. 

And earlier this afternoon, maw maw and paw paw, Tyler and Abby met Gabi, me and Gunnar at Urban Swirl to get him some birthday doggie ice cream. 

Needless to say, this guy is spoiled.  Just like his big sister.  I love my fur babies.  Other than that, made a yummy strawberry rhubarb pie and Abby got me hooked on some Hovenkamps Dill Dressing from the Farmers Market...put it on some cucumbers and wowsers!!  YUMMY.  All courtesy of fruits/veggies from the Farmer's Market.  Couldn't ask for a more beautiful weekend.  Ben is on his way home from fishing on Erie and from what I hear, they killed it today...maxed out quickly and caught some monsters. 

Been a good day...oh, and Gabi went with her friend, Alex Faulkner and his family to a barbecue...not sure if this is a start to something, but just feeling a bit frightened about her growing up.  And as promised...a pic of the Baltimore Oriole who loves to visit.  We think it's dad R just letting us know he is around and that makes us happy.

Day 7 Bluebirds and a Choir Concert

Growing beautifully!

And look what else we found while the boys were mowing tonight...they had to catch a couple and put them back into their nest under Gabi's trampoline.  Not too excited about having them near my garden though!

Last night we went to Gabi's last concert at JYMS - her Spring Concert.  I actually enjoyed this one better than Mayfest!

Gone to the Birds

So lucky to have so many different types of birds nesting around our house this year!  And this year we have a pair of Orioles sharing our hummingbird feeder with the hummingbirds!  In fact, I had to place two feeders!  Just very cool because Ben said his dad's favorite bird was the Baltimore Oriole and would you believe, that is the bird that has been visiting us on a daily basis! 
Baby birds taken on Monday

 Mourning dove nesting in our front tree where the boys used to climb

 Robin Eggs in our tree in the very front where we can watch out our window and see everything. 

And we have some chickadees living inside my welcome sign like we did last year!  Very fun to watch all these birds!

Weekend

This weekend has definitely been a crescendo.  Started out cold and dreary - 50's.  In fact, a cold wet week is what we left behind going into the weekend.  Had to cover garden and flowers Wed., Thurs., and Fri!  So glad it ended up nice in the upper 60's and sun today. 
I've anxiously been awaiting baby bluebirds and finally found three new ones - just hatched Saturday morning. 

Gabi made the JV squad for Mishawaka along with two other freshman girls last week.  Needless to say we are extremely proud.  She also made their new Competition Team this year.  Exciting stuff to happen at the High School.  The Mishawaka cheerleaders were able to do their first outing as a team at the annual Relay for Life Saturday.  They led the Survivors on the first lap and then worked a hair booth all day on Saturday.  Ben and I joined in for a while - a great cause for the community to come together for.

And today we couldn't resist checking out the River Walk with the dogs because the sun was finally shinging through so bright!  I think we tuckered them out pretty good!  Looking forward to a warmer, brighter week.

In other news...Gabi made the Level 4 team at ICE.   The teams are not definite yet, but Darlene Fanning is the coach.  We are thinking Weather Girlz but will know later in the month.  Gabi is beyond excited about the tough practices.  Should be a great year.

Mother's Day Weekend

Ben was able to do some fishing with Dave on Saturday (Duert Lake) and caught some nice crappies.  Apparently many had eggs so the spawning has begun.  We helped Presley and Reese celebrate their birthdays and off to the ICE banquet we went.  Villa Macris was the setting...pasta, meatballs and salad was the entree.  Lots of tears were shed saying goodbye to Coach Andrew.  He will definitely be missed.  Was surprised by Tyler making it home late last night after the festivities.  He wanted to be home for Mother's Day.

Today snuck up on us quickly.  So very lucky that Tyler, Abby and Gabi all made it to church with me.  Missing Trenton.  Glad I was able to talk to him today.  Sounds like he has been working hard and alot.  Counting my many, many blessings recounting good memories of the kids growing up.  Lunch was fun, as always.  Good food, sunshine and lots of laughs made it an extra special day.  So now, we sit, waiting to see the results from the ICE tryouts this past week.  Yes, we have committed to ICE another year.  Expecting good things from Coach Darlene Fanning back in Mishawaka.  She just so happens to be the one who coached Lady Lightning...World Champs this year at Worlds in Orlando Florida.  First time every for ICE.  Excited to see if Gabi lands on her team this year.  If so, we should see so great things out of Gabi.  She will most definitely be pushed to her limits. 

Mayfest 2014

Gabi was able to perform in the Annual Mayfest at Mishawaka High School last night.  It was the choirs, band and orchestra from 8th grade and the high school combined.  We appreciated maw maw and paw paw coming last night to watch as well.  In fact, the Battle Hymn of the Republic is a traditional song concluding the evening.  My mom remembered singing that when she was in the choir at Mishawaka! 

The best part of Mayfest for the girls is being able to get dressed up and Gabi found the perfect dress at Kohls last week.  She was looking awful pretty last night! It was funny to see the girls taking selfies before Mayfest began...as you can see below...

 

 

Bluebirds

I think I forgot to mention that we have bluebird eggs again...hopefully with the first one to hatch right around Mother's Day...so happy to see my house finally producing baby bluebirds!  If these eggs hatch and leave the nest that will be the second successful brood since we have lived here. 

Easter Weekend

This weekend was pretty productive.  Tyler was able to come home for the extended weekend so he was able to spend some time with us.  Friday was a busy day.  Ben actually took me shooting at Midwest Gun and Range in the morning.  First time at a range and I have to say, it was fun.  Later in the afternoon Ben finished chopping up the wood and we cleaned up the yard since the weather was so good. 

Saturday Ben and Tyler did some fishing while Abby and I took a trip to LaGrange County to the Route 20 Antique Store.  She had been wanting to go so we went.  A little side trip to Rise N Roll sounded good to pick up some Easter breakfast.  We ended Saturday with a cookout on the grill and Tyler, Abby and Gabi colored the eggs.

Sunday the Easter bunny didn't disappoint.  All the kids, including Trenton (mailed), got their favorite candies and a bathing suit for the summer.  We went to church and followed up with our annual Easter Egg Hunt at maw maw's and paw paw's house.  The kids never go wrong there. 
With the weather being sunny and in the 70's we decided a quick little ride on the river was in order.  Gunnar enjoyed the ride.  With Tyler on the road back to Bloomington, cars washed and cleaned out, we are ready to kick back and enjoy the quiet.  What a beautiful day to celebrate Easter. 

Philippians 3:10-12 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (NIV)

I am so glad I know a risen Savior today.  Thank you Lord, for allowing us to spend a great day with family and for loving us and directing our paths. 
Happy Easter!