A Day With a Niece and Nephew (07/31/22)

Today Greg and I spent the day at Bunker Beach, a local water park, with Allison and Rylar, our niece and nephew. Allison will turn 12 years old next month and Rylar will turn 11 years old in December. They both wanted to go to Bunker Beach for their birthday activity this year. Allison has been there a couple times, but this was Rylar's first time. 

We had a fun day there. Greg and Rylar spent most of the day riding the water slides together, and Allison and I spent most of the day floating on the Lazy Loop. When we weren't doing that we all spent time together jumping waves in the Wave Pool, which is pictured behind in us in the following photos. 

We all had a great day together! Happy early birthday to you both. Your Uncle and Aunt love you!

Nieces and Nephew Musings 02/27/15 & 02/28/15

This weekend was a dramatic weekend for the nieces and nephews. 

On Friday night, Ethan and Carissa performed in their school's Creative Expression Night. 

Ethan recited Lewis Carrol's Jaberwocky. 

Carissa recited Sick by Shel Silverstein

On Saturday, Emily played a townperson in the Community Theatre production of Pinnochio. 

All did a great job, and it was fun to attend their performances and see how God is gifting each one of them in the area of creative expression. 

Nephew Musings (of Basketballs & Birthdays)

Tonight was our nephew Ethan's birthday. He turned 12 years old today. He spent his birthday evening playing in a basketball tournament, and I (as well as several other family members) was able to go check out the action. I think it was particularly special because the tournament was held at his own school. His team is doing well this year. They've lost only one game this season, and they won their first game of the tournament, so they're still in the running for championship.

Happy Birthday, buddy! We're ever so glad God has placed you in our lives. 

Babysitting Musings 11/15/14

Last night Greg and I did some babysitting for the youngest of our nieces and nephews: Alli (4), Rylar (2-1/2), Enzo (1).

Soon after arriving at our home, Enzo decided he needed to free his feet from the tyranny of socks. Apparently wanting to keep one hand free for other things, he found the perfect place to keep the sock that was in his hand (his mouth). This is the kind of thing that parents are appalled by but aunts and uncles find to be very funny (thus, the picture). 

After dinner was over and everyone was changed into their pajamas, we brought out the toys (something new to our household, toys that is. We've managed to survive 19 years of marriage without them and babysit children countless times, but for some reason, toys now seem necessary -- so off to WalMart I went). 

The Mickey Mouse tool set was pretty popular. Everyone wanted to try on the hard hat (with Mickey ears). 

And I mean everyone. 

Oh yeah, the safety glasses too. 

                          

Enzo was so enamored with the hard hat that he would burst into giggles every time he was around it. I shot a short video to try to capture his glee. 

The blocks were also a popular toy. 

Just taking a little time to enjoy her masterpiece. 

When Greg and Enzo weren't exchanging hats and giggling, they just hung out together on the couch, relaxing. 

Or on the floor. 

Or on a chair. 

We're grateful to God for the opportunity to spend time with these little ones and to have a role in their lives. May He call them unto Him and may their lives (and ours) bring Him glory. 

Cookie Baking Night 09/15/14

Tonight was Cookie Baking Night. In attendance this evening: Ethan. I think this is the first time it has been just Ethan and me (and sporadic appearances from Uncle Greg).

We made raspberry oatmeal bars and chocolate caramel oatmeal bars (using this Strawberry Oatmeal Bar recipe and substituting the "strawberry" for flavors of our choice).

Ethan is quite the reader. The two of us spent about 25 minutes together on the couch reading our books side by side (definitely the first time that has happened in Cookie Baking history). 

For our Bible-focused time, we detoured from our regular book and read a couple chapters from "A Dangerous Journey, The Story of Pilgrim's Progress" Ethan seemed to enjoy it. When we finished reading, he said, "Whoa. There's a lot of symbolism in that book." (I was glad to see that didn't escape him, as the language of the book is "old English" in style--still kept his attention).

We ended the evening with a lively game of Phase 10. As usual, a fun time was had by all. 

Cookie Baking Musings 08/10/14

In Cookie Baking News, our youngest nephew, Enzo, turns 1 year old at the end of this week. We're saving a spot for you, little guy. Should the Lord allow, we'll see you at Cookie Baking Night in two years.

Babysitting Musings 07/12/14

Today I did a little babysitting for the youngest niece and nephews: Alli (3-1/2), Rylar (2-1/2), and Enzo (11 months). 

There was coloring

and sitting 

and standing

and wagon pulling 

and wagon eating

All the elements needed for a fun afternoon, and that it was. 

Niece and Nephew Musings 03/12/14

Nope. It's not Cookie Baking Night tonight. It just looks a little like it. Tonight we babysat three nieces and nephews (Alli and her two brothers, Rylar and Enzo) on Greg's side of the family and it happened to be on the same night Emily (niece on my side of the family) was scheduled to spend the evening with us, so she joined in the fun. It was a little younger of a crowd than we're used to (Alli is 3, Rylar is 2, and Enzo is 7 months), but it was a good time all the same. Emily is 13 years old now and eager to hone her babysitting skills. She was a big help. We even did a little cookie baking project (more like a sorting and melting project, but close enough). We thank God for the opportunity to serve Him this way and spend some time with the nieces and nephews this evening.

It's okay, you can say it, he's adorable. (Not quite crawling yet but poised for action at any moment). 

A little coloring 

A little handwashing

A little baby holding 

A little sorting 

(sorting out all the yellow M&Ms--excellent project for the little ones I might add)

A little eating 

(Rylar will be joining us at Cookie Baking Nights in December--this was a good trial run for us all)

Traveling Musings 11/09/13

Two weeks ago today I was in Arizona over the weekend. It was an unplanned visit, and a wonderfully pleasant one. Greg was working in Arizona for a week. He left on Tuesday and called me Thursday afternoon at work. He said he was staying at a nice resort in Phoenix and asked if I would like to visit there for the weekend (hmmm, let me think about that for a minute, Yes! Yes, I would). In God's providence, the weekend plans and upcoming work schedule were such that I was able to get away without being missed too much. So, Friday after work, I hopped a plane to Phoenix and returned on Tuesday morning (on the same flight as Greg). Greg was there working audio/visual production for the Arizona Jazz Festival. These out of state shows are often long hours and hard work, this one not being an exception to that rule. Greg thought it would be a good time for me to visit, though, because I could spend time within the resort and I have a step-sister in Phoenix as well (henceforth called my sister--"step" is the appropriate word to describe the mechanics of the situation but not nearly appropriate enough to describe the relationship). 

One morning, Greg spent some time showing me around his work area. I always enjoy seeing the area where he works and getting a better understanding of what he does on these big shows. 

Greg worked early morning on Friday until very late that night. I had several hours to kill before I met my sister and family for supper that evening and a rental car at my disposal, so I took a little day trip (about two hours from Phoenix) to Sedona, home of the red rock mountains. It was a lovely time (beautiful drive too). 

I had several occasions to see my sister Elan and family (every day actually). It was a surprise visit for them as well, but they incorporated me into their weekend like I lived in the area and they were expecting me. It was so good to see them. It's been far too long. Pictured above is my sister Elan, niece Julia (16), nephew Sean (14), and brother-in-law Tom. 

Pictured above is the venue where the Jazz Festival took place on day two of the event. Pictured below is the venue the day after the event ended (Greg and his boss, Dale, taking down equipment and loading the semi truck headed back to Minnesota). 

My husband works so very hard to support his family, and I'm grateful God allowed me the opportunity to see so many aspects of an out-of-town show on this trip. It increased my gratitude (and respect) for the husband God has given me. 

Well, I never actually spent any time at the resort other than sleeping, but I spent a lot of time with Elan and family, some time sightseeing on my own, and the rest of the time with Greg. A worthwhile trip, indeed, and I thank the Lord for it.