Morning Date

Gram graciously offered to take Peter to OT one morning and then to do something fun with him.  So Lily and I did the same thing!

She came shopping with me... ON (instead of OT) for a skirt... thanks, EBD!

Then we stopped for a Starbucks... I got a latte and she wanted this :)

 We went to the Children's Museum... 

I like them painting there.  

I want new masterpieces at home without having to get messy at home...

 Then apple picking... and the end of my pictures.  It was a fun morning with just her! 

Goo and I both want to trade up and do it again!

Birthday Treats, Etc...

Mike's parents weren't able to make it to the river for Lily's party like usual b/c they were coming home from England (fun!).  Their gift was delivered to our house but we had them show it to her when they came over.

I wish these captured her face and excitement better... she was SO excited!!

 We only got the furniture out the first night and that was enough for her.  She was so excited!  Pink Dog and Blue Dog got in on the action and tested out the furniture.

 I wish I'd posted in more real time to remember the exact story but the kids are getting some guitar time in with Mike....

 wanting his picture taken... I love that face.

 Playing with one of Lily's gifts from Maw.  

They LOVE it and I love that it helps them learn.

 John, Jessica, and Audrey stopped by on their way home from the river (a second week).  Audrey tried to sit in the doll house chairs. 

Silly girl! 

 It certainly is too small for Uncle John.

 High heels from Aunt Emmie

{these sweet 3 year old chubby feet remind me of miniature edematous old feet from my hospital days.... but much softer and less crusty  ;)}

 Butterfly or Fairy Wings from Aunt Carrie

plus many more.... just a little spoiled (and loved!)...

Lily's Birthday

I haven't yet done a post of Lily's birthday party... so here we go...

I love colors!  I can never decide on only two colors for a bday party so this year I went with rainbow colors... rainbows have come up lately... looking for them after summer storms and the pot of gold at the end. :)  So I went for an attempt at the rainbow cake that you see EVERYWHERE online.  I didn't do a trial run b/c who has time for that?  I was really happy with my colors here (turns out, even with a fancy camera, my pics still look ordinary... hmmm).  

BUT THEN... I didn't even get pics, the layers started to crack.  And cracked layers don't stay on top of each other.  They slide.  My cake began to look more like a rainbow volcano cake... ahhhh, and I hadn't even gotten all of the layers on.  My sweet husband decided that maybe we could freeze the cake with some "support" (a cut up Cheerios box) and then add icing it at the last minute.  That just wasn't working for me.  ;)

Thank you, Michael.  I love you. 

 As the cake was taking a temporary stent in the basement freezer, the birthday girl got to eat the leftover crumbles.

 I finally decided that we just had to truffle the cake... There wasn't a proper truffle bowl in the house so we just plopped it all in this glass bowl, added some extra icing and sprinkles (of course), and that was our cake.   

Paw was sure to tell me it was the best cake he'd ever had.  :)

 It was sorta cute and happy!

Should I add this to Pinterest?!?

 Lily Bug went off to take a nap while we finished party preparations.  I had to get a picture of the girl for her birthday wake up, like last year.  :)

 She was quite happy to see all of her party treats!

{"Trix Treats", Rainbow Fruit (thanks, Cha!), rainbow and white chocolate pretzel sticks}

 telling and showing Paw how old she is turning.  :)

 bubby and sissy, best of friends... oh how I love them.

Cha and kids joined us :)

 Paw enjoying cake

 and possibly my favorite picture of the week... Lily and Daddy.  

Reminds me of this picture, before blogging days :)

{11 mo old Peter}

Indeed in our hearts, we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.  On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

2 Cor 1:9-11

our thankfulness is never ending for Peter's life and health.  

we pray it again and are so thankful for the prayers of many.

A Plugger's Slide

Paw rigged up this slide for the kids.  He had the yellow part and added the rest.  The kids obviously loved it.  They tried every way they could think of to go down.... forwards, backwards, belly, back.  In true Peter style, he named each way they went with a made up name.... i.e. "mahagaga".  Do you have any idea what that means?  Me either.  

Our own little beach

Working my way through the week of pics is not so easy.

So our first little bit...

The 4 of us walked to the little beach that's at the sandbar in front of the river house...

 Then it was out onto the sand bar...

Lily is a little lighter than Peter...  ;)  nearly 20 lbs lighter!... so easier to swing and throw

 This hat drifted up on shore.... Peter tried it out....