I Just Love My Kids

I just love this picture of Kaitlyn. She had taken him for me because he was crying and I couldn't get to him right away. I thought it was so cute so I took a picture.

I love my kids soooo much.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Wordless Wednesday - Chalkboard Artwork

Some of Kaitlyn's (our 11 yo) random artwork :)

Learning to Cook

Those of you who have followed me for a while remember that I love to cook and have a hard time remembering to invite my kids to join me so I can teach them. Since I've taught Christiana (my 15 yo) to cook and she can manage the kitchen well by herself, I have not put as much time into feeling like I need to teach Kaitlyn. Fortunately, Kaitlyn is earning her cooking badge for AHG (American Heritage Girls) which forces me to teach her. This particular day she learned to make Enchilada Casserole all by herself.

Browning the meat

Mixing the corn and sauces

Casserole all put together

Carefully putting it in the oven

Everyone really enjoyed it.

Katilyn did a GREAT job :)

Now that she has gotten the chance to cook supper she loves cooking and asks me everyday if she can help. It helps me remember to bring her in and teach her. It's been a lot of fun and I have really enjoyed the time I've gotten to spend with her. It's a good thing :)

Happy Birthday, Kaitlyn!

Today is Kaitlyn's 11th birthday. I am so blessed to have her in my life. She is my sweet baby girl and forever my Little Princess. What a beautiful young lady you have become both inside and out. I love you, Sweetheart. Happy Birthday!

I Timothy 4:12
Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

To Shell or Nut to Shell?

Today we learned about hickory nuts. My husband and older boys went on a hike this past weekend and Micah brought back a box full of nuts (that at the time I recognized but didn't know what kind they were or if you could eat them). Since doing a little research, we have learned that they are hickory nuts and can be eaten like pecans, in fact they are part of the same family as the pecan.

Hickory nuts

We did learn that you cannot break them open with a regular nutcracker. It takes a hammer and hitting them in the right place to get the meat out.

Tried using a nut cracker, didn't work.

These cracked nuts were done with a hammer.

Kaitlyn cracking hickory nuts with a hammer outside.

A closer look

One of the things that we love doing around Thanksgiving is buying nuts in their shells and breaking them open ourselves. I know it takes more time, but it's fun for the kids and has become a tradition around my house. In fact, when I buy the bags of shelled nuts I get, "Aww Mom, why are you buying those. We like to break them open ourselves." So this year we are breaking open our nuts (I may buy some small bags of shelled nuts, just in case the ones being shelled get eaten, that happens often).

For now we are working on hickory nuts and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Next week we will begin shelling pecans and walnuts for our Thanksgiving meal.

Joshua wanted to try.

(Excuse the toothpaste stains)

Josiah digging out the meat from the hickory nut.

How about you? Do you ever shell your own, or do you always buy the bags of shelled nuts? If you've never shelled your own, try it out. It's a lot of fun for the kids and keeps their hands busy for quite some time :)

Modeling Fun

My sister-in-law is taking photography classes and needed to take some shots for class, so she asked my two girls if they wanted to model for her. Of course, they said yes, and had a blast helping her out. I think she did a great job. Here are a couple of pictures she took.

Christiana near a passing train

Kaitlyn surrounded by beautiful fall colors

Happy Birthday, Kaitlyn

Today is my daughter, Kaitlyn's, 10th birthday. (For those of you keeping up, yes this is the third birthday three weeks straight). It's hard to believe that 10 years ago today I was holding her as a newborn in my arms. She is such a sweetheart and always has been. She was my easiest baby; sleeping through the night at 8 weeks old (I could lay her down and she would just go right to sleep), then when she would wake up she would just sing until I came to get her, she potty trained quickly and didn't have hardly any accidents at night, she can keep herself entertained for long periods of time playing or drawing. She loves to be cuddled with and is a compassionate person. I am proud to be her mother and feel that I am blessed to have her in my life.

I love you Kaitlyn! You are beautiful inside and out and I look forward to watching you grow into the awesome woman that God has designed you to be. Happy Birthday!

Funny story

Just a funny story I had to share...We went out to eat tonight, and as usual, as we walk in the restaurant people stare at the size of our group. I wonder what they're thinking. Some look at us as if we are going to disturb their quiet evening out (then seem pleasantly surprised when they realize how quiet and well behaved our children are at restaurants), others smile as if remembering the days when they had small children and others seem to wonder how we can afford to take our family out to eat (with coupons and water for everyone). Each older child has a younger buddy they help and keep track of. So, as we are leaving the restaurant and crossing the parking lot, Kaitlyn our 9 year old, starts yelling out to one of the little boys and trying to get him to stop running in the parking lot (a BIG no no for our kids) and herding him back closer to our group. As the little guy turns around Kaitlyn realizes he's not one of ours and we all get a chuckle out of her innocent mistake. You know you're part of a large family when you try to corral all small children around you to join your family.