A funny family picture from our Thanksgiving weekend at Walawa Lake, Joseph, OR.The deer in that area are not at all afraid. This buck was one of three that were placidly standing in the same little area.

Baby Silas' hat. I made this hat for Paul and Becca's latest little baby boy. It's knit out of wool and lined with soft fuzzy fleece. That outta keep his baby head warm in chilly Wisconsin winters!

We got our first snow of the season last Thursday! Esther was fascinated by the strange white things coming out of the sky.

What fun!

The snow has not been back since then, but we're looking forward to it's next appearance.

After Mom helped me make Esther's cheerleading outfit, I got a serious bug to sew and create! So just days afterwards I made Esther this little sweatshirt. I did use a pattern, but I modified it just a bit.

We took these pictures at a pumpkin patch over in Washington a couple of Sundays ago. The first pumpkin patch for all three of us! It was really fun.

Culinary Delights

These muffins are a fabulous way to use zucchini. I mixed and modified two different muffin recipes that I found. The result was fantastic! Try them out for yourself and tell me what you think.

Lemon-Raspberry Zucchini Muffins

3 eggs

1 c unsweetened applesauce

2/3 c packed brown sugar

2 c grated zucchini

2 tsp lemon extract

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1/2 c whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 c fresh or frozen raspberries w/o syrup

1. In a large bowl, combine eggs, applesauce, sugar, zucchini, and extracts. Mix well. Add flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir to combine. Gently fold in fresh or frozen raspberries.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20-25 min, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Jolynn's Birthday Cake

My friend Jolynn had a birthday recently. She likes lemon cakes, so I made her a Double Lemon Streusel Cake from my Pillsbury Bake-Off Cookbook. It was a spruced up box mix and it was delicious. I would be happy to pass on the recipe if you'd like it.

I frosted the cake with cream cheese frosting and topped it off with a gumdrop rose.

Gorgeous.

Esther has discovered the joys of climbing. This was a box of things "to go" (like the air popper that I've had for two years and used twice...). Esther just climbed right up and perused the contents of the box.

The results of her findings:

1. The paper stuff that's used inside Easter baskets is delicious.

2. The plastic tops of air poppers are fun to bang on.

3. It can be a challenge to get down again.

That evening Esther fell asleep in my arms. That almost never happens, and it was a sweet time to treasure.

Esther the Curious A couple of days ago she discovered that she can work the bathroom drawer. Now its back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
Caught in the act.

The end table is super fun - the only problem is, How do I get out?
This bandaid must have fallen off the couch or something. I looked down and she had it in her mouth with an expression like "What?"

What's new in the life of Esther:

Taking baths in the big bath. Eating rice cereal. She is doing smashingly well. These two pictures are of her first tastes of "other food".
She loves it.
Saturday was her 6 month birthday. Wow. Already.
She's trying very hard to crawl. She's just getting the idea that if she gets her knees completely under her, then lays down, she can get a little foward motion.
Also, today she rode "big-girl" style in the grocery cart for the first time. (That is, no car seat.) A sweet older woman at the store stopped us so she could look at Esther. Esther looked up at her and the lady said, "Oh, what gorgeous eyes. What a handsome boy you are."

Next time she's wearing a bow on her head. :)

Two cute ones from my birthday on Sunday.

Cute teether.We know that you can't get enough of that adorable watermelon outfit.

(and the girl in it...)

So here you go.

4th of July

Esther & cousin Emily

Esther's first tromp through the woods.


The giant morel.

Logger Tricia

eggplant hat complete.

The sweater that Grandma Kathy knit fits! Esther looks beautiful in it!

A few of Esther's favorite things:

1. Watching her hands and feet (they're amazing and do amazing things).

2. Taking baths (just not the getting out part).

3. Sucking on her lower lip and tongue.

4. DADDY! (he's so silly and fun!)

5. Country music on car rides.

Tummy time is so much more fun now that my face doesn't have to be smashed into the blanket.
10 weeks old - 13lb. 1oz.

Our beautiful little Hawaiian girl.

8 weeks old.

A Promise of Spring.

I planted these beautiful pansies today while Esther was taking a nap.

I pinched off the blooms in order that they could put their strength into growing deep roots and a healthy plant. It's true that they will be robbed of their beauty for a short time, but when they do finally bloom, what gorgeous-ness they will display!

Today I'm praising the Lord for the times that He's pinched me back (and will continue to do so) in order that I might become the person He's shaping me into.

Chris got to feed Esther last night.

"Thank you, Daddy!"

Hat in progress.