Disneyland!

Today I took SIG to Disneyland for the first time. We met some friends from our home fellowship group, AJB, EB, and TF. While there, we went on 4 rides:

• The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• King Arthur's Carousel
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Casey Jr. Circus Train

SIG seemed to enjoy them all, for the most part. I think he experienced a good dose of visual over-stimulation, but he handled it well! After the last ride, we met up with more friends, but SIG and I were ready to head out. After a quick stop in Downtown Disney to pick up some Mickey Mouse souveniers, we headed home. I think we will try to get passes in the fall, so we can go on more rides and enjoy all the fun! Here are some pics from the day:

This is part of the entrance.

Here we are riding the carousel.

Here we are outside the castle at Fantasyland.

This is a pretty tree that was in bloom outside the entrance...
I just couldn't resist taking a close up! :)

Swimming Fun

We are in the midst of another heat wave and this time we got smart!
Here is SIG with his friend LD, enjoying the afternoon sun in her little pool.
And, here they are sharing a seat on the beach chair.

Happy Mother's Day - to the moms in my life

To my Mom, Susan:
You are a beautiful woman - kind-hearted, gracious, patient, forgiving - loved dearly by our Heavenly Father, and cherished by your children and grandchildren. I admire your strength and endurance, and the way you are constantly looking for the positive aspects of each situation. I know your life has not always been easy, and at times unjust and very painful. However, you have not let those times define who you are, rather you have entrusted your heart and soul to the Lord who made you and loves you and desires to pour out good gifts on you. Thanks for this great example to all of us, for always giving of yourself to enrich our lives. I honor you, and bless you as a woman and a mother. I love you, mom!

To my Mother-in-law, Cindy:
You are a gentle, gracious, and generous woman and mother.  Thank you for your love and tender care for me.  May the Lord give you increased hope, joy, and peace as you see your family grow and flourish.  I honor your life today, and bless you!  

To my sisters-in-law, Val and Amy:
Val, you are a great mom to your 3 young men!  You are the perfect wife for my brother - a compliment in so many ways.  The Lord has given you many wonderful talents, and as you offer those back to him in service, many others are encouraged and refreshed. Bless you! 

Amy, I admire your strength and grace.  You have a tender, mother's heart.  You, also, are a perfect match for my brother, and a wonderful mom for Andrew.  Bless you!

My girlfriends (near and far - you know who you are) - You are each wonderful friends, and the perfect moms for your little (and not so little) ones.  I appreciate your kindness and love to me, and I'm glad we get to walk through the mommy years together.  I honor each of you and bless you! Happy Mother's Day to you all!

A Boy and His Dog

I love this picture! Last weekend we had dinner with some friends, EB and AJB. A highlight for SIG was playing with their little dog, Emma. After dinner, SIG and Emma were playing on the sofa, and EB started snapping a few pictures. I love the expressions on both their faces! This was really a good shot, because SIG doesn't often hold still that long for pictures, and EB said that Emma doesn't either. Here is another cute pose:

EB has recently started her own photography business. If you are in CA and need a photographer, be sure to get in touch with her - EB Photo and Design.

Thanks EB for these adorable pictures - they are wonderful!

Legos and Friends

Today we took a walk up the street to visit some good friends. Here is SIG with his buddy Emilio (who just turned 4). We we walked up to the door, Emilio was waiting for us, and he brought out his big box of legos to play with. Emilio built some great towers, and SIG tore them all down. Emilio also took this photo of us:

Much fun was had by all!

A New Friend

Today we all had lunch with a friend who had moved out of state last year. She and her husband had their first baby on Christmas Day - a sweet little boy. Here are the two babies:
And, here are my two boyfriends:Notice the middle finger in SIG's mouth...he used to do this all the time, but we hadn't seen it in a while. I was happy to catch it on film today. Cute, huh?

Homemade Brownies

Want to come over for a glass of milk and a brownie?

Several months ago, I tried a Martha Stewart recipe for homemade brownies...it was supposed to be quick, easy, and come out tasting oh-so-yummy. After one bite, my hubby said, "what's wrong with these?"... and I knew I wouldn't be making those again! I didn't really like them either. We gave up on trying homemade recipes and decided to only make the boxed kind of brownie mixes.

Recently, my friend Meredith posted a recipe for her homemade brownies. They looked easy, and I decided to try them last night. Here's the picture:

These brownies are so delicious! They are fudgy and moist, just the way they should be. And, they are at least an inch thick. This recipe was easy and quick, and the brownies are delicious. My hubby loves them, too! Try them when you get a chance - here's the recipe:

Brownies
2/3 c butter
1 1/2 c sugar
1/4 c water
2 c milk chocolate chips
2 c semisweet chocolate chips
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

• In a heavy saucepan bring butter, sugar and water to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
• Stir in the milk chocolate chips until melted, cool slightly. [Note: The richer and smoother the chocolate, the fudgier the brownies are. I made this with some leftover premium fondue chocolate and they were the fudgiest brownies ever!]
• Beat in vanilla.
• In a mixing bowl beat eggs. Gradually add chocolate mixture.
• Add dry ingredients. Stir in semisweet chocolate chips.
• Spread into a greased 13x9x2" baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool on wire rack.
• Cut into bars. (Hint: For straight cuts, use a plastic knife.)

My note: I used all semi-sweet chips, and they were great. I want to try them with dark chocolate, too.

Easter Fun

Here is a cute picture of SIG on Easter.  He is "playing catch" with another little boy in the backyard.  Don't you just love the cute hat?

We enjoyed a fun get-together hosted by some good friends of ours, along with a number of other friends they know as well.  It was a relaxing, comfortable time filled with delicious food, fun games, and good fellowship.   

Remembering Matt Peterson

I found out last week that one of my childhood family friends died suddenly.  He, and two others, were riding their bicycles on a road near San Francisco when a car struck them.   He was killed on impact, one rider died at the hospital, and the third survived with injuries.  Read about the accident here and here. They were hit by a sheriff's officer who may have fallen asleep. 

When I was young, my family spent many weekends at Matt's family home in AZ, with his parents and two sisters.  We enjoyed many fun times, and my brothers and sister all have some wonderful memories of those years.  I didn't keep in touch with the kids after my family moved from the area, but their friendship impacted me very deeply. 

Matt's older sister Mary help start Maggie's Place, a house of hospitality for expectant women where they can receive support and preparation for parenting, as well as strive toward personal growth. 

I am praying that Matt's parents and sisters are comforted by the Lord in this time of grieving.  Along with his family and friends, I honor his life.  I'm also praying for the officer that hit him - surely he needs the mercy and grace of God in this dark time.  

Read Matt's obituary here. 

To my family - please post memories you have of Matt and his family!