Kevin's Recovery

Thanks so much for the encouraging comments and prayers. Kevin's hernia surgery went very well. He still has some discomfort, but all in all, he is doing great and the doctor said he's healing well. He went back to work last Thursday, earlier than expected, so that was good. Though I have to admit, I enjoyed having Kevin home, and so did the girls. My folks drove out from Maine, a few days before his surgery, so they could watch the girls for us while we drove down to NYC with Grampa Gary. Grampa did all the driving and let us sleep. He is such a wonderful man. The girls usually come along to NYC for Kevin's tests and quarterly check ups, and they do incredibly well, but being that this was a more serious visit and we had the possibility of staying more than one night in the city, not to mention Kevin has had to take time off from work to make the 6hr trip to NYC 4 times since January, so needless to say, we were happy to take my parents up on the offer to spend time with the grand daughters. We missed the little munchkins like crazy though and talked about them the whole trip. When we got back home, my folks stayed a few extra days to help out even more. It was a really nice and relaxing visit. My mom took over the house, everything, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, And Oh My, can that woman cook! That might annoy some people, having the mother/mother in law take over, but for us, It was a nice break. All I had to do was take care of Kevin and the girls, and Kevin's job was to get better. It was like staying at a Bed and Breakfast, with nicely made turned down beds and everything. Kevin actually asked Gamma if they wanted to stay longer, hoping they would, but alas, they had to leave the Sunday after his operation ;( We are both so thankful for their company and all they had done to really bless us. They also helped us on a few projects around the house and yard (as Kevin shouldn't really be doing any handyman stuff and I'm getting huge!) My dad started building me a small pantry/canning closet in the kitchen, while he was here. I'm so excited! More on that later though.

We are so blessed by all of our parents and the sacrifices they continue to make for us.

Thank you Gamma & Pappa & Grampa Gary ;) We love you all so very much!

One night while daddy was home recovering, we roasted marshmallows and made smores in the back yard. It was a nice treat ;)

Scrappy Decoupage Pots & Pom Pom Bunnies

My mom (aka~Gamma) is so crafty and has so many ideas from doing childcare and running a certified preschool program for over 20 years. She came out for a visit a few weeks ago and made some pom pom bunnies and decorated these pots with the girls to celebrate spring, using leftover fabric from the quilt I've been working on. How I wish we all lived closer. My mom, my sister, my girls and I, would have so much fun crafting together all the time.
Eden's Bunny is MIA around the house somewhere. She wanted to sleep with it, and now it's gone. I'm just hoping Hailey our pooch didn't eat it.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day ;)

Thanks for the St. Patty's Day Sweaters & Rainbow Necklaces Gamma!

Here is the photo shoot I promised. Sorry it took so long. We miss you ;)
 <3 Little Lily Lou Lou & Edy the Sweety!

This one is my favorite ;)

Birch Candle Holders

For Valentines day, my Dad sent me some Birch candle holders that he made. I had seen the ones he made for my Mom, when I went out for a visit @ Christmas, and I drooled over them. I was so excited to get these in the mail the other day. Home made gifts are my favorite ;) I put them on the shelf in our front entry. There had been an empty space between my sand dollar vase and ship clock that was waiting for the perfect fill in. I wanted something natural and neutral. The candle holders worked out perfectly.

Nanook

Lily Sitting PrettyLast year, my mom searched far and wide for long coats to go with all the Girl's dresses. Most coats for little girls are short and their legs are left uncovered when wearing dresses. Women have dress coats to go with their dresses. At least I like to wear one. So why not for little girls. Wherever we go people remark on how pretty they are and how they never see coats like that anymore.
So just google Girls Dress coats. Right now is the time to look, they are all on sale, being that the season will soon be over. Thank God. I like winter, but I'm totally over it at this point and can't wait for spring, and more sunshine. And my little Eden, wearing Lily's coat from last year.
I couldn't get her to keep her hat on or sit on the bench with her sister. She would much rather play in the snow. She is not one for photos, and I can't say as I blame her. I don't like being in photos myself.

A Visit from Gamma, Complete with Cranberry Muffins

Gamma came out for a nice Long weekend. It was wonderful to have her here for a while. I miss her so much. And wish we didn't live so far away. We had so much fun together while she was here. The Girls & I picked her up at the airport. They were so excited to see her. As soon as she was in the car she was busting out the gifts. She is like me, she can't wait until Christmas to give gifts. The girls loved their new dolls and doll clothes. Then on the way home from the airport Gamma treated us to the Olive Garden, one of our favorite restaurants. So yummy. We spent our nights watching pride and predjudice with Colin Firth and our days cooking and baking and playing with The Girls. I love to bake with my mom. We made lots of delicious food, but these were my favorite.

A nice hot muffin with butter and a cup of tea for breakfast is so comforting and sure hits the spot on chilly mornings. I love especially cranberry muffins during the winter months they seem so festive with the pretty red color ;) Shortly after we made muffins, it was time to bring Gamma back to the airport. We were sad to see her leave. But we all had a blast and we are so blessed she made the trip.

Scarecrow

Lily made a scarecrow with some of the craft supplies Gamma brought out during her visit. My mom retired from doing her childcare/preschool this past spring so we have lots of great materials for projects and homeschooling.

Thank you Gamma ;)

I am really looking forward to all the fun we are going to have learning together as a family this year. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The Barra MacNeils @ The Stone Mountain Arts Center

I love Celtic music! While we were out visiting my folks back home in Maine, my mother surprised Me, Kevin, My Sister and her Hubby with tickets to see,
The Barra Macneils @ The Stone Mountain Arts Center.
It was so much fun to get all gussied up for our date. They put on a great show, Fantastic music, Irish Step Dancing, and they even got the crowd involved singing. We had a fabulous evening.
I had never been to this particular venue, the atmosphere was incredible and the food was awesome. I look forward to seeing another show there when we are back in the area.
Thank You Mom

And that was as far as I could take my camera.

So, you'll just have to check out their websites and plan a trip for yourself. ;)

Gamma's Home Cookin'

Yumm! How I love my Mom's Cooking! Lily Helped Gamma Prepare this dish.
As a kid I never thought I would ooh and ahh over spinach and mushrooms with bacon. But now I am all grown up, okay so maybe I'm not, But I am most definately drooling over this meal.

Mount Washington

Not a very clear day. By the time we got to the very top you could barely see the lines in the road, and you could not see the edge of the mountain. Frightening. We coudn't see a thing. We checked out the museum @ the top, and when we got out, it had cleared up a little and we were able to make it back down, safely.We packed a lunch. And stopped about half way up to have a picnic and get some family photos, it was tough, cause it was windy and cold up there. Just in case you were wondering, Kevin's shirt says I love Jerusalem. :)

When we were done we got a certificate and a bumper sticker. I am not a fan of bumper stickers, so I took some pics for memories.

Lil Farm Hand

Eden loves her shovel. Thank You Gamma! :)

Edy the Sweetie ;)

Bright Beautiful Batiks

My mom got me another gift card to the fabric store for my birthday. Yay! This is what I came home with. Lily helped me pick them out. Not sure what to make. Probably another quilt or some dresses for the girls.
Thanks Mom!

April Summary

Gamma & Pappa came out for a visit. The weather was nice so it allowed the girls to play outside with my parents quite a bit. We even got to have a cookout and my folks got to meet some of our friends. It was wonderful. The Girls had a blast and were sad when they had to leave. We all were. Mean while Kevin and I have been working on tearing down the fence out back and clearing the land behind it so that we can use all that extra space. What a job it turned out to be. Hopefully it will be done by the end of the summer.

Christmas In New England

What a wonderful month. We spent our Christmas in New England visiting Family and Friends. It was great to see everyone. We spent a little time in Mass. Then we headed up to Maine, where we spent most of our days relaxing and sipping hot cocoa by the fire @ my Folks 2nd Home on the Saco. All the while my parents enjoyed playing with and spoiling the Girls. It was beautiful up there. We all took a trip to my Sister's Alpaca Farm in Sanford. Lily and Eden loved all the animals @ the farm. We all had a great time, and were sad to leave. But, we look forward to heading out to Maine again this summer. And someday we hope to move back there. We shall see what God has planned for us.My Awesome sister Karrie and her Hubby Steve, Are so good with the girls.

Lily Belle had a blast. Sha was absolutely fearless. She Called them giraffes. I thought it was fabulous! I loved seeing her so happy. I want a farm so bad. ;)