Bella's Friend Party...

It's unimaginable that Bella turned SEVEN in April! Bella is turning into a beautiful young lady - inside and out!  Bre and Izaak hosted her friend party today. It was fun to see her surrounded by so many friends. We are starting to truly put down roots in this place. It's a good thing. Bella was one year and three months old when she moved to Alaska. 

She chose Bunnies as her theme.  Bre made cute cupcakes with Bunny ears...personally, I loved the baby carrots. LOL 

This game is darling. Bre wrapped a gift. Then rewrapped it again and again. I have no clue how many layers - but a lot. As the music played the kids passed the gift. When the music stopped they unwrapped one layer. Repeat until the gift is unwrapped and the gift belongs to the child who unwraps the final layer.  

Earlier in the morning our Gather Table group had met for brunch. Three of us were at the party...me as Grandma and Joelle and Rebekah brought their children. It was a bonus friend day for me.  I caught Bre with something in her mouth - but I think she needs to be in the photo anyway. 

Bre, Rebekah, Lindsey 

These sisters, Jenni and Joelle, have been a joy to get to know. Jenni is our children's team lead, she is also on youth staff, and attends our lifegroup.  Joelle is on the women's ministry team and leads the table group I've been a part of for the past five months. They are also TCKs (Third Culture Kids) and I love hearing their missionary kid stories...a thing we have in common. 

Jenni, Me and Joelle

Stacia, Jenni and myself met Mike and GG over at the church where we helped Ed and Jennifer set up for tomorrow's potluck dinner.

Shannon was upstairs and we took the opportunity to chat. We are sure going to miss Shannon and Lindsey. Tomorrow is their final service with our church body. 

Jenni Joined our Chaos

Jenni, the gal on the left, is a youth leader at church, is our children's pastor and attends our life group. She is also proctoring Stacia's exams with Global University. We like to keep her after the test for dinner. We had THOUGHT we'd invite some of the younger folks from life group for games, but it turned out to be this is the day CoRielle are moving...and we have the boys too.  She was willing to hang out of with us in our chaos. 

Jenni, Stacia, Allie, Michael 

"Which hand, Little Buddy?"  He loved playing this game with Jenni. We were happy we got Little Buddy to eat.  The move had unsettled him and he hadn't eaten all day. 

Ah, cuddling in Papa's chair. Life will get back to normal soon. 

Little Buddy, Benny, Danny

Hungry Hippos

It was a fun evening. 

Note: Little Buddy's social worker said photos are fine if his name isn't included. We have opted not to show his face...but are letting profiles ride. 

Chicks are Here

 Look what arrived! We ordered a dozen Golden Bovan chicks. This is the breed we got last year and we are LOVING them. They are gentle and great layers - even through the winter. 

HOWEVER, when Michael went to pick up it appears we got 1 or 2 Golden Bovans and the rest are Red Novogens. The Reds are the ones we usually buy. We attempted to buy them last year and they convinced us to take the Golden. LOL I'm a bit uneasy as the Reds are more aggressive and we had a lot of trouble with our reds getting cabin fever and attacking/killing each other.  Even without the coloring it was quite easy to tell which breed was which. The reds - even at a day old - attacked my fingers and were fighting over a wood chip....the goldens like to snuggle. LOL 

We only got 12 this year. We currently have 24 hens. We had a year a few years back where we ended up with all old hens, no one laying...and we decided to just add some every year to hopefully avoid that scenario in the future. 

This is a NOISEY bunch! We are surprised how much noisier and messier they are when there are half what we usually buy. LOL 

BTW the chicks arrival is a sure sign of spring - regardless of the stubborn snow on the ground. 

Allie is 19

Allie turned 19 on the 19th of April. She was met that morning with well-wishes and hints of things to come.  Birthdays are a bit of moving target around here. We celebrated with the family on the 15th. 

Allie chose to wait for a date when the boys could join us for lunch to do gifts etc.  The day arrived. We went out to a favorite Japanese restaurant, Stacia made Allie's favorite Toffee pudding, we visited, ate, gave her gifts and thanked God for another year well-lived. 

This was a great break in a busy weekend. Michael and I spent the evening and the next day speaking at a parenting workshop at Farm Loop Christian Center. 

Renewed Energy

I am finally feeling NORMAL.  My energy is back. I spent the morning with the boys.  As soon as Arielle left Danny turned to me and said, "Bachan, Hide - SEEK!" Little Buddy was quick to chime in, "Hide, hide, HIDE!" We played hide and seek, read books, talked about their upcoming move....

Little Buddy and Danny are both in training pants this week! They were pretty happy about the turn of events. We made a couple of trips to the bathroom. "Messy, messy." Yep. 

Arielle has packed closets, extra clothes and toys. This week she took the pictures off the walls. Benny's response was priceless, "Mom, don't you think you're being a bit aggressive?"

I had an hour and a half at home between playing with grands and haircuts for Stacia and I. I managed to get a bunch of "kitchen" projects done. I harvested and flavored a new batch of kombucha, brewed tea to get another batch fermenting, made banana/oat "cookies", made sugar free, decaf Hospitality Chai, and made a gallon of cauliflower soup for the week. 

Stacia and GG began working on a puzzle. Benny gave it Stacia for Christmas and she's ready to get it put together and hung on her bedroom wall. This proved to be a great distraction for GG and allowed Michael and I to disappear to work on the upcoming parenting workshop we are facilitating this weekend. 

It was just Stacia, GG, Michael and I for dinner. GG went to bed shortly after dinner. The rest of us settled in to read. 

Hey - look! Someone very loved turns 19 tomorrow!!!!

April's Family Celebration

April's family celebration featured Bella and Allie's birthdays! Bella is into Bunnies this year...and Stacia made a Bunny cake magically appear. Our celebrations officially begin after naps (about 3) and we aim to eat around 4. This allows for time to visit and STILL get home at a decent hour as Sundays are busy for all...Unofficially, Gherkins begin showing up around 11:00 a.m. 

We love the early visits...and quite often we have a job or two for early arrivers to pitch in and help with.  We've been working to find solutions for the racetrack which develops with 10 kids and a zillion adults trying to socialize in the "open concept" living, dining room.  We had hoped kids would be able to play outside this month...but...um...

April 15, 2023 Garden spot is still under snow

CyRi set about helping the girls and I turn the basement area into a play area. We moved furniture over to create a barrier to the freezer, kitchen stuff, laundry room and exercise equipment. Josiah assembled the playpen in the foreground. We thought it may work better as a fort. BTW, throughout the rest of the winter the S boys were happy to have this set up downstairs as a fort. 

As we continued working inside, we heard unexpected noises...Michael and Josiah were clearing paths in the snow. I don't think there could be a better Papa and Uncle than these two. By the time the kids arrived there were clear paths from our backdoor, to the play structure. 

Mike makes use of the snowblower...Cy shoveled behind him

CoRielle showed up early. Arielle brought snow clothes and they enjoyed some time outside. They are participating in a challenge to spend hours outside every day. I can't remember how many hours in a year, but I know it encourages daily time outside to reach the goal. I love the goal. 

The kids quickly realized if you went off the path, you sunk - deep and quickly. 

Uncle Cy came out and a snowball fight quickly ensued. 

Benny @ the bottom of the slide

Liv  - full of spunk and beauty, inside and out

It's cold! 

The boys were quick to help with clean up. 

We've watched a set of twins recently. They were in sync with one another, individuals and yet a team, heading in one direction.  I had a good discussion with their mom, a mom of twin 6 yo girls. She said she thinks twin girls would be easier than twin boys and agreed it gets a bit easier once the foundational years of 2 and 3 are in the bag.  I realize, these boys don't naturally have that "twin connection," though they are a month apart in age. Little Buddy was raised an only child until last July. Danny was raised the baby. They often are pulling in opposite directions... I am in awe of how Cory and Arielle work to meet the needs of all 3 boys. Moments like this show that while the twin connection isn't a natural for these two, they ARE developing the brother connection. They DO work together at times. While it is hard it is very good. CoRielle are building a future and a legacy....as are all our Gherkins with children.

BreZaak arrived. Izaak had a lull in his master's program and was able to join us. It was great to have him. Nolan and Allie have been asking for, and receiving the Saturday off...KrUke weren't able to join us due to travel, and JaRissa didn't make it as Jared was ill. Everyone else was here and it was good.

There is always a bit of hesitation when Papa pulls out the blow torch. 

Seven candles for Bella 

It's safe...and she's happy with her Bunny. 

Bella and Allies - 7 and 19. 

Gideon, Benny, Bella, Allie and Josiah (Jojo)

There were a few gifts! Cousins & sibs are always willing to help. 

Benny, Annie, Bella, Gideon and Danny - Little Buddy to left

Annie's expressions are priceless

Benny, Allie, Carrie, Liv and Gideon in front

Uncle Alex with Trudy - 5 months

📷by Carrie

Uncle Nolan with Trudy - 5 months

📷by Carrie

The playroom downstairs worked well. We had playdough, the toys, the playpen, puzzles and games. Adults took 20 min turns two at a time downstairs. This allowed for more conversations both downstairs and upstairs. It also allowed adults to play games. The kids have to be happier with a bit more direction. Maybe next month we can move outside - which we all love. 

📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

📷by Carrie

Annie

Bre found old pictures which the kids were fascinated to view. I need to work on getting the photo albums organized. I texted some of Jared to Jared and Larissa. 

Bre - Gideon, Bella and Livie

"The Fort" is a big hit. The vision is it providing a safe space outside for Trudy and Noah in a couple of months. 

Our 3 two year old boys - precious cargo! 

Nolan, Stacia, Allie, Liv, Jamin, Carrie

I am happy to post these memories, BEFORE May's celebration.