He works, we play...

We planned to be home this week...cooking camping food and going through camping gear. Instead, Nate found out last week that he'd have to be in SoCal on business and we tagged along.

We've done this business trip the last several years. It basically consists of the kids boogie boarding all day while Nate works and then scouting out good food and more beach fun after we pick him up.

~we found this little Italian restaurant on the PCH last year~

~delicious salads and pastas~

~fabulous cannoli~

and since we were only 1/2 block from the beach...

~after dinner walk along Sunset Beach~

~it started out as we'll walk along the beach as it gets dark...they were all fairly wet when all was said and done~

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea--the Lord on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4

O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the swelling of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them. Psalm 89:8-9

When March was fun...

...because some of March simply doesn't fall under "fun". But the fun times are when I pull out the camera so here goes...

In early February the word no one ever wants to hear from their doctor knocked our family a little side ways as Nate's brother was diagnosed with cancer. The weeks that have followed have left us grateful that his leukemia should be treatable and with a new realization that God is bigger than a medical diagnosis and is carrying Josh and his wife and baby every step of the way! It makes So Cal feel far away when they're there and we're here!

We were able to go for a weekend visit with Nate's parents...

...baby.time...

The guys worked in the garden and helped with a few things outside.

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Enjoying family time and celebrating birthdays before my parents head off across the country to visit my sister....

Dad and Jake

 

Jake's on the move and playing with the big kids

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I am blessed by friends and family who, while walking tough paths, are putting their hope in the fact that God will one day set all things right and be VICTORIOUS! I have seen them trust in the Lord in such a way that gives Jesus the victory TODAY and His light shines ever so brightly in their lives!

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"He is a shield to those who walk in integrity" Proverbs 2:2:7b

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Seems like we should be having cozy wintry days when baking warms up the chilly kitchen and we hang out and read books. Instead we're distracted from school by the sun streaming in the windows and calling us outside to play.

Still, it seemed like a good cookie making day Friday and I like to have cookies in the freezer to grab for an easy dessert when taking meals to friends or meal ministry opportunities.

~blended oatmeal makes them chewy and oh.so.good~

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Cream together:

2 c. butter, softened

2 c. white sugar

2 c. brown sugar

4 eggs

Add and mix well:

2 t. vanilla

 1 t. salt

2 t. baking soda

2 t. baking powder

Add:

5 c. oatmeal (blend 1/2 at a time until fine. With the second 1/2 of oatmeal I throw in 3/4 c. of the chocolate chips to be blended up with the oatmeal. Spreads the chocolately goodness all through the dough!)

3/4 c. chocolate chips (blended with 1/2 oatmeal, see above)

4 c. flour

Mix in remaining:

Chocolate chips (I use whatever is left in a 24 oz bag after blending the 3/4 c. above)

Bake 350* for 10 min. Let sit on cookie sheet for 3 or 4 minutes after removing from oven and then put on cooling rack. Enjoy!

(Adapted from "Mrs Fields Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie" recipe that I got from my mom)

~it's always nice to have a helper around even though it undoubtedly means there will be a bigger mess~

~I like to bag them up in quart ziplocs (12/bag)  and put them in the freezer to have ready to share~

Neighbor Baby...

Seems like the days fly by and we rarely just stop and play with Baby Jake...still if I had my way all my nephews would live right next door (and my nieces too:))!

I usually get these nice solemn stares from him so it's nice to have Kate around to help coax the smiles out.

Showing off his clapping~

Celebrate life TODAY!

Birthdays at the Beach

It's not every day that we have a milestone birthday to celebrate in the family. For the special occasion we went in search of sunshine and sand for a perfect family day at the beach~

It isn't often that all of Nate's family is together so it was a special day.

When Clayton realized that Dad was photo bombing Grandpas he figured he get in on the fun too.

even the always wide-eyed little guy thought the sun was super bright...

My love and I

we got to meet the newest guy in the family...

 It's always good to see these two boys of ours who are total opposites in so many ways just enjoy hanging out together! I pray that it happens more and more often as they grow up...

 hanging out in his daddy's lap

cousin friends

as the sun sets...

runnin' through the waves with Grandpa

these two spent forever just spying and playing in the dunes...

we spent the next day enjoying a sunny Monterey...

the kids all got to hold one of the birds on the wharf...