Flower Show - A Family Tradition

Marin and I, along with my brother David, attended the 2009 Polk County Garden Club Flower Show and Tasting Tea on Tuesday. Mom has been a member of the Garden Club for two years now. Its been a tradition that mom and I attend this annual event, even before she became a member. Now we share this tradition with Marin. This year was especially exciting because mom won the Sweepstakes award for the most blue ribbons in horticulture. We all know mom can grown beautiful plants and flowers. Now she has a ribbon to prove it (grin). Here is her award winning Japanese Maple leaf branch and ribbons.

The flower show was held at the Polk County Memorial Museum. It was a beautiful day and a lovely location. Below is mom’s arrangement and one of my favorite arrangements on display.

After the flower show, we headed over to “Miss Effie’s Cottage” for the tasting tea and horticulture exhibit. Mom is definitely passing on her love for flowers to Marin. Hand Marin and flower and she’ll smell it and say “Ummm, pree wower.” They both enjoy Mom’s backyard and Marin insists that Grandma take her outside every time we visit.

Sugars and Sweets. Yum!

When we entered the horticulture exhibit, I said to Marin “just look, don’t touch.” She decided that the rules applied to EVERYONE and was quick to tell others, especially David, “don’t touch!”

In exchange for our tickets we were given stamps on our hand. Marin was so curious about our “colors” I thought she would enjoy her own “color.” She was THRILLED when they put a bunny stamp on her hand. She enjoyed looking at it the rest of the day. Bath time was a bit traumatic when the "color" had to come off.

It was a wonderful afternoon. Thank you, David, for helping me with Marin. She really loves you!

Polk County Enterprise Strikes Again!

My family and I always enjoy reading the local paper. It never fails we find something "entertaining" within its pages. The headline on Easter Sunday's paper was just plain funny. Pope Jailed? Seriously? How did the editor miss that one?

Just One Year

Can you believe how much she has changed? STILL working on hair!!!

Motorcycle Memories

How totally AWESOME are these pics of Ricky T and Little Miss H? We hit the old Pedigo Furniture lot downtown last night and shot these. Ricky is thinking about selling the bike and wanted pictures before saying goodbye. These two look like a couple of real hard core motorcyclist if you ask me. Complete with tattoos (tee hee hee). Oh, and dont' worry. Little Miss H doesn't really RIDE with daddy and Ricky T wears a helmet when he rides. Safe AND Cool.

So what do you think? Who wants their own motorcycle pictures?

Easter 2009 - She Wore the Dress!

Here are a few pictures from Easter Sunday. Yes, Marin wore the mini dress. Lot's of compliments. Nobody said anything about it being too short (grin). The egg hunt was indoors.




Once the rain stopped we went outside for more pictures.




How cute are the pictures of Steven and Marin?

Bird Nest Candies for Easter

My mother was always thinking of fun, creative ways to celebrate Easter. She didn’t go out of her way to create tradition. It just happened. These adorable (and yummy) bird nest candies are an Easter mainstay for our family. Maybe you can share them with your family too.

Ingredients:

One 11oz bag Butterscotch morsels

¾ cup peanut butter (smooth)

3 cups Chow Mein noodles

Mini Robin Eggs (Malted Milk Candy)

Melt butterscotch morsels and peanut butter in the microwave. Stirring frequently until smooth.

Add chow Mein noodles. Stir until fully coated.
Place table spoon size drops on wax paper and shape into nest shape leaving room for eggs.

Add Robin Eggs once the candy has slightly cooled.

Makes 16 large or 30 small bird nests.

I’m anxious for tomorrow. I enjoy the excitement of remembering the miraculous resurrection of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice is what makes me whole, brings me peace and reminds me that there is always a bigger picture. I am unworthy of His gift and am overwhelmed by His love. I want my children to experience these same feelings as they grow. For now, I’ll create fun traditions that build anticipation for Easter and one day enjoy the moments where they discover their own relationship with Christ.

Egg Hunt At Pedigo Park

On Wednesday, Marin hunted Easter Eggs with kids from the local moms group. We all had such a wonderful time (lots of laughter and fun). Here are my favorite pictures from the day. Thank you , again, Jennifer and Heidi!!!!

Marin was quite passive on the egg hunting field. She would find eggs and then simply hand them to other kids. Emma on the other hand, quickly grasped the concept of gathering eggs and at one point began "gathering" them from Marin's basket. She took them one by one and Marin simply stood there watching. I noticed the interaction from a distance, wondering what would happen next. It began with just a slight twitch in Marin's left leg. Little by little the twitch turned into shaking, which moved through her entire body and up to her lip...just before she burst into tears Emma offered to return the eggs. Whew! Needless to say, I was NOT allowed to remove the plastic eggs from her basket for the rest of the day. Aren't playmates fun? Thank you Emma, for sharing.

Pinecones are shaped like eggs! Who needs treats? We want quantity here people!

How cute are the bunny ears?

I think the best part about having kids is that they give you an excuse to relive the portions of your childhood you enjoyed the most. Thank you, Mom, for always making Easter memorable.