Sierra & Wyatt's Birthday Party

Where does the time go? Sierra is now one years old and Wyatt is twelve. We celebrated their birthdays together this year. The theme was "Little Ladybug" and Wyatt was gracious enough to celebrate with his sister. We had little ladybug sandwiches, chips, salad, and a special ladybug cake for Sierra and a Reese Pieces Pie for Wyatt. Family and friends helped make this day special.

Wyatt's Baptism

We were so thrilled to see Wyatt take his stand for Jesus in getting baptized. He has been wanting to do this for quite awhile and specifically in Grandma's pond. We weren't sure if the weather was going to cooperate but the Lord blessed and although it was hot - there was a nice gentle breeze to go along with the heat.

Link to Vegan Dad

I want to add a link to Vegad Dad for you because I tried a new recipe from his blog that I really liked. It was a vegan creamy tomato pasta sauce recipe. You can reach it at: http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/07/rotini-with-creamy-basil-tomato-sauce.html

Apricot Lentil Soup

I just tried this new recipe tonight that I must share because it is just scrumptious! It is called Apricot Lentil Soup. I know it sounds strange but it tastes delicious - sort of a morracan flavor.

Ingredients:

3 TB olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves, garlic, minced
1/3 C dried apricots
1 1/2 C dried red lentils
5 C chicken stock - I used the McKay's vegetarian seasoning
3 roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt to taste
2 Tb fresh lemon juice

Saute onion, garlic, and apricots in olive oil. Add lentils and stock. Bring to a boil. then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and season with cumin, thyme, and salt to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice. Puree 1/2 of the soup in a blender, then return to the pot. Serve. Makes 6 servings.

More Windy City Pictures

Here are a few more pictures of our day in Chicago!

Wyatt's Surprise Birthday Trip To The Windy City

Yesterday we surprised Wyatt with a special birthday gift - a trip to Chicago by train. We left early in the morning and caught the Amtrak train out of the Battle Creek station. We arrived in Chicago at lunch time and we at pizza at Gino's East - it was yummy! Then we went to the Museum of Science and Industry and had a great time. Wyatt really enjoyed the tour of the German U-Boat. Then we took a taxi back to Union Station to take the train back home.

It was a great day!

Sweet Corn - Yummy Fun!

Wyatt is working on his Freezing honor for Pathfinders and

one of the requirements is to freeze sweet corn. We have a

wonderful farm around the corner from us who grow the

most delicious sweet corn I know. Wyatt has been a big help

in putting up the sweet corn. So far we have done about 2

bushels of corn.

Hamsters, A Bird, & Now A Kitty - Oh My!

When Wyatt first wanted a pet we let him get a hamster that he named "Golden". After Golden came two new hamsters called "Snuggles" and "Reepachief". Shortly before campmeeting, Wyatt rescued a morning dove he named "Sears". On the way home from campmeeting, we stopped by an elderly couple's home and much to Wyatt's and Todd's surprise picked out a lovely calico kitty that Wyatt named "Morning Star". She is a very good kitty and does well with Sierra and Logan who love her in their own way - we are still working with them both on being "gentle" with the kitty. Wyatt loves her immensely as well as his dad and surprisingly mom does too.