Kale's "Field of Dreams"

Mr. Kale decided to turn the porch into more of a field today so he could roll his tractor tires through the dirt, just like a real farmer.

 While Mama is upstairs putting laundry away, the little boy will play.

No need for time outs.  Simply getting out the vacuum is punishment enough for our little man.  And apparently the authorities were notified as the firetruck showed up too...

Indoor Grilling with the ten Hoeve's

We enjoyed a "Dutch evening" at our friends' Gerben and Julie's complete with indoor grill.  As Gerben described, we were to take whatever food we wished (pieces of steak, chicken, meatballs, peppers, onions, and the like), and place them on the grill. It offered the opportunity to converse and linger while our dinner cooked. What a marvelous time!  We love this dear family and have cherished our friendship with them through the years.  God bless you, ten Hoeve's!

Starting the Day with Valentine's

When I was a kid, I always remember my mom having a Valentine card and small gift on our plate for breakfast.  It's one of those sweet memories that sticks with me and always brings a smile to my face. 

As I moved away and was on my own, when my Valentine came in the mail from Mom, I always saved it for Valentine morning breakfast.  Still do. 

This morning I got Kale in on the tradition.  He had Valentine's of his own to open and enjoy.

Think this tradition is here to stay.



Our Sweet Valentine

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him." 1 John 4:16-17

Building and Stacking

Bob Kale the Builder has been up to lots of building and stacking these days.  It seems no matter what the objects, he works to stack them up. 

Pantry items....

Teddy Grahams on sippy cup....

Airplanes on Lego tower...

No matter how he stacks it up, we love this boy.

Laughter

"Laughter is an instant vacation."  -Milton Berle

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out my nose." -Woody Allen

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."  -Victor Borge

"You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in  your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants."  -Stephen King, Hearts in Atlantis

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."  -Victor Hugo

"Laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life." 

-Hugh Sidey



Leta and Fam

Enjoyed catching up with my friend and former roommate, Leta and her family over Christmas break.  They were in town visiting from Virginia.  So great meeting Henry, now 9 months old!  Love you, sweet friend!  Thanks for visiting!



Happy Belated

December 28 was Justin's birthday.  We enjoyed a date night out to Texas Roadhouse, Christmas light looking and ice cream at none other than Mickey-D's!  Happy Birthday, hubs!  Wishing you another blessed year!

Christmas 2011

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with our families.  We spent Christmas Eve/Day in MN.

Kale was much more comfortable with all the cousins and aunts/uncles.  He actually let them snuggle him a little and he even ventured into the basement on his own to play with toys.  Our little boy is growing up!

We celebrated our own little family Christmas on Tuesday, Decemeber 27.  Kale still isn't so sure about gift opening-but it was fun to set things out the night before and see him on our Christmas morning.

(This tractor was from Auntie Alyssa's family.  Let's just say it's already put on a few a lot of miles...)

And we spent Friday, Dec. 30 & 31 at Deedra's parents.  We kept the tradition of roasting hot dogs over the fire and added new entertainment of watching old family Christmas videos.  Oh that 1980s hair...

 MMM...this wise man tastes good.  D's brother's dog, Ruger, also must have thought so as one of the wise men went missing for a few minutes...

Deedra's Dad made Kale this wooden "toolbox" to hold his books.  Kale, being an ordinary 18 month old, thought it would be okay to step inside...



Ahhhhh TC!

Enjoyed an alumni evening with good friends and Panther basketball!

Silver and Gold

The sights, sounds and smells of Christmas are enveloping our home.  Kale is taking it all in-brushing past the Christmas tree, peeking in the oven to watch the cookies rise, grinning at Mama and Papa as we dance to the Christmas tunes, and watching the flicker of Mama's numerous candles...

Often at mealtime, I often sing to Kale as he's eating his veggies.  It does seem to help them go down easier.  A song I often find myself singing is "Silver and Gold."  I remember playing this song on my clarinet growing up and the words have always stuck with me. 

Silver and gold.  Silver and gold.  Everyone wishes for silver and gold. 

How do you measure its worth?  Just by the wonder it gives here on earth. 

Silver and gold.  Silver and gold.  Means so much more when I see...

Silver and gold decorations on every Christmas tree!