New Spectacles

While visiting the eye doctor for Olivia's Kindergarten screening, it was brought to our attention that our little 5 year old needs some correction to her vision.  As her Mama and Daddy's heart sank at the thought of entering into the realm of corrective lenses, Olivia's heart leapt.  She couldn't be more thrilled to GET to wear glasses!  

Looking sooooo grown up!

Clay County Fair 2010

Being Spencer residents, we HAD to attend the Clay County Fair.  It was great to get out with the kids to take part in some local festivities and gave us an excuse to invite G-ma & Papa Ruden to visit for the evening.  A few highlights included the food, farm animals, and midway.

The girls LOVED the "Fighting Tigers"

Joey couldn't get enough of this baby chick.

Sylvia enjoyed seeing and posing with all the animals.

Babies enjoying "Tom Thumb Mini-doughnuts".

Joey was practically nose to nose with with enormous bovine.

First time on a carousel.

Brave Olivia.

"Cheese"

Everyone happy on the whales:)

Sillies

Joey and Sylvia, along with Mama, are adjusting to day-life without Olivia around.  It's taken some time, but they are starting to enjoy one another.  Just the other day, I found Sylvia burying Joey in books, while he giggled with delight from the box he had climbed into.  It was music to my ears:)

They both appear to be smiling.

Ta-daaaa.

Bless their little hearts!

Labor Day Visit

While I put in my time at SMH over the Labor Day weekend, Matt and the kids headed to Le Mars for some quality time with Grandma Lola, Uncle Seth, and Aunt Jenney.  I got to join them Sunday evening after work.  It is such a blessing to have us all together and enjoying each other as a family.  Of course, we're already looking forward to the next time we can gather:)

Olivia loves to help...but washing a wine glass?  We're pretty trusting!

Looks like sissy's a good helper too.

Joey's chillin' with Uncle Seth.

We're so thankful for time spent with family.  You're all wonderful blessings to us!

Aunt Carol's Apple Cake

With the weather cooling off, I'm in the baking mood.  You may have seen on my facebook that I tried Aunt Carol's Apple Cake.  I hope everyone tries this delicious recipe and reminisces about the wonderful woman Carol was.  I got to telling our girls about Aunt Carol and the fun times she made possible, especially when Seth and I were little.

Carol's Apple Cake 

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup margarine

3 eggs

2 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

4 cups peeled/sliced apples

1 cup nuts (optional)

Cream sugar & margarine, add beaten eggs, then flour mixture, & lastly apples & nuts.  Bake @ 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Serve with vanilla sauce.

Vanilla Sauce

1 cup sugar

1 stick margarine

3 T flour

1 1/2 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla

Cook until thickens.  Cool & serve over cake-may be served warm.

Sylvia was the little helper.

Satisfying her sweet tooth.

What are your favorite memories of Carol?

More Reading

As the baby-care in this house diminishes, we've found more time for other fun...like reading.  Not only have I had my nose in a book, the kids have been enjoying some new reads too.  We've been attending Story Time at the library every Tuesday morning, which gives us a chance to check out new books.  I have a fear of misplacing the borrowed books, so I have made it a point to pick out exactly 10 books every week and we keep them in a special back pack that's designated ONLY for library books.  It's worked so far, as we haven't lost any yet:)  (I've made it sound as if we've never read to our children before.  It's not that, really.  We have shelves and shelves of books in the house, but the library attendance and little system now increases the likelihood that reading doesn't get pushed too far down the list of to-do's.) Anywho... here are the kids enjoying their books, and a few of the girls' new favorites.

This Yellow Tutu one caught my eye initially because our girls love to be tutu-heads too.  The special bonus was that the story was genuine and one that we may have to own!

I'd love to hear if anyone else loves these books and if there are any that we should be sure to pick out on one of our trips to the library.

Peas

Joey has been talking more and more.  It's so fun to hear him repeat our words, like such a little man.  So now that he can say please, or "peas", he points and what he wants, does his little "uh-uh" grunt followed by "peeeeeeeas", ...and I melt.  How could I say no to that?  I caught a little on video.