So Behind

Wow, where does the time go? I have not blogged for some time and I feel like so much has gone on. This could be somewhat of a long post so beware.

First, I'll start off with a very belated HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY to my dear Elijah!!! I can't believe I have a 7 year old who will be starting 2nd grade next year. Elijah you are such a sweet and loving big brother. You are very tender hearted and care a great deal about those around you. Of course we all have our days and sometimes feel like having a bad day, but for the most part kiddo, you are a great buddy. We love you so much and pray someday you will give your heart to christ. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

Some pictures from celebrating Elijah's birthday with family back in Indiana over Mother's Day weekend.

Gutwein Party

Waibel Party

We gave Elijah's gift to him on his actual birthday before heading off to his "dinner".
Elijah is very very eager to attempt skiing this year...our hopes are to head out Wednesday and let him give it a try:)
We always let the birthday person pick where they would like to eat for their birthday and Elijah picked Chuck E. Cheese. I can't say I like that place as I think the food is just down right disgusting, but the boys love to play all those games.

Elijah just won and made a touch down...he was pretty excited.
Caden was shooting water at a target...he unfortunently lost, but Im sure I wasn't much help to him. Liam...well, as you can see he truely enjoyed his first visit to Chuck E. Cheese :) Secondly, about a week ago our neighbor's son decided to take off his training wheels on his bike and Caden saw it and thought he should give it a try. Mind you, he had NEVER ridden on a two wheeled bike. Well, much to our surprise he peddled off without much thought. He soon fell and cried a bit, but that told us...it was time to get the little bike down from the attic and put some training wheels on it. A week went by and this past friday Caden, Liam and I were on our mile walk and Caden says to me "look mom, no training wheels". Sure enough for a good while he was balancing it and not using the training wheels. So I told him "when he turns 4 (which is next month) we would remove the training wheels. He says "mom, I can do it now, I want them off now". So when nick got home from work he removed the training wheels and off Caden rode with Nick running behind him. He is such a little dare devil and will pretty much try anything and accomplish it within a few given hours. Way to go Caden!!! You are such a big boy riding your bicycle at age 3! His training wheels are just up all the way off the ground in this picture.
Thirdly, here are a few random pictures that I wanted to post:)

Four Generation Picture

Grandpa giving the boys a ride in the tractor (so much fun).

Grandma G. holding Liam

Aunt Joy holding Liam

Good lookin' boys

Just thought it was time to snap a few photos of our boys today after church as they have grown quite a bit. Of course Im a bit bias...but I think they are just the cutest kids out there:)

Elijah (age 7 ...in a week:))

Caden (age 3)

Liam 6 weeks old

She is here

My dear sister Tricia and her husband Mark had their 4th and final girl today:)

Leah Mae was born at 1:40am, April 29th weighing 7 lbs and 12 oz and is 21 1/4 inches long.

Congrats guys!!

Here are some pictures of my sweet niece and her wonderful family.

Little of this and a little of that

Elijah has begun his soccer games each Saturday mornings at 10:15am. He has done really well. He usually makes at least one score and two saturdays ago he scored 4 points for the team. They have won all their games thus far. Good Job Elijah!!

Liam is one month old in this photo. Some days I can't believe he is nearly 6 weeks old already and then of course there are days (like today) that I wonder how I am going to make it to 6 months!! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!
Liam is a big spitter upper!! Neither of my other boys were like this, but I go thru many burp clothes a day. I am doing a small load of burp clothes and clothes for liam every other day. Sometimes I think I should just go buy more burp clothes, but hope this stage is over with soon and he can keep his food down better. This is a little gross...but it definitely shows you how much he can throw up. This morning I was holding him and he threw up all over me. In my hair, down my pj's, etc. I had to immediately hop into the shower. YUCK!!!
Liam is a tummy sleeper. I know, you can all gasp now!! But I need my sleep and that is the only way he will sleep for a good chunk of time. With being a tummy sleeper he has gotten some great head stability. He is already lifting his little head up and around to see what he wants to see.

Two weekends ago we went to Atlanta for church. We had a nice time and the weather was great. The boys got to play on Philip and Lana's zip line again and as always...had a blast. Caden actually did the entire length of the zip line this year. Last year it was still a bit scary for him.

This is what Naomi did pretty much the ENTIRE weekend we were there....she loves little Liam.

Questions and Answers Part II

Well, I finally got around to doing Caden's questions and answers. It was pretty funny watching him attempt to answer these. Maybe a bit hard of questions for him, but he still enjoyed doing it.

1.What is something that mommy always says to you?
Go to bed
2.What makes mommy happy?
Liam
3.What makes mommy sad?
When I am crying
4.How does your mommy make you laugh?
Dad (??not sure about this one)
5.What was your mommy like as a child?
Like Liam
6.How old is your mommy?
5
7. How tall is your mommy?
5
8.What is mommy's favorite thing to do?
play
9.What does your mommy do when you are not around?
play the computer
10.If your mommy becomes famous what will it be for?
(he didn't say anything)
11.What is your mommy really good at?
playing balls
12.What is your mommy not very good at?
this one is hard
13. What does your mommy do for her job?
this one is hard
14. What is your mommys favorite food?
pizza
15.What makes you proud of your mommy?
when I am good at playing balls
16.If your mommy were a cartoon character, what would she be?
Jesus (yeah...guess he didn't get the whole meaning of easter:))
17.What do you and your mommy do together?
swing around
18. How are you and your mommy the same?
matching colors on our shirts, we both have blue
19. How are you and your mommy different?
no matching pants
20.How do you know your mommy loves you?
when I not get a spanking (haa haa...guess I need to tell him how much I love him when I am spanking him)
21.Where is your mommys favorite place to go?
McDonalds...is that it?

He Has Risen

Over Easter weekend the boys enjoyed doing a little easter experiment that helped them to understand the true meaning of Easter.

We made Easter Story Cookies:

Begin this recipe on Saturday, the day before Easter.
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer
duct tape or packing tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300*F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life.
Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing! Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.
Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.
Leave the kitchen. If you've been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!
Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they've worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus' followers were in sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!
Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!

So Exciting

I know this is a short little post, but I just had to share the exciting news I got on Easter weekend.....

My sister Joy and her husband Jason are expecting their first baby!!! She is due October 21st.

Yippee, I am going to be an aunt again. I just love it.

Please pray they have a healthy baby boy or girl.