Celebrating With PPS

The studio where our kids attend Kindermusik class and Hudson takes piano lessons celebrated their 10 year anniversary last weekend.  Pied Piper Studios is a sweet little space in Urbandale, that blesses every child and family who walks in its doors.  The anniversary party was on Sunday afternoon, an open house style with different stations for the kids.  Each station celebrated the arts...sewing, art, drama, music and piano.  There was a place to get your passport stamped (a stamp was given for every class the child has taken at the studio), a mini gym for the little ones to roll and tumble in, a live band entertained us all, and a snack bar complete with healthy and delicious snacks for the whole family.   

Greta girl was interested in drawing pictures in the rainbow salt tray.  

Snacks seem to always be the highlight of a party.  

Miss Jenn led everyone is some classic Kindermusik tunes and play.  

Greta checking out the puppet theater, but not interested in putting on a costume.  

Lovin' Kansas Cousins

This past weekend we had two opportunities to make fun memories with cousins Clara and Ellsy.  The girls spent an extended weekend at Nana and Papa's house so we took advantage of having them close and scheduled some time together.  Friday morning we headed over to Nana and Papa's house to play.  We had a tea party, complete with fancy dishes, valentine napkins, Sprite, blueberries, cheese cubes and vanilla wafers.  

We dressed up and then set up a "Swinger Store" so the kids could do some shopping.  Everything was on sale and got snagged up by these eager shoppers.  

We made unique creations with play dough.  

We ate lunch together and got on Ellsy's nerves, just a little bit.  :)  

We ate ice cream and Jelly Belly's, because that is what we like to do at Nana and Papa's house.  The time together is always SO sweet.    

On Saturday afternoon we met at the YMCA near our house and went for a swim. 

The 3 beautiful Swinger girls had a blast in the water.  

After swimming we headed to our house and enjoyed pizza for dinner.  Swimming always has a way of making you extra hungry.  

We are thankful for the opportunity to make memories together.  We love our Kansas cousins!    

i created :: cranberry chocolate almond bites

In October I came across this recipe from Iowa Girl Eats via Instagram and I haven't stopped making them since.  My family, but especially me, is obsessed with them.  They have a way of becoming the punch in my lunch, a morning or afternoon snack or even a bedtime treat.  They are the perfect combination of sweetness and are filled with yumminess and energy boosting ingredients, if that is at all possible.  :)  

1/2 to 3/4 cup almond flour (I usually use 3/4 and I tried them once with regular flour but almond flour really does taste better)

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup peanut (or almond) butter

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup honey

2 Tablespoons chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

Stir together all the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.  Scoop 2 Tablespoons of the mixture and form into balls and place in a storage container.  Refrigerate until set.  Balls will keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.  

getting back into the swing of things....

We enjoyed one last holiday hurrah with the Steenhoek gang on Monday, January 2nd.  We met for brunch in Ames at my favorite restaurant, The Cafe.  As always, the time together went by much too quickly, but the moments together were a blessed opportunity to reconnect and the food was delicious.  So thankful for the precious time together.  

In January we are declaring Saturday night to be pizza night.  There are 4 Saturday nights in January so we each get one week to pick where we want to get pizza from.  The first weekend we paired Pizza Hut pizza with a movie, Bambie.  

An after school playdate and dinner with buddy Evie.  

Hudson is always in the mood to get his hands busy with a project.  I love how this boy works!    

Lunch and play at Chick-fil-a on a Friday.  

Hudson and I went on a date to Caribou to do a math lesson and play games.  He walked up to the counter and placed his order without any of my prompting or questions..."I would like a mint hot chocolate on kids setting, please."  The "kids setting" is not as hot.  :)    

We are getting back to the keyboard and our piano practicing.  His class is currently learning about A minor and D minor chords.  

We have had fun playing dress up during these cold inside days.  Greta is proudly showing off her new princess dress.  

Our Kindergarten Coop started up again last week.  We took a tour of the Iowa Capitol building, where there was much to see and learn about our great state.  

Taking a look at the interesting view of our capital city...

Climbing the spiral staircase in the library gave them a view from above.  

We have been fixing lots of puzzles and building with Magna Tiles daily.  

We attended a church retreat at "camp" on Saturday and Hudson did his first painting canvas project. We worked together, he did awesome and is so proud of his finished work.  

IF: Table

I wanted to share a picture of these lovely ladies, to document their love and steadfastness in my life. About 20 months ago we started gathering together once a month around the table for a meal.  Our group was inspired out of the IF: Gathering and was called an IF: Table.  An IF: Table is a place to gather women and share a simple meal and dive deep with people over real stories and Christ centered conversations. A time for a whole lot of laughter – and maybe a few tears – but time spent that leaves you with glad hearts.  Full hearts.  Grateful hearts.

My dear friend Allison initiated and hosted our first gatherings.  We all shared in the responsibilities of food preparations, while the host set the table, chose the discussion questions, and made the main dish.  Our original group had eight ladies and one stepped away because of a leadership opportunity she had, which has left the seven of us meeting for over a year now.  These ladies are some of my dearest sisters in Christ.  They are faithful, honest and safe.  We have shared so much of life with each other, sharing our testimonies, stories, heartbreaks and celebrations from childhood to adulthood.  We recently transitioned away from a monthly meal and are now doing more of a book club, for this season at least.  

We gathered together for a holiday meal the week after Christmas and it was a blessed evening for catching up, reflecting on 2016 and anticipating and dreaming about 2017.  God is so good and I thank Him for the blessing of friendships.    

Christmas at Nana & Papas House

We celebrated Christmas over New Years weekend with the Swinger side of the family.  Roy and Ben went to the ISU vs. Texas Tech basketball game on Friday evening and the kids and I headed out after Greta's nap.  We had pizza for dinner and then watched Mickey/Minnie Mouse before putting the kids to bed.  We spent two nights out at the farm and had lots of blessed family time. 

I put together a few activities for the littles to keep them busy and entertained, as well as provide some structure.  We started off with watercolor painting some Christmas ornaments.    

Hudson likes being the oldest kid and does a pretty good job of keeping tabs on everyone.  

Saturday morning all the kids had a chance to jump in the bounce house.  

The extended time together with both of our families over the holiday weekends was awesome.  We loved and treasured every minute of it.  

So far there are only 2 boy cousins, Hudson and Mylo.  I look forward to watching them grow up and do "boy stuff" together.   

Clara, Hudson, Greta and Ellsy = buddies for life 

Our family...

Jacy, Lynn, Milly, Mylo and Mindyn 

 Ben, Jenna, Clara, Ellsy and baby girl arriving in March. 

If this picture doesn't say ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE I'm not sure what does?! 

 Greta taking a turn getting snuggles from baby cousin Mindyn.  

Auntie Lynn opening a gift and everyone watching attentively.   I believe this was one of the first gifts opened.  :)   

Jacy with Milly and Mylo taking in the fun and excitement.    

Hudson getting ready to open his gift.  He was given an OSMO, which he said was one of his favorite gifts of Christmas.  

Milly modeling her new umbrella from Nana Sue and Papa Ed.  Bring on the rain.      

Roy showing off his gifts...work jeans, a Starbucks gift card and an ISU/Pioneer hat.  

Time for another art project, this time making gingerbread men.  It was fun to see their different personalities come out during the creating process. 

Mylo's strategy was to use as many pom moms, sequins and buttons as possible.  

The stockings were hung...

Roy getting in some baby snuggles and smiles from his youngest niece.  

Hudson, showing Clara how the OSMO works.  

It felt appropriate to share this picture because we enjoyed lots of delicious meals, snacks and goodies sitting around the table.  Nana Sue treats us well.    

Ben and I did most of the puzzle fixing but a few others joined in the fun and "helped" out.  

I didn't take this picture and was surprised to find it on the camera, but I love it.  Reading and relaxing  with cousins is a way memories are made.  

It was such a relaxing weekend.  We watched movies, played games, read books, took naps, went for a walk, fixed puzzles, explored outdoors and around the farm.  

These two are the perfect combination of silly and sweet.  

On Sunday afternoon before we went home we celebrated Jenna's January 9th birthday with cherry cheesecake and gifts.