Our kids were on spring break last week but our New York kids are on break this week and spending the time here with us. That means lots of get-together’s and lots of photos 🙂
Spring Break
My New Favorite Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
I recently saw Lidia Bastianich prepare Fettuccine Alfredo using just a few ingredients. Although I already have a favorite recipe, I know it is high in calories. I made this version lighter and love how quickly it comes together as the pasta is cooking. Don’t be afraid to use the sage ~ it infuses just a hint of flavor.
Sage-infused Fettuccine Alfredo is an easy recipe for a lighter, healthier version of Fettuccine Alfredo. Serve with a crisp salad or topped with grilled chicken for a lovely Easter dinner, romantic Valentine’s Day or whenever you want a special pasta meal.Continue Reading
December Highlights
outside vignettes
inside
Our weekly Bible Study Community Group having a blast at our annual Christmas Dinner
The dearest folks that bring so much encouragement, wisdom, prayers and love to us and each other every week.
John’s Company Holiday Party.
Abbey is an employee here too, since July and someone took a photo of her and the co-founder/Executive Vice President because they are the youngest and the oldest employees.
Christmas Eve at Jamie’s playing “Don’t Eat Cashew!” game.
Enjoying the ambiance and Christmas Eve peacefulness of her warm home.
Christmas morning with Abbey
Watched (over and over) a heartwarming video of NY grandkids singing to us via cell phone video.
Erin, AJ and Jared & Jamie, Josh and family arrived late afternoon. They learned that Cashew was being extra mischievous and hid all of the Christmas presents. After dashing throughout the house, Keri was the first to find them in a large cabinet that recently housed our TV.
such fun
chilling after dinner
Look of fright on Chloe’s face as PopPop takes her photo.
She is a bit uncertain of him as were two other grandkids when they were babies.
Some little ones love guys and some prefer girls but they all come to love him when they get a little older.
Here he is trying to to divert her attention so she realizes he really is a nice PopPop
One of my favorite shots
The adults were still chatting in the dining room after dessert and I walked into the kitchen and noticed the kids playing with the trains and talking about the village houses and which are there favorite. Noah even remembered which ones were his NY cousins’ favorite.
It was so sweet to hear see them having a quiet moment at the end of some busy days.
Notice Caleb looking over the sofa arm 🙂
Frosted Sugar Cookies
Frosted Sugar Cookies are my grandson’s favorite! Mine too, really. Sweet, buttery cookies in fun shapes and pretty frosting. Frosted Sugar Cookies are festive and fun for holidays or birthdays. Try this easy recipe for cookies and frosting to make the prettiest and tastiest cookies!
My Blessings
around the table
and Face Time with Jill and family in NY 🙂 
Oatmeal Cookies to the Rescue
What’s a Mom-Mom to do when her always talkative and friendly 15-year old grandson becomes a one-word-answer, not-much-to-say young man? That’s a heart Ouch! One that this mom of all girls never encountered. Oatmeal Cookies to the Rescue!With the GrandKids this Week
So much to do during a weekend with grandkids. No more training wheels for Caleb. We found a bike at a yard sale this weekend so this little guy could ride at our house too.
Spur of the Moment Adventure
Jared, Ella and I planned to spend the day with Jamie and the kids. When we arrived Jamie asked if we wanted to go on an adventure. We all climbed into her 12-passenger van and it was off the Camden Waterfront. What a gorgeous day with lower temps and humidity, a sky filled with fluffy white clouds, eight delighted children and a (round about) 😉 trek to the city. There was a mad dash to catch the ferry that shuttled us across the Delaware River.
From the ferry we could see on the Jersey banks, the Battleship New Jersey, The RCA building, Campbell’s Field, The Ben Franklin Bridge, the New Jersey State Aquarium and the Camden Children’s Garden. On the Philly side we saw Penn’s Landing and historic Philadelphia.
We walked through the streets and looking for just the right place to eat.
And we found it! An Asian cafe with seating on the quiet sidewalk under shady trees.
The food was delicious! We ended our meal with a wonderful plate of
Sesame Fried Bananas topped with Coconut Ice Cream!
It was such a lovely day that I texted John telling him I found the perfect day-outing for our anniversary in October. I even told our server at the restaurant we will see her then.
He is excited!
Birthday Outing with Silas
We were finally able to take Silas out to celebrate his 6th birthday that was back in May.
We went to a Camden Riversharks Baseball game at Campbell’s Field at the base of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Here at The Camden Waterfront just across the river from Philadelphia, Silas clenches his Finley.
A ride on the carousel and a hug from Skeeter
Though he doesn’t look it, Jared had a great time too.
Sweet guy was at a sleepover the night before and hadn’t slept for over thirty hours but was still cheerful and kind. He dozed in the car then came alert a bit after this 🙂
We had had seats right in the center just behind the dugout but when the sun came out from behind the clouds it got pretty hot. We moved to higher, shadier seats with an occasional breeze that was better.
View of the Ben Franklin Bridge heading into Philly
After the game there was a firework display
Celebrating Grads
Saturday we had a party to celebrate Erin’s college graduation and Jared’s middle school graduation
Jared listened intently as Pop-Pop shared and prayed for our oldest grandson
Our first-born and slightly strong-willed daughter was a little apprehensive when her dad called her to his side and began to share her accomplishments. He reminded her of her first word, “I-will-do-it“, and how that trait along with her determination, perseverance and hard-work helped her to obtain her degree while maintaining a home, career and being a mom. This much-loved daughter has boundless energy, creativity and personality. She is talkative, bold and opinionated.
She weathered being the oldest child and gracefully forgave us of the many errors we made as parents.
(this Einstein art was a gift to Erin made by Abbey) 
So that Erin always remembers that others appreciate and admire her many gifts and talents,
I made this subway art for her.
~ Erin Lee ~
Some of the friends and family that celebrated with us
I saw the candy poster on facebook and copied the idea for Jared
Sunday afternoon we gathered again to celebrate the graduation of another sweet girl. Karli, (Top right photo between her brother and dad) is the daughter of my late cousin, Tammy.
Karli, and her younger brother and sister lost their mom in a car accident twelve years ago. She recently received her Doctorate of Pharmacy.
My cousin Karen (Karli’s aunt) was showing off her 1st grandbaby, Emma Katherine
♥
My cousin, Caroline (in the orange dress and Karen’s sister), has a daughter who is getting married in August. So we still have some more celebrations to come!
My cousin, Caroline (in the orange dress and Karen’s sister), has a daughter who is getting married in August. So we still have some more celebrations to come!
Whirlwind
As we get older, it seems we get busier and busier. Our days have been filled with weddings, showers, graduations, parties, birthdays and get-togethers. Nary a week goes by that we don’t have an opportunity to gather and celebrate life and milestones.
Our oldest grandson, Jared, graduated Thursday night from Middle School and is heading to high school in SeptemberContinue Reading
Toni and Joe
I knew this day would be a very special one because the two individuals joining hands and hearts together are very special. This was the day Toni and Joe exchange their vows to one another to be there for each other in all capacities for the rest of their lives.
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| Photo Source: Unknown from facebook |
The Kiddos
Cambrie Keri & Chloe
Keri ~ motherly and girly
Cambrie ~ tiny and independent (capable of holding her own as one of six siblings)
Also… soft and pixie-ish (loud and clear when defending herself)
Silas ~ sweet and connected
Ella (like a grandchild) Very girly, bright, capable
Keri ~ thoughtful artistic and creative
Noah ~ strong, athletic and organized
Caleb John ~ full of fun quirky character. Wish you could hear the sweet musical way he talks. It would warm your heart.
Keri and Chloe
Chloe Keri and wiggly Cambrie (even Gummy Bears couldn’t keep her in place for a photo)
Jared ~ self-proclaimed geek, academic neat organized even-keeled, affectionate and tender-hearted
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Baby Chloe ~ tiny soft kissable snugly happy smiley
Jamie and Chloe
Family gathered together for a lovely bridal shower for my niece Toni
sisters ~ caring, thoughtful encouraging helpful fun-loving and oft times downright giddy
Carol is the mother-of-the-bride
Ryan’s birthday gift from Aunt Erin ~ he thought this was very cool
Ryan ~ Bright, athletic, respectful, attentive considerate
Brenna ~ quiet, athletic, thoughtful and nurturing
Shaela ~ Adorable, fun, affectionate leader and Daddy’s girl
and Ella who love spending time with the kids.
Brenna ~ quiet, athletic, thoughtful and nurturing
Shaela ~ Adorable, fun, affectionate leader and Daddy’s girl
and Ella who love spending time with the kids.
Guess who lost her first baby tooth while visiting Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop’s?
Linking to:
Happy Family Times @Crafty Moms Share
Easter Weekend
Loving Those Shamrock Shake Mustache Smiles
Not too sure why making shamrock shake mustache faces became a tradition here but these silly leprechauns always have a delightful time of it.
A cheerful heart is good medicine
Proverbs 17:22
