Happy Birthday Anna

Anna turned 10 years old today.  Wow, how the time has flown by.  She has had her heart set on getting her ears pieced for her birthday.  So shortly after lunch we went with Grandma Joyce to Claire's. She had butteries in her tummy, but she feel better now that it is done. 
 

 Then for supper Anna got to have some time with her Grandpa's and Grandma's. We went out for some great Chinese food and then open presents at our house afterwards.  I decorated this angel food cake, which is one of her favorite deserts.  She also loves to paint, draw, and make crafts. She is very talented and thoughtful girl.    

Merry Christmas!

I was able to snap a nice picture of the kids while we were at Grandpa and Grandma Kostman's house.  It was a great Christmas because we had both sets of grandparents together this year.  The kids were very happy and it was also nice to not have to travel.  

Family Coming....

Very excited today because my parents are coming to visit us here in Nebraska.  It's a good lengthy drive, but they always make great time.  There is going to be a lot of cleaning, cooking, and Christmas songs around here.  Here is  a song called Snow Globe, which is so fun.

Well I need to get off to all the fun things that come with Christmas time.  Hope you all are also having a wonderful Christmas season.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I am ready....

This is how Noah eats grapefruit. He is a creative little boy.  He didn't want to get any of the juice in his eye. 

Watercolor Painting....

Today Anna worked on this watercolor painting.  It's so pretty and the picture does not do it justice.  She likes to watch watercolor video's on YouTube and is learning so much.  It awesome to watch her put into practice what she learns.  You can also guess what she wants for Christmas.  Lots of Art supplies.  We can't wait until Hobby Lobby comes to town.

Rock Wall Climbing....
 Noah had a blast on the rock wall and spend at least half of his evening climbing.  I took the boys to Maranatha for there skate night.  Anna spent the night at Grandpa and Grandma's house.  The kids skated, climb the rock wall, and play in the bounce house.  Plenty of activities to wear them out.

It was a fun night.  I even skating most of the night and played the skate games.  My thighs are sore today.  That is the best kind of workout.  One that does not feel like work, but is fun.

Coffee Shop....

Noah and I went to the coffee shop for a bit.  He worked on some Explode the Code, while sipping on a mocha.  This is the only way to do school.  Anna and Gabe was a their Latin class.  

Happy Veteran's Day!

This is a picture of my dad.  He served in the U.S. Navy.  Tanner and McKenzie are sanding next to him.  This is a picture from a few year back.  Thanks dad for serving our country! He still look's good in his sailor uniform. And to all the Veterans, Thank You!

Compassion.....
This morning we were talking about Compassion.  Compassion is bearing someone else's burden as if it were your own.  Galatians 6:2 says, " Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  and what is the law of Christ?  Galatians 5:14, "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  So many people today need someone to show them compassion.  I wanted to share this song, "Mighty to Save"

Pilate's....
Noah and Anna have had 5 weeks of gymnastic.  They are both having a blast and learning a lot.  Anna has been enjoying all the stretching and asked me the other day about my Pilate's DVD.  So she has been watching the last few days and working out.  It's fun to watch!

Homemade Ranch Dressing:
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp sea salt
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp dill (either fresh or dried)
1-2 tsp chives (fresh or dried)
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp paprika
1 dash hot pepper sauce (or more to taste)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Add crushed garlic cloves to bowl, and sprinkle salt over garlic.  Using fork, mince garlic into a nice pulp with the salt.  Add in mayo, sour cream, and buttermilk, mix well.  Stir in remaining spices. Cover and place in refrigerator for about an hour before serving.

I found this recipe and want to try it out to see how it is.  Looks easy and probably yummy!

Sewer Line....

We have been having problems with our sewer line since we moved into this house in June 2012.  It was time to take care of the problem because it was getting clogged a lot.  It's no fun when you can't use water in your house.  The dishes and clothes pile up.

Maple Oat Nut Scone....

From Pioneer Women's Cookbook

Ingredients

•  SCONES
• 2-3/4 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1/2 cup Regular Oats, Ground In A Food Processor Or Blender
• 1/3 cup Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 2 sticks (1 Cup) Cold Butter, Cut Into Cubes
• 1/2 cup Pecans, Finely Chopped
• 3/4 cups Heavy Cream (more If Needed)
• 1 whole Egg
• 1 teaspoon Maple Extract
•  Icing
• 5 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 cup Whole Milk
• 2 Tablespoons Melted Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Strong Coffee
• 2 teaspoons Maple Extract

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine flour, ground oats, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
Add butter pieces and use a pastry cutter to work the butter and dry ingredients together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped pecans.

Whisk together the cream, egg, and 1 teaspoon maple extract. Pour into flour mixture, stirring gently, until it all comes together. (Mixture will not come together in one cohesive ball; it should be in a few large clumps with some crumbs in the bowl.) If it is overly crumbly and will not come together at all, add a couple of tablespoons of extra cream and work it in.

Turn the dough out onto a cutting board or floured surface and use your hands to press into a 6-to-8-inch circle about 3/4 inch thick. Cut into 8 equal wedges (or you can cut into smaller wedges to get more.) Transfer to a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment and bake for 20-24 minutes, or until poufy and set and just barely golden. (Shouldn't have much color on them at all.) Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.

Combine all the icing ingredients. Make sure it's thick but still pourable. Drizzle a very generous amount on each one, then sprinkle on a few more chopped pecans. Allow the icing to set completely, then serve.

(Scones will keep nice and fresh for days in a plastic zipper bag.)

Making applesauce 
I was able to borrow this kitchen Aid Mixer and use the fruit strainer attachment.  It works like a dream. I am now hooked and really want a Kitchen Aid Mixer. We used it to mix up meat balls earlier this week and Anna and I thought it was the best. Thanks Grandma Kara Kostman for letting us borrow it. I think when I am done canning today I will have 20 quarts of applesauce:)

The Kids Loving There Dogs.....

We just love your beagles.  We are a dog loving family and the kids fight or are sad if they don't sleep with them.  The dogs also always fine the blankets to snuggle on.  These are pictures that the kids too of one another.  Practicing there picture taking skills:)

Canning Tomatoes.....
This year my garden has been booming with lots of tomatoes.  I have been picking and picking and canning a lot.  Noah like to help me pick tomatoes.  I am so glad he like to help because I need the help.

 

Hershey Fall Festival

 This past weekend was Hershey Fall Festival.  Here are the kids sitting and waiting for the parade to start.  It was a cool morning, which was nice.  Grandpa Ray got his John Deere tractor all shined up and hooked the trailer up for us to ride on. 

 Doesn't this kid look great in his hat.  Also the kids all had their cowboy boots on and spurs. 

 Hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma Kostman.  Waiting for the parade to start.

Art Work....
Anna loves to spend time painting.  She uses Youtube in learning how to watercolor.  She is learning so much and loves to create.  Take notice of the saran wrap on the computer screen.  She does try to keep her mess under control. 

Awana's 2013-2014

The kids had a great Awana year.  They all worked really hard and finished their books and then got their awards.  My kids have enjoyed going to Awana's since they were little.  It's great because they have memorized so many Bible verses.  It's also been great to me as the mom who has also had to memorize all the Bible verses with them.  It's also great seeing them work with each other and helping.  Noah loves to listen to is Awana CD at bed time. 

Crane Class....

Last month all my kids went to the Nebraska Art Museum in Kearney.  They were offering a class about Crane's and my kids learned about the artist John James Audubon, created whimsical crane paintings with artist educator Susan Hart, and heard about the biology of the crane with wildlife biologist Laurel Badura.  My kids had a great time and mommy enjoyed it too.
 

Tea Party Time....

Anna took time to cut up pickles, make mini fruit roll ups and set up this little time for her and her dad.  It was like a daddy date time, but the kind were you don't have to leave the house.  She had so much fun getting out her little tea set and spending time making everything just perfect.

Yesterday the weather was in the upper 70's and today its snowing outside.  This Nebraska weather changes so quickly.  We are also headed out today to enjoy swimming at the Rec. Center before our pass ends. 

 His Power in Our Weakness

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Noah & Ruby....

Noah takes all the chances he can to snuggle up to his Ruby. 

Giddy Up...

Anna had fun giving me a few different poses on this pony.  She only wishes she had one of her own.

Anna's New Outfit!!!!

Anna went shopping with her Aunt & cousin and brought home this cute new outfit. Thanks so much Jill Roblyer Kostman & Jessamyn Kostman. Everything fit and she looks so cute.

God's Solution for Life's Problems

Look through the problem, not at the problem. Problems are the opportunities for God to show His power. The bigger the problem, the greater the revelation of God.

Surrender every negative to God's eternal power. Set your heart, no matter what, to walk in the grace of God's solution. God is patient with us. He is right even when we are puzzled. Rest assured that in the end, we will find Him faithful and good.

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

 Devotional excerpt by Don Leetch, DaySpring Co-Founder.

Magic Show......

Gabe and Anna had a fun time getting ready for their magic show.  Gabe is especially interested in magic and card tricks.  He has a birthday coming up in May and he has asked for magic items.  He had a chance to watch some magic shows last summer, which I think sparked his interest.  It's fun to watch them put so much work into getting ready for the show.

 Gabe wearing his magic hat, which adds to the show.

Will Anna escape after being tied up?