The Kjars Take California

Last month we went with the Kjar family to California. It was a fantastic trip! After a glorious day at a beach in Malibu, our destination was the Danish town of Solvang. Mama and Papa Kjar wanted to take everyone to Solvang to experience a bit of the Kjar heritage from Denmark, and during Danish Days! It's such a charming town and we our time there, as well as some time spent at neat surroundings (Ostrich Land!) with the family.

From a few of the pictures, it's probably apparent that one of my favorite things were the pastries. Can you blame me? They were so-o-o good.

**Excuse the low quality of the photos in this video...

Pumpkining at Rasmussen Farms

^^ You can watch a little video and listen to their laughter here! ^^

^^ Brooks took this picture of Ava and me. :) Thanks sweet boy! ^^

Last year we missed going to Rasmussen Farms to pick out pumpkins with the Kjar cousins, and it was so fun to go back! It's hard to beat the nostalgia of picking the perfect pumpkin, watching the kids have a blast pulling around and riding in vintage Radio Flyer wagons, eating apples right off the tree, and soaking up fall weather. It started off a little rocky (two little people fell asleep on the way, and woke up and little unsure;) but it didn't take long for them to realize they were in Autumn heaven. We left with some great pumpkins and sweet memories. :)

You can see past years of pumpkin picking here:
2010
2011
2012

Cousins and Cupcakes

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to have Samson (Brooks and Ava's cousin) over for the evening. He is such a fun boy! We loved every minute of him with us. And we also lucked out because his sweet mama brought over cupcakes! Homemade, and they tasted even better than they looked...my mouth is watering just thinking about them. :) The boys loved being extra silly as a snapped a few photos of them before they devoured their cupcakes. ;) And later, we set up the tent downstairs, popped some popcorn, and turned on 'Cars' for a little movie night. They were fans. :)

Easter and Living an Abundant Life

^^ Brooks enjoying the Easter Bunny's leftovers ;) ^^

After my last post, I am feeling especially happy to think back on our little Easter Sunday, it was such a good day...filled with sunshine, an inspiring day at church, finding the eggs Brooks had painted and the Easter bunny hid, making festive deviled eggs (that took for-ever. haha), a lovely dinner at the Kjars, Brooks an Ava enjoyed time with cousins, and of course time spent thinking about and discussing the love of our Savior and His Resurrection and Atonement.

I'm so grateful to know that "the miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can live after we die but that we can live more abundantly"...such an inspiring truth from His Grace is Sufficient, a devotional speech given by Brad Wilcox. That is what I want. I hope and pray that I'm creating and living an abundant life, for me and especially my family, filled with real joy and time spent doing things that are lasting and that make a difference.

With Him, I know we will. :) 

Happy (belated) Easter everyone!

Laces for Love

Valentine's Day may have come and gone...but I have a little something you can do if you still want to share a little love that will help make a big difference in the lives of a beautiful family. :)

The Wilkinson family is made of two incredible parents and four lovely children, three of which live at home and one in heaven. They are ready, waiting with open arms, to welcome more children into their home...and they are taking the route of adoption to find the blessed little one(s). They have SO much love to give. How am I so sure of this?? Well, the super-mom of this family just happens to be Adam's sister. :) Go here to read more about this stellar family and their hopes and dreams in regards to growing their family through adoption.

Here's where you come in... The Wilkinsons started "Laces for Love" and are collecting gently used but still wearable shoes to raise money toward adoption. They can take ANY type of shoe - boots, flip-flops, high heels, dress shoes, sneakers, flats, cleats, all sorts. As long as there aren't any holes...and they match...they will take them! For every pound of shoes they collect, they earn $.70 toward their adoption. Amazing right?? You declutter, they earn much needed adoption money, AND the shoes go to third world countries. WIN, WIN, and WIN! Go here to see where there are drop-off sites near you...they're collecting the shoes now through March 31st. 

Please join us and help them complete their family! xo

Family, Football, and Chocolate-covered Strawberries

We had a great time yesterday at Adam's brother's home watching the Super Bowl. Thanks for having us Luke and Becca! Well, the guys watched the game, the littles played and jumped on the bed, and Becc and I had fun visiting and checking in on the game when we could hear the boys hollering extra loud at the TV. :)  She had a fabulous spread (love game day delicious-ness) and made stellar curried turkey burgers...and we both happened to make football chocolate-covered strawberries. Great mind think alike! I'm not a huge football fan (Becca and I shared some laughs at the questions I asked...apparently I haven't dedicated myself to understanding the rules. haha) but I do love an extra excuse to spend time with family! Thanks guys for such a fun time! :)

^^ Becca made some awesome curried turkey burgers in naan "buns" ^^

^^ It only took Aves a minute to follow the boys' lead and realize the strawberries tasted much better than the toy car ;) ^^

^^ Brooks & Samson...two little monkey cousins jumping on the bed! ^^