Birthday Breakfast (Day)!

fancy party table at Cracker Barrel

happy birthday, sweet girl!

I love you, my little SJO

walking into Cracker Barrel...

seeing everyone for the first time!

she loved her balloons and table decorations

MeMa Debbie & the birthday girl

SJ eating her special 'birthday cake'

snuggling with her MeMa

on to the next fun-stop of the day... downtown Saint Joe!

enjoying the music at the Brown Bag concert at the band shell

MeMa Laurie and SJ watching the water splatter at the fountain

'take my picture, Mom!'

we took a rest and took in the sights on the bluff

on to the Carousel with MeMa Laurie and Papa Al

waiting in line for the Carousel--it's MeMa Laurie's first time!

MeMa Laurie, Papa Al & Schaeffer Jo's ride on Octavia at the Carousel

What a extraordinarily fun day we had! Birthday breakfast has become a treasured tradition--a day that I so look forward to in celebrating my sweet girl each year.

While the logistics of this year were undeniably different--we were in a restaurant, not our home, we still had a wonderful time and made sweet memories. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the family that we're blessed with--and the daughter that God has entrusted Griffin and I with.

wow.

Happy birthday, Winkler kids!

Schaeffer Jo & Eli waiting for the slip-n-slide

MeMa Debbie & Jane

Eli in the splash pool

the 'kid' table

toothy grin

birthday boy

hey you, birthday girl

yummie!

i want it ALL

Hard to believe that my sweet Eli is turning three (which means that my gal SJ is turning FOUR), and that Janey Bean has turned one. Amazing how time flies--especially when you're having fun!

BCYF 2011

did someone forget to feed that goat?

SJ got to give pets to a baby goat

that was only 1 day old

that's one big wheel!

the spinner teddy bear ride

Eli & Schaeffer Jo waiting for the bumble bee ride

the excitement tired Jane out

hey you, fashion model!

Schaeffer Jo & State Representative Pscholka

look out world, it's officer Schaeffer Jo!

sweet pictures, Schaeffer & Papa Doug

smooch!

corndiggity dog

the great green bean factory of 2011

dill & garlic

then the beans

then the hot red Thai chili pepper and the cayenne pepper

then repeat (a couple dozen times!)

After the jars are filled with the beans, they are covered in a vinegar, water and salt brine and processed in a caner for 10 minutes. Then, the hardest part: letting the beans sit for 2 weeks before digging in!

I can't wait to chomp, chomp, chomp on some!

Hero Daddy

the Baroda firemen who completed Officer training

my sweetie

the two great loves of my life

Monday night I couldn't have been more proud of Griffin as he was honored by the township for completing over 200 hours of training for Officer training with the Baroda fire department.

Even more than completing the training, I'm proud of the sacrifice that you make, Griffin--spending time that I know you'd rather be with us serving your community and doing it with great excellence. I'm blessed to be your wife! Congratulations, sweetheart!

Haiku(s) for you!

black, brown and spiny

they are everywhere it's true

there are bugs in the basement

it's gross

but it's true.

fan, blowing, whirling

buzzing, swirling.

makes my toes like ice.

all i want is to turn it of

but then i'll sweat through the night.

dehumidifier beeping, trilling,

calling out: empty me now!

the job is never through.

i guess it's better than moldy sheets

but at 3 am

it sure annoys you.

daydreaming of what was

gourmet kitchen with storage

a place for everything

everything in it's place

so much space...

space, oh the space.

little girl cries for her toys

wants her blankies and 'animals'

can't understand when this will end

Mamma wants to cry too

the little things

the creak of the stairs

the smell with the opening of the door

the sound of the mailman

the woodgrain on my feet

the itty-bitty bathroom

i can't decide what i miss more

Hazel Ruth's dedication

sweet little family

Papa Al & Tobi

Griffin, Schaeffer and I had the privilege of watching my niece Hazel be dedicated on Sunday. It was sweet to hear how her name is also related to the verse my sister and brother in law have chosen for her life--and how she is a little girl that will be prayed (and has been) all the days of her life.

We love you, sweet Hazel.

ps: to watch the 'video' of Hazel's dedication, click over to our other blog, 40 days of blessing.

Ford Lake fun with the Austins

Tobi loved the sound of running up and down the dock

'cheez!'

my little buddy with his trucks

(and secret chocolate chip cookie stash)

Hazel in her sweet tent hang out

beautiful girl

prunie little toes

Tobi splashing it up in the water

We had a great time with my sister and her kids at the cottage. We don't often get to spend time together here-so it was a sweet treat to be able to be together and relax without anything too pressing.

Enjoy the pictures.