Another design

Sylvia designed and made this cute outfit in her school colors.

And she used a little airplane button to fasten the top. 

A Proposal

Ryan proposed to Annah today.

They went for a walk in her Krampa and Gram's backyard, and he happened upon what he thought was the prettiest spot.  It happened to be the spot she had called her "special secret place" when she was a little girl.  She had spent hours playing there when there was a willow tree and a special log Krampa had placed for her to sit on. 

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When they came up to the house, we were all there to greet them, including Ryan's mom Joyce and sisters Ashley and Allison.

Gram and Krampa hosted everyone for a lovely cookout to celebrate.

Uncle Travis took us for a ride around the back of the farm in the truck.

These guys look right at home. 

Ryan caught a little bass.

We pray God will bless this couple over their engagement 

and grow them closer to Him and each other in love always.

Poached eggs for breakfast with Caeden

And out for a drive

He drove us all the way to the border!

I've made a few of these little rainbow tote bags, and I've decided to try writing up my first pattern design to see if I can sell it.

I'm doing a photo tutorial, so I'm busy taking detail photos of every step of the process of how to do entrelac crochet.

Last week, when I took the kids to school to do their drive-through drop-off/pick-up of school/personal items, my yarn bowls that the STEM club printed on their 3-D printer were in with the kids' things.  I'm loving them! 

Last month our mother-daughter lamp in the living room died. Jeremy got me this new one. I use it so I can see to crochet while the overhead chandelier is off so everyone else can see the tv.

Meatball Subs

A couple weeks ago, I was trying to think of new things to cook, since we are eating so many more meals than usual at home and getting tired of the same ol' same ol'.  I asked Jeremy to get hoagie buns, meatballs, and mozzarella, and I looked up a couple recipes for meatball subs.  They were such a hit with the teenagers; I've made them 4 times in the last month!  I've done them in the oven and in the air fryer, and in combination with the microwave.  I wouldn't really call it a recipe, because we use whatever brands are on hand, but here's what's worked for me:

Ingredients:

Hoagie Buns
Frozen (precooked) Italian Meatballs (4 per sub)
Spaghetti Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese (Slices are less messy than shredded!)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Italian Herbs

First, cook the meatballs per directions--4 per sub for the small hoagie buns. (Sometimes I'll cook the meatballs in the oven if I'm not in a hurry, or I'll microwave them per the directions.)

While the meatballs are cooking, mix several tbsp of EVOO with your favorite Italian Herbs and garlic powder.  (I use a traditional Italian Herbs mix and add anise and marjoram and other favorites as I have them.)  Using a pastry brush, brush the herb/EVOO mixture on the outside of each hoagie bun and place on a baking sheet or in air fryer.  If using the oven, bake 3-4 minutes on each side at 375. In the air fryer, give 3 buns at a time 3-4 minutes.

When the buns are getting a little browned and toasted, put 4 meatballs in each.  Spoon a couple tablespoons of sauce over the meatballs, and load up with mozzarella.  Return to oven or air fryer for 4-8 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly. Use tongs to serve.

Girls Day

Today was a girls day.  Annah did Tessa's, Sylvia's, and her own makeup. 

They did photoshoots, and had a tea party with a fancy cake they baked.

These guys will get their day tomorrow!

Sylvia designed and made this linen jumper today!

And this one!

We took a trip!!!

There were signs to welcome us!

And wrestling happened quickly after we arrived!

We haven't seen these faces since Thanksgiving!

There was basement wrestling.

Tess trying on Sylvia's hair

Gram with her sewing t-shirt and pins in her mouth!

More basement wrestling!

Papa's Place pizza!!!!!!

SnapChat filter fun!

Grayson and Bryce turned EIGHT!!!

Presents!

Bryce was pretty stoked about his iPod and Grayson about his baseball mitt and Wii baseball game!

Girl cousins!

We took a walk and visited Gram's rock garden. My favorite flowers grow there--Lilly of the valley!

Tessa said the bleeding heart are her favorite.

Basement fun!

Legos!

We went to Glenbrook Mall the day it reopened. It was actually more frustrating than we thought about it being, as each store was following its own corporate directives. Some stores we didn't need to wear a mask. Others were requiring masks, hand sanitizing and closing their cage-gate at max capacity so we had to stand outside and wait until someone left and they could let us in. The kids were the most frustrated by it all, I think. We did get Caeden some shorts at Rue-21, so it wasn't a total bust.  Target was much more comfortable.

Hand sanitizing station in the mall

Krampa's pool is open for summer!

Ryan brought his Villains game, and they stayed up late playing. I heard Sylvia won.

These two went fishing.

Bryce banjo!!

The Hair

Bryce loves to snuggle with everyone!

We visited Grandpa and Grandma Lopshire for Grandpa's 70th birthday. We got to meet Grandma's new dog Sugar. She is BIG!

We walked up and down the road and Jeremy told the kids stories of growing up at the lake. The loved it!

There was a trip to Hobby Lobby for craft supplies!  Annah picked out some clay and supplies to make barrettes and jewelry with Tessa.

They are 2 peas in a pod!

Caeden beat Uncle Travis at checkers.

A few games of The Game were played. Too many numbers for me, but Caeden knew how to play.

We enjoy Wrigley.  He is pretty cute.

So great to see these 3!  The girls will be taking turns watching them this summer while Erin continues to work from home. 

This COVID19 season ain't all bad. Grateful for this family time!!!