Friday, May 29, 2009

Quote of the Week: Reality and Shadow

Photo by Andrew Sisson


To forsake Christ for the world is to leave a treasure for a trifle, eternity for a moment, reality for a shadow. - William Jenkyn


Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Helping Hands


What a treat it was to have Ellen and Elaine W. join us here at Nitchfield for a few days! Together we tackled some big projects, which absolutely flew by with their help and company.


It was such a joy to talk and spend time with you two (not to mention the excuse to stay up playing games and eating ice cream!). What a blessed woman I am to have such friends!


Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Philemon 1:6-8

I can't wait till our next time together, ladies!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Catching up: Easter

Here are a few pictures from our Easter down at Mimi and Papi's farm. Sorry, no Easter dress pictures. That outfit didn't make it for very long - let's just say we had a lot of laundry. ;-)


Aunt Kristi and Alaina. Our girl got to meet some more of her family over the weekend! She was well entertained by all the hustle and bustle.


Alaina liked being held by Aunt Gretchen, but wasn't too sure about Layla Ann. They need a little more time before they will really start enjoying each other. ;-)


David and (judging by the face) something tasty!


Big girl cousins Haley and Hunter. I had such a nice time, and we're all looking forward to the next family gathering!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Quote of the Week: Resting


You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You. - Augustine

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Catching up: Spring Cutie

Before the weather got warm, I got some pictures of Alaina in her sweater set that came all the way from England.






Thank you Gloria, they are so sweet!



Usually Alaina is fairly good with the camera. Of course, there are exceptions.


She's not too fond of hats.


But that's just because she doesn't know how sweet she looks in them!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Quote of the Week: Making Readers


Children are made readers on the laps of their parents. - Emilie Buchwald

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Catching up: MO trip 3

Our big food event was a trip to Lambert's Cafe, the home of the Throwed Rolls. Grandma and Grandpa Sisson, we missed you! (They were the first ones in the family to discover this restaurant.)


Not only do they give you heaps of food, the also throw you these delicious, fresh rolls. Yes, throw! What could be as fun as a legalized food fight?


The rolls are gigantic and delicious. Alaina was duly impressed. For her first time out to eat, she behaved very well (she fell asleep in her carseat) and was careful not to blow the budget. Such a good girl!

Okay, so eating wasn't all we did.


We enjoyed some nice hikes and drives on the ranch property. They had a goodish sized creek that made a nice (steep) walk.



That was back before we had much green yet, and we all enjoyed the red bud trees and flowers.


Of course, there is more than one way to spend time outside, isn't there? ;-)


Foot art, or weirdness? You tell me.

Monday, May 11, 2009

For Mimi and Auntie Gretchen


Alaina looks so cute in her bumbo seat, I had to get a few pictures for you to see.


It's nice to be able to move her around and let her play in different positions, now that she can handle that big head a little bit better, and bring toys up to her mouth all by herself!


Makes us feel so big. ;-)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Catching up: MO trip 2

Now, a little more about our MO trip.


I loved this little nook just at the bottom of a stairway, where Haley slept. They did a good job of making a landing into a very cute sleeping area.



The Jungle Room! I love how the house was planned with families in mind.There were lots of books, games and toys for kids. The part of the house we didn't rent had a log cabin room, complete with dishes and a fake wood stove!


We played a lot of games while we were together. Billiards, anyone? (Or was that bill-boards? ;-)


Kyle and Grandpa taught us how to play, and there was a lot of friendly competition. May I also add that it's harder than it looks. ;-)


The sporting couple (Well, at least one of us is).



On the rare occasions when she wasn't being held, Alaina played games too, like hit the monkey (great fun, you should try it sometime).


Grandpa Bud keeping A. happy. She loved to talk to him!


No vacation post is complete without some reference to food. Haley spoiled us with her famous Apple Dumplings and a delicious new recipe for blueberry muffins.

We also had another exciting culinary experience while we were down there.


TO BE CONTINUED . . .

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Catching up: MO trip

I have so many fun, un-blogged about things, it's time for a little catch up. I hope you all enjoy the news and pictures!
Just before Easter we rented a house in MO for a week. It was SO MUCH FUN just to be together! Here is the Legacy, our very pretty and comfortable get-away house.



Oops! Wrong picture! This is actually an abandoned homestead on the property. (The Legacy is on a 400 some acre working cattle ranch.) It's located on what used to be a mail road.


Okay, there we go. Better, no?


We seem to have a bit of a castle theme going on this spring. Come on in, and I'll show you around a bit.


Now this is an entrance! Don't you just love that door? Notice that marvelous latch and the Bible in stained glass. We found out pretty quickly that the house is owned by a Christian family (homeschoolers, in fact!).


This is the Phillips room. As you can see, we're into roughing it.


Suite!


Even suite-er!


One of the most important of our activities together - eating!


Cooking in the fully equipped kitchen. Sure was nice to have all those pots and pans!


More eating! Chicken Quedillas (sp?) are one of my favorites to make and to eat.


Avuncular eating. Sorry, no hints. You'll have to look it up.
Alaina was so well entertained, with all the players and carry-ers. She was only alone for naps!


TO BE CONTINUED . . .

Friday, May 1, 2009

NEWSFLASH

Tired of hearing discouraging things about the economy, illnesses, pirates and local crime? Here's a happy bit of news for you:

BABY ON THE MOVE

In a small house located on a quiet country road, a new menace is forming. Alaina H., a four-month-old, habitual fist-sucker, is now rolling over. Her Mother was the first to notice the newly added skill. "I just looked over, and there she was on her back," said Mrs. Phillips. "We'll have to start child proofing the house before you know it!" Placed once again on her tummy, Alaina repeated the feat several times. "I got to see her the second and third time she did it," said her Mother. "The forth time, she was tilting her head back to watch me in the kitchen, and I think it was accidental. Her body kind of just followed her head, and she looked a little surprised. The other times were definitely intentional, though." While evidently proud of her new skill, Alaina refused to perform for the camera, and has declined to comment.



Couldn't resist sharing the good news. ;-)