• Flashback Friday: Visit From Grandma

    Grandma Kay at the Falls Park with Karlie and Brinac

     Grandma Kay and the girls at Falls Park

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to September 2005 when Grandma Kay came to visit for a few days.  The girls were almost 7 months old and are a lot more active than they were when Grandma was here a few months ago (they were actually still in NICU).  We packed a lot of fun into the weekend.

    Falls Park downtown Greenville (Karlie and Brina)cc

    Our family at Falls Park – Karlie and Brina obviously were not impressed or we wore them out already because they were fast asleep in the stroller for their first picture at Falls Park.

    Karlie and Brina sleeping as we view the Fallsc

    First visit to Falls Park!  Brina and Karlie were so excited they fell asleep as we walked through the park.

    Karlie and Brina's 1st trip to the Falls Park downtown Greenvillec

     Karlie and Brina are ready for a fun stroll through the park.

    Karlie and Brina riding on a fire enginec

     Karlie, Brina and Grandma Kay at GattiTown

    Karlie and Brina's first ride on a carousel c

     Karlie and Mommy and Brina with Grandma Kay on the carousel.  They loved it and were fascinated by all the lights and sounds.

    Brina playing with Grandma Kayc

     Brina playing with Grandma Kay

    Grandma Kay playing with Brina and Karliec

     Having fun with Grandma Kay

    Karlie and Brina down for their nap, looks like someone isn't sleepingc

    Taking a siesta in their bassinets.  Karlie and Brina both have their legs hanging out as they sleep.  The bassinets may be getting too small for them now.

    Karlie and Brina love playingc

     Karlie and Brina playing with their toys.

    Karlie, Brina and Grandma Kay sitting next to Mr. Octopusc

     Grandma Kay, Karlie, and Brina playing

    Daddy and his two goofy girls (Karlie and Brina)c

     Jake and his girls

    Karlie giving us a cheeky smilec

    Someone woke up from her nap all smiles – Karlie Kool Kat

    Go ahead smile Brinac

    Brina Bee woke up with sweet smiles and laughter too.

    Grandma Kay hanging out with Brina and Karliec

     Brina and Karlie hanging out with Grandma Kay

    Playing ball with Grandma Kay - Karlie and Brinac

    Karlie and Brina kicking and pushing the ball back and forth across Grandma Kay’s lap

    Flashback Friday - Brina fell asleep holding Grandma Kay's necklacec

    Brina crashed and Karlie’s not far behind

    Flashback Friday - Silly babies - Brina and Karliec

    Giggling girls – Brina and Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina curious about Karlie's feetc

     Bath time Brina!

    Karlie chewing on Nemoc

    Karlie was more interested in chewing on the bath toys

    Karlie and Brina drying offc

    Karlie and Brina are now squeaky clean and ready to get in their jammies

    Brina watching Daddy play Settlers of Catanc

    Brina sporting a bowl as she supervises Daddy’s game of Settler’s of Catan

    Karlie is now sporting the yellow bowlc

    Karlie isn’t sure about the bowl thing, but relaxing with us as we play a game!

  • Organized Chaos: Storing Our Vitamins

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     Organized Family Vitamins

    We store our family vitamins on the top shelf of our medicine cabinet in the kitchen.  Each basket contains vitamins for our family members.  Jake and I have our own baskets, but Brina and Karlie share a basket containing all their vitamins.

    Once a week I get the vitamins down and refill everyone’s individual vitamin containers for the entire week.  This system has worked pretty well for our family over the past couple of years.  Plus it keeps all the vitamins organized and in one location.  I picked up the baskets on clearance at Staples (they were sold in packs of 3 or more and were a $1 or less).  If you cannot find them at Staples I have seen them around at other stores as well.

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     Our medicine cabinet with the vitamins on the top shelf.

  • Song: He is With Us by Love & The Outcome

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6mEQS2fsWE

    God is someone we can always trust.  No matter where you go he is always with you in the good and the bad.  We may not know what tomorrow will bring, but we know the one who holds our future in His hands.  It is comforting to know that we do not have to walk alone.

    Remember when
    Your hope is lost and faith is shaken
    Remember when
    You wonder if you’re gonna make it
    There’s a hand stretched out
    Through your deepest doubt

    We can’t pretend
    To see the ending or what’s coming up ahead
    Don’t know the story of tomorrow
    But we can stay close
    To the One who knows

    We can trust our God
    He knows what He’s doing
    Though it might hurt now
    We won’t be ruined
    It might seem there’s an ocean in between
    But He’s holding onto you and me
    And He’s never gonna leave, no
    He is with us, He is with us, always, always

  • Travel & Vacation: Midwest Dust Whirlwind

    Travel & Vacation - Kansas - Colorado - Road Trip - P1360786c

     Midwest Dust Whirlwind

    On one our road trips while in Kansas the girls saw their first Midwest Dust Whirlwind.  Some people also called them Dust Devils.  In the past few years Kansas has been pretty dry so sometimes when a farmer is working his field or something else is stirring up a large amount of dust you’ll see a dust whirlwind pop up.

    When the girls first saw it they thought it was a tornado.  It does look like a tornado touching down, but usually happens on a dry sunny day.  We were driving along Highway 34 West near Platner, Colorado when we saw this dust whirlwind.   Hopefully, the Midwest will start getting some nice rain soon so these dust devils will not be as common.  The Midwest is a large producer of crops for our nation and around the world.  We have a lot of farmers in our family from the Midwest who could use more rain for their crops.

    A dust whirlwind (or commonly referred to as a dust devil) is caused when a vortex forms from the dust that is being kicked up into the air.  The dust will often form a swirling column that reaches up vertically through the air.  The dust devils could last for several hours and can either be small or large enough for people to see for many miles.  They are typically harmless other than you can get dirt in your eyes and hit by small particles of dirt if you walk or drive through one.

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     Dust Devil off Highway 34 West!  Looks like a tornado, but it is made of dirt.

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     The farmer working his field is kicking up enough dirt to create this Dust Whirlwind that can be seen for miles.

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     It was amazing to watch the swirling column of dirt raising high up into the sky.

    The “Travel and Vacation” series is an insight into our trips together as a family, ways we relax, and tips on how to make trips more enjoyable.  Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away.  Explore with a good attitude, look for fun, and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories.  It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine.  Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn.  You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!

  • Recipes: Campfire Steak & Kielbasa

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     Cooking Steak & Kielbasa over the fire pit

    In South Carolina the weather is starting to cool off just a little bit.  During the days it is still toasty, but the evenings are beginning to have more coolness as the Fall season draws nearer.  Since the nights are starting to cool off the weekends are a perfect time to go camping as a family.  One of the fun adventures (as the kids say) about camping is making all your food over the campfire.

    We don’t go camping as often as we like.  Life gets busy, but it is fun when we can get away.  If you are like us and can’t always get away you can still enjoy a great campfire meal in your own back yard.  When we have a yard clean up day we will often end the day with a campfire meal and relaxing together as a family.  There is just something tasty about a meal cooked over a campfire!

    Campfire Steak & Kielbasa

    One of the fun adventures (as the kids say) about camping is making all your food over the campfire.  There is just something tasty about a meal cooked over a campfire!
    Prep Time10 minutes
    Cook Time8 minutes
    Marinate30 minutes
    Total Time48 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Camping
    Keyword: Camping, Kielbasa, Steak
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Flank Steak Cut into strips
    • 1 package Kielbasa (12-14 ounces)
    • 1/4 cup Italian Salad Dressing
    • Wooden or Metal Skewers

    Instructions

    • Marinate the steak in 1/4 cup of Italian Salad Dressing for 30 minutes or more.  This gives the steak a nice flavor and seals in the juices when it is being cooked over the campfire.  To avoid taking the Italian Salad Dressing with you on a camping trip just place the steaks in a ziplock bag with the Italian Salad Dressing and it will be ready to go on the campfire anytime. 
    • Soak the wooden skewers in water for about 5 to 10 minutes.  This allows them to not burn up once over the campfire.  If you have metal skewers these can be used immediately.
    • Stick the skewers through the Steaks and Kielbasa.
    • Place the steaks and kielbasa on the campfire.  Cook and flip once until it is done to your liking.  If you like rare steak it will only take a minute or two per side over a hot fire.  If you like it well done it will take a little longer.  The Kielbasa’s will cook fast over a hot fire or bed of coals too.

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    Sizzling over the campfire

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    The meat is ready!

  • Flashback Friday: Growing Up

    Brina thinking about how to get to Daddyc

     Brina trying to figure out how to get across the floor to Daddy!

    Today’s Flashback Friday goes back 10 years.  The girls were 6 months old and starting to learn so much every week.  They are more mobile and on the go.  They love babbling back and forth to each other and to others.  It is fascinating to watch them explore and learn new things.  Our family is blessed with these to sweethearts.

    Brina is the more mobile one, but Karlie is only a day or two behind her.  Karlie is the more verbal one, but it doesn’t take Brina to catch up.  They challenge each other and neither one wants to get left behind so they do a lot of their fun activities together.

    It is cute to see them working together like a small team.  Some of their jibber jabber we don’t understand, however, they seem to understand all of it and will randomly bust out laughing about some inside joke they share.

    Flashback Friday - Brina playing on the kitchen floorc

     Sweet Brina pausing to say “Hi” to Mommy!

    Give us smile Karliec

    Karlie is always quick to offer a sweet smile which makes my heart happy.

    Say CHEESE, Karlie and Brinac

    It’s only been a month since they started eating rice cereal and “solid” food.  The first time we had a lot of tears because they didn’t like it and wanted their bottles.  Now they are all smiles when they get into their high chairs .  They look forward to meal time (I think they consider it another form of play time only messier)!  Oh, how quickly things change in just a few weeks.

    Silly Brinac

    Having fun with Brina as we get her dressed for bed.  She doesn’t look too thrilled, but puts up with her goofy parents anyway.

    Talk to the Hand (Brina and Karlie)c

    Brina – “Quiet Karlie, it’s my turn to talk now….”

    Flashback Friday - What's so funny Daddy - Karliec

    Karlie – “What are you laughing at Daddy?”  She is all smiles and has no idea she has tape on her forehead!

    Flashback Friday - Brina so proud of being able to stand on her ownc

    Brina so proud of her standing ability.

    Flashback Friday - Cutie Pies, we love you - Karlie and Brinac

    Karlie and Brina, they had such pinchable and kissable cheeks at this age.

    Flashback Friday - Brina - I told you I was good luckc

    Daddy’s unique way of giving Mommy some cash.  Brina wasn’t too sure about this new toy in between her toes.

    Karlie - what Mom, I was just trying to get her to be quietc

    Brina would get very upset if she tipped over and couldn’t get herself back up again.  This time when she fell over I think Karlie was concerned about her crying because she stuck her fingers into Brina’s mouth (maybe to make her be quiet, who knows).

    Flashback Friday - Brina a little unsure about the cow rockerc

    Brina’s first ride on the rocking cow (with pillows on either side and Daddy next to her just in case).

    Good Morning Smiley Karliec

    Sweet Karlie

    Karlie figuring out the rockerc

    Karlie’s first ride on the rocking cow.  They were a little unsure about this moving cow at first, but as they got older it became a popular toy at our house.  They loved it.

    Karlie is ready for a fun dayc

    Happy Karlie girl

    Karlie pretending to drink from her sippy cupc

    They are learning how to use a sippy cup.  Karlie sometimes would “act” like she was drinking or play around instead of actually drinking so we had to make sure she was getting enough water.

    Flashback Friday - Brina does not like falling over, she gets madc

      Brina tipped over Mr. Octopus while playing and couldn’t get back up.  She was not happy!  Once I sat her back up again she was fine and her happy self again.

    Whose got Karliec

    Surprised Karlie woke up to a massive stuffed animal on the swing with her.   Where did this come from?!  “Butch” was a large stuffed dog I got as a kid from Grandpa CE and Grandma Willa.  The girls loved to roll around, climb, and play with it when they were little.

    Karlie happy to be hanging out with Daddyc

    Life is good – Karlie

    Flashback Friday - Brina - come close so I can touch youc

    Brina is fascinated with the new toy which we called “Giggles”.  It would giggle and move around the room.  She loved to followed it around the room and knock it over so it wouldn’t run away.

    Karlie concerned because it is getting closerc

    Karlie on the other hand was a little suspicious about a laughing and moving toy.  She was fine with it at a distant, but the first time it bumped into her arm she was hysterically screaming like it attacked her.  After watching it a few more times she eventually got used to it and enjoyed it.

    Brina on the hungry hippo, sitting by herselfc

    Brina riding the “Hungry Hippo”!  They could ride on the hippo and as it moved it would pick up block and other toys off the floor and put them into a storage bin under the seat.  It made “clean up” more fun for the kids.  They both loved riding on it or being pushed around the house picking up scattered toys.

    Flashback Friday - Brina and Karlie playing on Mr. Clownc

    Playing together on “Mr. Clown” mat.  They initially would both fit (with all their toys) and stay on the clown mat now they are getting older they never stop moving so even though they might start there they don’t stay very long.

    Karlie happy playing the pianoc

    Karlie is happy to play music for the rest of us.

    Brina showing off her belly button while Karlie waits for the picturec

    Brina talking and showing off her belly button while Karlie sits there nicely for the picture.

    Karlie - here let me check out your eye; Brina let me check out your mouthc

     They loved talking (or babbling) to each other.  This was one time while I was getting them dressed.  Karlie was talking away so I sat Brina up on the changing table with her and they talked back and forth for several minutes.  Who knows what they were saying, but they were having fun.  They were fascinated by the words and noises coming out of each others mouths and would stick their hands inside the others mouth trying to figure out how it all worked.  Loved these little interactions and the cute gibberish they made.

    Karlie curious about the hat and waking up in a strange placec

    Daddy let Karlie borrow his hat.  He was concerned about her getting a sunburn.

    Karlie cutiec

     Karlie sitting quietly, but not entirely sure about this thing on her head.

    Looks like a cute baby in the laundry basket - BrinacA whole lot of Brina mischief was found in my laundry basket.  They used to love playing in our laundry baskets.  Once they were older they made it a game to climb in and out, wonder how that started?  Sweet Brina is distracted me from doing the laundry, but hey that can wait until tomorrow, right!?

  • Organized Chaos: Health & Beauty Supplies

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    Health & Beauty Supplies

    We have a tall narrow closet in the master bedroom where we store regularly used Healthy & Beauty Supplies.  When we find something that it is on sale and we know we will use in the next 1 to 6 months we pick it up and put it in the appropriate container.  The containers hold plenty for our family for the next few months so we never get more than what the container can hold.  If the container is empty or running low we put that item on our shopping list for the next trip to the store.

    As the kids get older I have noticed they are starting to go through more of the Health & Beauty items.  Since we try to get these items when they are at a good price we haven’t noticed too much of an increase in use.  I anticipate as they get older the use will continue to go up and they may start getting more specific about what they like (or don’t like), but for now they are content with just pulling out something from the container that we have on hand.

    It helps having everything organized and available so when an object is needed already we have it.  There are a couple items that technically are not Health & Beauty that we keep stored in this area as well such as the Air Fresheners and Small Gifts, otherwise it is all health and beauty items.

    Once again you can see that I used the small clear containers with a white lid from the Dollar Tree.  These fit perfectly in so many of our smaller closets and help us keep supplies in order.  They are easy to see into, pull out, open up, and refill.  Anyone in the family can easily get the items they need without assistance.  We have not replaced the original wooden closet shelves in this closet because it is such a different sized closet the wooden shelves work for it.  The closet is not wide enough to fit 2 of the plastic containers side-by-side so I used a narrow box to slide in next to the containers which contains some of the slightly bigger items we try to keep on hand.

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    Top Shelf of the Health & Beauty Closet Contains:

    • Air Fresheners & Refills
    • New Make Up
    • Q-Tips & Cotton Balls
    • Box of Small Gifts (I try to have a handful of small gifts on hand for last minute parties, teacher gifts, hostess gifts, or something else.  Couple examples of what I keep in this box are candles, decorative hand soaps, and more.  These items have come in handy when we don’t have time to run to the store, but need something to give someone.)

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    Middle Shelf of the Health & Beauty Closet Contains:

    • Female Deodorant (which now we have 3 people in our household using)
    • Male Deodorant (we always have at least 2 of his deodorants out at a time – 1 for everyday home use and 1 packed in a toiletry bag for when my husband travels for work.  There have been times when he has had to leave at the last minute so having this already packed and ready helps us make sure he has everything he needs to travel and allows us to get him out the door more quickly.)
    • Chapstick / Lipstick
    • Box of Toothpaste, Tooth Brushes, & Mouthwash (since these are typically longer or taller in size they fit better in the box on the shelf)

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    Bottom Shelf of the Health & Beauty Closet Contains:

    • Hand Sanitizer & Sunblock
    • Dental Floss
    • Toothbrushes
    • Box of Lotion & Face Wash

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    All the Health & Beauty items are organized and ready to be used!