Father's Day in 2013!

We love DAD'S!  They are so important in children and adult lives.  They give strength and wholeness to a family.  They are leaders.  They are strong and yet loving. 

We had a fun day yesterday!  The kids had to get woken up so we can enjoy a whole day of church at my parents on the farm.  We do this every year as a church and it's always so much fun!

Because of it being Father's Day too, the kids woke up praising Mike with kisses and hugs and "Happy Father's Day" words.  They all signed a card and gave him a gallon of homemade root beer.  I know we will have some good times on the back porch drinking the soda and making root beer floats!  :) 

We were then off to the church fun day at dad's! 

Everyone gathers under a big tent for devotions and singing.

 This was for all the Men when they arrived!

 A line up of food warmers ... ready for lunch!  Uncle Alvin making the chicken.  Again!  Thanks Alvin!

 The many drink options!

 Mommy D. helping Shakia bring Coins For Camp.  All the coins that are given will benefit children's camp this summer!  Mike and Ashlyn are giving too.

 Happy Father's Day to Daudy D. too!  My special grandfather ...

 

 My dad ... Thanks dad for all you do for me and my family!  We love you so much!!!  Also, before church was over, we heard this loud 'coin noise'.  Ashlyn and Shakia thought playing with the coins was fun!  :)

 Lunch time ...

 Ada ALWAYS blows up balloons for the kids and throws a candy scramble.  She's great!

 

Here's the Daddy for our kids!  He's so special and we love every ounce in him! 

Thanks for all you do for us, Baby!!!  You are the BEST!!!

Mike enjoyed croquet!

 This is Matt and Mike ... again!  These two are too crazy together.  No, no he didn't really hit him!

 Collecting candy ... all they could get!

Ashlyn and Alaina licking their lollipops!

This piece of watermelon was bitten off of and laid on a bench.  The girls decided to finish it off.  They were so dirty and wet from the juice but they loved it! 

 

 Matthew played so much ball all day long!  He finished off the day playing in the creek and getting all wet!

Hadassah had a blast with the girls that were there.  Her friends are special and in between laughing, running, playing volleyball and eating ... she had a good day!!!

Thanks so much Dad and Mom for opening up your farm for this fun day!  We love you!!!

Happy Father's Day to all you dad's out there!!!  God made you special!

Breads ~

I have in the past few years cut back considerably with my bread in take.  It really helps keep those unnecessary pounds off and I feel much better.  However, every now and then, I will cut myself a fresh, baked slice of homemade bread!  Most times I toast it and dab on some butter.  It goes so well with over lite eggs!

Last night, I went to the freezer to pull out another loaf and I realized we were out.  Matthew loves bread with butter and homemade strawberry jelly (which is so yummy right now!), but he still prefers 'store bought bread' for sandwiches.  The texture just seems to fall apart for him.  But, every morning this week, the kids woke up with French toast on their minds and I happen to think that homemade bread truly makes the best French toast around!  The thick slices dipped in egg and cinnamon and then fried in some butter is tops!!!  Hadassah sprinkles hers with 10 X sugar and Matthew floods his in homemade syrup.  :)  Ashlyn asks for 'sirrup' too.  :)

Both of my recipes that I have used the past two days comes from a cookbook written by cousin Mary Jane!  This bread that is filling my house right now with a wonderful smell is soft and makes 5 wonderfully loaves!  I used to think baking bread was really hard until I finally defeated the process and just tried it over and over.  I have come to say, "It's easy.  Really!"  Here's the recipe if you would like to try it ...

2 TB. Yeast

1 TB. salt

1/2 cup sugar

4 cup warm water

1/2 cup oil

1 TB. Vinegar

2 cup whole wheat flour (I used 4)

8-9 cup Occident flour (I used 6)

 

Beat together yeast, salt, sugar and water.  Let rise; then add oil, vinegar and flour.  Knead in a Bosch mixer for 10 minutes.  Let it rise for 1 hour.  (If the dough seems sticky, mix in a little bit more flour before letting it rise.)  Divide between 5 loaf pans.  Set in your oven and turn on the oven light.  (The light gives it just a bit of heat.)  Let rise another hour.  Bake at 335 degrees for 25 minutes.  (The original recipe says to bake it at 350 for 20 minutes.  I prefer at 335 degrees.)

 

~

Banana Bread ... this is what I made yesterday.  It's called "Banana Split Bread". 

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 large)

3 TB. milk

2 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans

 

Cream butter and sugar.  Beat in egg.  Combine bananas and milk.  In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with banana mixture.  Fold in chocolate chips and pecans.  Pour into a greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 minutes.  Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

 

I wish you all a good time baking if the bread taste buds start to water in your mouth!!!!  :)

 



Jobs ~

Summer jobs are under way.  I can't believe that my first born baby is off to market today helping sell pickles with sister-in-law Lena.  I can't wait to hear how her day went and I am sure this will be a great learning experience!  Both with learning how to serve people well and learning to give change.  I know it will be a good experience!

Chores ... I have failed miserably with keeping up with the kids chore list.  Oh, it's easy to sit down and make a cute list.  I even found some 'chore sheets' of paper at a yard sale that we filled out.  Hadassah and Matthew both have one hanging up in the kitchen but why then is it so hard to stick to it and get them crossed off?! 

Hadassah and Matthew have the job of pulling the weeds in the front, big flower bed.  It's not tough but it can easily get out of hand if they don't do it every week.  Yesterday, they were both at it for awhile and now Matthew has the rest to finish today.  (Since Hadassah thought it was WAY NOT FARE that Matthew didn't have to do it alone since she was at market today.  Sigh.) 

Matthew also helped me clean the shop this morning.  I do this every other week and now that the kids are off of school and home to help, it works great!  He dumped the waste cans and swept off all the lunch room chairs.  He rewarded himself with an Mike & Ike candy pack.  :/

Teaching the kids how to work is not easy for me.  I at times find myself working around the house and not subbing out the work.  Most times I send them out on the job for a disciple.  I am trying to make work and chores be a fun experience and not always as a punishment.  I know the work ethic that we have will come but not without some good training.  I think this summer will be a great start!

Now, it's my turn to be off and do more house work.  I have bread rising on the kitchen counter and it will be making the house smell like a bakery in a few hours!  I also baked a loaf of banana split bread last night because for some reason, all four banana's that were hanging nicely on their hook, decided to all split and fall to the counter.  I ate one banana and decided to smash the other three, add some flour, walnuts and chocolate chips (and a few other ingredients) and make a loaf of bread.  It smelled so, so good and the taste was great too!  It went perfectly with our homemade ice cream at Mike's parents last night!  Yum!

The yard and weeds are in need of my time and so I am off to enjoy the beautiful afternoon outside!!!  The sunshine is so inviting out there!

Our weekend will be spent with our church family and maybe some time with cousins?!!!  You will find us at the ballpark too cheering Matthew on with his tournament games!!!  We love SUMMER!  It's the ultimate!

P.S. ... Don't forget to wish your father's all Happy Father's Day on Sunday!  Dad's are so important and so let's let them know we love them and appreciate all they do for us!!!

Summer Vacation Days with the Lapp Family ~ 2013

We just spent the entire weekend with Mike's family at this beautiful cabin away from home.  It's been our 'get-away' place now for a few years.  We love it!  Rain or shine, it's a great place and we had a wonderful time with family!

 

I took Mike's parents and our three children up on Thursday morning.  It rained all day, all night, and all day Friday.  The cabin has a really nice pool and sitting area, but that didn't bother me a bit!  It felt so good relaxing inside the big camp and playing settlers with Dad's, spending time in my journal, watching the kids entertain themselves and hearing the pool table games going on downstairs.  We sipped coffee, listened to music and laughed.  The kids finally decided to jump in the pool that night.  It just was too tempting to not.  Swimming in the rain only lasted a few minutes but they got wet.  That's what counted.  It was 11:30 PM before we closed our eyes for the night.

 

Friday was still wet and rainy.  The kids slept in reallllly long.  Hadassah woke up at 11:15.  She wasn't sure if she should eat breakfast or lunch first?  :)  Those sleeping in days are over for me and I am OK with that.  At times.  ;)  It was more games and laziness throughout the afternoon.  Mike came up with his sister and husband and brother and wife.  The five of them joined us at noon. 

 

Mike has a serious issue with me giving him a list of items to bring along when we go on vacation.  (I am going to try to work on this!)  It never fails that I forget something or think of something fun he should bring along.  I texted him to bring a game, the ice cream maker, and ear plugs that I forgot for the kids while swimming.  Now that didn't seem too tough?  Is it?  He had such an issue with the ice cream maker.  Originally, I had in mind that I would run out to a local store and buy ice cream for my supper meal that I was making for everyone that night.  Then I remembered the ice cream maker in our garage and knew immediately that that would be so much better.  Much better.  Plus, Mike's parents are pros at making homemade ice cream!  Win, win situation!  He did bring it but with an attitude.  If it would be up to him, he would pack so lite and we could pack up for vacation in five minutes and unpack in two minutes.  Men ...!

 

I worked in the big, very nice kitchen on and off throughout the afternoon.  It was raining and I was glad that it wasn't teasing me to be in the sun.  It was my day to make supper.  I baked a cake.  Cleaned the strawberries.  Got all the fresh pressed hamburger items together.  Snipped off the ends of fresh sugar peas and so when it was time to start dinner ... I was ready!  Steve's, Ben's and Ritchie joined us that eve too and now we were all together! 

 

Mike grilled the hamburgers while the men took turns turning the ice cream maker!  It turned out perfect!  Mike did admit that bringing the ice cream maker really wasn't that bad after all.  :)  The kids and mom took a dip in the pool in the rain again.  Never a dull moment!  We played more settlers and games!  We sat around and chatted.  The campfires will have to wait for tomorrow night.  It was yet another night of up late and having fun!

 

Saturday it rained in the morning and then cleared off after lunch!  The air was cool and so the pool was still not being used a whole lot.  The kids played wiffle ball in the yard with Ritchie for a long time.  The men sat around watching Steve with his Brisket and smoker!!!  Then they played quates while us ladies watched!  We had a wonderful meal at supper!!!  Steve served us Brisket with lots of sauce options while Linda and Lena added more yummies to complete the meal!  Everyone was raving over the good, tender meat!  Good job Steve!

 

We were ready for some campfire fun and smores after dark!  We roasted marshmallows and hot dogs and chatted.  Mostly about childhood days.  Memories.  Hadassah, Jeffrey and Jeremy had a 'truth or dare' contest going on.  Matthew had fallen asleep by the campfire or he too would have enjoyed this!  They were in the kitchen at 11 PM daring each other to try popcorn with onion salt and cheese.  Something to do with ketchup and bananas and applesauce, etc..  They laughed and laughed!  We decided to start a game of settlers at 11 PM too.  Only at the mountains do you do crazy, late night things like this!  :)  Most of the men were still chatting around the campfire.  That never ended till after 2 AM!

 

Sunday morning we woke up to SUNSHINE!!!  We were excited for a day of sun and water!  The kids had a blast swimming, playing KanJam, and being with cousins!  After clean up and packing up (Mike's idea of being able to pack up in five minutes went down the drain because his wife has not consented to packing that lite yet), we headed home.  We spent the evening resting in our very own back yard and munching on chips and salsa!

 

We are so blessed to have family that love us.  We are blessed to have Christ in our lives and being able to call family our friends!!!  Thanks everyone for the great weekend!       

 

 I made a bean salsa that seemed to be a hit!  I posted the recipe last summer and it really should be posted again because it is sooooo good!  Also, here's Mike prepping the grill! 

Homemade ice cream at it's best!!!  Topped with fresh cut strawberries!!!

Sophia and Ashlyn are at a cute age.  We still need to work on Ashlyn sharing and caring with her friends!  :/  KanJam ... it kept the men occupied for a long time!

Oh my ... here's our 'Puffer Fish'!!!  Mom brought these little balls along up that the kids (and some adults, ha) played with.  One popped and the boys stretched it on the heads.  Only boys would do this!

These were our food spreads!  Huge breakfast and a big supper!  The whole nine yards!  Another thing that usually only happens at the mountains!

Ashlyn riding a toy.

Landon with three cookies and a phone!  That's normal for a seven year old right?  :)

The men gathered around Steve's smoker!

Celine waiting for the perfect time to make a big splash.  Hunter giving out a yawn!

Ashlyn sat in this tubbie of water when I wasn't into the cold pool water just yet.  The cool air made us bundle up just a bit too ... cutie!

I think there were 10 different sauces that were served with the Brisket.  Really, we wouldn't have need one because the meat was so good, but the sauce flavors were amazing as well!!!  Strawberry pies!!!  Fresh and yummy!

Pool time with daddy!

Coke and pretzels ... yep that's good for you right?  Now for the cucumbers ... Mike and Matt are always tit for tat with each other.  They do things that would just get the other one all fired up.  Mike brought two cucumbers along to his pool chair, hiked up his shorts, and waited for Matt's arrival and hopefully some crazy remark!!!  He got the remark and we all laughed or crooked!?!

My man getting a tan!!!

The kids really enjoy swimming!  Especially with cousins!  :) 

Now, it back to REAL LIFE for a Monday.  The washer and dryer have been going for a few hours.  The suitcases are unpacked.  The yard needs mowed but the rain is keeping me inside.  We are blessed to get rain just when we really, really need it!  Thank you Lord!!!

I am happy to say that because of our fun weekend, I was able to check off some of my 'Summer Fun List' things!  I ate a smore and we made homemade ice cream!  I splashed in the pool and ate a bite of strawberry pie.  I exercised!  It's a good start to my lengthily list.  And, we even visited the library this fore noon and now we are booked to the max with Adventures in Odyssey Cd's and we got books for the kids to read while being out of school!  :)

Have a great week!!!

A fun Summer list ...

As I was reading some of my favorite blogs, there was mentioned of making a 'summer list' and make it things that will be fun to do and not just chores!  I loved that thought and idea! 

But first here are some small events that have been going on ...

Monday was the first 'non school day' for our summer vacation and it ended up being way too stressful!  I realize now, and forgot, that it takes a little bit of time to readjust to the new routine.  I am one that thrives on routine and I like my usual daily tasks.  Monday morning came and I already decided Sunday night that I would like to sleep in with the kids on our first morning of no school.  That was my first mistake.  I woke up to Matthew begging for breakfast NOW!  For, that's what he's used to doing.  You see, when they are in school I wake the kids and they come right to the breakfast table!  It's one of the first things they do when they wake up.  However, since I too wanted to sleep in, I was still wiping my sleepy eyes while he's lounge on the recliner demanding me to get up and make him breakfast.  Sigh.

Breakfast went in shifts.  Hadassah woke up a while later and wanted her breakfast.  Ashlyn too.  It was 10:30 before I knew it and I felt like I hadn't gotten any morning work done.  Oh sure, the wash was in the washer but the beds were still not made, my devotions was kinda read in shifts, Ashlyn was so whiny and not happy, and the kids were already getting bored!  Mike stopped in and after seeing the lazy bones in the kids he said that their chore for the day was to wash off all the bird poop on the back side of the house.  I'm telling you ... those black birds are so annoying!  It didn't go easy for the kids ... for this was what they said, "We thought we are on summer vacation?  THIS is not vacation!"  We got that explained and out of the way right away.  Just because you are off school and it is summer vacation ... that DOES NOT mean there is no work or chores.  They did agree.  :)  Eventually! 

Tuesday was a much better day!!!  Ashlyn was much happier!!!  Praise the Lord for that!  Sometimes her two year old attitude of "I can do EVERYTHING myself" gets me frustrated way too quick!  I have been thinking (well rather battling) the thought that I should get out and exercise more!  Making excuses just isn't helping my ego any.  None.  So, I decided to start the new, fresh, cool morning with a walk/run!  I came back with everyone still sleeping and it gave me time to shower, have quiet time with God, plus feel much better about myself!  I was ready for the kids to wake up and I felt like I had a better attitude to help them face yet another day.  A summer vacation day!!!

We all went together and got my drivers license renewed and then grabbed some delicious Subway subs for lunch.  Annie called and invited us to the pool and we were excited!  Thanks Annie!  We love spending our afternoons with you and your children in the sun and pool!

Now for My Summer Fun List. 

This will consist of maybe some dreams, real life experiences and things that I hope to enjoy this summer!  There's no order here.  I typed as the thoughts came to mind.  Defiantly numbers 16, 17 & 20 should be on the top priority list! 

Here goes ...

1.  Visit the Haft.
2.  Splash with the kids at the pool!  A lot!
3.  Eat strawberry pie without feeling guilty for the extra calories.  Then eat just strawberries.  They are so yummy fresh picked from the garden!
4.  Continue to exercise.     
5.  Smell the roses.  Fill my vases with our beautiful flowers from the garden.
6.  Enjoy the veggies and foods we planted.
7.  Have sleepovers for the kids.  They really love that!
8.  Make a trip to the beach.
9.  Dates with my hubby!
10.  Eat at The Cheesecake Factory and savor each bite of cheesecake!
11.  Invite family and friends for campfires.
12.  Watch fireworks.
13.  Celebrate life through ice cream cones or root beer floats.
14.  Roast smores.
15.  Realize that my house will continue to get dirty and be OK with it.  For if it would stay clean 24/7, that would mean no one lives here.  With three energetic kids, a husband that comes home each night from work and rolls around on the floor with them and then eats snack on the living room couch, and a wife that refuses to sweep the floor twice a day ... things will be dirty at times!  :)
16.  ENJOY life!  Really enjoy it!
17.  Praise God everyday for our health and for friends!
18.  Visit the library.
19.  Read books.  Either of my interest or to the kids.
20.  LOVE GOD MORE AND MORE EACH DAY!  Let myself be washed in His love and be able to feel His presence!
21.  Can.  Put lots of filled jars in the cellar.  Peaches.  Salsa.  Applesauce.  Pickles.  Homemade cream of mushroom soup.  Other soups!  Lots of jars! 
22.  Grill!  Get creative with summer grilling!
23.  Eat lots of greens.  Salads!!!
24.  Eat homemade ice cream.
25.  Visit our grandparents.

What's your list?  With this in front of me, I also purpose in my heart to not let time just slip by without making a difference to someone.  Our days seem to go by so fast, other days just don't seem to end.  I wish to slow down and enjoy the moment!

Today will be a day at home doing house work and caring for our youngest.  She caught a nasty cough and cold from somewhere?  Please say a prayer for her today if you think about it!

Cheers for these lovely 70 degree days!

Summer and June are here!!!

It's June.  It's fun.  It's warm.  It's school break!

We said good bye to school for the summer on Friday.  The week was busy with end of year parties, awards, good byes and farewells.  Both, Hadassah and Matthew, finished the year strong and with good grades.  We are so blessed to have great teachers and leaders that really teach and lead the children to Christ in their school work and studies.  We appreciate that so much!

The last day of school was Friday and we also made it a start for the pool!  It was so warm and so after grabbing some lunch at home, we packed up the towels and goggles and went to Aunt Ruth's pool!  It was refreshing (actually, the water was way too cold for me yet, but Ashlyn's little pool worked great for a few quick dips)!  Thanks Ruth for letting us get wet on such a warm, hot day!

Saturday started out early and strong for Mike!  Him and Allen did Tough Mudder together!  It's an obstacle running event.  You run a total of 11 some miles and as you run, you do obstacles along the way.  For example, one obstacle was for you to jump into a dumpster filled with ice water.  This was one that Mike was NOT looking forwards to doing.  He doesn't like cold, especially cold water!  He took the plunge and really enjoyed all the running and all obstacles.  He finished completely covered in mud (hence the name ... "Tough Mudder").  His shirt and socks went straight to the trash.  His shoes got washed and I think are going to be OK for future use.?.  I was proud of his accomplishment and I could tell it really made him proud of himself that he did it so well!!!  Some things in life are worth doing even if it comes through sweat and hard work!  Good job, Mike!

Mike met us at my parents Saturday afternoon.  He went from one event to the next.  We were given Phillies tickets for the night.  After another shower, we were off with the two oldest (thanks Mom for watching Ashlyn for us) to the Phillies ball game.  The afternoon was scorching hot.  Reaching 96 degrees.  We sat in the stands waving ourselves with paper fans.  We had sweat dripping off of us.  Our crab fries and ice cream and soda tasted way too good!  :)  It was a good game and we enjoyed the time with the kids!  My highlight was that we got on the big screen during the game!!!  All the many games that we went to before, that never happened!  We smiled and waved to everyone the stadium!!!  :)  Even though the Phillies lost, it was a close game!

Our air conditioned home and more showers felt so refreshing by 9:00 PM!  We were tired, yet enjoying some quality 'back porch' time!  There were fire works going off in the distance.  The two citronella candles were burning on the patio table.  The sunset was pretty.  There's nothing like a back yard that's green, flowers are lush, and a family that loves you!

Sunday was time spent at church teaching the youth and younger children about the Bible and Jesus.  We ate lunch at our friends house and the kids even got to take a dip in their pool!  (Thanks Marlene for the yummy lunch!  Even when we invite ourselves!!!  :)  )

Our naps never felt so good, especially to Mike!  His legs and body were still recuperating from his run and events yesterday.  We were so happy, however, to see my parents walk through the back door and they spent the evening with us here.  We also invited Tony's over and very last minute pulled some snacks, hot dogs and baked brownies for a small cookout!  We love having campfires in the summer months and it's even better with family and friends!  The kids ran around in the back yard while the younger girls played doll and pushed them in the baby strollers.  Thanks guys for stopping in and for making it a fun night for our family!

Now that school is out and the kids are home during the day, I need to find some projects for them to do!  I thought it would be fun to get to sleep in with the kids but I have come to realize that even if it feels good at the moment, it is still better to get up and 'with it' before the children wake up!  My morning hours flew by with me feeling like I hadn't even started my house chores.  I don't like that feeling.  At all! 

We spent the day working around the house.  The kids brushing off most of the bird poop that seems to be still on our house siding.  Those black birds are nasty and can really make a mess!  Matthew cut a big bag of meadow tea for Mommy Lapp to dry.  He needed a band aid when he was finished because he got a blister.  We picked bowls of sugar peas.  A handful of strawberries was our only findings in our small patch.  Windows got washed and groceries were bought and put away.  At supper time, the AC got turned back off and we let the cool air in!  Still my preference!  Matthew played another hard game of baseball.  His team lost only by one run!  What a gorgeous, perfect weather conditions, evening!

June is a busy month packed with fun summer events!  I will try to treasure the time with the children and nights spent together as a family!  What a blessing to live in a free country and have a roof over our heads and food on our tables!  God has surely, richly blessed me and my family!