Caleb's 14th birthday party!

This past weekend, our family and friends gathered with us to celebrate our Caleb's 14th birthday! He chose a glow-in-the-dark party this year, which was pretty cool! We found ideas on Pinterest, including one to make frosting that glowed in black light, made with tonic water. We had traditional burgers and hot dogs, with salad and chips. He chose pumpkin cake to decorate, and it was yummy!

Enjoy the pictures of our enjoyable party celebrating our great kid!

 He got a new CUBS World Series hat from his Grandpa and Grandma-- LOVES it!

 A new small football from his sisters...

 A nice Broncos hat and...

 a cool Rockies sign from Nana...

 A few nice shirts and pants from Auntie Allie (she keeps him so well dressed!)

 And a new Broncos hat (which we will exchange and have stitched) from Mom and Dad...

 and a Flash coloring book. He received so many wonderful gifts! He loves his new hats!

 He made the cupcakes with his friend, and even lit the neon candles!

 Cool glowing!

On Sunday evening, he got baptized at our church, by the same Pastor that baptized both of us (his parents), and his two sisters. Only one more baptism to go, when our youngest is older! It was a special time, I got all teary-eyed! What a great choice to love and serve Jesus, and profess his faith in Christ!

 After the baptism with Dad and Mom.

His last gift this morning, a new Flash t-shirt-- cool!

It was a wonderful weekend of a sleepover with his friends, a party with friends and family, then a friend here after church, and finally a baptism! We are thankful for our funny, creative, athletic, tender-hearted son!

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Proverbs 1:7-10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.

Proverbs 19:27
Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Food Friday: Baked Granola

I know it's been quite a while since I've posted a recipe on my blog. This recipe is from my sister-in-law and my niece, Norah. When we visited them in August, we had this baked granola almost every morning. We loved it! It tasted great, and filled us up for the whole morning. We love granola here, but our kids go through it so quickly! I like that this lasts a little longer.

Enjoy the recipe!

Hearty Baked Granola

1 stick butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

4 eggs, beaten

6 cups rolled oats

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp salt

2 cups milk

1 tsp vanilla

Extras: 1 cup nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins or raisins, 1/4 cup flax seed, 1 cup dried fruit... get creative!

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well. Pour the mixture into an ungreased 9 X 13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. 

To serve: cut a piece, put into bowl in microwave for 30-60 seconds, and milk and devour. Yum!

Before baking...

Ready to eat!

Let me know if you try this recipe, I'd love to hear your review!

Genesis 43:11
Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift—a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

Exodus 16:31
The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Mallory's 10th birthday!

A few weeks ago, (sorry, this is kinda late!) our daughter Mallory had her TENTH birthday! Double-digits-- how can that even be?! She is getting so big and smart and tall! We sure love her sweet smile, zany sense of humor, and her love for all things furry or feathery. She is our chicken whisperer, she could tame them into doing tricks someday, I am sure!

We had a fun jungle themed party for her, with lots of lions, tigers and bears, oh my! We had some family and friends come to celebrate her, but we always wish there was more! This year her party landed on fall break, so several friends were out of town. We still had a great time though. Enjoy the pictures!

 This was a hummus dip tray that I made from a photo on Pinterest, I love it! My parties would be so dull without Pinterest!

 Elephant shaped jello jugglers... fun!

 Her current favorite for dinner... Ham & cheese sliders and cheeseburger sliders-- YUM!

 The table all set up...

 The panda face cake that her dad made for her. So cute! (Mommy bakes it, Daddy decorates it...)

 She got a Finding Dory poster from her friend Annie... (sitting in the chair with her)...

 And a cute little dog... My girls love the big-eyed stuffies...

 American Girl lego people... so cool!

 A fun star shirt from Grandpa and Grandma...

 A cool Captain America shirt from cousins...

 Mom and Dad gave her Twister, as well as a Star Wars shirt and getting her ears pierced!

 Here are the kids playing Twister at the party.

 Singing "Happy Birthday to you..."

On Sunday, her grandpa came by and gave her a robotic dog that walks and barks, she loves it!

Here is a photo of our girl right after she got her ears pierced... she was really surprised!

Happy Birthday again to our Mallory! 

Genesis 1:25
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

James 3:7
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind...

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory andgoodness.