Level 2 Preparatory Black Belt

Zane continues to progress well at Anointed Martial Arts, where he is learning Christ Jitsu. It's expensive and sometimes I get tired of taking Zane and Titus... and Levi too in the Fall... but I love everything they are learning. It's not just incredible discipline and self-defense, but loads of scripture memorization and Bible study work they do at home. The motto at Anointed is "Where Christ is Master." So you will never see the boys bowing down to an instructor. We just love it. So... once again.... off with the old and on with the new; this is how it went:


I love how intense he is, just waiting for his turn...



We all cheered as Zane let the other kids have it!



Fighting Mr. Rogers is always fun... NOT. Just ask Titus. But Zane doesn't seem to mind.


Zane always recites his scripture flawlessly at the end.



Congratulations, Zane! We love you and are always proud of you!

Uncle Bruce is fun!

Bruce made a quick trip to see us and the new digs, and it happened to be when Mom was here too. She and I flew home from Cody's shower together. Bruce's trips are usually quick, but they're always very fun! The kids just LOVE to play with him.



Sulli is our precious little beach ball baby. The dirt on her face proves it's fun, no matter what... and who needs a beach?!



Look at all these muscles!

Sullivan's FOURTH Birthday!!!!

On May 24th, our Sullivan Grace turned 4 years old. Seriously... would somebody tell me where the time goes??? I started this blog when she was born, and it does not seem like I've been at it for FOUR years. She's our baby! She can't be a little girl already... except that she is.




We had scallop gratins and caramelized red onion salad with blue cheese for Sulli's birthday dinner. I know it doesn't seem like kid party food... but sometimes the menu is all about the grown up guests. After all, Mom and Bruce were here! And, honestly, as weird as it sounds, my kids like fancy food.







The cake I made for Sullivan was delicious and whimsical! A friend sent me the recipe link because she knows I love to try new cakes. It's hard to describe, but I'll try. It is a dense and moist white cake. It has a layer between the cake layers of See's milk chocolate cherry cordials (they are the BEST). These are enrobed in fluffy, rich vanilla buttercream, which also covers the entire cake. Then chocolate ganache is poured all over the buttercream, to cover the cake completely. Then I crushed Oreo cookies to make crumbs and covered the cake with those. Top with a cherry. It was really incredible. My only complaint was that it did not cut easily like the pictures online. When I hit the cherry cordials, I ended up squishing the cake with my knife. Oh well... fabulous, nonetheless. Any my girl who loves cherries was happy.








Too many presents... too many pictures... so here are just a few. My favorites were lots of new clothes and shoes from Nonnie and Popsie.




Well, we all enjoyed this little family party. Sometimes I think the smallest, most intimate gatherings are the most memorable. They are the ones I remember the most from my childhood. Thank you, Mom and Bruce, for coming all this way and celebrating our precious Sulli with us!

Sweet

I just love this face.

Summer Recital Practice

I never take my camera to ballet and I miss a lot of cute things. Mom came with us while she was here and took these sweet pictures. I just love them.

OH BABY!!!

On May 20, I flew out to Portland (by myself!) for Cody's baby shower the following morning. Her mother threw her the most elegant - and delicious - celebration! We had so much fun honoring the June arrival of Baby Boy Schuman, and it was wonderful to see several familiar faces from the wedding and other get-togethers over the past few years. What an absolutely lovely day. Here are us girls, right before leaving for the brunch. Isn't my sister one hot mama?!




Here we are out to dinner at Papa Haydn in downtown Portland. Bruce treated Mom and me to an absolutely fabulous meal... and dessert! What fun it was to celebrate Baby S. again that evening. It was a quick, but very special trip... and I thank you, B and C, for wanting me there and buying me a plane ticket. I love you both so much! See you again in JULY!!!!!