Surprise!

Nathaniel completely surprised me Tuesday night with a birthday party at our house.  We had gone to get a coffee before going to my parents' house for dinner, or so I thought.  After coffee, we had to stop by our house to get something we forgot (so far, nothing out of the ordinary...).  I was busy talking and did not see the other cars in our driveway... Sitting in the car in the driveway I continued to chatter to Nathaniel about the day, when suddenly I saw my mom in the house!  Still unsuspecting I said, "Wow, what's my mom doing over here and did she walk through the snow?"  My moment of realization was when Nathaniel turned toward me, with a beaming smile, and said, "Do you want to go in?" 

And so the party started!  I think we had 38 people in our house that night! 

Lucy, 'Lisabeth, George, & Eloise



I am a very blessed woman!

Lu & Eloise

Uncle Jordan & Eloise, Uncle George & Lucy, Uncle Chris & George

Grandpa Hier & George

No gathering is complete without a train setup!

I'm so thankful that our conversation is centered around the Word of God, from which we have been given our values.  
I kept thinking of Deuteronomy 6:20-25 because without the story being taught (daily), we and our children will be in bondage. 
It was very special to have my father, father-in-law, brothers, brothers-in-law, and cousins toasting at my birthday party. 

Help, please!

I need your help!  I am on a hunt for good recipes.  Lately I've been getting bolder about trying new things.  If you have any favorite recipes or tips and tricks you are willing to share, I'd love to try them.  Just comment or email. 

Currently I am searching for a good thin crust pizza dough recipe.  If you have one you like, please share it with me! 

Here are a couple pictures of recent 'hits' we've discovered. 



Banh Mi sandwich (a Vietnamese staple)




Cranberry Chocolate cheesecake



Four months!

Eloise Joy is four months old!  Wow!  Our little girl is now 9lbs 4oz, an incredible increase from her birth weight of 3lbs 15oz.  We are very blessed. 

Eloise is always looking intently at something.

She's smiling a lot these days, just not always when we get the camera!

A 'good morning' smile!  (I don't know if there's anything cuter than watching a baby wake up!)

Enjoying her quilt from Grandma Williams



"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing."     Psalm 34:8-10