Celebrating Hannah

Yesterday afternoon these two little cuties celebrated their 10th birthday together.

(Hannah is on the left)

We took the girls in their class to get manicures after school.
I really should have taken a photo of their nails. I didn't know you could do so much with that little amount of space.

Cupcakes pre-salon.

Sweet friends.Later that night, we had our "family" party with the Flemings. Her birthday isn't 'til Tuesday.
Next up for the 10th birthday celebration.... She's getting her ears pierced!

Lately

Life has been full. Dumping all my photos from the last two weeks in one post...

We celebrated my husband's birthday last Saturday with soccer games, Mamma's for lunch,
and an evening of flashlight tag and s'mores with dear friends.
Our leaf pressing corner.

Saturday soccer (photo by Peter).

Kindergarten field trips.

Making time for their favorite fall projects.And catching up with our treasured friends, Chris and Mindy, who are home from Ethiopia for a few months.
It's been 10 long years since we have seen each other!

Weekending : Soccer Edition

It was one of those perfect October weekends.
Deep blue skies overhead, cool in the shade, warm in the sun...
just the right kind of weekend for 5 soccer games.

Peter kicked off the weekend with Kindergarten soccer.
Then Will's game.
Then Hannah's game.

Later that day, an opportunity for Will's team - the 'Sniper Cats' - to play on the pitch at RFK Stadium before the D.C. United game. Pretty exciting. And I must add that the 'Sniper Cats' can now say they are undefeated at RFK!
Don't you just love the name they chose for themselves? Hilarious.

The boys enjoyed a little American football while tailgating. Marine One flew right over our heads
- we're pretty sure President Obama was cheering for them.
D.C. United vs. Chicago Fire
It had been a full day. I marvel at Peter's ability to sleep in the loudest places.
Hannah's team had a Sunday make-up game.
The 'Angry Birds' - one win and one tie this weekend.
My sweet parents were in town cheering them on!
This handsome guy got off a plane Friday evening, went straight to a dinner event, then to a breakfast meeting, three soccer games - coaching one, a funeral, the D.C. United event, church, then coached another game....
He deserved an Elevation Burger.
(photo by Peter - he's always got my camera these days)

{This Moment} - To His Defense

{and he comes home today!}

{this moment} - A Friday Ritual. Joining with SouleMama, sharing a moment from our week.

After-School Snack

It's been raining for two days here. When it rains, I bake.

I had about a cup of pumpkin in the fridge I wanted to use. It was hard to decide between Pumpkin Snickerdoodles and Baked Pumpkin Doughnut Holes; doughnut holes won.

Aren't they beautiful?

photo: The Craving Chronicles

Mine weren't quite so lovely, but they tasted so good. The kids were doing backflips. We will definitely be making them again.

Visit The Craving Chronicles for the recipe: Baked Pumpkin Doughnut Holes

my recipe notes:
There is enough batter to make more than 24 mini muffins - many of mine were too big and lost the round shape - looked more like muffins. Also, I only used the butter-sugar-cinnamon-coating for half of them. They are wonderful without it, just more muffin-y and less doughnut hole-y.

Next up: Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

photo: Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Finished : 1000 Gifts

Almost three years ago I posted this picture of our student in the basement.

Well, as of TODAY he is finished! Awarded his PhD from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland).

For the past 7 years, my husband has beautifully balanced family life, full-time pastoral ministry, and all the researching/writing/trips to Scotland that this degree required. We are so proud of him! And so thankful he is finished!

Today I will add just two to my list...

1162
His PhD. Finished.

1163
The Rev. Dr. Love-Of-My-Life!

For those interested, his dissertation is on the Covenant Theology of Zacharias Ursinus (author of the Heidelberg Catechism). Please don't ask me if I've read it. : )

Pancake Apple Rings

You really must make these. So delicious.

I saw the idea on Pinterest a few weeks ago. Saturday morning I gave it a try and sliced one of the hundred or so apples we have in the house to throw in the last bit of pancake batter.

Seriously. You will not believe how good they are.

What I did:

• I peeled and cored an apple, then sliced it into very thin rings.
  
• Tossed them one at time into the pancake batter.
• Placed them on the griddle. Cooked them just pancakes.
• Put the rings-of-deliciousness on a plate and sprinkled them with cinnamon-sugar while they were still warm.
• Watched my family giggle as they devoured them.

Hint: use more than one apple! : )