The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{family} Father’s Day Recap

We had family over to our house Sunday to celebrate Father’s Day.  It was really special to be able to honor both my dad and Mark.  The kitchen was just the hubb of activity and in all my preparations, I didn’t take a single picture!  Next year I will definitely enlist of the help of someone to take pictures of my table and spread!  🙂   

Since I love the details of a good party, here is what we served for Dad and Mark’s special day:

The Menu
Kabobs with Peppers
“Man Steaks”
Bacon & Ranch Potato Salad
Crunchy Coleslaw
Fruit Salad
Chips
Soda
Pink Lemonade
Peach Tea
Blueberry Cheesecake
Chocolate Chip Cookies

{i want to remember} – 6/17/11

Sometimes life gets so busy that I forget to notice and appreciate the little things.  Here are some of the things I am loving this week:

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how easy it was for D to warm up to Nana.  Since he hasn’t seen her since last summer, I assumed he would be hesitant and a little nervous.  But he went right up to her and started feeding her play food.  What a sweet memory.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how the boys yelled “Come on Nana!  Let’s kick the ball!” when they were playing soccer in the front yard.  M specifically picked her for his team.

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how sweet it was to hear Nana talking to J.  He loved being with her and gave her many smiles and giggles.  I think she just melted.  

I WANT TO REMEMBER… all the stories that watching my three boys brought back for Nana.  It was so neat to hear her memories, like how Grandpa thought it was silly when she said, “Nakie babies”.  Such amazing (and so personal now, for me as a mother) family history. 

I WANT TO REMEMBER… how nice it feels to be with family, how special our relationships are.  How much we are loved.  We are so, so blessed.

{family} Our Mini-Vacation to the Beach!

Last week started poorly.  We had just made the decision not to travel to Maine for vacation this year.  Financially, it just didn’t make sense, not to mention the 14 hour car ride with three little boys!  So, although I knew it was the right choice, I was pretty sad.  It’s hard being a grown up.  
Add to that an air conditioning unit that stopped working AGAIN!  And during a heat wave with temps in the high 90’s all week!  We were all a cranky, unhappy mess.  So Mark totally won the husband of the year award when he declared on Thursday: “Pack your bags!  We’re headed for an over-nighter at the Beach!”  
We drove down Thursday afternoon and checked into the hotel by dinnertime.  He had just enough points saved up from staying in a hotel during a business trip, making our stay free!  We got dinner, bought a new $5 movie at Target, and settled in for the night.  The boys love staying in a hotel, so it was quite the treat.  
Bright and early the next morning, we were up and ready to embrace the day.  Perks of having early risers: we got to the beach around 8:30 and were the only ones there!  It was utterly amazing.  I think we all just stood in awe at how beautiful it was.  M, as usual, was in his element, going back and forth between sand castles and “fighting” the waves.  D was more hesitant and a little freaked out by all the sand but he quickly warmed up and was soon way out in the water with Daddy!  J was his little happy self (as usual) and even took a nap on our beach blanket.  
Needless to say, it was such a wonderful day and exactly what we needed to get away from the monotony.  We left around lunchtime, just as the beach started to fill up.  I left feeling so much love for my little family.  And so much love and appreciation for my wonderful husband!  I am blessed. 

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