Why are sisters so cool?

Why are sisters so cool?!  It's amazing as I grow older the more my appreciation for my sisters grows.  They are so special to me.  We don't get to see each other much, but when we are together something great happens!  Alex is my buddy, and out of all my sisters I probably see her the least.  That's a big problem that I need to work on fixing.  She is such a wise girl, and her heart for God and His glory is contagious.  Being with her drew me closer to my Father God.  Love you Al!

Double Date

COURAGEOUS

We had a little date night Friday evening with Matt's brother Jason and his wife Maggi to see the movie Courageous.  It was so refreshing to watch a movie that encouraged each one of us (and especially the guys) in our walks with Christ.  As I sat in the theater and looked at all the people there I had to wonder how many of them truly had a personal relationship with Jesus. I pray that God can use this movie to touch hearts and that through it He would draw hearts to Himself.

We are blessed to live by Jason and Maggi.  It is so nice to have couples around our age to do things with.  Hopefully we can have more double dates to come!

Deka & Peggy

I don't get to see my grandparents from San Diego, CA very much, so when they were in Kansas this past week I was sure not to miss them.  They went to my aunt and uncles house in Emporia, KS.  My mom drove to Sabetha from Illinois, and I hoped in with her to head to Emporia for a couple days. 

Deka (serbian for grandpa) is an amazing ping-pong player.  He tries so hard to teach his grandkids.  Sadly I'm a bad learner. :) Peggy (step-grandma) can give him a run for his money though.

 Eating dinner at Uncle John and Aunt Maria's house.

 For lunch the next day we had a European delicacy: Stuffed Peppers and Spaetzle.

Another best past visiting Emporia was spending time with Aubs my little-BIG sister!

LA to see Danae!

My cousin Danae is a Kansas born girl turned California girl.  We have been close ever since I think both of us can remember.  Even though we were states apart growing up, and didn't get to see each other very much we would always pick back up to where we left off when together.  As I look at our lives now I feel that we have switched places with each other.  Danae as a young girl growing up loved Kansas, and I always imagined her going to school close to home, getting married, and settling down in her home town.  I on the other wanted so bad to move away from home and go on some adventures.  I did have some adventures, but here I am today....married young to none other than a KANSAS boy and living in Kansas, (I do have to say that that there is an adventure in itself though!) and Danae is living a huge adventure in California, single and sophisticated.  Amazing how God has plans for our futures that we can not imagine, and I must say that it is probably a good thing that we can't look ahead to what is in store.  He definitely has built my trust in Him through the unknown of the future.

Anyways, I recently took a long weekend to go visit Danae.  She moved out to Cali for school, and since she moved I have not really gotten to spend any good, quality time with her.  As I headed out to LA I wondered if Danae and I would click like we always have, or if this time it would be in a sense a little more awkward.  Guess what.......we were like little girls again! =) I'm so thankful to have a cousin/friend like Danae that encourages me in my walk with Christ.  Our friendship is priceless to me because it is not often you find friends that you can be silly with and laugh a lot with yet have deep spiritual conversations with and be able to open up about struggles and trials.  You are great Danae!

Here's a little bit of what our weekend involved........   

Finally together!

Malibu beach-it was very sunny and warm at first.

Then the fog rolled in.

No more swimming. In fact at this point instead of laying on my towel I was under my towel trying to stay warm.

Thai tea.  Not my favorite I must say...

Our meal was ok.  I think Danae is a little more adventuresome when it come to food.

Danae took me to Sprinkles a cupcake store in Beverly Hills.  They were the MOST AMAZING CUPCAKES!  We decided to try to create our own amazing cupcake.....

Yes, those are purple cupcakes.

In fact, they are blueberry!

We called them Blueberry Bliss Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting.

We were pretty proud of ourselves. =)

Of course we had to sample.  We are both addicted to sugar!

My last morning there.  After church we had a brunch at the Egg Plantation. 

Oh Aubrey

Last Friday my dad and I went to visit my youngest sister Aubrey in Emporia, KS.  She is taking this semester and living with my aunt and uncle there.  It had been a long time since we had seen each other, and these pictures tell how excited we were to finally be together.....

 

Eating a yummy frito pie lunch bag thing my Aunt Maria made.

Playing chess at a local coffee shop.

Chess is not my thing....naps are.

What a good day to spend with Aubs.  She is one pretty cool sister.

"Kisses From Katie"

How many eggs can you eat?!

This past summer Dan and Tami and Matt and I decided to get chickens and raise them for eggs.  We got 20 chicks and only lost 1 in the raising process.  Everyday now we get between 16-18 eggs, and as you can see our home is overflowing with eggs!  All the eggs in our house are a little overwhelming to me, so if anybody would like some fresh eggs just let us know! =)

Matt and I were talking yesterday how we think it is time to sell a few chickens to cut our feed costs and lower our egg count.....or Dan and Tam, you guys need to move back so we have more mouths to eat these "babies" haha!

Seriously though, if anyone wants eggs you know who to call!

Reuben's 1st Birthday

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY REUBEN!

We went to Champaign, IL to celebrate Reuben turning 1 and Mark turning 25.  Mark's birthday is October 1st and Reuben's is just 2 days later on October 3rd.  I'm sure that they will be celebrating many more birthday's together in the future.  What a fun thing for daddy and son to share together!  I do have to say though that Reuben got 98% of the attention. :)

Ash made Reuben a clown cake.

He's just digging into his cake, but already he looks like he is on a sugar high!

Not sure what to do about he stickiness. 

Shoving it in =)

Ok.....all done. 

Having a ball opening his gifts.

What a cool tent from "Ga"!

So fun to be with you Ash!

Before the party happenings...... 

Friday night on our way to Champaign we dropped Duane off for the Taylor Invite and spent the night at my parent's house in Quincy.  We decided to go help out at the invite a little by cutting up around 13 watermelon, so Alex wouldn't have to do it later.  She worked at Starbucks Friday from 3-11:15pm and then had to open the store at 4:30 the next morning.  When she got off around 9:30 she then had to head to the invite.  This way she had 1 less thing to do.

We got to Champaign a little early on Saturday so we could spend some time with Ash and Reuben.  Had a tasty lunch at Olive Garden.  Very thankful for my family!