memories....

It's Monday here at the Byler place. 

We are a bit sad today. 

The party is over.....

My favorite brother and  favorite sis-in-law came to spend Thanksgiving with us.

They left yesterday.

This morning when I went down to the basement, and looked over the emptiness, I found a special touch from Sheri. 

So typical of her. 

She left a note with gracious words, a book for the children, and a lovely candle! 

So, the children and I lit the candle, sipped our hot tea, reminiced of the past couple days, and read the new book.

I think it cheered us up !

We *l*o*v*e*d* our time with Wendell, Sheri, Judson, Darius, Susanna and Abigail!! 

So many special, fond, memories were made! 

More pictures to come....

Deer Hunting

The happy "men" around this house.....

I'll let the picture speak for itself. =) =)

Sunday at the Byler place.....

We had a nice service this morning and good food and fellowship afterwards (fellowship lunch).  Then we headed home for the anticipated (by mommy) loooong afternoon naps.  Well, baby decided to do the short version of a nap!  So, since the weather was beautiful outside, I decided it's time to try out the camera again, and practiced on Elyse this time.  We all piled in the car and headed into town where I had seen a man painting these nice doors a couple days before.

  Well, so much for nice doors and cute girls...  Elyse was a real pill to take pictures of!  She did the strangest thing - that she normally doesn't do - and stuck her tongue way out almost every time she smiled!! 

 She was all over the place and wouldn't hold still for a minute. 

 My husband will verify that I was a little exasperated until we finally quit. 

Ravi the clown......

After making 3 phone calls to invite someone to join us for soft pretzels, we decided that 3 strikes is an out, and we'd just eat 'em ourselves.  So, after picture taking.....we headed back home to spend the rest of the evening alone/together (which is how most of our Sunday evening are). 

Vigorous popcorn eating ensued while the soft pretzel dough was rising. 

The soft pretzels were yummy, and disappeared before I got pictures of them.

It was a pleasant day.

PS. Hopefully my next post will have more "substance" to it then this.  There is this post rolling around in my mind, and I just need to sit down sometime and put it into words! 

Learning Daze...

(Beware, lots of pictures!)

I wonder how many days I have started blogging?  Then got pulled away, or decided I just don't have time for this, and hit the cancel button.   Life seems too busy to suite me, but what can I do to slow it down?  Not a lot.  So, on we go....scurrying from one thing to the next.

In all of our "busy-ness" there is this ache within my soul....to know God more!!  I cannot tell you what all I am experiencing right now.  Words would fail, and this blogging world feels too cold and misunderstanding to share at that deep level anyway.  For those of you who are praying people, please pray that I would be able to understand the longings of my heart..... thanks!

Ravi continues to be our hungry learner.  I have started preschool lessons with him now.  He loves it and is doing very well. 

After one of the ladies from church told me her 3 year old daughter makes scrambled eggs, I decided it's time to teach Ravi the art!!  He did pretty well, and hopefully I can turn that job over to him soon.

He's even practicing hanging up laundry....good winter activity for those of you with bored children! =)

Helping me fold the wash clothes...

Yep, he's a learnin'!!!

Elyse is learning too.  Today in "school" we were learning the "c" sound, and soon she was doing the same sound right along with us.  She's our little honey bunches, and we still call her "baby".

Last Sunday afternoon while Lee stayed home with sleeping baby, Ravi and I went to town to shoot his 4 year pictures.  Then I took him to the playground to play too. 

Here's a recipe you might like to try.... we like this a lot!

Stovetop Apple Dumplings

2 T Butter

1 1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1 1/2 C. Water

Bring this to a boil.

1 1/4 C. flour

1/2 C White sugar

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 to 3/4 C milk

2 T Butter (melted)

2 tsp Vanilla

1 C diced apples (or more if you'd like)

Mix these together and drop by spoonfuls into boiling mixture.

  Cover and let simmer for 30 - 40 minutes, or until done. 

 Serve with ice cream, milk, or whipped topping!  Enjoy!

Well, I better end this post quick before I cancel it like I've done too many time the last few weeks.

Carmen

P.S. Even though I don't comment on all of the wonderful posts I've been reading from you great people, I do want you to know I love reading them, and am often challenged and touched.  I just need to get better, and quicker at commenting!!!!  Any tips on this?

Sunday Afternoon Splendor....

 After being at home all day with a sick baby, this white gal was ready to get out, and get some fresh air!!  So, my wonderful husband took us out for a drive around this beautiful countryside.  The best colors of Fall are past already, but there was still plenty to be enjoyed.  Pictures (especially by the amateur) don't do justice!  But, I have to show a few shots from some of the beauty around this wonderful place called "Holmes County"! 

Beutiful sunset to top it off...........

So, that was a great breath of fresh air for me/us!!  By the time we got home Elyse was pretty sick of all the driving!  But, now we have quesadillas in our tummies and the baby is in bed for the night.  Ravi is getting dressed for bed and I think it won't be long before we are all off in la-la land!