Alton Photo shoot

For not being a place where you can do a whole lot, I have had qiute a few posts on it.

Here is what Main Street in Alton looked like in 1914

And in 2009

Can you tell a difference?

Alton has a lot of old buildings an run down houses because as people moved out no one else moved in. However, the old buildings made some nice backdrops for pictures.

Hartzler Hardware- the only new building in town because the old one burnt down and Brian's uncle still runs the store

Carmel Apple Pie

This is my go to dessert recipe and one of the only desserts Brian will eat. I made it for Father's Day and it was a big hit, Grandpa Wayne said it hit the spot:) So, I thought I would share the recipe. I'm warning you if you make it once you will have to make it again, even if you normally don't like pies or sweets. It's just that good!!

The recipe is actually courtsey of Brian's Uncle Dave.

Start with 2 frozen deep dish pie crusts.
Peel 6 gala or fugi appless and 6 granny smith apples. Slice in small sections. Place in big mixing bowl.
Mix with the apples:
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 Tablespoons carmel ice cream topping
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Fill crusts with apple mixture.

Crunb Topping:
You need to make this twice, 1 for each pie.
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon carmel ice cream topping
1 stick butter or margarine
Cut the butter into other ingredients until you have a crumble texture. Spread over pie.

Bake both pies at 400 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
After the pies are done, drizzle wth carmel topping.
Enoy!

Father's Day

Dad,
I haven't been home for Father's Day in a few years, but I love you just the same.
Thank you for:
-Praying with me each night growing up
-Never missing any of my sports games
-Making me go to your tractor pulls
-Working hard to provide for me
-Driving many hours to see me and your grandson
-Being an example of what it really means to love Jesus and live for Him
-Loving me each and everyday no matter what
I love you and thank God you are my dad!

Brian was able to spend Father's Day with his dad and Grandpa. We went to church with Brian's family in Alton. It was a very different kind of service than I am used to, yet very powerful. It was really neat to be there and see Brian's grandpa with most of his sons. Grandpa Wayne is 92 and you can see impact he has made on his sons. I am glad I got to spend some time getting to know him a little better this last weekend.

Grandpa Wayne and 4 of his sons

Four Generations: Great-Grandpa Wayne, Grandpa Mel, Daddy, and Jackson

Happy 1st Father's Day to my husand!

You have been a great daddy already. You have had wonderful examples of what a dad should be and know you will be just as great! I love watching you play with, talk to, and hold Jackson. He adores you already, and I know you are his biggest fan!

Jackson and daddy cuddling on Father's Day

Jackson's Frist Trip

On Thursday afternoon we left for Alton, Kansas (population like 80)! Brian's dad grew up there and his grandpa still lives there. We drove through the night Thursday and arrived at 5:00 am Friday morning. Jackson was a great traveler both ways! We actually had to wake him up to eat a few times and no dirty diapers while in the car:) While in Alton and since we have been home are a different story!

Brian's parents were making the trip down from WI, so we thought we would go meet them and introduce Jackson to his Great Grandpa.

Since, it was Father's Day weekend most of Brian's uncles and some cousins also made the trip to Alton.

Alton is a very small town. There is one paved road, one restraunt that is only open two days a week for lunch, a church, post office, and Hartzler Hardware. You won't really understand until you go there yourself. There is not much to do in Alton or around it. I went 5 days with no internet and no trips to Target! We took lots of walks, played Rook, did crosswords, and just hung out.

Jackson got spoiled with LOTS of attention from everyone, especially grandma and grandpa!

Brian and I got to take a few walks by ourselves which was a special treat since we got to hold hands not the stroller:)

We had a good time hanging out with everyone! This will probably have been our only "vacation" this summer since we bought a house and are moving in July.

A Good Reminder

In Philippans 2:15 Paul tells us to "Do everything without complaining." I am so glad I read that today. I have been complaing the past couple days about my portfolio for my masters. I know I need to have a better attitude. It will all be over soon, and I will be glad that I did all that hard work. Sorry Brian, I promise not to complain to you anymore about it. I am thankful I have the summer off to work on it.


Never to early to worship God! Jackson rocking and cooing to his Praise Baby DVD. He turned hinself around to see the TV:)

Such a ham!

Sorry this post is so CRAPPY (literally)

Warning: If poop disgusts you read no further, just scroll down for some pictures of Jackson!

Jackson has always been one for filling his diapers to the max and then some and sometimes it ends up in my lap.

The first really bad case was when we were at Target (when Jackson was about a month old) and he had not had a bowel movement in a few days. I had called the doctor and she said this was normal, but to watch out when he did have one. She was right! I went to the bathroom to change him. I ran out of wipes and had to ask some lady to go find Brian and have him buy me more wipes. In the process of trying to clean him off and get his clothes off without getting more on him some lady that did not speak much English came and offered to help me. She said "I 4 kids" and proceeded to get her hands all dirty to help me. Bless her heart! I would have been there a lot longer without her. After I had Jackson all clean, I had to clean off the changing table in Target. However, he did manage not to get any in the carseat.

Well, not the case for Friday. We took a trip to Kroger together. He was playing really nice with his links on his carseat when we got home. So I thought I will quickly put away the groceries while he is playing. About 5 minutes later, he starts crying. I go to take him out of the carseat and he is seating in a pool of poop. AWESOME! It was everywhere. I took him straight to the sink, undressed him, and sprayed him down. Of course, he was wearing his guitar outfit:) I learned it is not fun to take apart the carseat and clean it. Sorry no pictures:)

And then today, he did the same thing again!! Jackson seems to think he is pretty funny. When we are cleaning him up he smiles and laughs!

Good thing Jackson did not poop in the pool last night as he made his swimming debut. He seemed to enjoy the water, no crying!

In his swimming attire

Relaxing after swimming

Books, books, and more books

Just the other day I was telling Brian we need to buy Jackson some books. Me, being a school teacher and all, figured I better get him interested in books right away. A couple days later the door bell rings and the mailman drops off a package for Jackson. What do you think was in that package... you're right...books for Jackson. And one of my all time favorites-Jamberry!

Jackson with his books. He LOVES them! It was a great reminder that God provides and cares about us and the small things. Thanks so much Stan, Lisa, Lauren, Katherine, and Danielle.

I need your help (Traci and April)!!! I need the name of some good books to read while I am floating in the pool or laying out.

I usually like modern Christian realistic fiction stories. But, feel free to recommend anything:)

I am also in need of a good Bible study or devotional book. I am going to be going to Lifeway this week to search for one. So, please send some titles my way!

3 Months and Summer Vacation

Jackson turned 3 months yesterday and today marks the official start of summer vacation. I am so excited to stay home with for the summer. I mean who wouldn't want to spend everyday with the cutest baby ever:)

What you are doing at 3 months?

-You can roll from your belly to your back although lately you only go half way.

-You eat 4.5 oz every 3-4 hours.

-You sleep from 9-6 almost every night.

-You are starting to drool A LOT! (maybe a tooth is coming:)

-You love to suck on your fists.

-You smile, talk, and laugh at mommy and daddy all the time.

-You still love taking walks.

-You weigh 15 pounds and are 26 inches long.

-You wear 3-6 months clothing but not much longer they are getting to short for you.

-Making us love you more each day!

First time in your bumbo