Yummmmm

I wanted to make a treat to take to church Sunday night. Because sometimes you just need a treat. So I looked through my Pinterest boards and found something that looked good.

OH MY GRAVY. (that's for you Amazing Race fans..)

Peanut butter, powdered sugar, and pretzels covered in chocolate. These things are DELICIOUS. And super-easy to make. Here's the recipe, if you, too, just need a treat. :)
peanut butter pretzel bites

History Comes Alive

A week or so ago we go the chance to visit historic London Towne, just south of Annapolis. London Towne was a shipping point for tobacco and the receiving point for goods coming from the Caribbean. Goods were shipped upriver and this was about as far as they could go. The town was thriving for 60 or so years, until it was determined that tobacco needed to be inspected and the inspection point was put further south. No ships, no town.
Only one building original to the town exists today, but archaeologists are excavating and finding the evidence of other buildings and then reconstructing them. Eventually the entire town will be rebuilt. It's a beautiful place to visit and we had a great time. The historical interpreters did a great job with the kids-involving them in every day colonial life.

sea captain Joshua



slave Nick



grinding corn

 In other news, we had a fun dinner with a friend. The kids enjoyed their "all-dairy" meal.

The first critter of the season. (not-counting the ones the cat has brought to us....) :(



photo credit: Josh Crane

This past week Dave and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary. We had a nice evening out, just the two of us. I LOVE date nights....
And Wednesday Joshua and I had a very long day of house-hunting in North Carolina. We made it down and back in the same day and even had time for dinner with Jarrett and Rachael! We found a place that is perfectly adequate for us if we do end up having to wait a while for on-post housing. 

5 weeks and one day till the movers get here. Lots more memories to make!
And Joshua would like me to tell you that I have to make him this:

to go with his tri-cornered hat and musket before we move. Fabric and pattern are purchased. Stay tuned for the result...

And....we're done.

The big boy left yesterday with Rachael, headed back to work and real life. And we woke up this morning ready to jump back into real life as well. Well, maybe shuffle. But we'll get there.

We had a wonderful long weekend with Jarrett and Rachael. Easter Sunday was a beautiful day, with sunny skies and perfect temperatures. The boys placed flowers (yellow tulips and a purple mum) in my honor at church Sunday morning. I am a little saddened that, with all the busy-ness of houseguests, I did not spend enough time reflecting on the gift of forgiveness and salvation that was offered to us on that day. One thing I know for certain, though, is that EVERY day is a celebration of the resurrection. My heart is pricked to remember that-and with the upcoming move and inevitable busy schedule, I am committed to re-ordering my life to ensure that that fact does not get lost in the shuffle. Jesus Christ- my Savior- loves me, saved me, and keeps forgiving me, no matter how often I fail Him. Every day should be a celebration of that.

Dinner at our favorite German restaurant

Bracket prizes were awarded. The new girl cleaned up! Dad came through in the end with the big prize.

Lovely day at the Naval Academy

photo by Nick

Easter best. I'll put more Easter pics up when my camera finishes charging.

This is what happens with boys in the house.

The round was "to the death."

on to Phase 4

This is the first morning in 15 that I've gotten up to a house with no guests. It's kind of sad, actually! Thankfully, I have a few hours to wash sheets and towels and refill the fridge before the next group gets here, but I am going to be sorry when the visit-a-palooza comes to an end.
In the wee hours of this morning, my husband drove Phase 3 to the airport for their long trip back to Spokane, Washington. We had a GREAT time with my aunt Lori and her family. For those of you not in the family, Lori and I grew up like cousins. She is so much fun to be around and we have lots and lots of childhood memories we like to ruminate over every time we get together. She is also the most flexible of all of her siblings, and she stated that fact emphatically and often during their visit. There were many "I'm so sorry" looks exchanged with her husband, Rick....

On the way to the aiport a week ago, exhaustion was setting in:

But there were sights to be seen.....

It was a windy day. But someone could have told me I looked like this!

Young men in George Washington's yard

Annapolis

A connection to Nick's favorite book, Airborne

Rick took the boys to see the sunrise over the Atlantic (photo credit: Nick Gercken)

lots of smooching. See that tooth? Look below:

Fell right out on the ground in front of the Canadian embassy

No corn on the cob for this guy

It's official: they are wiped out.

Nothing a little cousin conversation and some Chipotle can't fix!

hanging out together on the last day....