Big (and little) Blessings

I am thankful for such yummy treats to enjoy with our children, and I am also thankful that they actually like to eat healthy, wholesome foods! Here is a colorful picture of some of our favorite foods...(mostly) fresh from the garden!

Frog Fun

Becca was bringing this baby frog into the house so that I could see it, and it jumped right out of her hands and onto the screen door! We didn't know that frogs could grip and climb a screen so well! ;-)


I let the kids put the two frogs they caught into the sink (with a little bit of water) for a few minutes so that they could observe them. Then, back to the great outdoors they went!

Model Windmill and Castle

Eric and the girls had a burst of creativity with their castle cards, and this is what they came up with:

Wisconsin Dells!

With school starting soon, and a baby on the way, we thought that we had better take a good, fun family vacation while we could. We decided on going to the Wisconsin Dells, since it is a place where everyone can have their own version of fun! It is a town with many different water parks that have rides ranging from super-scary to toddler-friendly. We stayed at the Glacier Canyon Lodge in the "Wilderness", and mostly enjoyed the indoor parks. We stayed for a few days, and everyone had a great time!

We started each morning with devotions...even Sam joined in!


Here is Becca giving her "thumbs up" before jumping in!


Christy thought it would be fun to try and look like the frog ;-)


Sam liked the frog also!


Becca was brave and still cheerful after riding the "scary" rides!


Here is Christy at the beginning of day two:


Sam is intently watching another toddler in the "bouncy swings".


Becca is telling us where SHE wants to go next, but Christy doesn't agree ;-)


Sam doesn't agree either, and he thinks that HE knows the perfect spot!


Sam's favorite part was at the end of the day, when he would snuggle up and get warm with Daddy!

Some Sibling Smiles

Becca asked me to take a snapshot of her in the rocking chair with her brother. I thought the picture was pretty cute! Sam loves Becca so much, and he is always following her around and mimicking everything that she says and does!

Crafton Sewing

Christy thought that her doll might be uncomfortable wearing "regular" clothes to bed at night, so we decided to sew her a nightgown. Christy picked out the fabric from my "stash" of leftover pieces. It turned out pretty nice, and Emily seems much happier now. Christy is showing a lot of interest in sewing...I hope I can keep up with her!

It's a Boy!

Psalm 37:4
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

This verse has new meaning to me, now that God has given me the desire of my heart with each of my children. I desired to have two girls first, and that's what he gave me! Then, I desired to have two boys next, and he has given me that also! I am so thankful, and I can't wait to hold my new son in my arms!

We have decided to name him Daniel John Crafton. The name Daniel is taken from the man in the Bible who chose to continue being faithful to God, even when he was thrown into the Lions' Den. John is my father's first name, and Eric's middle name.

I'm so happy that Samuel will have a brother to grow up with! I'm sure they will have a lot of fun just "being boys" together! Eric is excited also, and he is looking forward to all that he will be able to do with his boys!