Picking Strawberries

I LOVE strawberry season! The sweet smell, the bright red, and the juicy taste of a ripe strawberry...yum! We made our way to Miller Farms Market this past week to get our hands on some ripe berries. We of course enjoyed some taste testing along the way. It was hot, hot, hot but so worth the 10 lbs of strawberries we left with. Stay tuned for some documentation on my first jam making experience!

I believe the way Brayden picked was "one for you, one for me." So one in the basket, one in his mouth.

Daddy and Brayden looking hard for the really good ones.

How I love this precious little girl. 

She carefully looked at each berry to be sure it was just right for our own jam.

Enter boy phase of making funny faces for every picture...

...and I mean EVERY picture.

Here is our yummy batch of strawberries! Bring on the smoothies, the berries, the jam and more!

Where have we been???

How many times have I done one of these postings? It's been months since the last post, and each time I make a promise to myself that "I will be better" and beg my few followers not to give up on me. I then sit down, dedicated for a few weeks and then life happenings work, commuting, toddlers, commuting, spring fun get the best of me and next thing I know it has been 4, yes 4 months since my last post. How could it be! Well unfortunately it is and now how do I make up for the lost time? 

I guess to start is why the silence? As I've sat here always looking at my blog not knowing how to begin to share all of the changes that have occurred over these past few months I feel overwhelmed and can't even begin. So after a plea from a fellow blogging friend posted to my facebook {Sarah} I realized I need to get over it and get posting. 

So here I am, with my first posting in quite some time. And as I write I'm still struggling with where to start. The first and foremost news is that Brent has been saved! As he was recently greeted, "Welcome to the Kingdom," and I couldn't agree more. To say that the shift in our home and direction we lead has been a 180 degree change is an understatement. There wasn't one moment, one person, one thing said that did it, what it was honestly was God, working in his life for years and what's important was that it happened. He loves God, loves Christ, and there's nothing more amazing to see the man you love have a love for Christ. This of course made me take a very close look at myself and realize how I have not been walking with Christ for many years and brought me to my own knees asking for forgiveness and guidance on where to begin. Mostly these past months have been spent away from a focus on worldly things such as the TV and the internet and just making time to be with Him, in his word, and praying. 

That has also lead us to other big decisions about what is best for our family and we realized that having me at home with our kids rather than working would serve our family for a greater purpose than a career at this point. So with that I gave my notice to work leaving Advising at the beginning of May. Since then we have been trying to find our grove again. Now after some time I am finally feeling like my old SAHM again. I'm enjoying the days with Keely and Brayden. Finally getting back into my kitchen, baking and cooking. Having dinner as a family, and most importantly teaching our children to love the Lord. It's been incredible really. 

I of course wanted to give some account to what else we've been up to during this time. Over Memorial Day weekend when Keely turned the big FOUR we went camping for the first time ever down in beautiful Asheville, NC. The kids had a great time swimming, fishing, hiking, making smores around the campfire, and sleeping in a tent. It was so much fun and after a very expensive trip to REI I believe that camping will be a staple in our future adventures. 

 We made our first trip to the National Zoo! We joined our friends to celebrate Keely's "bestest friend" Gracie for her birthday. We had a great day seeing the llama- llama's, the active elephant's and my long awaited check on my bucket list to see a Panda!

 We are experimenting with different ways to do Miss Keely's hair and came across this web site that showed us the fun Sock Curls! She is digging this one these days, asking to put socks in her hair and enjoys the curlies the next day. 

 July we made our way down to Brent's folks to enjoy the holiday with family relaxing by the pool. This kids helped Nana pick strawberries from the garden and then enjoyed dipping them in chocolate for a tasty dessert. We spent each day in the pool enhancing the skills of the little fish our kids have become.

It's been another whirlwind few months {wouldn't be us if it wasn't} but it's been amazing. I am looking forward to see what the Lord has in store for us and where we will go from here! To my fellow bloggers, my family, and my friends I'm back and hope that you will be too!

They Did it Again!

Super Bowl 2012 Champs! We enjoyed our evening watching the game right down to the famous down to the minute of the 4th quarter watching our beloved New York Giants take the win! It was a good game and of course a glorious rematch win to the Pats. Go Giants!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With this long and slow transition process that we have been in since July, I have to say that I haven't quite been in the Christmas spirit. We finally moved into our home at the end of November. The kids are still with Brent's parents and we're just getting every cardboard box and paper on the curbside settled. Through all the unpacking, putting up Christmas decorations or tree just was the last thing on my mind wasn't on the top my list. We have continued to visit on the weekends, working during the weeks, managed to do some shopping in between. Even my address book sits untouched this year not doing any Christmas cards which I've done since we were married 7 years ago. As the cards come in the guilt sets in I enjoy seeing pictures and letters of our family and friends. I remember that it is okay that the tree didn't go up, it's okay that the decorations are not out, and it is okay that the cards are not sent. What matters is that we will be together as a family. Our families, our friends and we are all safe, healthy, and happy. The fun that comes with all those other things do bring joy each holiday season, but remembering the Spirit of Christmas is what matters most. So to all our family and friends, Merry Christmas from The Duncan's!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Circus 2011

A rare chance to ride an elephant!

Keely counted 6 Tigers.

One of the many talented Acrobats.

Go Pack Go?!?!

I never thought that I would here our house cheer "go Pack go" but in the spirit of the Super Bowl we made our pick and ran with it! (Not to mention the hundreds few Grunfelder's in Brent's family that reside in Wisconsin would kill us if we cheered for the Steelers). So Sunday we gathered around for the traditional Super Bowl get together. We of course had to keep to our new tradition and tried out a recipe from "Giada at Home" along with other ingredients for a perfect recipe for game day!

Episode: College Rivalry

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Watching the game with the best seat in the house.

What is a Super Bowl day without food?!?!

A few friends to watch the game.

Keely with her buddy Ian. :)

All in all a great day and a great game. Here's hoping for the Giant's for Super Bowl XLVI!

New Traditions!

A few weeks ago Brent and I were sitting around on a Sunday (a little bored) and Brent came up with an idea that we would watch an episode of "Giada at Home" and no matter what she made we had to make that for dinner. The entire meal! So we sat down, took notes, made a trip to the store, then got into the kitchen to make our meal. We decided to make this a family event, including Brayden and Keely, doing what they could to help. We had SO much fun and the meal was SO good! We couldn't resist we had to go for it again the next week. So for the past few weeks we have been turning our Sunday's into a family cooking day. What a wonderful way to spend time together as a family and learn some new delicious recipes! It's a tradition we're trying instill for 2011, wish us luck! Here are a few that we've tried so far:

Episode: More for Less

Lemon Chicken Soup with Spaghetti

Pea Pesto Crostini

Lemon-Mint Cake with Lemon Syrup

Episode: Progressive Dinner Party

Roasted Pork with Smoky Red Pepper

Garlic and Cheese Popovers

Lemony White Bean and Arugula Salad

December...Where Did You Go?!?!

Whew, where does the time go?!?! I can't believe that December has come and gone and we are now in 2011! The last two months sure seem like a whirlwind. With that said I thought I'd take some time to finally catch up on where we've been and what we've been doing.

In early December Brent's parents flew out to help out while Brent had his tonsils removed. This may seem like a simple procedure with an excuse for some ice cream and video games for a few weeks, however as an adult having your tonsils removed is no easy task and Brent was not able to just hang out for a few weeks like a vacation. Thankfully the surgery went well and Brent's recovery went smoothly (meaning no infections and now tonsil free)!

During this time Nana and Pop had some wonderful quality time with Keely and Brayden. They spent the days baking, a trip visiting Santa, doing arts and crafts, and just hanging out playing. We made a trip to the River of Lights at the Botanic Gardens where this year Keely really enjoyed seeing the lights and of course both kids L.O.V.I.N.G. the trains.

Christmas Eve we took some time taking a walk around our neighborhood looking at the lights on all the homes. Keely was in a singing mood so we started to knock on doors and did our edition of "We wish you a Merry Christmas" which brought a few smiles to neighbors and friends. After our walk we set out our cookies (Brayden wasn't thrilled that the cookies weren't for him) and made our way to bed waiting for the big guy!

Christmas morning was such an adventure! The looks of the kids faces were truly priceless. The innocence and pure joy they have is what makes all the chaos that the holidays can bring all worth it. We were able to take our time and relax after presents and watched the parade. The kids played while Nana and I were busy in the kitchen getting ready for Christmas dinner. This year my parents and one sister joined us which made for a fun day with the family!

Of course a trip with Brent's Dad always includes a project on Brent's agenda which this time was a swing set for the kids. After two weeks in bed Brent was ready to get to work. He grabbed his Dad and made a thousand trips trip to Lowe's to build the swing set. There are still some touches to add, but as you will see the set is a hit!

We were sad to have to say goodbye to Nana and Pop Pop after the New Year, but of course they had to make their way back home to Virginia. We thank them for all their help and for the wonderful memories we created while they were here.

Well, I believe that pretty much covers it. It really is so hard to believe that it is now January. Ready for a new year of adventures and memories!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fill the House with Merry!

So I just love Christmas time. I mean I just L.O.V.E. Christmas! There is just something so fun and joyful about this time of year. So when Thanksgiving weekend comes around, yes I enjoy the yummy food, but what I most look forward to is knowing we will break out the Christmas decorations. I put on the music and tears fill up my eyes because it makes me so happy. And this year is looking to be extra special with the kids. Seeing the excitement in Keely's eyes as she saw the tree and says "Merry Kissmas" to turning on the snowman singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and watching both her and Brayden dance. It's these precious moments that make this time of year so wonderful. Being cozy with my family and the togetherness this holiday brings. All these moments make me savor each moment over the next month.

Starting to decorate the tree.

Brayden loving the "ball!"

Getting a boost from Dad.

Taking a break, it can be a lot of work putting up decorations!

The last touch to the tree.

Can't forget the doggies, they are in their Christmas best.

Our Tree!

The stockings hung by the chimney with care...

Our first year with lights on the house. So proud of Brent!

(Yes that is a Santa blow up in the front, what can we say when we go for it...we go for it!)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! We hope you all had wonderful long weekend filled with family and fun. We most certainly did! All five of us girls with families made it to Mee-Maw and Paw Paw's house. Adding the newest addition to the family Baby Sydnee!

Mee Maw and Baby Sydnee

Aunt Shonda and Lydia hanging out watching the Cowboy's game

Brayden hanging out with cousin Domilyse

Getting my baby time (just love those cheeks)

Mee Maw and Keely time....cheese!

Brayden and his Paw Paw, boy does he love hanging out with his Paw Paw

Chillin time after lots of Turkey.

Mee Maw getting as much Baby Sydnee time. See her guard dogs, he he.

We had a great day with family eating great food. (Every year I want to take pictures of the food but among all the chaos I seem to forget). I am always thankful for my family and what they mean to me. It's never easy gathering all of us together but makes those times so much more special. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Disney on Ice!

So on a last minute whim we decided to take Keely and Brayden to see Disney on Ice. We weren't too sure how they would react or how they would do sitting for a few hours but they both surprised us and we had a wonderful afternoon! We saw so many of our dear friends. Keely was so excited to see Mickey Mouse and the Lion King. The show was great, but explaining to Keely she couldn't have a turn ice skating was interesting. Other than that a great family fun day!

Waiting anxiously for Mickey Mouse!

Mickey and the whole gang!

The Lion King

Timon and Pumba

The Little Mermaid (Ursala was a bit scary)

Under the Sea!

Lilo and Stitch

Brayden getting a little tired at the end.

Peter Pan and the all famous Tinkerbell!