Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...

When the boys were little and 'into' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, they thought that the sewer right by my in-laws house, was where the Turtles and Master Splinter lived. They vividly remember that and decided to give Ethan, Kaylynn and the girls a tour. Look at Kaylynn's sweet face - loving it :)

The kids tried to get out at the same time...

Here's Dillon, Brooke, and Ethan (Dalton and Tarynn couldn't get out of there quick enough!) I love Ethan's smile - this is what childhood memories are made of! The kids (big and little) will never forget it. Brooke said that it was the grossest thing she has ever done...ha!! I must say that Tarynn and Brooke were real troopers to be willing to go down there...way to go girls!

75 Wonderful Years...

This past weekend we celebrated my father-in-law's 75th birthday in Chatsworth. I must say that my F.I.L. is a very young 75 and remains quite active by golfing every Wednesday morning at 6 am, going to breakfast with the guys, hookin' up the 5th wheel trailer, woodworking projects, and fishing to name a few! Maxine and her sister (Aunt Carolyn from Florida) put together a lovely open house and we had a great time.

The whole family except the three who couldn't make it from Washington...missed you guys!
Derek, Dick, Maxine, Angela and Rich

awww... :)

Two of my favorite people...

Cozy on the couch...Kaylynn, Dillon, Brooke, Ethan, Dalton and Tarynn

We are truly blessed with a great family and I with a great father-in-law :)

Happy Birthday, Dick!

Great friends...

After the boy's hockey game on Saturday, a group of us went to In-n-Out...always delightful! I love our boy's friends and always enjoy hanging out with them. The gang from left to right, clockwise is: Dalton, Brooke, Dillon, Luke (Brooke's brother), his girlfriend Emily, Bitsy, Derek, Me, and Tarynn (Dalton's girlfriend)...my mom is taking the picture :) Dillon, Dalton, and Luke have played on the same team for a couple of years now and they are having a great time...they have an awesome coach and are dominating the league!

Studying in the Sunshine...

I'm sorry that it's been over a week since my last post but I had a history (Western Civilization) test this morning at 8 am. I promised myself that I couldn't blog until the test was over and praise the Lord it is :) Since it was such a beautiful day yesterday, I decided to study outside on the deck. Can you see the box of flash cards? Those are my keys to success!! I think they paid off, however, I won't get the results until Monday. My prayer is always that the Lord will just bless my efforts...thanks Derek and Mom for your prayers too!
As I was out there all day (yes, I'm sun burnt...grrrr! Derek asked me, "Do I need to remind you that you are a pre-cancerous patient?"...no comment!) I saw some continuous activity in this birdhouse. There was a mother bird (you can see her if you look closely) coming in and out to feed her babies! So cute and I was thrilled that this birdhouse I put out for decorative purposes only, is now functional! You know how I love that!

One down, thousands to go...

We have trained our dogs to come when they hear the bell (one of those small wrought iron ones, which I have mounted one by the front door and another one on the other side of the house by the deck). Yesterday after I rung the bell by the deck here is what Bogey showed up with...a bunny!! Yep, one down and thousands to go :) He was sooooo proud that he had to give me a closer look...ugh!

Then I followed him around the property as he was prancing around with that poor bunny in his mouth, to the water tank by Derek's shop. He buried that bunny in 10 seconds flat!! I stood in awe...

When he was finished with the burial he literally plopped on the ground! This picture says it all...catching a bunny is exhausting work! Look at his tongue hanging out :) Another exciting day at Big Dawg Ranch!!

Garbage In, Garbage Out...

Bummer, I wanted this picture to be the last one but I'm still trying to figure things out in this blogging journey, so it will have to remain here...sigh!

Derek and I are privileged to teach the 3rd-6th grade Sunday School class at our church. Here is our small but delightful class, from left to right, Nathan, Joseph (Josey), Walker and Sara.

The kids were very attentive and fully engaged :)

Here's Derek beginning an illustration of the concept "Garbage In, Garbage Out!" We talked about how whatever we hear or see (good or bad), will fill our hearts and reveal itself through our mouth and/or actions. Matthew 12:34b "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Here's a sample dialogue:

Derek: "What do we have in us that helps us filter out all the bad influences of the world?"

Josey: "a holy liver?!?"

Entire class: explodes with laughter :)

The first picture is the final illustration with the class pointing at everything that was discussed...note, Josey's holy liver! I just love how Walker is pointing to the bible and holding his in pride! What a blessed time.

Let me leave you with Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Puppy love...

Meet Axel...my parent's new rottweiler puppy! We were able to meet him on Easter and all I gotta say is, "I want one!" I found myself so wishing that I could have Karl that little again...

Gunner is such a good boy and tolerating this playful puppy...Axel just loves Gunner but then again who doesn't?

Axel is a very curious puppy and into everything but look at that sweet face!

He may be small now but not for long. My dad bought toys in the largest size possible and he carries them around no problem! So cute...

The boys loved playing with him and I, of course, loved the puppy breath!!

Sweetness...

I love my family...

On Easter we were able to stop by and meet the newest member to our family...June! Above are the proud parents, Nick and Kristen with their precious bundle of joy :)

Isn't she the most sweetest thing you've ever seen? I could have held her all day!!

Miss Junie Bug...perfect in every way!

We love you Onaindia family!!

The beaming grandparents, Mike and DeAnn :) Love you guys!!

We soooo enjoyed our visit - it's never long enough, however, I think we tired Miss June out...can you see her cute little yawn?

Bumps, Bruises and more Baseball...

Look at how compliant these teenage boys were for me :) This group also played football together...Dallas, Jared, Nick and Dalton (all homeschooled, except Nick). If you look closely, Dalton has a big fat lip :( During warm-ups he caught the ball with his mouth...ouch! We were thankful that the braces were off or it would have been a trip to the doctor for sure.

Dalton had to really work for this run...he made a hit to first and stole every base after that! His uniform has never been so dirty, mainly due to the bumpy slide to third :)

Here's the cute couple again :) This was the first game of Dalton's that Dillon could come to...he actually had the day off!

Grandma and Grandpa Kruzner made the trek from Chatsworth...thanks for coming!!

Sweetwater Farms...

I mentioned earlier that Dillon and Dalton both worked at the local grocery store in Agua Dulce but what I failed to mention is that Dillon's girlfriend, Brooke, also worked there!! It's always fun to hear the stories they have to share from work :) However, these pictures are commemorating Brooke's last day of work there...she has decided to hang up her apron and continue her ever-growing piano lessons. Brooke teaches piano to now 11 students, as well as, being a full-time college student.

Here are the two workers in their 'uniform'...Brooke's last shift and Dillon starting his shift.

p.s. I'm still hoping to get a picture of the boys at work...pray for me! :)

Lace 'em up...

You always know where Dalton is...by his orange pants!!

It's time for Spring Hockey!! The boys play roller hockey with Palmdale Parks and Rec. on Saturday mornings. They are in the highest division, 15-17 year olds and, unfortunately, this will be Dillon's last season! It's hard to believe that he will be 18 in June and too old to play here. Hopefully, a travel tournament team that is in the works, will pan out so he can have an opportunity to still play.


Dillon (in the green jersey above) has always played forward where Dalton's cup of tea is defense! I'll never forget when Dalton was 4 and started to play...he didn't have a clue as to what to do and his coach just put him in front of the net as a defender and told him to protect it. Dalton never knew where the puck was, he just pushed and shoved anyone who came close to the net :) Such fond memories...where has the time gone? Sometimes I wish I could just push a rewind button and then push fast forward because I really do enjoy these teenage years!

Derek's still got it...

Derek was asked to join a men's softball league through the City of Palmdale and without hesitation said 'yes'! He plays on Friday nights and it is so much fun watching him play...he's still got it! Shortstop is his signature position and is still diving for the ball at the age of 43! He makes the boys and I very proud :)

Dalton watching and learning from his Dad's every move :) He was impressed by his dad!

"Great game, Dad!"

Dillon and his girlfriend, Brooke. What a cute and fun couple!

Dillon's friend, Dallas, felt left out and wanted his picture taken! Dallas' dad is the coach of the men's league. Dallas played football with the boys and is currently playing baseball with Dalton. He is a good boy and a great friend!

Terrific triple...

I just had to record a first for Dalton...he hit his first triple in his baseball game last week :) I, of course, was the loudest cheerleader in the stands!! It sure boosted his confidence and he continues to learn a lot and is having a blast! We lost this game by only one point, down to the last inning...actually, very exciting - I didn't crochet at all during this game :) The boys ended the game in prayer - love that!

My heart's still pounding...

Our day had been peaceful and productive until we let Sandie and Bogey out...within five minutes they both started barking loud and monotonous, not to mention irritating. So I looked out and saw them barking at the water pump shed. I grabbed my camera because they looked so cute and decided to get a closer shot and much to my surprise heard hissing! Here's where my heart started to pound, you see, I HATE snakes. It doesn't matter what kind, harmful or not, I just don't like 'em! Not knowing if this was a rattler or not, I yelled for the boys to help get the dogs in because Bogey was starting to get more and more excited, being the hunter he is! Upon closer investigation, it was determined to only be a gopher snake, which is good to have around the property, I know...but I still don't like them and my heart's still pounding, not to mention the soreness in my throat after yelling for the boys!! I'm sure I looked and sounded pretty foolish - like the woman standing on a stool in fear of a mouse!