My Boys

Josh was replacing Edgar's hay this afternoon and we couldn't help but snap a few pictures of him as he burrowed underneath and all throughout the hay- he was SO excited for the attention!

As youngest "children" tend to do...Teddy attempted to steal Edgar's thunder by posing outside with his newly groomed hair-do...no worries, we eased Edgar's pain with some fresh green beans! (Oh dear...we're not very good pet parents)

(innocent as could be)



Our groomer told us he was a "little brat" a few days ago....hmm, I wonder why ;) Josh seems convinced that Teddy thinks he's the town sheriff with his new scarf!



Sheriffs get tired too after putting in a long day of work

Truvia/Stevia

Tonight we made chocolate chip cookies with Truvia (from a Stevia plant) instead of real sugar. We only made a half batch, as we were wary that they would not taste very good (I have always been able to taste the difference in a dish that has splenda in it). The results?? DELICIOUS! We both feel that the Truvia made the chocolate chip cookies taste EXACTLY the same! We have very discriminating tastes when it comes to sweets ;) However, I will issue a warning here that a zero calorie sweetener in an already rather unhealthy recipe does not make for a zero calorie cookie ;) -I wish!

Celebrating 20 Years

This past weekend we went to Connecticut to celebrate Heidi and Steve's 20th bonemarrow transplant anniversary- it was quite an affair! Close to 100 people were in attendance. The neatest part of the party to us was how clear it was how God had used Heidi and Steve (and our whole family) to share a testimony of God's faithfulness to so many people. Family members, old friends, newer friends, neighbors, classmates, doctors, nurses, and so many others were touched by God's hand in Heidi's life so many years ago and today! It brought tears to our eyes when the floor buffer/custodian from Heidi's unit came to the party- our family has not seen this gentleman since Heidi left the hospital years ago, but he left such an incredible impression on Heidi (visiting her and drawing her pictures).

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We had an amazing time at the party and with family throughout the weekend. Friday we also enjoyed visiting Heidi's classroom for the first time (see pictures in slideshow). Our visit was rather timely in another way, as Grandad Gropp was admitted to the hospital that Friday. He appears to be on the mend, however, it was an incredible blessing to share this time with him instead of longing to be in Connecticut, but so far away.