Annika Pearl

Our newest granddaughter, Annika Pearl, was born on July 27, 2011, to Kirsten & Matthew. 

She is a very beautiful sweet baby.

Newborns always bring to mind the verse of the Gaither song

that I sang over and over when Rachel was born .

How sweet to hold a newborn baby

And feel the pride and joy they bring

But greater still, the calm assurance

This child can face uncertain days because He lives

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And live is worth the living

Just because He lives!

July 2011

Having grown up on an acreage with a huge strawberry and raspberry patch has not made me shun berries.  I love picking berries when I can find the time, and I have one daughter that loves to pick and one that loves to preserve anything and everything, so we are happy to work together, as we did one day in July.  At 8 1/2 months pregnant, Kirsten wasn't able to pick very easily, so she watched the kids while Rachel & I picked berries - 11 buckets in all.  Having friends Arlene & Audrey there with us, made the time fly by.

Kirsten met us at our place with the kids, and we got to work.  Putting away 11 buckets of berries is only a lot of work if you do it alone.  With us all working together, it was lots of fun.

Mmmm... freezer jam!

And the kids?  Well, when they weren't napping, they were playing together so well, it was hard to believe they are only 13 and 18 months old!

We just woke up... can you tell?

More of Josiah & Haley

Anything outside is lots of fun!

Even better if there is water involved!

A cheesy grin just for the camera

Reading with Bestefar

Raspberries!  Yum!