Great Verse...

Melina wrote this verse on a piece of paper yesterday and posted it on the fridge. It really hits home.

1st Thessalonians 4:11,12

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands...so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependant on anybody.

Sweet Little Jovie

Just some pics of my sweet niece and various family members.

Welcome Little One!

I am pleased to announce the birth of Jovie Blythe Backholm to Paige and Stephen Backholm, today at 4:00pm. She weighed in at 6 pounds 9 ounces and is 18 inches long. She looks very much like her mother. I was able to see her a few hours after her birth and have to say she is an angel! Congratulations Stephen, Paige and big sister Pear! Proud Grandpa Doug!

Mom and baby Jovie

I think Jia Tai is not quiet sure of her yet

Proud Grandma Therese!

Tagged? I guess so....

Well, I think that I have been tagged by Kate but I am a little confused so I will just do as she did. I am supposed to write 6 random facts about myself and then tag several other people at least and then they are supposed to let me know when they write their post. Or something like that...I know confusing... but I will give it a shot.

1. When I was about two, I pulled a pan of cinnamon rolls off the counter and onto the floor and ate as much as I could before I was caught. Although I do not remember this they have pictures to prove it...maybe they didn't feed me enough??:)

2. I LOVE a banana smothered in peanut butter and rolled in crushed up saltine crackers. If you have not tried this it is delicious! Beware, you do need something to wash it down with. :)

3. I would like to visit Australia...I don't really know why it has just always fascinated me.

4. A day does not go by that I do not have a good strong cup of English Breakfast tea.

5. I know this may come as a surprise to those of you who really know me but I did have a pet bird once. Her name was Queen Victoria.

6. I have done ballet for 10 years and have loved every minute of it!

So now I tag Rebecca, Paige, Rhianna and Stephen Backholm. Let me know when you do your post! And Kate...I did mine! ;)

My How Time Flies!

I can't believe it has been over a month since I have last written! Sorry ya'll! But life has kinda been a blur the past month and a half. It all started with a lovely Swiss girl, Debbie, coming to stay with us for the month of September. We had great time together and we'll always remember the fun we had! The month speed by at an incredible rate and before I knew it we were driving her to the airport. It was at that moment that I realized that I had not written about her and all the joyous times we had together. There is no way I can remember everything we did but I will try and list a few things and some pictures. This is only a smidgen of what we did but at least it gives you a little taste.

Something else that has taken up much of my time is Bible Quizzing. We are memorizing the book of Luke! This is my first year and I am having a blast. Granted it is A LOT OF WORK if you want to really participate in it but it is well worth it! If you would like to know more about let me know and I will try and answer any questions you may have. We had our first quiz meet at the begining of October and I placed 15th. I was pleased with my score but know that I can do better. The next one is November 21 and 22nd. It amazing how knowing the word of God can put your mind at ease when you are troubled or stressed. Just going over and over the scriptures in your mind (or saying them out loud) is really relaxing. I wish I would have memorized more at an earlier age.


At the Lake Quinault Lodge
Having a picnic in the gazebo

Our true selves! :)
I just really like this picture

On the way to Yakima

At the Central Washington State Fair

Downtown Seattle at Top Pot Donuts
Pike Place Market

At one of the malls downtown

The Space Needle Being Silly!

Meet The Newest Backholm!

Here she is... Brinna Rose Backholm born to Joseph and Brook Backholm (our cousins) on Monday, September 8th at 8:50 pm. She is absolutely adorable and has the sweetest pumpkin colored hair. Babies are amazing aren't they?

My Little Apprentice in the Kitchen

About a week ago Jia Tai asked, "Coco, can me and you have a tea party?" I said that would be fun and asked him "what should we eat at the tea party" he replied with a curious voice, "Chocolate?" I laughed and he gave me a grin that took over his whole face and made his eyes disappear. Thinking we would need something a little more filling and something the whole family would enjoy I asked him what he thought about chocolate zucchini bread. He gave his quick nod of approval and we set out to make it. The Apprentice Jia Tai


He had a few problems cracking the eggs....
But by the third one...he got the hang of it

While the bread baked we blew bubbles outside

I tried to get a picture of both loaves but the hoards devoured one before I got a chance!

My apprectice worked so hard making bread and then eating it he couldn't help but fall asleep during quite time. (He rarely sleeps during quiet time normaly he just plays with his toys or looks at books!)

Girls Night Out

On Sunday evening Melina, Laurel and I decided to treat ourselves and go up to Olympia for a little night out. We wanted to get a cup of coffee somewhere to start the evening off and decided on Mercato, a small Italian restaurant near the Olympia market. We planned only to get a cup of coffee and share a dessert but after arriving and waiting to be seated for about 15 minutes, our mouths watered and our appetites could just not be satisfied with sweet so we ordered an appetizer to share. We had a great time just chatting and sitting in the quite environment drinking our favorite coffee, Batdorf and Bronson. ( If you have not tried it, you have not had a cup of coffee.) For dessert we ordered one of our favorites, Affagato, generous scoops of white chocolate gelato, a drizzle of chocolate, a perfectly pulled espresso shot, a swirl of whipping cream and a quick shake of cocoa powder. I know it sounds amazing and it truly is. We hoped to only be there a half hour or so but we were there almost two hours! We spent the last few minutes of our night perusing the shelves at Barnes and Noble's Book store, mostly the cookbook section, and then began the 50 minute drive home. It was nice to get away for the evening and be with my sisters.

Wyatt's 14th Birthday!

Wyatt's Birthday was on Monday, August 11th. We had a fun day celebrating just hanging around and eating a delicious pork tenderloin dinner. He got some soccer stuff, money, and a couple of guitar books. He recently picked a guitar up at Rosevears and likes it very much. For dessert, he requested strawberry rhubarb pie with a strusel topping and vanilla ice cream. Now that he is 14,he is looking forward to working for O'Brien's Catering once in a while and using the weight room at the YMCA. Happy Birthday Wyatt! Thanks for being such a great brother!

Sailing at Lake Quinault

We had such a fun time yesterday at Lake Quinault. Our good friends the Jones', the Gross' and the Ballous invited us to join them for an afternoon of sailing, swimming and good fellowship. We eagerly took them up on the offer and had a marvelous time. Mr. Jones is teaching me how to crew for him, it is absolutely a blast and I love every minute of it, especially when you trap out. The feeling of gliding across the water without a motor humming in your ear is wonderful.Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the day... I forgot the camera! Anyways, we ate a scrumptious dinner of teriyaki chicken shishkabobs and a four berry trifle for dessert. Some how we managed to get a flat tire on the way up but Mr. Ballou kindly offered to change it so papa wouldn't hurt his back. All in all the weather was gorgeous until about 7:30ish when some raging winds came up and we all about froze to death!

But It was so cute, almost all the way home Jia Tai sang a happy tune until he drifted to sleep in the last few minutes til reaching home. What a tremendous day!

Glorious Summer Time!

Our back porch The first few cherry tomatoes
The first ripe strawberries



The most scrumptious smelling roses and not to mention beautiful!

Back yard
Back door

Ahhh... I woke up today and after fixing breakfast and doing up the dishes, I went out to water the garden. While I was watering, I thought how marvelous and wonderful God is to design millions of different plants and how astounding His beauty is. I felt overwhelmed with joy as I gazed at the garden. So I thought I would share some pictures of our garden and back yard.