Big Shoes to Fill

Spring is Here!

The weather had been so nice, it was time to break out the screens. Andy decided to clean them off before putting them back in all the windows. The boys...and later, Lizzie, too, decided it was more fun to squirt the water at each other than onto the screens. They had a blast!

Greek-Style Chicken Burgers

Greek-Style Chicken Burgers

These are so moist and flavorful! What a great change-of-pace from the typical beef burger! The sauce is fantastic! I served the extra sauce with veggies and crackers. Yum!

Sauce:
½ c sour cream (I used light)
¼ c. chopped peeled cucumber
¼ c. crumbled feta cheese
1 ½ tsp. dill weed
1 ½ tsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
Burgers:
1 med. onion, finely chopped
¼ c. dry bread crumbs
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 lb. ground chicken
4 hamburger buns
4 lettuce leaves
4 tomato slices

Combine sauce ingredients in small bowl. Set aside.
For the burgers, combine onion, crumbs, oregano, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Crumble chicken over mixture and mix well. Shape into four burgers. Coat grill rack with cooking spray. Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until the meat is no longer pink. Serve each on a bun with lettuce, tomato, and 2 Tbsp. sauce.

Note: I served these with a cucumber-tomato salad (dice cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion. Add feta and greek vinaigrette dressing)

Weekend with the Merkle Clan

The weekend after Easter, Scott, Laura, Kristen and "Muncle" Bean came up from Nashville. We threw a big open house baby shower for Scott and Laura at Merkle's house. It was great having everyone all together again. We also got to see Grandmom Merkle, GG and Wonderful Ed, and part of the Dickson clan from Philly (Andy's aunt, uncle and cousins). It's always nice to get together with family and we're thankful to get to celebrate the upcoming birth of Scott and Laura's first baby.

Our kids with Grandmom Merkle

I'm sad to say, but this is the first time Grandmom got to meet Lizzie

On Sunday afternoon, the Merkle clan headed to the Phillies game! It was the Phanatic's birthday, so the kids got free t-shirts (even the unborn Merkle...no, not ours :-) Finally someone else in the family is pregnant!) Here are Jake and Jon getting free rides from Andy and Uncle Toe

Here we are, dressed in full Phillies attire.

And the whole gang...

In the front, "Muncle" Bean, Mommom, Kristen, Jake

In the back, Toe, Laura, Kimmy, "Muncle" Don, Jon, Andy, Lizzie, Me, and Popsy

We had a great time. Poor Laura took a bunch of smack from everyone for the location of our seats. Thanks, Laura, for finding the tickets for such a large group. We had a blast, despite the nosebleeds ;-) You did great!

Fun weekend, everyone!! Thanks!!!

Amazing Love

The Saturday before Easter we spent with my family in Woodstown. Here, the kids are getting ready to go out for the annual egg hunt.
Andy snuck Lizzie out a minute early to try to let her find an egg before the bigger kids and she just kept walking right past them :-) She was just happy to be outside with the wind blowing her hair! She thinks that's so funny!

Jon filling up his basket

Natalie pausing for a picture

I love this picture of Lizzie holding onto the big tree, wind blowing her hair, big smile on her face!

Jake and David racing around for eggs

Gabrielle happy she found one on the firepit bricks

Aunt Cheryl got both David and Jon these firefighter outfits for their birthdays
(they weren't able to make it to Jon's party, so they gave him his gift today)

This is Sunday morning at out house. Lizzie found an egg in Jake's shoe...the first egg of the day!

Jake showing his find

Jon, in his Christmas pjs, showing his eggs

All of us dressed in our Sunday best before church. I think it's impossible to get a nice picture of all of us smiling, not squirming or making funny faces, but hey, this isn't too bad :-)

The five of us on the couch after church. The funny faces are starting to emerge and Lizzie's obviously exhausted and in need of a nap by this point in the day.

Our friend, Brian, and his daughter, Brooklyn, came with us to church and stayed for lunch afterward at our house. We were happy to have them. Unfortunately, Marie was out-of-town.

Mommom and Popsy and the kids

I forgot to get my camera out, but we were thankful Aunt Kimmy and our neighbors, Al and Sandy joined us for Easter dinner, as well.

As much fun as we have doing all the egg hunts, opening Easter basket goodies and having wonderful get-togethers with family and friends, it's important to reflect on why we really celebrate this most holy day.
(click on songs #3 and #2)

"Amazing Love"

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken.

I'm accepted. You were condemned.

I'm alive and well. Your spirit is within me

because you died and rose again.

Amazing love, how can it be

that you my king should die for me?

Amazing love, I know it's true

and it's my joy to honor you

in all I do to honor you.

You are my king

Jesus, you are my king.

"In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Jon's Movin' Out

So Jon and I are putting our puzzle away yesterday and he gives me a big hug and says, "Mommy I love you and I'll never forget you."
"I love you, too and I'll never forget you either, bud, but where are you going?"
"Well, when I'm 11, I'm moving in with Aunt Kimmy and Mr. Don."
"Oh, is that right?"
"Yeah, Aunt Kimmy said I could. But don't worry, I'll come visit you."

Please Touch Museum

Andy got home in the wee hours Thursday morning before Easter. He decided to take Friday off, so we made it a fun family day and went to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. Andy's mom has been dying to go, so we invited her and Popsy to come along, too, since they were both off from school for Good Friday. We had such a fabulous time!!!The boys making music by shaking cables hooked to percussion instruments in the top of the tree
Lizzie found this feather in the craft room, started tickling us all with it and just giggling!!!

The boys and Lizzie all loved the giant water exhibit

This giant hamster wheel was Jake's favorite exhibit

Mommom getting "hit' by the Septa bus Jon was driving

Jon "fixing" a car's wheel

Jon climbing atop one of the hedges in Alice in Wonderland

Jake as the King of Hearts

Lizzie loved walking around and being able to see and touch everything! What a great place for little ones!

We had a great day at the museum and topped off the day with an early dinner at Kimmy and Don's house right across the bridge. Thanks for having us such short notice :-)