Spring Break!

We're off to our great Michigan vacation! We're hitting five different cities in the next week over my spring break. I am so looking forward to some adventures with the husband. Now if you would excuse me, I have an IU game to watch. :)

Young Love

I know I've already posted this picture of my grandparents, but I think it's worthy of a post all its own.

 

Grandpa insisted that Grandma should sit on the seat of his walker and proceeded to dance her around the kitchen, giggling the whole time. I hope Jake and I are doing this exact same thing when we're in our nineties.

Lauren Fleishman is a photographer who has a series of photos called "Love Ever After." The subject of each of her photos is a couple that has been married over 50 years. I think these two should be her next inspiration, being married 60 years and all. Definitely check out her work. It may be the cutest, most inspiring thing I've ever seen.

Bits and Pieces

Such great weather this weekend! We were very low key and worked around the house and in the yard. The other hours in the day were spent on college basketball. :)

  

Celebrating Kourtney's birthday/ Grandma and Grandpa dancing/ Hanging lights on the porch/ Mason jars on the porch/ Making curtains/ Bunny cake!

Signs of Spring

I know Spring officially starts next week, but it has definitely arrived. Here's how I know...

Strawberry lemonade

Tulips for sale

Wearing sandals daily

Flowers are blooming

Our windows are open

Pumpkin Cookies

For months before my wedding, I looked forward to one thing...

But alas, we came back after our first dance to find NO PUMPKIN COOKIES left. This was the saddest part of my wedding day.

Luckily, our friend, Annette, heard about our cookie dilemma and whipped us up a batch of her very own pumpkin cookies. I'd like to think they were even better than the ones at our wedding. :)

Annette's Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp vanilla

Sift: 2 Cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add in egg, pumpkin, and vanilla. Then, add in sifted dry ingredients.

Drop by large teaspoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until set.

For icing:

Mix together 4 tsp melted, cooled butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 2 cups confectioners sugar. Frost cookies once cool.

Enjoy!

Bits and Pieces

Here's a few snapshots of our wonderful weekend.

 

Mike and Shannon/ Concert in Fort Wayne/ Flower from the concert/ Sunset in Louisville/ Enjoying the nice Sunday weather/ Daffodils from a student

Our MMTB Weekend

We've had such a great weekend! Our friends Mike Mains and the Branches were playing two shows within driving distance, so we took road trips to see them on Friday and Saturday. They are usually super busy before and after shows, so we were thrilled we got to visit with them this weekend. Jake and I really love these guys and always enjoy their amazing stage presence and music. Make sure to check them out!

Honeymoon Video

Here's a little video that sums up our honeymoon back in October quite nicely. Lots of driving, and lots of very pretty fall views. Oh, and one huge deer head. Enjoy!

Our Honeymoon from Kristina VanDyke on Vimeo.

Dear Avocado

Dear Mr. Avocado,
Thank you for being the catalyst behind a wonderful Spanish Club with some of my Jr. High students today. Who knew making guacamole together could lead to so much conversation and fun. Sometimes as a teacher I forget that my students are actual people and not just part of another group to keep quiet while I tell them what their homework is for the night. Thanks for reminding me how great it is to get to know my students on a personal level, avocado. I guess you really are a super food.

Until next time,
Mrs. Brooks

Bits and Pieces

Here's some bits and pieces of my weekend. Jake was out of town for a youth conference, so I visited Mom and Dad for a few days. We didn't have a lot planned for once and it was nice to just relax and spend time with the parents and Kels.

 

Flowers from Grandma and Grandpa's 60th anniversary/lazy Saturday with the family/Kevin and Michelle's ADORABLE lab pups/planning our Michigan Spring Break/Dad is ready for Spring, clearly

60 Years Together

Grandma June and Grandpa Leroy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday. Yep, I said 60. That is completely amazing to me. They are such a team; they look out for each other, they help each other, and they giggle with each other from time to time. It's a relationship that I really look up to as a newlywed.

We celebrated as a family last night with dinner and cake.

Thursday Music Post: LISTENER

Mr. Jake here.  I wanted to let you know about one of the coolest bands I've ever heard.  Their lyrics are poetic, the music is awesome, and no one in the band sings.  That's right.  No one sings.  The "lead singer" is called the "vocalist," and he more or less talks, rather than sings.  It's sort of like listening to poetry with music in the background.  I'm usually more of a music guy, but the lyrics this guy writes are amazing.

Without further ado, here is a live version of the song "Wooden Heart" by the band Listener.  Enjoy.