1) Card Game Craze: Discovering “Play Nine”

Amidst the monumental undertaking of various outdoor projects and relentless yard work that seems to define summer, we’ve stumbled upon a new, utterly captivating game obsession. Oh, how we adore it! This deceptively simple card game has brought endless hours of laughter and friendly competition into our home. I initially purchased “Play Nine” after a fantastic recommendation from one of you in a previous game-focused post, and it has since become an instant hit with everyone we’ve introduced it to. Friends and family alike have fallen in love with its charm and quickly acquired their own sets.

You might be initially put off by its golf-themed appearance – and truthfully, I was too, no offense to golf enthusiasts! – but beyond the goal of achieving a low score, it bears little resemblance to the sport. “Play Nine” is remarkably easy to learn, making it accessible for almost anyone, and incredibly versatile, accommodating anywhere from two to six players. This flexibility makes it perfect for intimate family evenings or larger social gatherings. We genuinely cannot recommend this game highly enough; our family is absolutely obsessed, and we suspect yours will be too! Have you tried it yet?

A Culinary Revelation: Teasing the Craziest Cookie Ever Baked

2) The Quest for the Perfect Cookie Name

Last week, I shared a tantalizing photo on Instagram, appealing to our incredible community for help in naming these extraordinary cookies. Seriously, folks, these are beyond insane – in the most delectable way possible! Their taste is utterly divine, a perfect symphony of flavors and textures. I confess, I’ve baked probably six or seven batches of them in just the last two weeks, including a whopping 150 for my cousins’ wedding dinner yesterday! The response on Instagram was overwhelming, with over 400 messages pouring in, brimming with creative and hilarious name suggestions. All I can say is: you guys truly crack me up!

I am beyond excited to finally post the much-anticipated recipe next week. And of course, I’ll be proudly highlighting the winning name, alongside a selection of other brilliant suggestions that were simply too good not to share. The creativity and enthusiasm of this community never cease to amaze me. Before the big reveal, I have one last question for you: Any final thoughts? What do you think this sensational cookie should be called? Your input makes this journey even sweeter!

Young Entrepreneurship: My Son’s Ambitious Cookie Dough Business

3) Baking Dreams: Earning for Treks and Family Adventures

Our older three children are diligently working towards a noble goal: earning money for an upcoming church trek/camp, as well as contributing significantly to a much-anticipated family trip scheduled for next spring break. Each of them is striving to earn several hundred dollars to cover their share of the trip’s expenses. While my two older boys have secured “official” jobs – one working incredibly hard at a horse ranch, and the other managing upkeep, yard work, and various fix-it projects on our rental property and the expansive 20 acres behind us – my sweet 12-year-old decided to forge his own path. He embarked on an ingenious venture: selling homemade cookie dough!

With an admirable entrepreneurial spirit, he meticulously designed a captivating flyer and then, with incredible dedication, spent three full days immersed in the kitchen, churning out batch after batch of cookie dough, carefully freezing it in preparation for sales. He’s done an exceptional job spreading the word among neighbors and friends in the area, and his efforts have paid off wonderfully. So far, he has successfully sold almost 20 dozen cookie dough balls! We couldn’t be prouder of his hard work and the independence he’s shown in tackling this project almost entirely on his own. Given his natural talent as an amazing chef and baker, this business venture was a truly intuitive choice for him. While we definitely need to have a little chat about degreasing the kitchen floor and embracing the “clean as you go” philosophy, it has been an absolute joy to watch him bring his culinary and business aspirations to life.

After seeking invaluable recommendations from our fantastic Instagram community, we serendipitously discovered Three Peaks Lodge in St. Anthony, Idaho. And wow. Just, wow! It was absolutely spectacular, exceeding all our expectations and proving to be arguably the most perfect reunion location we could have ever wished for (and this is entirely unsponsored, simply genuine admiration). In fact, we loved it so profoundly that Brian’s family has already booked it for their 2021 reunion! The lodge boasts a truly ginormous kitchen, comfortably seating over 40 people, making meal preparation and shared dining a breeze. Throughout the lodge, you’ll find charming rock walls, exhilarating slides, and even hidden tunnels – features that delight both young and old. Outdoors, the amenities are equally impressive: basketball courts, tennis courts, ample picnic tables, a relaxing hot tub, and vast grassy areas perfect for various games and activities. With ten spacious bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a huge bunkroom, there was plenty of comfortable accommodation for everyone. Honestly, it was nothing short of perfect for fostering connection and creating lasting memories.

To ensure we had everything we needed, Brian and I practically packed up our entire house and brought it with us – no exaggeration! Ha. Among all the essential kitchen supplies and detailed planning items, we also brought our custom-made nine square game, crafted by our dear friends. This proved to be an absolute smash hit, keeping kids and adults alike entertained for hours on end, alongside a plethora of other fantastic outdoor games like Spikeball, Flimsee, Kubb, and more. The joy of friendly competition and shared laughter filled the air.

One of the unexpected highlights, which garnered incredible enthusiasm, was the “Baby Faces” game. I meticulously printed out 5×7 inch pictures of every family member as a baby and arranged them on a designated wall, each picture clearly marked with a unique number. Scorecards, listing all the family names, were distributed, and the challenge was to match the correct number to each name. The person with the most correct matches won the grand prize: a delightful set of teething rings and a classic Baby Ruth candy bar. I was utterly astonished by the fierce competitiveness Brian’s family displayed in trying to get the most answers right! I’m fairly certain his dad and older brother spent at least four hours intently studying that wall, engrossed in the game. It was truly hilarious to witness their dedication.

Brian, with his characteristic flair, orchestrated some truly epic family Olympic games, designed to include everyone from the littlest babies to the great-grandmas. These events were incredibly fun and fostered a wonderful sense of camaraderie. Yes, those are indeed Ding Dongs being carefully stacked on Jackson’s forehead – just one of many memorable (and silly) challenges! 🙂

And let’s not forget the bobblehead skit performed by some of the grandkids – it was hilariously awesome! The skit featured oversized bobbleheads of grandma, grandpa, and the two great-grandmas. I printed high-resolution photos at Costco (16×20 inches), carefully glued them to foam board, cut them out, and then securely attached a sturdy plastic cup to the back. The kids then gripped these cups in their little teeth, creating a wobbly, exaggerated effect that had everyone in stitches. If the idea of this setup sounds a bit concerning or freaky, a quick Google search for “bobblehead skit” will quickly show you just how incredibly entertaining they are!

Beyond the organized activities, a significant portion of our time was simply spent in delightful conversation, sharing laughter, engaging in countless games (both indoors and out), and, of course, indulging in plenty of delicious food. I contributed to the culinary feast by preparing this savory honey lime chicken and this hearty lentil chili, serving them as a build-your-own nacho bar, complete with an abundance of tortilla chips and a generous array of toppings. For one memorable breakfast, I made this rich dark chocolate granola and this wholesome honey almond granola, served alongside creamy yogurt, a colorful assortment of fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, and toast. Yum! Brian’s siblings also brought some truly stellar meals to the table, ensuring that no one ever went hungry!

The Art of Patience and Persistence: My Quilting Journey

5) Quilting: A Labor of Love (and Occasional Frustration)

Where are all my fellow quilters at? I shared a sneak peek of this project on Instagram a few weeks ago, but I’m thrilled to announce that I successfully finished this beautiful flag quilt, using a wonderful pattern by Camille at Thimble Blossoms, just in time for the Fourth of July celebrations. And while I must admit that sewing anything often leads to a few choice words escaping my lips, and I’ve yet to encounter a hobby that frustrates me quite as much as quilting does, there’s a strange, undeniable truth: I actually genuinely enjoy it, too! It’s a complex relationship of love and exasperation.

I had the unique opportunity to finish this quilt while visiting my mom, who, with her endless wisdom, took me to her local quilt store and patiently taught me how to long arm quilt the top. I was, to put it mildly, a super nervous wreck. Quilting is certainly not the greatest hobby for perfectionists, and I wrestled with every stitch. But in the end, I have to give immense credit to my mom for gently, yet firmly, pushing me out of my comfort zone and ensuring I completed this project 100% by myself. Geez, why do moms always have to be right? The sense of accomplishment upon completing this intricate piece was truly immense, and I’m so grateful for her guidance.

Building Stronger Foundations: The Power of Personal Boundaries

7) Fill in the Blank: A Personal Reflection on Boundaries

Lately, the concept of boundaries has been occupying a significant portion of my thoughts. To be candid, I’m not inherently good at setting them; it’s always been a challenging area for me. However, I’ve made a conscious effort to establish clearer, healthier boundaries across various aspects of my life. This includes boundaries for my personal endeavors, such as blogging and social media engagement, and crucially, boundaries involving the people in my life. For instance, I’m actively trying to learn how to stop managing the emotions of those around me, a habit that has often left me feeling drained.

Much of this initiative stems from a desire to alleviate some of the daily anxieties I contend with. It’s a topic I don’t often discuss openly, as it touches upon some of my deeper insecurities and is likely a bit too profound to fully explore here in a short space (though we can certainly dive into it further in the comment thread if you’re inclined!). But for today, I would absolutely love for you to join me in a little exercise by filling in the blanks in this simple sentence. There’s no judgment here; every answer is safe – whether it’s deep, a little quirky, hilarious, raw, sensitive, or anything in between. “I want to do more _____________ and less _____________.”

My personal responses today would be:
I want to do more being true to myself and less worrying about making others upset.
Or perhaps: I want to do more reading in the New Testament and less scrolling through Instagram.
And lastly, perhaps most humorously: I want to do more cookie eating and less cookie baking. I’ll definitely need to get my kids more involved in that last one! 🙂

If you feel comfortable, I would genuinely love to know what your response to that sentence would be! Your insights and shared experiences are truly valued.

Love you guys. Thanks for being here and being such an incredible community.