Laurel Elisabeth Stevens

http://elisabethkraftson.blogspot.com/ I'm not sure how to add a link right, but I hope this works. This website is in honor of my Grandmother, Elisabeth Jane Kraftson.

We must really be on vacation--kids having dessert nearly every day, 2 parades in three days, going to bed with sandy feet and hair . . .memories. Henry had his first icecream cone--at Barden's of course. (yes, he's had icecream plenty of times, just not in a cone). If you aren't from Traverse City you'd probably drive right by this ramshackle old place and head for Cold Stone Creamery, but the locals know better. It's a delight. And Elisabeth wants to go there every day. At 8:30 this morning, on the way to the grocery store, Henry calls to me, "I want to go to Gardens." Gardens? "The name of the grocery store is Glens, Henry." "No, Gardens," he says, and points to Bardens. Ah, he catches on quickly. Speaking of icecream, the parent's trick of spelling in front of their children doesn't work anymore. Elisabeth knows what we're spelling, and Henry thinks it is always icecream. "I want some H-N-D!" he cries. "I...

Henry rode a two-wheeler (with training wheels, so I guess it is really a 4 wheeler), but he rode it by himself. I have video to prove it, but don’t have a clue as to how to get it on here. I also have it on my phone. These media crazed parents. Nothing better to do but film their children with various pieces of equipment. Here are some pictures from our hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore--Ezra, Ari and Jason joined us for this trip. The kids loved having young companions to encourage them along the trail. We ended with a beautiful view of the dunes, then headed to Empire Beach. Of course, we thought it would be too cold to swim, but it was just perfect. So in they went anyway. But the good thing about being here 3 weeks: we have time to go back! See Dad Stevens helping Henry use the saw? Now I know where John gets his desire to teach Elisabeth about square roots at age 3 and the Periodic Table at age 5. Get 'em started early on what you love. . . .Like reading . . ....

Much to Elisabeth's delight we headed to the Cherry Festival Midway this afternoon. It didn't take long to use up the tickets and get some more! The first ride I took Henry on was an elephant ride. He cried and didn't want to go, but I'd already handed over the tickets. Come on! So we got in and I thought, "What am I doing? He's 2." And we were off. . . and up. I hadn't realized we were going up . . .and down. . . I thought for sure he'd cry, but he didn't. He waved dutifully to Grandma, and Elisabeth who was in front, waved to us, saying, "Hello down there! Hello up there!" The next ride was a zoo train. Elisabeth was the patient big sister--it was obviously not the thrill she expected. But Henry was a serious conductor. Elisabeth's favorite was the swings, Henry's the (less than 2 minutes, I'm sure) motorcycle ride, but my favorite was seeing Henry on the car. He told Grandma, "By myself!" and even though he wa...

I just have to say that I was pretty excited tonight to have my first grilling success (and this is Laurel writing). I did it all by myself (with a super recipe) and everyone loved it. And another thing I learned: it's awfully peaceful out there by the grill when everyone else is inside! Gotta remember that--it's even worth withstanding the 100+ temperature. Grilled Peaches and Pork Tenderloin (from Cookie Magazine) In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup of tamari, 1/2 cup of white wine, and 1/3 cup of olive oil (I used grapeseed oil). Whisk in 1 tsp of Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp of dried thyme. Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade. Place 2 pork tenderloins in the rest, then cover and chill for 1 to 3 hours. Grill pork for 15 to 20 minutes, brushing with reserved marinade and turning once, until a meat thermometer in the thickest part reads 150 degrees. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush 4 large peach halves (peeled) with the reserved marinade. Place them on the grill,...

It is summer--we've had at least two weeks without rain, temps in the mid to upper 90s every day, but summer doesn't really start until Sunday the 21st. Explain that to a 5 year old. (Actually, she's the one saying that it isn't summer yet and we all say, it must be!) We started June by celebrating John's birthday and going to the zoo. We beat the crowds by going at 8:30 AM, and just barely got in before the heat. But it was fun to be together and enjoy the animals. Henry is having a hard time (naturally) with anticipating events. We'll tell Elisabeth we are going to do something in a week or so, and Henry thinks we're going to do it in five minutes. "I'm ready go to zoo and see amals!" That was 3 days before we went. "Eat cupcakes after nap!" (2 days before Daddy's b'day). "I'm ready to Michigan" (for the past week. We leave in 2 weeks). "Where is Michigan?" he asks. How to explain that? Today conclud...

Mother's Day saw the Stone family together after church on Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed converstion and good food. Having everybody together prompted a picture taking session. Several pictures were taken and others present might have alternate personal favorites but I thought this an interesting and enjoyable picture. You can see that it is our kids that are less than interested. Is it a rule that everybody has to be smiling and looking at the camera? Mom and Dad also had their picture taken and you can see that they were much more willing and took several wonderful pictures. Here is just one example.