Happy Easter

Grandma and Grandpa Keefer brought home matching Easter outfits for the boys from their recent trip to Texas. Unbelievably they kept them clean all through lunch. We enjoyed Kentucky Fried Chicken and Spears French Silk pie (and the "adults" enjoyed Strawberry Rhubarb pie.) We celebrated with the Keefers and Shaffers and our good friend Danny Philips. Happy Easter from the Shaffer family!

Resurrection Cookies

This Easter Sam and I have been reading about the Easter story each day. I found this recipe in the River Community Church cookbook and it seemed to fit well with what we had been reading and Sam's love for cooking.

Here is the recipe along with the notes:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place pecans in Zipper baggie and let children beat them with a wooden spoon (or in Sam's case, a Hammer from Lowes) to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. (John 19:1-3)Let children smell vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink (John 19:28-30).

Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life (John 10:10-11).

Sprinkle a little salt into the children's hands. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.

Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin (Luke 23:27). So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.

Add 1 cup sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him (Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 11 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those who sins have been cleansed by Jesus (Is. 1:18 and John 3:1-3).

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid (Matthew 27:57-60.)

Put the cookie sheet in the oven and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and "seal" the oven door.

Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed (Matthew 27:65-66). GO TO BED!

Explain that they may be sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight, and Jesus' followers were sad to leave Jesus in the tomb. (John 16:20,22).

On easter morning open the oven


and give everyone a cookie.


Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. (Matthew 28:1-9).

Although Sam didn't really try a cookie, the rest of us are loving them. I think next year I'll add mini chocolate chips to the pecans.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day at the 2nd annual parade in downtown Wichita. Read about our first St. Patrick's Day parade here. It was quite windy, and not very warm, so we brought lots of blankets. Ben really enjoyed the bagpipes, and Sam enjoyed the candy.

Later in the afternoon we went to Cero's candy to see the Easter Bunny. Sam brought along the picture from 3 years ago when he saw the Easter Bunny, but this time Sam wasn't afraid to sit on his lap. Ben didn't seem to mind too much. Seems funny to be thinking about Easter on St. Patrick's Day.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Ben fell asleep in the car on the way home before lunch. He is usually ready to eat as soon as we put him in his high chair. He wasn't quite awake yet.

Just Hanging Out

Sam really enjoys sitting on the riding lawn mowers at Lowes. Dad's ready for Sam to take this responsibility over!

Another rough day for Sam and Ben

Can I have some popcorn?

Remember the classic Mattel football game with the red dots that run all over the field?