C & C Living

Good times

2010-11-26T19:22:00.002-05:00

Pretty back yard
Ruth comes for lunch every Thursday and she only ever wants puff pancakes. I am happy to meet her puff pancake needs....
So big and happy it burst over the edge of the pie plate!

Olivia's 9th birthday party

2010-11-26T19:08:00.004-05:00

Getting ready to blow out the candles
Present time!
Swim fest!
Olivia's cake
Wishing for the ability to fly and/or turn into a mythical creature such as a pegasus....

Grammy's art project

2010-11-26T18:58:00.003-05:00

For a fun Christmas project, Grammy sent us some lovely Oregon pine cones to decorate for Christmas. Being the day after Thanksgiving, we decided to get started today!

Halloween at school

2010-10-29T19:22:00.002-04:00

Naomi and her school friend Sonia.
The costume parade in the school gym.
Spell time, flick and swish.
Remember how great the Halloween parties used to be? They are better now, you should have seen the snacks that the kids had....

Halloween preview

2010-10-29T19:02:00.003-04:00

Chloe at preschool with buddies Helene, DJ and Maria
Could somebody tell me how to rotate photos? Please? Oh and I cut off all my hair again....
Olivia aka Hermione Granger plays the violin in preparation for her Halloween recital
This is Chloe completely asleep on the stool in the office, in her Lion costume, in footies and gloves (she wears this almost every day!)
Chloe and her friend Carter played a little dress up while the mamas chatted last Friday.

Nanna comes to town

2010-10-19T10:18:00.002-04:00

Nanna came to visit this weekend and we celebrated her 60th birthday a little early with a cake on Saturday.

Chris took care of our fire starting needs
Chloe is wearing her Halloween costume every day now, just to make sure she is still happy with it!

Olivia's Soccer team

2010-10-01T09:40:00.002-04:00

Chris coached both girls' soccer teams this year and they had a lot of fun together.
Olivia loved playing defense and forward.
Chris rallying the team. They only lost one game and tied one, all the rest they won. We are having an ice cream social tonight to celebrate such a victorious season.

Baby Olive

2010-10-01T09:29:00.002-04:00

We have been watching a baby once a week for a friend from church. The girls love to hold her!

Chloe tries her hand at feeding.

Naomi's First Lost Tooth!

2010-09-15T07:02:00.002-04:00

Naomi lost her first tooth yesterday, pulling it out herself after eating a wild apple. She surprised herself and her mother! What a brave girl
The tooth fairy brought Naomi a note of greeting and a dollar bill. She was showing our ants in the ant farm her new gap
Good morning Jack o' lantern girl

Chloe's first day of Preschool

2010-09-12T16:42:00.002-04:00

Chloe and Carter try out the rocker
Chloe and Mom snuggle on the glider, this is Mom's sixth year of MTU Preschool
Pop! Goes the Weasel
Big joy on a big day!
She looks like Daddy, do I get anything for my efforts??

First day of school

2010-09-07T13:14:00.002-04:00

Today, Olivia started 3rd grade and Naomi, 1st.
The girls pose on the porch, as it is raining hard!
Olivia will be nine in November
Nervous, excited, we can't decide how we feel
Here's a shot our new house, as well

Nature preserve II

2010-09-07T12:59:00.003-04:00

This is the first pic we've taken together in years!
Chloe's stoplight maple leaf
Tamaraks and blueberries
Chloe's prettiest leaf find
More pitcher plant, apparently there are tons of sundews as well, but their season has peaked

Nature Preserve

2010-09-07T12:43:00.003-04:00

On Saturday, we took the girls to this nature preserve and walked in the cool fall air enjoying the greenery.
A pitcher plant, with a spider in residence.
The bog, shaped like a bowl with a thick blanket of moss and blueberries ringing the water.
Geneva and the girls pose.
Classic self-portrait of mom and daughter.

Michigan Tech Women's Soccer

2010-09-03T10:52:00.003-04:00

Last night was the inaugural game for the newly formed Michigan Tech women's soccer team
Friend's Jake, Nora and Geneva and Olivia and Chloe pose with our Husky mascot
Geneva, Ruth and Ruthie watch the game with rapt attention
Huskies won 2-0 against Concordia
The girls loved the concession stand!

Naomi's soccer team

2010-09-03T10:43:00.003-04:00

Naomi is playing soccer for the second year now with Daddy as her coach
She is on the 6/7 team and they play twice a week, ugh
action shot
Water break are often the best part of the whole game
Victory is mine!

Big Traverse Bay

2010-08-31T08:14:00.002-04:00

On Friday we went to Big Traverse with Brita, Erin, Mary Fran, Lara and all our assorted and additional children. Mary Fran made smores with a foil solar oven, yum!

There was a beach toy explosion and several digging expeditions, the mothers tried in vain to enforce beach towel/blanket etiquette.

Foggy Misery Bay

2010-08-31T08:01:00.002-04:00

As if living up to its name, our trip to Misery Bay after church last Sunday was met with incoming fog at noon. Lovely not to have to squint all day, the fog lifted just as we left at 6

After warming up after a chilly dip in Lake Superior, the kids dug monstorous holes in the sand which remained up to a week later as reported by a mutual friend
We enjoyed our time with the Odegard family and Geneva as well

Agate Beach

2010-08-31T07:53:00.002-04:00

After moving and all the hassle this summer, we've been trying to take full advantage of all the lovely beaches our area has to offer. We went to Agate Beach with the Waite children recently.
Audrey and Chloe
Naomi strikes a pose
Olivia likes to play dolphin in the water
Chloe loves the beach

Jensen family visit

2010-08-31T07:32:00.002-04:00

Our good friends and old neighbors, the Jensen's, visited this month. Kevin has been in Korea for a year and they came here the day after his plane landed back in Michigan. We loved seeing them!
Tatum, Naomi and Baby Micah
Buddies Graeleigh and Chloe
Bryson and Olivia

Copper Harbor camping trip

2010-08-30T16:46:00.001-04:00

In August, the girls and I went camping at Fort Wilkins State Park in Copper Harbor, MI
Naomi on Brockway Mountain
Olivia and Naomi on a rocky beach, looking for agates
All the girlies, plus our camping buddies Michelle and Ayla
Bathing beauty Chloe

Random new house pics

2010-08-30T13:18:00.002-04:00

Check out this cool parasitic wasp we saw at our new house in Houghton. Her ovipositer was really intimidating!

Upon return from PA, the girls played horsey while Mom unpacked.

Nanna's friends in PA

2010-08-30T10:38:00.002-04:00

While in PA, we visited Eric and Tricia who have some chickens that the girls like to chase. We gathered eggs and petted the birds.

The puppy considers a little lunch while Chloe heads him off.

Nanna and Naomi seem to have the same expression in the restaurant we stopped at on the way to the airport.

Delaware Musuem of Natural History

2010-08-30T09:50:00.002-04:00

In July we traveled to Delaware and stayed with Nanna for a week. While there we also had two days with Grandpa Tony and Grandma Kathy, one at the museum and cousin Isabella's birthday party and one day at Rehobeth Beach.

Happy 66h birthday, Bella!

Olivia, Naomi, Bella and Chloe look at a floor display.

Independence day rain out

2010-08-30T09:38:00.002-04:00

On the 4th of July we went to Baraga State Park to camp overnight in the tipi they have there. Hot and humid, it stated raining about 4 o'clock and did not let up. We called the trip at 8 due to the fact that tipis have big holes in the roof!
The kids enjoying some bunk time while we took shelter
Although the day was kind of a bust, we still enjoyed some beach time and a beautiful walk in the woods with our friend Kathy and her new dog. We had time to eat a hotdog cooked over the fire and indulged in marshmallows, too.

Naomi's 6th Birthday (May 25, 2010)

2010-08-30T09:24:00.003-04:00

Naomi had a sleepover party for her sixth birthday. Greta, Nora, Sierra, Isabelle and Caitlynne came for crafts, cupcakes and a very late night...

The girls finally went to sleep at 11 and woke up at 4:3o demanding chocolate pancakes with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate syrup. We had some grumpy girls by the time pickup arrived at 10

Yeah! I'm catching up after a summer of selling our home and moving.

Naomi's Patriotic Program

2010-03-08T11:43:00.002-05:00

Naomi's kindergarten class put on a patriotic program in February. They were so cute!

Christmas

2010-03-03T14:56:00.001-05:00

New raised beds

2010-03-03T09:11:00.002-05:00

This fall we put in new raised beds to boost our growing potential for the upcoming season. With so few frost free days, our veggies need all the help they can get. The girls had a great time getting grubby and finding worms to add to the new soil.

Hohnholt humus happiness~that's alliteration

Adding the peat

What it looks like today~buried! The hoops from our previous bed are visible. Note Chris's skis, Olivia's Christmas tree fort and the snowy table.

Olivia's 8th birthday

2010-03-03T08:59:00.002-05:00

OK, so I am a poor blogger. I could give you excuses, and whine about my non-Apple computer, but the bottom line is: I am a poor blogger. However, I will attempt to catch up and redeem myself to my esteemed family members who may be yearning for a taste of the Hohnholt's.

We had Olivia's birthday at the same pool where she had her 5 year birthday party. She chose the menu: Broccoli cheese soup, Chinese chicken soup, granola-yogurt sundaes and lots of pretty cupcakes.

Daddy and Olivia playing water dodgeball. Dodgeball in our family is a semi-religious process. Chris adores it!

Clockwise from Olivia: Jake Sullivan, bus friend Derrin, Nora Sullivan, and Geneva Archer.

Naomi, Tim Garland and Chloe.

Chloe's third birthday

2009-11-12T10:32:00.002-05:00

Chloe makes a wish!

Chloe picked the menu and the company for her birthday dinner, Homemade cheese gyoza's, dinner rolls, sliced tomatoes, chicken soup with fresh noodles and vanilla cupcakes with pink frosting. The Archer clan were our guests this year as per tradition. We were happy to have Grandpa Bill (Glen's dad) for the first time. Grandma Ruth was very sadly missed:(

Fall photos

2009-11-12T10:17:00.002-05:00

Eating some snacks with Geneva and Carter prior to trick or treating.

Chloe tries her hand at face painting.

Lavender and Chloe take a snooze.

Carving our still green pumpkins.

Halloween night at Dolores's house. Olivia was a self-invented "Water girl", Naomi and Mommy were butterflies and Chloe, a pegacorn. The pegacorn costume was Olivia's birthday gift from Grammy when Chloe was born. My, how time flies.

Chloe's first day of Preschool

2009-11-12T10:11:00.002-05:00

In the Hohnholt family's fifth year at MTU Preschool, Chloe starts her first (long awaited for her) day. She attends Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11:30

The puff ball center

Where shall I begin?

First day of Kindergarten and Second Grade

2009-11-12T10:04:00.002-05:00

Puff pancakes and bacon to get the motors running on this early, early start. Up at 7, on the bus at 7:43.

Waiting for Mr. Dan, the bus driver extraordinaire.

Show us your toothless smile, Olivia.

Nanna bought the girls new school backpacks.

Bus #2 in the morning, Naomi comes home at 11:32 and Olivia home on Bus #4 at 3:17.

Camping trip

2009-11-12T09:26:00.003-05:00

Olivia spent the whole camping trip rollerblading around the campground.

In early September, the girls and I went camping with friends, Jenny and Michelle and their kids, Angus, Cecilia, and Ayla. Ft. Wilkins State Park is in Copper Harbor, MI and is a beautiful place. We poked the fire, picked thimbleberries, blueberries and raspberries and the moms enjoyed a few beverages after the kids were (finally!) down for the night.

Smoke follows beauty

Lake Fanny Hooe.

Summer pictures

2009-09-16T10:34:00.002-04:00

A frolic at the beach, Lake Superior feels very much like an unsalty ocean.

Naomi and some of her friends last spring.

Chloe is not always able to resist her naps.

Atop Brockway Mountain with Grammy.

Olivia having some soccer fun.

Anniversary trip

2009-09-12T10:46:00.003-04:00

While Grammy was here in August, Chris and I took an overnight trip to Coppper Harbor to celebrate our tenth anniversary. On the way north, we stopped at Bete Gris beach for a swim.

Naomi took a picture of lavender for Aunt Lisa.

Our blue hydrangeas are happy this year as well.

We had to drive up to Brockway Mountain (the highest peak between the Rockies and the Alleganies) in order to call home on our cell phones.

On our trip we kayaked, hiked, picked wild thimbleberries, raspberries and blueberries and dined at the Harbor Haus. We didn't talk about the kids at all! It was our first time alone overnight since 2001! Thank you Grammy for keeping our girls safe and happy.

Grammy comes to town!

2009-08-23T10:06:00.002-04:00

Grammy came last week to visit and we ran her ragged! She stayed with the girls so Chris and I could have our 10 year anniversary trip (6 mon. early), helped celebrate at my graduation party, and played with, read to and enjoyed the girls. Also, she bought me a new garbage can. :)

Naomi gets a bang trim from Grammy

Olivia relaxes under Grammy's gentle hand

The girls were excited to think that the birds from our backyard would utilize our hair for nest building. We recently found a nest made out of all manner of trash, twine, grasses and feathers.

Grammy holds a fresh- from -bath Olivia, while Olivia reads her a science book on "Matter".

Aunt Tanya and Dane's visit

2009-08-19T22:16:00.003-04:00

Tanya and Dane visited us last week. We had so much fun with a boy in the house. We love you, Houstons!

Tanya and Court pose

Dane and Chloe visit on unauthorized stairs

Inside the fort

Up from a nap

Olivia's field day

2009-06-28T22:51:00.003-04:00

During the last week of school, Olivia's gym teacher set up a field day. Her she is in the middle, starting a sponge race.

Running like a horse with her hair streaming out behind her. Notice the trees just had a mist of green, the leaves don't come out till the fourth week in May here. In three short months they will fall off again...

Another action shot

Tug of war, fortunatly you don't have to witness their crushing defeat as this video is only 2 seconds long

Random pics to completely catch up on blogging

2009-06-26T08:23:00.002-04:00

Our house

My favorite irises, I bought the rhizomes at a gargae sale and didn't know the color until they grew and bloomed a year later

Our dogwood tree is blooming

Our raised bed, it is finally warm enough to leave off the plastic protection at night

Olivia plays in her mud hole

Lisa flowers

2009-06-25T12:36:00.002-04:00

Poppies and Oregano

Our side garden, the grapevine is covered in adorable baby grapes

Our most fragrant rosebush

Naomi highlights our raised bed with radishes, cucs, carrots, beans, tomatoes, basil, parsley, stevia, and peppers

Our herb garden with catmint, lavender (blooming starting today), apple mint, peppermint, spearmint, garlic, lime thyme, english thyme, garlic chives, lemon balm(blooming soon), borage, bee balm and chives.

Early summer flowers for Lisa

2009-06-24T10:46:00.002-04:00

These irises smell like the most delicious grapes. I KNOW God loves us. He did not have to make them smell sooooo good.

The humble but summer symbolic daisy.

One of our many periennial beds, with false indigo, hardy geraniums, grape vipe, loosestrife, yarrow and unidentified lamb's ear like silver plant of some sort.

Potentilla

Naomi in our alley with native lupines and tall garden phlox.

Chloe's first haircut

2009-06-24T10:29:00.003-04:00

Chloe had her first haircut last Monday. She asked the stylist to "make it fancy, please."

Olivia lends her support.

Naomi was due for a cut too.

The cut in progress.

All done! How fancy...

Naomi turns 5, May 25th

2009-06-23T23:39:00.004-04:00

Naomi is 5 and we had a wonderful time of celebrating. Nanna sent a new build-a-bear, this pegacorn featured here.

The Archer's came for dinner, as is tradition, and Naomi chose, puff pancakes, bacon and watermelon for her birthday meal.

Olivia assists in the birthday unwrapping.

Geneva assists in the wishing business.

Naomi and I decorated her cake together. She chose the colors, flavor and decorative elements. Naomi also had a wonderful party, the pictures of which are on Snapfish. Anybody know how to put them on the blog? I'll have to fiddle with it...

Yeah! Our computer is back up and running....

2009-06-23T23:32:00.004-04:00

Snuggly sisters

Matchy-match Hohnholt girls

Top toothless Olivia

Naomi in our alley, picking Forget-Me-Nots

After a month's trouble (we had it in the shop 3 times! getting ready to buy a Mac!), we're back. Here are some photos of the fam, enjoying the green, warm, happy summer that is upon us.

Another tulip for Lisa

2009-05-15T14:35:00.000-04:00

My asparagus

More flowers for Lisa

2009-05-14T17:11:00.004-04:00

tulip

strawberry plant with blossoms

hyacinths and anenomes

vinca

raspberry bushes

Flowers for Lisa

2009-05-14T17:03:00.002-04:00

Now that's it's almost summer, spring is here! Happy daffodils

Grape Hyacinth

Narcissus

We even celebrate dandelions around here, food for the honey bees, leaves for our salads.

Primroses

Lavender takes a nap

2009-05-14T16:35:00.004-04:00

The warm sun inspired Lavender to sleep in the herb garden.

She's is snuggling in two kinds of thyme and the lemon balm.

Our spirea is putting out leaves. Usually Lavender sleeps on the cat mint, having squished the cat nip to death last year!

We're playing water

2009-05-14T16:28:00.004-04:00

Naomi, Chloe and friend Tim played water in the sink this morning while Courtney and Tim's mom Marcee played Phase 10. They had bowls, suds, ladels and the sprayer. With lots of towels and wet clothes, fun was had by all.

Family fun day in the woods

2009-05-14T16:17:00.003-04:00

Every Friday after dinner, we have Family Fun day. A couple of weeks ago, we ventured into the (finally) snowless woods to look for a bit of green. Being from evergreen Oregon, it is hard to get used to deciduous trees, but they do have a stark kind of beauty. I took this photo because the moon was rising behind it, but it didn't show well.

Olivia brought her backpack and gathered natural items like bark, acorns, interesting rocks and other crafty items.

Chloe found a green, growing, alive fern. It's such a welcome sight after 290"of snow this winter.

Chris rifles though the leaf litter to find some bugs. We found a few spiders and centipedes.

Naomi wore the hat she received from Rene at chuch for Easter. It was just right for the weather.

Easter egg hunt video

2009-04-27T18:36:00.003-04:00

Here's a shot of our Easter day fun.

Easter egg hunt

2009-04-27T18:19:00.002-04:00

Greg, Chris, Felix, Geneva and Olivia seek out an egg-y treasure.

The girls in their matchy match Easter dresses wait with Jack, Lars, Leif and Gabby for the pre-hunt briefing.

I know it doesn't look too appealing this photo, but the grass is now lush and green and the trees are days away from budding.

It was warm for Easter, about 45 degrees (which feels balmy to us after such a long winter.)

After the best sermon I have ever heard in my entire life, we had thirty folks over for Easter dinner. It was a yummy potluck with ham, scalloped potatoes, butter spiral rolls, spinach salad, herbed potato salad, coconut milk sweet potatoes with curried cashews, homemade cheddar crackers, chips and homemade salsa, lemon merienge pie, mint brownies, peanut butter birds nests, cheesecake and some really bad punch. Dolores arranged a couple of hundred eggs to be hidden and we turned the kids loose on the lawn for a great hunt.

Coloring the Easter eggs

2009-04-12T18:30:00.003-04:00

Chloe's first time coloring eggs

Naomi ponders a color choice

Chloe wanted to show how she disregards the spoon for lowering the egg

Goofy 7 year old!

18 eggs did not last long....

Spring swimming!

2009-04-11T11:42:00.003-04:00

Geneva, Olivia, Chloe and Naomi have a swim party in the middle of the kitchen.

Naomi is in an enthusiastic, over-the-top smiling phase...

The girls got an urge to swim and being that it is still in the 30's and 40's outside, the sprinkler was out of the question. So, we compromised and brought the kiddie pool into the kitchen! I filled it with warm water, they "cooked" soup and potions then we had a bucket brigade to empty the pool of water afterwards. A foretaste of summer fun!

p.s. We have a yard full of beautiful crocuses and many awakening perenials-poppies, chives, hardy geraniums, yarrow, daylillies, lavender, lamb's ear, thyme, irises, catnip, primroses, lily-of-the-valleys, blueberries, garlic, tulips, onions, daffodils and catmint. The snow is 85% gone. Spring is coming!

Christmas skirts

2009-03-23T19:09:00.003-04:00

The girls picked out fabric and sent it to Grammy with request for homemade skirts. She delivered!

Since our Easter dresses came with reversible purses lined with this fabric, they wore their skirts for this photo op. Thanks Grammy!

On a side note, today I noticed a hole in the knee of Naomi's favorite pants. When I mentioned to her that we will have to get rid of them, she protested saying, " NO, Mommy! We'll send them to Grammy, she can fix anything!!"

Our Olivia, the artist

2009-03-13T16:27:00.002-04:00

March is Youth Arts Month at the Community Arts Center. Olivia was one of 20 kids from her school chosen to have her art displayed for the celebration.

Chloe and Olivia stand next to her torn paper snowman.

Art is Olivia's favorite subject!

MTU Preschool Cabin Fever Carnival

2009-03-09T20:44:00.003-04:00

Naomi's preschool had their annual Cabin Fever Carnival this weekend and we headed out to play and volunteer. Olivia won some cupcakes at the cake walk.

The girls and I take a break from coconut bowling, treasure chest hunting, cotton candy eating, and the limbo to pose for a photo.

Chris, aka el Presidente, works publicity and ticket sales. We had a record attendance, the Rozsa lobby was swarming with families, balloons and sunshine.

Random photos of the girls

2009-03-09T09:18:00.003-04:00

Contemplative Chloe

Naomi's friend Nora, Chloe and Naomi enjoy a beverage together during a playdate.

Naomi shws off her new headband from Great Grandma Helen.

Olivia on her way out to play with the melting snow. Typically, because we have so much lake-effect snow, it is fluffy and not moldable for the purpose of snowmen and snowballs. When the weather warms, the snow gets gloppy. We are having so much fun with it! It is half gone now....

Mommy's birthday present

2009-03-06T15:06:00.002-05:00

For my birthday on the 20th, Naomi made me this block, bead and homemade crayon collaboration. It was a welcome treat on a day spent helping Olivia with the flu and chickenpox. A friend of mine made me a CD of music, another friend gave me a yummy cookbook of soup recipes, another friend left crab dip and Sangria on my porch, another friend, a 9 layer chocolate cake. Chris brought home a big beautiful fern and we all decorated cupcakes together. Happy 32nd to me!

Ultimate tournament

2009-02-18T09:10:00.003-05:00

Two weekends ago, we travelled two hours east to Marquette for an Ultimate Frisbee Hat Tournament. Both Chris and I were assigned to two of six teams and we played some awesome games at the Superior Dome, the biggest wooden dome in the world: http://webb.nmu.edu/SportsAthletics/SiteSections/Facilities/SuperiorDome.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_Dome The athlete that is Chris was so fun to play against and watch and the mama with heart that is me had a great time trying to keep up with all the passionate athletes! The girls were angels on the sidelines and had the run of this huge building. They were rewarded with new, sparkly shoes from Target. Big city shopping!

Here is a video of a completed pass during the finals (neither of our teams made it to the finals).

ABBA video

2009-02-15T14:43:00.002-05:00

We love ABBA and we're not afraid to show it!

Wet snow = snowmen

2009-02-13T13:25:00.002-05:00

For our Chloe fans out there, here is an updated chicken pox healing photo.

Naomi shows us some love.

Olivia built me a surprise snowman. And I just thought her head was cold when she came inside and asked for another stocking cap!

Valentine's Day bake sale fun

2009-02-13T13:17:00.004-05:00

Naomi's preschool held a Valentine's Day bake sale and the girls and I were busy in the kitchen. We made two from-scratch yellow cakes with homemade vanilla buttercream and fondant frosting, lemon bars, orange popcorn balls and toffee with almonds. Yum!!

This was our first time working with fondant, it was fun!

Olivia's lost tooth + tofu soup recipe

2009-01-30T09:13:00.003-05:00

Just call her Jack o' lantern, Olivia lost her fourth tooth last Sunday.

Now she can thread noodles from tofu soup in one side of her mouth and out the other!

For Evan, Owen and Erica:

Tofu Soup, Hohnholt Style, feeds 5

Saute' carrots, green onions and garlic in hot sesame oil in a Med. pan

Add water to fill pot 3/4 full (or 1/4 empty depending on perspective :) ) If you like (we love!) wakame (or any dried seaweed or fun mushrooms), add now

When boiling, add 3 packages dry ramen noodles + seasoning OR 1 large package fresh ramen + 3 or 4 boullion cubes
Just before noodles are done, stir in 1/2 package extra firm tofu, cubed, leftover cooked meat of choice, like roasted chicken or pork chops (optional) and a couple of fistfuls of fresh spinach.

In individual bowls drop heaping Tablespoons of miso (red, white or yellow). Stir in a bit of broth and smoosh miso till dissolved. Top with generous portion of soup. Garnish with hot sesame oil for grownups or black sesame seeds for kids.

This is great for after church as it only takes 10 minutes.

Everyone's favorite except mom who would rather eat something dripping in butter or Hollandaise or bleu cheese!

Future Attachment Parents

2009-01-29T14:25:00.003-05:00

Chloe and Naomi try a little baby wearing. They can attend to everyday tasks and remain close to their babies. What good mamas they will be someday!

Chloe demonstrates her breastfeeding technique, cradle hold.

That baby needed mimi! Chloe will pass along her chicken pox immunities, no doubt. What a lucky baby to be mothered in this wonderful way.

Go outside and play!

2009-01-28T13:13:00.002-05:00

After too many hours inside, the girls like to venture forth into the snow and "get their wiggles out". Naomi and Olivia clowning around in the snow.

Olivia and Chloe ham it up.

Chloe is not so adept at trudging through the deep stuff (we have 33" on the ground!) so Olivia forges a path for her and she and Naomi take turns keeping her from fretting.

A comtemplative moment...210" of snow so far, 390" is the record, four months of snow to go, ahhhh!!!

The girls built a fort with a ground level entrance, a slide and a top lookout hole.

a Second Christmas

2009-01-27T08:50:00.004-05:00

Grandpa Tony and Grandma Cathy sent us a big box of Christmas love last week. Here are the Christmas "morning" shots, taken after early baths in the evening. Olivia loves art projects!

Naomi snuggles her new puppy an zebra.

Olivia assists Chloe with her new magic wand.

Chloe carries her new puppy everywhere and stuffs all kinds of extra things in the purse. Thanks Grandpa Tony! We are having so much fun with the new video camera too, more to come soon featuring Lavender the cat.

Olivia, the movie

2009-01-16T21:40:00.003-05:00

Here you go, Hauptmann crew. I hope the rest of our followers enjoy seeing Olivia too :)

By popular demand, chicken pox, the video

2009-01-15T10:25:00.003-05:00

As requested by the Hauptmann's and thanks to Grandpa Tony for our new camcorder, please enjoy an interview of Naomi (aka typhoid Mary since she went to Sunday school, preschool and several friends' homes before her diagnosis yesterday.

Chicken Pox and the livin' is fine!

2009-01-14T13:21:00.002-05:00

Naomi has come down with the chicken pox this week and our social life has come to a grinding halt. She had the vaccine so she is feeling well, no fever and minimal itchiness. We are feeling blessed to have all this newly acquired time to spend together. I didn't post a pic, cause who really wants to see that?
Good thing she has a new webkinz to play with! Thanks Uncle Erik and Aunt Lisa!!!

Monday was a snow day...

2009-01-12T09:51:00.002-05:00

Geneva, Ruth's daughter and and best friend to Olivia

Geneva and Naomi bond over soup

These girls ate four grapefruit! It tastes like sunshine to them...

Olivia's new haircut

2009-01-12T09:45:00.002-05:00

The girls had a haircut on Tuesday, we love the new look!

A conversation with Chloe

2009-01-12T08:47:00.002-05:00

Chloe loves Ruth (my best friend) and the word, "No!"

Daddy's special hat

2009-01-11T17:12:00.001-05:00

Naomi made a hat for Chris, consisting of ear muffs, a toilet paper roll, and a plush snowman.

He is the king of the castle!

Hello cousin Erica!

2009-01-08T19:29:00.004-05:00

Here is a photo of Naomi this summer while I was in the process of painting the living and dining rooms. She matches Erica!

Chloe says, "Hi!" to all her cousins: Evan, Owen, Erica, Dane, Thomas, Stephen, T, Sammy and Isabella.

Our favorite sledding hill...

2009-01-08T19:20:00.002-05:00

Our new favorite sledding hill is at Nara Nature Park. The hill is steep enough to fly down, but not so long that we dread the trek back up. Olivia prefers the face-first method for aerodynamics and maximum visibility. Much to my dismay, Chris also prefers face-first, but also rides face-up. All he can see is the blue, blue sky!

Naomi works on her serious side, post nose bleed.

Chloe still needs assistance up the hill and Daddy is happy to oblige.

Hello fun, here we come!

Chloe shrieks with joy at the prospect of sledding with Chris. She has a need for speed.

A Hohnholt Family Christmas

2009-01-05T09:07:00.002-05:00

Naomi surveys the bounty and chaos

What's this? Reading the directions? Chris plots our fitness future by reading the exercise ball directions...

Olivia uses the ball to play circus balance act

Christmas breakfast

Olivia speaks to her her new electronic puppy, Lexie. Thanks Jojo!

Olivia +piano = Christmas cheer

2008-12-23T14:36:00.004-05:00

Olivia's piano teacher, Ms. Lora recently hosted a piano Christmas party for all of her students. Olivia played for the crownd, "What Child is This? and Jingle Bells".

Olivia's Christmas concert

2008-12-22T11:07:00.005-05:00

Although a poor image, if you could have seen how many people there were at this concert and how far away I was from the risers, you would be impressed I was able to get a photo at all. Olivia is in the middle row, two over to the right from the boy in the striped shirt.

Everyone loves Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

Naomi's Christmas concert

2008-12-20T16:03:00.006-05:00

From left: Campbell, Lars, Naomi, Archer, Audra sing at the MTU Preschool Holiday Concert on Wednesday. What cuties!

What is sweeter than a passel of 4 year olds singing " Jingle Bells"?

It's difficult to hear, but this song is all about Christmas trees waiting for a family to come along and violently CHOP them down and carry them home. It was hilarious to watch the kids pantomiming wielding an ax. Obviously, Michigan is an forestry/agriculture friendly state!

The sun came out today!

2008-12-18T23:06:00.005-05:00

After a week of thick snow and bitter cold, God sent us a wee bit of sunshine. Hello, blue sky!

I could feel the Vitamin D synthesizing as I took this picture of our back porch. Thanks for the beautiful Christmas wreath, Adrienne.

I'm thinking of grilling some snow....

Our back yard, a winter wonderland. Every snowflake was sparkling with life and zest. I felt so energized just breathing in the stinging cold air and tracing squirrel tracks with my eyes. What a lovely gift, this day. I was so glad for the tea in the thermos waiting for me inside.

Church Christmas program

2008-12-16T12:36:00.003-05:00

This weekend was the annual Children's program at church. While Chris was in Pennsylvania at Mom-Mom's memorial service, we made memories for him via this website. I'm glad all of you can benefit as well.
Olivia and Chloe sing for the Lord!

Naomi did not care for the idea of photography at this particular moment, but I wanted to show off the beautiful dresses Nanna sent.

With Olivia and Naomi up front singing, Chloe could not resist the urge to leave the pew to join her sisters. She bravely walked up there and her big sisters welcomed her with hugs and smiles.

Naomi came back to me during a break in the singing. What a joy-filled face compared to the previous grumpy Christmas tree photo!

Here is a clip of the girls singing, my batteries kept dying and I kept pulling them out, rubbing them and warming them so that I could squeeze a few more shots out of them. It worked long enough to get this video. The zooming did them in, however!

Grammy and Gramps in Hawaii

2008-12-08T13:28:00.002-05:00

Grammy and Gramps are off in Hawaii for a visit with Erik, Lisa, Evan, Owen and Ericka. I feel envious!

Erik and Gramps ran a race yesterday. Gramps came in second in his age bracket and Erik came in 78th overall! Wow, those Hauptmann men are athletic!!

It's going to be a long winter....

2008-12-07T22:06:00.001-05:00

This is the photo we chose for our Christmas card, enjoy your preview!

With 48 inches so far and 18 on the ground already, we predict the groundhog won't see his shadow until May! Good thing we love to ski, sled and play in the snow

Our snow baby, Chloe

Grammy sends Christmas dresses

2008-12-01T16:07:00.003-05:00

Grammy made the girls coordinating Christmas dresses this year. They have bells!

Having a jolly time at church. The girls have quite a reputation for beautiful homemade frocks.

Chloe,2, Naomi, 4.5, and Olivia, 7

Olivia turns 7

2008-11-30T13:19:00.003-05:00

We celebrated Olivia's seventh birthday last week with a sleepover birthday party. Gia, Geneva, Lily and Maria came over for games, treats and fun.

Thanks, Nanna for the new party dress!

Art supplies are always a huge hit in this house.

Happy Birthday Olivia!

Snuggly sisters

2008-11-18T16:36:00.004-05:00

Olivia, Naomi and Chloe snuggle down to hear some stories, including Chloe's new birthday books, Knuffle Bunny, Knuffle Bunny Too, and Goodnight Moon. \

Snack time with Daddy before bed.

Olivia'a first piano recital

2008-11-09T22:32:00.004-05:00

Olivia was very nervous prior to the recital and begged to be released of the odious task. When her turn arrived, however, she bravely stepped forward and confidently, perfectly, played her pieces. Mom and Dad were bursting with pride, how could our little person be so grown up?

Here is a pre-recital photo of Olivia and Chris thumb wrestling to reduce nervous tension. Olivia retains her champion status, she whooped him in rock-paper-scissors, too.

Olivia wanted to use the camera as a reward for playing today, so she took my photo and a shot of her new snow boots whilst on the way home. It snowed about two inches today.

Chloe turns 2!

2008-11-06T23:19:00.003-05:00

Our happy tradition of sharing birthdays with our best family friends, the Archer's, continued with the recent celebration of Chloe's second birthday. Here you see Chloe and Courtney opening the generous gift of a cross necklace from Chloe's godparents, Ruth and Glen.

Chloe enjoys a snuggle from her "Grandma Ruth"

Chloe loves an adventurous piggyback ride from Olivia.

The birthday girl contemplates her wish before blowing the candles out.

Naomi was a little sad that it wasn't her birthday, too. A chocolate cupcake eased her ruffled feathers.

Happy Halloween!

2008-11-01T22:13:00.003-04:00

For Halloween, Olivia's class had a costume parade. She went as a butterfly. Here is a shot of Chloe at Naomi's school. They had a costume party as well.

Chris and the girls on our way to trick-or-treat.

Self-portrait!

Naomi dressed as a lion this year. Note the dark windows. The sun does not rise until 8:30 these days, oh and daylight saving time ends tonight. Don't forget to set back your clocks.

And wear sunscreen, Hauptmann's.

We had a lovely night and garnered enough sugar to last a year.

Naomi's first day of school

2008-10-29T21:39:00.002-04:00

Here is Naomi, her friend Campbell and little sister Chloe on the first day of preschool. Naomi goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday for three hours. This is our fourth year of attending MTU Preschool and now Chris is the president too. We LOVE MTU Preschool!

Backtracking to catch up from missed blogging opportunities

2008-10-29T21:33:00.003-04:00

Olivia's first day of school, thanks for the new summer clothes, Nanna.

2008-10-27T23:23:00.002-04:00

Olivia came home from school today, eager to teach us the Chicken Dance. It is the thing to do on an afternoon of blustery snow.

2008-10-27T22:20:00.001-04:00

Here is a sampling of our family....

Welcome to our new blog! We are a crazy, happy family of five living way up North in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

We try to live life all the way, serve God every day, love one another and live in amazement of our many blessings! Thanks to Tanya and Lisa for their blogging inspiration.

You'll probably need to pester me to keep this thing updated, I promise to as soon as I can get my uncooperative photo program to run properly!