Uncle Kurt and Mark Visit!

Caleb wanted a kiss!

Katey didn't!

My baby sister- she is growing up so fast!

Caleb LOVES his sister-in-law

The kids played Ultimate Frisbee with Collin, Justin and Mark.

Running for the Frisbee!

So competitive!

Dad and Mom made 6 pizzas for everyone!

Kat's contribution to the evening.

Katey loves her Uncle Kurt!

Posing for a picture

It's blurry but hey it's a selfie with Uncle Kurt!

Chatting away.

Mark joined the regular gaming group with Justin.

Katey was excited

Excited for PIZZA!

We had a lovely visit my Uncle Kurt and his son Mark. We miss Aunt Pam very much and we had a lovely time reminiscing about her together.

Love, Rebecca

Pin It Now!

My Favorites: Video Games

I have never really talked about one of my favorite past times on the blog much. Partially because while I love gaming very much I know there is still a negative attitude toward it. However I want to break through the stereotypes and show off some of my favorite video games and why I love them so much.

I wasn't much of a gamer as a child, I played a few Super Mario Bros titles and a myriad of educational games like Carmen Sandiego, Treasure Math Storm, Cluefinders etc. It wasn't until after I got married that my husband introduced me to some very awesome games that we could play together. It didn't take long for me to start branching out and playing games on my own. 

I find that while some games are just idiotic violence with dumb objectives a good portion of games are not that way at all. They inspire creativity or have a driving story to tell. It's amazing to play a story based game as you have to successfully play the game in order to enjoy the story. I'm a huge book nerd and a good story is always a wonderful find. 

Xbox (Gold accounts) often has video game sales where the prices are considerably marked down or completely free. Most of these games I got through those sales. 4 of these were completely free when I downloaded them.

Minecraft

Minecraft was the first video game I really got into, if you don't know what Minecraft is odds are you still recognize the name. It is a simple game that is incredibly useful for creativity. You can build pretty much anything that you can dream up. I started playing this game back when I had hurt my ankle and couldn't walk. It alleviated the boredom of being trapped in a chair with my foot propped up for months. 

Terraria 

This game may start like Minecraft but after 20 minutes of playing it becomes quite apparent that it has a very different experience in store. While the point of Minecraft is to create the object of Terraria is to be a hero. You build a home and protect the people living in your home from monsters. You gradually build better gear and weapons as you strive to survive. The music and art style in this game is amazing and very nostalgic.

Animal Crossing New Leaf

This is the only 3DS game on this list but it is ridiculously cute. Like absolutely, amazingly, and sickeningly adorable. It is a very relaxing game to play. If you liked dollhouses as a child (I did!) you will love this game. The characters and world are very charming and it is a nice way to unwind after a long day. 

Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise

If Animal Crossing New Leaf didn't kill you with it's adorableness then this game certainly will. I loved the charming art style of all the little pinata animals. It is a very relaxing game to play and I enjoyed it very much.

*****************************************************

*Just as a disclaimer these games below are more mature titles and definitely not for kids*

Skyrim

Where to begin with this beautiful game? After dealing with my ankle injury for months on end I was going a bit stir-crazy with cabin fever. Playing Skyrim helped so much with keeping me sane. In this game you play as a self-made character. You choose your race (human, elf, orc etc), choose your sex and your appearance. You can follow a storyline and complete the main quests or go off and do whatever you want. The world of Skyrim is huge and each portion of the map has different seasons. The areas that had autumn leaves were my personal favorite. You could sink several hours into this game and barely scratch the surface. You can be the hero, a villain or just explore- build a house and start a family. I spent a lot of time just walking around in the beautiful woods and mountains in the game absorbing the scenery.

Dishonored 

Dishonored was my first story driven game that I ever played and the emotional connection to the characters was very strong. Without giving away too many details you play as a protector to a very important little girl. The world has gone mad with a plague and different powers are trying to take control in the ensuing chaos. Your choices to use force and violence or stealth and peace can drastically alter the ending chapter of the game. There has been a sequel announced and I can't wait! 

State of Decay

This game is amazingly well done. You play as several different characters trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. What makes this game unique is that your goal is to collect resources and protect your survivors. If your character dies it is permanent, and you play as a different survivor. There is no easy save option and you can't try to go back. This feature makes you really think before making any decisions. I found this game very therapeutic oddly enough. There is just something about feeling accomplished when you had successfully survived one more day.

Bioshock Infinite 

This is hands down one of the most beautiful and inspiring games I have ever played. The artwork is gorgeous and the characters are so rich. This game is definitely a tear jerker. The concept of this game is mind boggling and its impossible to come away from it without taking a moment to think about life, our potential and the impact of our choices.

Borderlands Series

These games are ridiculously fun. I usually only play them with Justin in a multiplayer mode and the result is hilarious. The story line is all over the place with some emotional moments. The characters are so unique and over the top. This game series made for awesome date nights with Justin when I was too sick to go out anywhere. Those nights are definitely cherished in my heart. 

Fallout 3

If you like adventure stories that have a very 1950's retro feel in a desolate wasteland then this is a great game to play! The game is similar to Skyrim in that you can either choose to play the main story line and missions or just do whatever you want, either playing as a hero or a villain. One of my favorite parts of this game was when I realized I was in Washington D.C. and the whole area had been destroyed by the nuclear blasts. You could explore the Capital, the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Library of Congress and other historical locations. All of them decrepit and falling apart but still very cool. Fallout 4 is due to be released soon and I am looking forward to seeing where the story takes place.

Tomb Raider 2013

This game took me by surprise. It was free to download and play a few months ago so I checked it out since I had nothing to lose. The Tomb Raider series has been notorious in the past for making the main character Lara overtly sexualized, but with this game I had heard that this was not the case. I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. For someone who deals with health problems playing as a strong and brave young woman was very enjoyable. I loved the story and visuals and I am looking forward to the sequel.

**************************************************

So those are just a few of my favorite games, I feel very blessed that most of them had been on sale because honestly I probably never would have played them. They are totally worth the prices though to be honest. 

Do you have a special game? Did you play as a child? 

Love, Rebecca

Pin It Now!

Poppa's Birthday!

We recently celebrated my husband's grandpa's birthday!

One of Poppa's great-grandkids showing off his feet

He is too cute!

Some of the grandkids

My father-in-law and Shadow. Shadow is about 12 years old now and is going deaf which is very sad, but he is still such a sweetheart!

Uncle Jess, Aunt Mary Rose, Justin's cousin John and Grandma

We had lasagna!

Everyone enjoying their food.

My sister-in-law Jessica looking on while Grandma holds one of her newest great-grandbabies.

I got to hold Willow too! She is soo tiny!

My father-in-law with one of the little cousins

Willow's big sister Ivy wanted to play basketball too!

The guys playing basketball.

Justin played too!

I actually don't remember if the ball went in the net or not...I guess we will never know!

I happened to notice a female Downy Woodpecker on my mother-in-law's bird feeder. I only got to take one photo before she flew away.

A great big Happy Birthday to Poppa, may you have many more birthdays to come!
Love, Rebecca

Pin It Now!

Chasing Geese

One Saturday morning a few weeks ago Justin and I headed out early in the morning up to my parent's place to take my youngest sister out to the park.

Katelyn was very timid around the geese but Justin helped her to feel brave!

After Katey conquered her fear of the geese that was it! She was chasing them all over the place.

I probably should have apologized to all the birds who's quiet morning we ruined lol

I also had to keep reminding Katelyn that she shouldn't run to close to the edge or she would fall in and get very soaked!

Look at that smile! The smile of someone who just annoyed a whole bunch of geese and had a blast doing so!

We also fed the birds some cheerios and Katey kept stealing some cheerios too!

I'm so blessed to have a little sister who is still a child. It is such a blessing.

A few of the ducks we saw.


One of the unusual ducks we saw. I *think* it might be a magpie duck?


A pretty Mallard hen.

Justin made some friends!

There are SO MANY Canadian geese where we live.

The Rock Doves waiting for us to throw them some food too.

After we fed the birds we headed to the playground for a little bit.

Justin got comfy with a book

Katelyn was totally against climbing this rope web but Justin helped her and she was so excited when she got to the top!

Look at that smile!!

We wrapped up by playing on the swings before we took her back home.
It was a very fun day!

Katelyn made a few videos of our trip to the park so enjoy! 

*****************************************************************

Love, Rebecca

Pin It Now!