We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Baking Days
With this cold and snowy weather, we have been doing some Christmas baking. On Wednesday, Emily and I made Peanut Butter Blossoms...yummy...She helped me mix the ingredients, roll the dough into balls, and then put Hersey kisses on each cookie. This batch makes a TON of cookies and so I was suprised that she stuck with me through it all! And, don't you just love the sight of cookies, all lined up neatly in-a-row??? Delicious AND organized! (Yes, I realize I'm a big nerd.)Then today, we made some Peppermint Bark. This was the first time I'd tried this, and it turned out to be fun for the kids. Here is what you need:
*hard peppermint candies, crushed (1 lb was too much, next time we'll crush about 1/4 of it)
*1-1 1/2 lbs white chocolate chips
*1 cup puffed rice cereal (aka Rice Crispies)
*1 double boiler (the one pictured is on-loan to me from my mom; it was my grandma's, isn't it cute?!)
*1 little boy (or girl) who likes to use a hammer!
Here is what you do:
Crush candies and set aside. Line cookie sheet with wax paper. Place white chocolate into double boiler and heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth (4-5 min). Remove from heat and stir in cereal.
Pour mixture into lined cookie sheet; use a spatula to spread evenly to 1/4 inch thick. Sprinkle with desired amount of crushed candy. Cover with wax paper and press candy gently in.
Chill in freezer until firm (about 20-25 min). No more or candy will become soft. Peel off wax paper. Break apart into pieces. Store at room temperature.
I got this recipe from a Munch and Mingle that I'd gone to. There was not a name on the recipe, so I'm not sure who to give credit to. It turned out pretty good (like I said, I think we used too much peppermint) but Christian had a great time crushing them!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Weekend Update
It was yet another busy weekend! Here we go.....
Friday night was our ward's Christmas party, "Christmas Around the World." Emily invited her friend, Nicholas, from preschool. His mom, Julie, came too (his dad stayed home w/his sisters who are younger and needed to be in bed). The kids really had a fun time---whoever brought mac-and-cheese and hotdogs was a genius. I brought some Yaki-soba, a Japanese dish that my brother was sweet enough to go out and shop for me and tell me how to cook it. It's kind of like a Japanese ramen, but with veggies and it is way better.
Anyhow, here are the kids watching the program (notice how Christian is among the "big kids").
And, here is Christian with Anna. I really should devote an entire post to this. He just is so crazy about her--it's so funny. She is sucha' sweetie to play with him and include him in her play.
Saturday rolled around and I got to go out with my friend, Amber, and run a 5k indoors at the fieldhouse on base. Time-wise for me, it wasn't awesome, but, we both had fun and got t-shirts and a goodybag for doing it! (They were doing drawings for ipods and restaurant gift certificates, but we didn't win--bummer!) Anyhow, thanks, Amber, for inviting me along!
Meanwhile...Cubby was helping a family move into their house and my mom and Harvey were playing with the kids. Harvey even had the kids solo for about an hour or so--THANK YOU!!! They had a blast and all of the toys out reflected that!
Saturday afternoon I was able to go out and get my hair done (ahhhhh.....) and that evening, Cubby got to go out with his friends, Roland and Barry, to a Creighton basketball game! (And I am so glad that he got to go!) Cubby needs more "guys nights out". Sure, he plays basketball Tuesday and Thursday nights, but to be able to go out and do something different was, I think, well-deserved!
Sunday came and went with crafts in the morning and church in the afternoon--Christian is adjusting to nursery. He really loves his teachers and only cries for a few minutes when he gets dropped off. I hear that once the food gets passed out, he calms right down. Go figure! He always answers in the affirmative when asked if he had fun in nursery. Hurray!
And that about does it for our weekend update! Oh wait, two more side notes:
1. It is ZERO degrees outside...and windy. It's colder than cold.
2. Our Christmas shopping is done! Now, on to the wrapping and baking!
Friday night was our ward's Christmas party, "Christmas Around the World." Emily invited her friend, Nicholas, from preschool. His mom, Julie, came too (his dad stayed home w/his sisters who are younger and needed to be in bed). The kids really had a fun time---whoever brought mac-and-cheese and hotdogs was a genius. I brought some Yaki-soba, a Japanese dish that my brother was sweet enough to go out and shop for me and tell me how to cook it. It's kind of like a Japanese ramen, but with veggies and it is way better.
Anyhow, here are the kids watching the program (notice how Christian is among the "big kids").
And, here is Christian with Anna. I really should devote an entire post to this. He just is so crazy about her--it's so funny. She is sucha' sweetie to play with him and include him in her play.
Saturday rolled around and I got to go out with my friend, Amber, and run a 5k indoors at the fieldhouse on base. Time-wise for me, it wasn't awesome, but, we both had fun and got t-shirts and a goodybag for doing it! (They were doing drawings for ipods and restaurant gift certificates, but we didn't win--bummer!) Anyhow, thanks, Amber, for inviting me along!
Meanwhile...Cubby was helping a family move into their house and my mom and Harvey were playing with the kids. Harvey even had the kids solo for about an hour or so--THANK YOU!!! They had a blast and all of the toys out reflected that!
Saturday afternoon I was able to go out and get my hair done (ahhhhh.....) and that evening, Cubby got to go out with his friends, Roland and Barry, to a Creighton basketball game! (And I am so glad that he got to go!) Cubby needs more "guys nights out". Sure, he plays basketball Tuesday and Thursday nights, but to be able to go out and do something different was, I think, well-deserved!
Sunday came and went with crafts in the morning and church in the afternoon--Christian is adjusting to nursery. He really loves his teachers and only cries for a few minutes when he gets dropped off. I hear that once the food gets passed out, he calms right down. Go figure! He always answers in the affirmative when asked if he had fun in nursery. Hurray!
And that about does it for our weekend update! Oh wait, two more side notes:
1. It is ZERO degrees outside...and windy. It's colder than cold.
2. Our Christmas shopping is done! Now, on to the wrapping and baking!
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Nativity, plus one
Now, which of these little figurines was more-than-likely NOT present on that Holy Night?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Amidst the "Madness"--A (Good) Time Out Needed!
Last week, my friend, Candis, invited us to the Children's Museum. They have a pass that gets friends in too and since Emily begs me to go every other week or so, we were so excited to go! (It also happened to be Taitum's birthday, so we were happy to celebrate with her!)
Emily, Taitum, and Christian had such a good time together! One of their favorite rooms was the "ball room." They found tubes that blast air out of them and had fun making their hair fly. Christian just thought that making a ball float was the coolest!
With everything that has been going on around here lately, it was great just to get out and "play"--everyone, parent and child, definitely needs playtime!
Emily, Taitum, and Christian had such a good time together! One of their favorite rooms was the "ball room." They found tubes that blast air out of them and had fun making their hair fly. Christian just thought that making a ball float was the coolest!
With everything that has been going on around here lately, it was great just to get out and "play"--everyone, parent and child, definitely needs playtime!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Birthday Madness!
Yes, folks, it's that time of year again...no, not time for Christmas (yet)...it was time for Emily's birthday! She turned four this year and boy-oh-boy, we celebrated! Her birthday was on Monday and we had a family party, complete with just a "few" presents, which she has loved playing with all week long!
Then, this morning was her much-anticipated friend party. We had a Princess Party and all were asked to come dressed as their favorite princess. Emily really wanted to invite ALL of her friends, but because 30 children just wouldn't fit in our house, we had to narrow it down to just five of the little girls (b/c "boys aren't princesses, mommy") that she plays with most often or plays with a lot in preschool.
We colored, danced, and played a few little games before opening presents, eating lunch and cake, and then just letting the girls play a bit. They loved Cubby being any villian and chasing them down the hallway into Emily's room. Their little screams were ear-piercing! Soooo much fun.
I'm so glad it's over though...can I collapse now?!
Then, this morning was her much-anticipated friend party. We had a Princess Party and all were asked to come dressed as their favorite princess. Emily really wanted to invite ALL of her friends, but because 30 children just wouldn't fit in our house, we had to narrow it down to just five of the little girls (b/c "boys aren't princesses, mommy") that she plays with most often or plays with a lot in preschool.
We colored, danced, and played a few little games before opening presents, eating lunch and cake, and then just letting the girls play a bit. They loved Cubby being any villian and chasing them down the hallway into Emily's room. Their little screams were ear-piercing! Soooo much fun.
I'm so glad it's over though...can I collapse now?!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
We Are Thankful...
We had a very nice Thanksgiving weekend. Cubby stayed home Thursday morning (giving up playing in a Turkey Bowl game) to eat french toast and play with the kids! Whatta' sweet guy.
He also cleaned our oven...a HUGE ordeal if you'd seen the inside of our oven after monkey bread dripping all over the bottom...multiple times. It was so great because instead of having to clean it myself and do a million other household things that I usually have to do, I got to just chill out and watch the Macey's Thanksgiving Day parade with Emily and Christian. Such a treat. Incidentally, the Buzz Lightyear balloon was the biggest hit.
After naps, we went over to my mom's house for dinner. She had made all of the "essentials"--turkey, homemade rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc...(I brought a salad and some cookies and my grandma brought some heavenly pies!) Dinner was beautiful, delicious, and, with the two kids, crazy. Emily enjoyed her garlic bread, blue jell-o, and stuffing. Christian devoured his corn-on-the-cob, green beans, and rolls. It was wonderful!
We have so much to be thankful for this season. I am so grateful that Abraham Lincoln recognized that We, as Americans, needed to have a day to give Thanks to the Lord for all of the blessings that He gives to us all year long. Happy Thanksgiving!
He also cleaned our oven...a HUGE ordeal if you'd seen the inside of our oven after monkey bread dripping all over the bottom...multiple times. It was so great because instead of having to clean it myself and do a million other household things that I usually have to do, I got to just chill out and watch the Macey's Thanksgiving Day parade with Emily and Christian. Such a treat. Incidentally, the Buzz Lightyear balloon was the biggest hit.
After naps, we went over to my mom's house for dinner. She had made all of the "essentials"--turkey, homemade rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes, etc...(I brought a salad and some cookies and my grandma brought some heavenly pies!) Dinner was beautiful, delicious, and, with the two kids, crazy. Emily enjoyed her garlic bread, blue jell-o, and stuffing. Christian devoured his corn-on-the-cob, green beans, and rolls. It was wonderful!
We have so much to be thankful for this season. I am so grateful that Abraham Lincoln recognized that We, as Americans, needed to have a day to give Thanks to the Lord for all of the blessings that He gives to us all year long. Happy Thanksgiving!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)