Before school starts again...

As my Christmas break winds down I come to the realization that I have not blogged about any of the happening in our family since early/mid November.

With a birthday, a baptism, a ballet recital, and of course, Christmas, we have been fairly busy.  It was quite fair for me to say, on Christmas Day, that my break was really beginning (9 days after my last final).  So here a month by moth explanation of what has been going on here.

NOVEMBER

Josh turned 8 in mid November and he was one excited boy!  He always feels that he has to wait the longest for his birthday to come around (Kate is in June and Eric, October).  I try to explain to him that he waits as long as everyone else, but, well, you know how logic works with kids.

His favorite part was, obviously, the gifts, and he sat by them while everyone else around him played.  He was patient, while being impatient.

We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and when a child turns 8 we give them the opportunity to be baptized.  Josh made the choice to be baptized and we did this special event on November 20.  Josh was baptized by his Dad.  It was such a special day.  Brandon and I sure are lucky to have such a great kid like Josh as our son.  We are so proud of him for making this decision.

 For Thanksgiving, Brandon's Grandma came from Ohio to spend some time with everyone.  Here is a picture of her with all of her great-grandchildren.

DECEMBER

December brought in Katie's first ballet recital, the reality of finals, the threat of snow (at the same time) and Christmas!

Katie took ballet with Miss Sarah over the fall and LOVED IT!!  She tries really hard to do her best at each class and was so excited for her recital.  She even performed a solo!!  I was amazing to watch her dance with confidence and with pride.  She was not afraid and we all loved watching her.

The very next week brought my finals, the kids last week of school (with all of its accompanying parties/gift exchanges) and SNOW!!!!!

Thursday afternoon, the day before my last final it started to snow and it never let up!  The picture of the kids playing is from that same afternoon/early evening.

Don't you just love Albuquerque snowmen?  All in all, we received 6 inches up in the highest part of the northwest section of the city (where we live).  I studied while watching the news hoping for a delay at UNM so that my final would be cancelled.  UNM has a policy that if the final is cancelled for a delay or a school cancellation then your grade stands as it was on the last day of class.  I was good with that since my final was with my hardest professor in my hardest class at 7:30 in the morning.  No such luck as UNM was the ONLY thing running in the city on that Friday morning.  But, whether it be a gift for showing up to the exam or my incredible knowledge on the subject, I discovered that I did EXTREMELY well on the test and managed a B+ in the class (I had an 84 before the final).  I don't normally acknowledge my grades (because I doubt anyone really cares) but this professor is very difficult and hardly ever hands out A's.  I was happy!

Next up came Christmas. I had the great idea that I would make a lot of gifts for people and the kids.  Not sure that I will do that again.  So stressfull when you cannot devote a lot of time to making them before the 17th of the month.  But all went well and we had a nice Christmas.



So that is just all the big stuff that we did.  I also...baked through several pounds of butter, flour, and chocolate, took kids to various play dates watched a TON of college football (quack quack) and hung out with friends and family.  I also finished painting the bottom half of Katie's room and sewed some curtains for the half bath (that I messed up on and must redo), cleaned out closet and small rooms.  I read books that I did not have to report on or remember in anyway.  Brandon and I finally made it to Harry Potter and had some other time together (thanks Steph) to take care of things that needed to be done.  I also watched a ton of tv and learned to digi-scrap (thanks Steph).   It was busy, but it was good. 

And now, back to our regularly scheduled life.

A New Adventure

There are so many words that could describe the experience that I had with Kate this week.  But I feel that it is best told in pictures (with captions). I feel that it is important to note that this is a first in my house.  Part of me wonders why it was my daughter and not one of my sons to have this "first", but what can you do?

Do you notice anything different?

Maybe in this picture...

or this one?

Here is the evidence.  The culprit was her brother's scissors that were supposed to be at school.

This is how I fixed it.

She has no idea what I am going to do to her!

WOW, so much hair!

 Now she knows.

But she's not mad!

 Her new look from the back.

She cut her hair so that she would look beautiful.  And she is beautiful, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, isn't she?

"Crack"

Tuesday's conversation

Eric:  "Mom, can you make some "crack" for my class party on Friday."

Me:  "Don't call it "crack".  Do you want me to make some of those chocolate cookies for your party on Friday?"

Eric:  "Yes, the "crack" cookies."

Okay, it's true.  In my house we have cookies that are called "crack".  I try to get my kids to call it by some other name, but they don't.  They are the "crack" cookies.

It all started last Christmas.  I wanted to make a new cookie to add to the plates of goodies I was giving away.  I found one on a blog called Chocolate on my Cranium and thought that I would try it. 

I gave a plate to my friend Steph and she LOVED them.  Since my family had not really gotten any I made more a few weeks after Christmas.  That was the beginning of the end, we were hooked.

Because Steph was pregnant I always gave her some when I made them (what pregnant women does not WANT chocolate) and I made them A LOT so she had them A LOT.  It was Steph that started to call them "crack" because they were so addicting.  She would eat the entire plate without giving any to her husband or kiddos.  And it is true, they are that good. 

Since I like making something really good I always give these cookies to people when I want to say "thank you" or offer them a special treat.  They also go to school a lot for class parties.  I have had people ask for the recipe and I give it freely, after all, it is not MY recipe but Cocoa's from Chocolate on my Cranium.  Who am I to NOT share the joy of "crack?"

What I find interesting is that these friends have made this addictive cookie and offered them to others and they too call it "crack."  I know this because I stalk your blogs (but lets admit it, you stalk mine too).  I find it fun to see how the recipe has travelled in my ward and among my friends with Steph's pet name attached.

But I have a dilemma.  The name concerns me.  What if a teacher overheard my son calling them "crack and does not understand the reference.  I mean really, who would?  I don't that I could deal with the investigation that would ensue.  Would we become the "crack" house?

So I need a new name.  The one that Cocoa gave them was "Chocolate Quickies."  While they are easy and fast to make the name "chocolate quickie" does not give the cookie justice.  I was thinking that you could help me by suggestion a new name for these divine cookies.  One that is a lot nicer then "crack."

To do this you need to have this cookie.  If you live near me and read this today call or e-mail quickly!  I made a batch and they might last a few more hours.  If you get me in time I will give you some.  If not, or you live far away, try and make a batch.  After you eat a few dozen (I promise that 12 would be a restraint) leave me a comment here about what you think that they should be called.  Don't you love this kind of challenge?!

To get the recipe go to Chocolate on my Cranium.  Just so you know, I don't use butter in my baking.  I use Crisco.  I think that it makes a BIG difference.  Happy baking! 

P.S.  Stock up on milk before you eat these.  You WILL need it.

One year older and wiser too

Eric turned 11 this month.  I could mention how I CANNOT believe that he is that old, but you know how it goes and so we will skip that part.

The fun part about Eric's birthday this year is that his birthday fell on a Monday, the same day that he was born.  It was fun to remember the events that led up to his birth, thinking about how 11 years ago Brandon's and I live changed, for the better.

The Saturday before his birthday he wanted to take cupcakes to his baseball team for the after-game snack.  This is what I made.

Then I had to make the cupcakes for his class AND his birthday party.  He wanted mint frosting and that's what he got.

This was the birthday cake that he wanted.  No sugar in this sucka.  No one drop.

We had a great big family party.  We had Grandma and Grandpa Piñon over, plus Uncle Aaron, Aunt Marissa with Gabe, Carly, and Lauren.  We also had our good friends the Browns and the Milbergers over.  Grand total = 23 We would have had more as we also invited the Johnson's, but they got sick.  Eric picked out a dinner or hamburgers and hot dogs.  Everyone ate and had a fun time.

And like any kid, Eric loved opening his gifts.  He got a couple of cool toys, books, and some fun stuff for his room.

It is was fun night for an awesome boy.  Eric is really growing up and often amazes me with his actions and his knowledge.  He is going to be a wonderful young man in just a few short years! 



Skirt Preview

Oregon (August 2010): Day 4 ~ the BIRTHDAY!

Okay, maybe I should clarify, we could not celebrate my Dad's birthday on his ACTUAL birthday because I was sitting in class that day (and he had to work).  So we celebrated his birthday the Saturday before the BIG day.  His best friend drove down from Canby for the event. 

We had lunch together.

 The "cake" that I made for him.

The birthday boy!

Best friend Mike with his wife Vicki.  Our family have know each other for 20+ years.

My Dad's birthday gift from myself; a feisty three year old.  She sang him a special song.  I wish that I had video of it.  It was so sweet!

Grandma and Kate.

Mike was playing with his iPhone and recorded this video.  There is not really anything specific on it, but it is fun to watch all the same.

This was my last day in Oregon.  Kate and I were homeward bound the next morning.  It was a nice visit.  I would have preferred to have my entire family with me and to have stayed longer, but it was not meant to be.  Being there for my Dad's birthday was the goal and we achieved it.  It was a wonderful visit. 

Oregon (August 2010): Day 3 ~ Beach Day!!

I had to go to the beach while I was there.  I love the beach; the sand. the water, the smell of salt water, the taffy.  It was the only thing that I wanted to do while in Oregon.  I don't think that my parents were all that thrilled, but they took us anyway. 

We waited for the best possible day and off we went.  We went to Florence which is closest to my parents current home of Eugene.  When I was growing up we lived in Portland and always went to Cannon Beach and Seaside, but they were too far.  The weather was warm, 80+, but really windy.  Here is Grandpa keeping Katie warm.  She was also tired.  We were on the look for the perfect taffy to take back home.

We walked along the docks were we saw crabs and other fresh fish (including tuna).  Katie was not impressed.

This little guy wanted to say "hi" too.  Katie liked him.

We saw the Coast Guard practicing maneuvers.

And then we hit the beach.  It was so windy.  Too windy to really enjoy it.  I was so bummed.  But my parents held Katie while I ran around and enjoyed the feel of the sand on my feet.  Which was AMAZING.  So warm, so soft.

My awesome Dad.  He is the reason why Katie and I made this trip.  The celebration for his big birthday is to be the next day.

So, despite the wind chill I rolled up my pant legs and headed into the water.  It was 'refreshingly' cold but I am glad I did it.  I wanted a day at the beach and I got it, although not exactly how I imagined it.  But I was happy.

Really, there are very few good descriptive words for the Oregon Coast.  The few that I find adequate are breath taking and awe inspiring.  I love the Oregon Coastline.

Here are my parents trying to protect Kate from the wind. I think that they enjoyed the snuggle time with her.  But it was too much windy for the adults and most certainly for a little girl, so we headed back to town and got some lunch.

This picture is so cute.  She was jamming out to the radio.  Happy little cutie-pie!