Santa was here!

I love Christmas! It's so much fun to watch our kids open all their gifts and see their expressions when they see what they've gotten. I think this year has been one of the best for that. All the kids seemed so happy about everything they got. Even Nick was thrilled when he opened the book "How to talk to Girls." It was too funny!

Opening the Wii

Merry Christmas!

Brynn got an American Girl baby from her grandma for Christmas today. She dressed her in her Christmas dress so we could take a picture of them together. Too cute!

Gingerbread Houses

Nick's class made gingerbread houses Friday at school. Mrs. Martin even let Brynn make one. Here's a couple photos of their art work. Yum!

Skyler's basketball season just ended and they did really well. They won 5 and lost 3. Not too bad. I love watching him play. He played point guard this season and has gotten pretty good. I tried to take some pictures, but as you can see I need to take a photography class so I can learn how to take indoor moving shots. They didn't turn out well at all. Sorry :(

Favorite Recipes

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love baking. I especially love baking cookies. A bit too much maybe. Or it could be that it's not about the baking at all, it's about the eating! That's more likely. Anyway, I thought I would start posting some of my favorite recipes on my blog for those of you that may share the same love for sugar as I. So, my first recipe is a holiday one, it's..........

Glazed Pumpkin Cookies











1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. pumpkin
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 t. cinnamon
2 c. flour (maybe a little more)

Combine and drop. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Cool then glaze.

Glaze
Boil for 2 minutes.
1 c. brown sugar
3 T. butter or margerine
4 T. milk

Cool slightly and add:
1-2 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
Glaze cookies while they are still warm.

Happy 10th Birthday Nick!

Happy birthday Nick. It's the big 10! You're double digits now, woohoo! I remember being so excited when I turned 10. You're growing up so fast. I just want you to know how much we love you and what a terrific boy you are. You are always so happy and always have a big smile on your face. I am grateful for how kind hearted you are and how helpful you are to everyone around you. You make your parents very proud. Have a wonderful birthday, Nick!

Nick had his 10th birthday party this Saturday. He had some friends over and we took the kids roller skating. I think they would have all been quite happy staying in our backyard playing football all afternoon. We had a hard time getting them in the car to leave. I should have known! Nick has always wanted to have a birthday party outside, but since his birthday is in December we never know what the weather is going to be like. I'm so thankful that the sun was shining! They had fun skating too. I think all the kids have been skating before so they did really well. After skating we came back here and had cake and ice cream and opened presents. Then the boys were outside again. What an easy party!

We had family come stay with us for Thanksgiving this last week. As you can see from the pictures the kids were wild as ever! They had so much fun playing with their cousins. I just love the first picture of George jumping on the trampoline. His face is hysterical! We took other pictures of the rest of the family but I'm not allowed to post them. Someone, I won't name any names, (Grandma Carol) didn't want their picture on my blog. I really think I should post it anyway. ha,ha!

My Grandmother passed away last thursday, so we took an unexpected trip to San Francisco for the memorial service. While we were there we visited the Golden Gate Bridge. Every year when we visit we always talk about wanting to walk accross, so we finally did. The weather was sooo nice. But, not five minutes into the walk, Brynn had to go to the bathroom (big surprise there) and Sam got his head stuck in the bridge.(I wish I would have taken a picture of that!) As soon as he pulled his head out of the railing he got a bloody nose. Needless to say we had no tissue.(this is SO my every day life) So we turned around and had to take them both to the bathroom and start again. It always amazes me how simple I think an activity can be and yet with my kids it always ends up insane! At least we can always look back and laugh.

I was just fooling around taking some pictures last night and these two ones of Brynn and Danny I thought came out really cute. She is such a daddy's girl!

Happy Halloween!

This year for Halloween, Skyler was a Jamaican, Nick was a Bengals football fan, Sam was a storm trooper, and Brynn was a cat. We went to the church for the annual trunk- or- treat and then took the kids trick- or- treating around the neighborhood. I think they got more candy this year than any other. Way too much! It was a lot of fun though.

My moms been here this week visiting. The kids have been so excited to have her here. We kept it a secret from them. They had no idea she was coming. Wednesday morning, Brynn and I went to pick her up from the airport. Brynn didn't have a clue what was going on, but she was really happy to see her Grandma. When the boys got home from school they all had the same reaction. They were so used to seeing her at our house when we lived in Klamath, that when they first saw her they weren't surprised. Then they realized that we're in Washington now. They were soooo surprised. It was too funny!

Brynn went with her preschool class to the pumpkin patch last week. They got to ride in a hay stack over to the pumpkins. Brynn woudn't sit on the hay though. She didn't want to get her pants dirty, so she sat on my lap :) The whole class got to choose a pumpkin to bring home. There were hundreds to choose from. Brynn got off the hay ride, took three steps and picked up the first pumpkin she saw. A little green one! She didn't want to have anything to do with walking in the dirt to find a better one. She's so funny!

Skyler just finished his first soccer season at his new middle school, Desert Hills. He played as a fullback and did really well. His team, well lets just say they tried really hard. They won one game. Soccer at Desert Hills is coed, which I've never seen before. I was really surprised at how well the girls kept up with the boys. A lot of them were better. Maybe that's why Skyler wanted to play. Because of the girls...... :)

Happy 13th Birthday Skyler!

It's hard to believe that Skyler is 13. Holy cow! It doesn't seem that long ago that I was 13. Time goes by so fast. He is turning in to such a special young man. I love his great sense of humor, he always has something funny to say or do. I love how he treats his little sister. (may need some help with the little brothers, but hey, no ones perfect, right?) He goes into Brynn's room every night at bedtime and gives her a hug. I'm so proud of him. He has chosen great friends and always tries his best in school. I appreciate how mature he is and how I can trust him because I know he will make good choices. I love you Skyler, happy birthday!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Doing a double take? I know it's shocking. I took a picture without my eyes closed or way open like a freak! Twice even!

Some of my friends took me out to Red Robin for my birthday lunch Tuesday. It was a lot of fun. As you can see each friend bought me one of the Twilight books! I am soooo excited. Now I can read them over and over and over. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Edward!

Is this not the cutest picture ever!!!!!! Brynn is over her friend Shaylie's house right now and Shaylie's mom, Jenne took this picture. So,so,so CUTE!

Brynn had her two friends over yesterday afternoon to play. She had so much fun! They were playing in Brynn's room and when I went in to check on them, they all had babies stuffed up their shirts and said they were playing "mommies and babies." It was too cute! Of course, as you can see in the picture Brynn and Shaylie were wearing Brynn's dressup clothes. Aren't they fancy!