Happy New Year's!

We brought in the new year up at the cabin. It was wonderful to get away for a couple days. The weather was beautiful, and there was lots of down time to play in the snow...

Love that Kade~man...

and that Gracie~girl...

and that Ry~bug!
Koda and his snowy beard...
Parker is such a pill when it comes to getting his teeth brushed lately, but he will let Kaden do it for him... thank goodness for Kade.
The kids had a blast, packing up bags for their awesome adventures! And I can't count how many times I filled that ice~cube tray for Parker to bash them out with his gun... it was good times I tell ya:)

Krew, bein' a biggest boy...

Goofy guys, just back from snow~mobiling...

I made it till midnight~yes! We watched the ball drop, and jammed out with Ryan Seacrest on the tube. We definitely had some good times in 2010, but adjusting to Nic's job has been interesting. I am going to say 'interesting' because we feel extremely blessed, but that doesn't mean it can't be tough{that is for another post}.

My new year's resolutions:

1~ Take better care of my body

{i.e. cleaner diet, less sugar{eek!}, more sleep, and up the physical activity-i've been a major slug!}

2~ Be more organized

{i've decided i am not going to survive this stage of life unless i'm organized about it! i'm bustin' out the ol' calendar and scheduling school, extra curricular, playgroups, meals, grocery lists, doctor visits, dentist... you get the idea. and i am continuing on my quest for a

simple. organized. home}

Wish me luck!

I feel better already.

Blueberry Muffins

Parke's playgroup was at our house this morning, and I was wondering what to serve the lovely ladies I socialize with. Next thing I knew I was whippin' up a batch of these delectable treats. I guess I have a thing for muffins. I had forgotten how much I adore this recipe and wondered, 'How could I possibly keep it all to myself?' I acquired it from my sweetest next door neighbor Tami {whose baking's are always welcome here}. Thanks Tami girl! If you like blueberries and lemon, they are a must try!!

Sour Cream Blueberry Muffins

2 c flour

1 T baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 c sugar

4 T butter, melted & cooled

1 1/4 c sour cream

1 1/2 c blueberries {or i've used fresh blackberries~very tasty... raspberries would be fab too!}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease muffin tin {or line w/wrappers}. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In separate bowl whisk egg until light(20 sec). Add sugar and whisk until homogeneous; add melted butter in 2 additions. Add sour cream in 2 additions, and whisk until just combined. Add berries to dry ingredients and gently toss to coat berries. Add sour cream mixture and fold until mixture comes together. Batter will be thick {and delicious!} ~don't over mix! Divide among the muffin tins and bake 20-30 min~ or until golden brown. {I like to make them mini~muffins, and bake 15-20 min} Let cool on wire rack while preparing topping. In small bowl squeeze the juice of one lemon {remove all seeds}, in another small bowl place 3/4 c sugar. When muffins are cool, dip tops in lemon juice and then sugar. Enjoy!!

These are so moist due to the sour cream. Mmmm... I think I'll go have another!

Happy Baking!!

Red Shoe Love

Kaden needed new basketball shoes, so we loaded up and headed off to the shoe store. As we combed through all of the shoes, I turned around to see Rylie holding a pair of red shoes. I knew by the look on her face it was over... she was in love {and i can't say that i wasn't}. They were adorable, and very festive. So lucky for us, it was a buy one~get one half~off day! Yay for us!! Since the day they came home they have rarely left Ry-bugs tootsies...

Finally she ditched them to do some slidin'...

and some jumpin'...

And this picture is classic Parke. Two different shoes on his feet, basketball shorts with his church shirt, and his 'shooting gun' {as he calls it} in hand. He is probably yelling out something like, "I'n gonna shop(chop) your head off!" Seriously, I know. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff. What can I say, the boy is all boy! Don't know if I'm going to survive him, but I love him that way.

Christmas 2010

It was an early kick-off! Our bed was filled with kiddo's around 5:30, and by 6 we realized that there was no turnin' back. We woke up the babiest one, and scoped out Santa's work...

Yep, he came all right... and spoiled us rotten.
The bean bags were a big hit...

Rylie got a new baby doll that you can style her hair. Kaden was so excited about his Lego police station, and Parke was super pumped about his new jersey! That boy sure does love his "bassebaw jersy's!"

Then it was time for that birthday boy of ours to open a few presents...

Once we finished opening presents, and cleared a bit of the wrapping so as to see the floor again, we sat back and enjoyed some of our new toys... Parker was so excited about his new train set. He just kept saying, "I'n so happy Santa brought me this new train." He is so precious right now. All of the kids were fully satisfied.

And what do ya know, those crazy reindeer left another mess on our front steps...

Koda was so excited about his new bone... and we were so excited that Santa was a doll and got him a new name tag! {in case the little stink gets lost again}

Then we spiffed up a bit, and headed up to Mimi & Papa's for a little brunch. They had their traditional pumpkin pancakes w/cinnamon syrup, quiche, and Christmas morning casserole... so yummy!

Then we exchanged gifts, and were once again spoiled rotten... thanks Mimi & Papa! I love the look on Parke's face when he saw another piece of his new train set... priceless!

Chloe was hilarious with these Zhu Zhu pet hamsters... she wasn't quite sure what to think! We only had two hair mishaps with the hamsters... not bad.

The morning was a little somber because my sweetie of a Grandma couldn't be with us. She fell the week before, and wasn't feeling up to coming over. We sure did miss her, but we went to see her and give her a Christmas love.

{sorry she looks a little rough}

Afterwards, we headed off to see Gramy & Papa. Nic got called in to work,{darn it!} but it couldn't have been better timing. Parker fell asleep and I got to sit on the couch for 2 hours~ count em,' 2 hours! and snuggle my baby. Best. Thing. Ever! Nic made it back in time for dinner, and then we exchanged gifts...

What can I say... spoiled! Thanks Gramy & Papa!

Then we all gathered around the birthday boy for some singing! Honey, we are really growing up~ aren't we. I'm not quite sure about it... but I hope you had a happy day! And you know how much you are loved and adored!!

Happy 32nd Nicholas!

And a Merry Christmas to all!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve this year began with cookie dough...and bed head. Parker was a huge help {wink, wink}. We baked up lovely Christmas shapes in preparation for our big 'Cookie Decorating Party' at Candace's... I learned a fun new trick this year, thanks to the ever-s0-clever bakerella. Who'd a thunk to turn an ice~cream~cone cookie upside~down and make them into little elves and Santa's. Very clever indeed, but you have to see hers...they are too cute for words.

Once our cookies were baked up, we headed off to join our cousins for some serious decorating. The kids each made a very special cookie for Mimi & Papa to take home...{i wouldn't eat those if I were you:)}
It was pretty cute to watch all of them hard at work... some frosting for the cookie...and a little for the taste buds...
Mimi & Papa...{Papa was a little nervous, because he was about to venture out 'Santa Style' and make a few stops...I love that you do that Dad.}

Cassie and Dax... next year Dax, next year...

Usually on Christmas Eve we are making the rounds, and running crazy. This year we found ourselves with a quiet night at home. It was kinda nice. Santa had left the kids some really fun messages in Mommy's inbox, which got them all hopped up and ready for bed at around 6:30. We put cookies out, read our Christmas story, and Rylie sprinkled the yard with her special 'Reindeer Mixture' that she made at school... a guarantee that those reindeer would find us! How could they resist {sprinkles and oatmeal}?

Can you see how excited she was?

Then it was off to slumber land for our little tots...

Kaden was so darn excited that he could not get to sleep. So I put him in our bed{there is something about our bed that works every time}, read 'The Quiltmaker's Gift' {which I highly recommend by the way}, and snuggled him till we were both fast asleep. Nic had to come stir me out of my perfect slumber...nuts!

And Santa came quietly that night, and gobbled up his cookies, and drank all of his milk...

And snuck gifts under our tree...

Feliz Navidad!

Our Christmas Eve Eve party at my parents took on more of a Feliz Navidad! feel with all of the yummy Mexican food. Mimi had put out quite a spread, and it was all delicious. I stuffed myself to the brim! Then somewhere in her travels she came across this red velvet cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory for Nicholas' birthday cake... oh my. It was so naughty, and so good!

I have a pretty big crush on that birthday boy!

{I don't know which looks better right now though, him or that cheesecake?!}
Then, as per tradition... Papa read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' {even though it was the night before~the night before Christmas...you get the idea} to us all.

Candace indulging in her little sweetness, Krew...he is so precious.

I just love this picture of my Dad...

After our story, we were all spoiled with a shiny new pair of pj's. It was really awesome until Rylie made me cut~yes, cut! the feet out of her darling new pajama's!! I was dying {as was my mother, I'm sure} but thank you Mimi for being a good sport about it! It was a great party. Next year I think we should expand to some maracas and singing!

Thanks for everything and Feliz Navidad!!