Party Prep

Getting ready to ring in the New year!

Remember these cookies from childhood, well at least the really green ones?
I didn't use enough food coloring.

I converted some birthday art to new years ;)

Thrilled

For Christmas from Grandma and Sir, the older 2 received tickets to a Harlem Globetrotters game. They had a blast and have given me more than enough details about the game/show ;)

 Thanks Grandma and Sir!

Jumping Ahead

This Christmas break, it is obvious that Owen seems older. And not just because he is so tall (at least compared to the 4 and 1 yr old). He is interested in music. He got a little MP3 player with speaker for Christmas. It goes everywhere he goes. He is reading large books. He listens to everything we say (yikes). He is aware of everything (keeps asking about Patrick). He asks a ton of questions.
He is still not great at entertaining himself. If given direction he can do it, but he'd much prefer to do things with others. My mom recently taught him how to play Chinese Checkers. He is addicted.
I know my Nerna is smiling down, this was one of her favorite games. She taught me everything I know. He will be giving me a jump for my money very soon. Until then, he is surprisingly satisfied with losing as long as we play again. Another sign, my son is not so little anymore! We've been sneaking in a game or 2 before Mason's rest time is over.

Oh and a sneak peek of the guest room. Still nothing on the walls and no closet doors, but getting there :)

 I LOVE LOVE LOVE when he gets focused on something

Unless of course it's the container of sugar cookies he managed to pull of the desk in the laundry room and open and start eating before anyone caught him ;) Sadly I didn't grab my camera.

Crown Troubles

Last year's Christmas dinner was such a hit, that I decided to repeat the main course this year. I figured it would reduce the stress of trying something new. A cook should never be too confident! With the cake getting most of my attention, I really didn't think much about the dinner other than having all the food ready to be prepared. Mim made the twice baked potatoes on Saturday. EJ was going to grill the veggie. That just left the pork crown and stuffing(which I make all the time with pork chops).

I had a bad feeling when I picked up the pork from the butcher Friday, but I just tried to ignore the negative thoughts and kept it wrapped in the brown paper. Well, I shouldn't have b/c the pork was not prepared for a crown. SURPRISE! 

What is a holiday meal without a great story to remember it by? Well, it didn't feel like a great story right then, but my family members insisted it would make a good story someday.

My sweet, ever so calm-husband and my loves a good challenge-brother in-law, found a you-tube video and butchered the meat the best they could and turned it into a crown roast. They saved Christmas dinner!!! 

EJ has since purchased a real knife ;)

 it held together well (with the help of some string from a toy in our basement) and was delicious

The store did eventually refund our money. Supposedly we should have been told that a roast under 12 points is not crowned by them. I must have gotten a larger one last year. Regardless they didn't butcher it properly even if it wasn't to be crowned. Live and learn (more about pork than you ever wanted to know).

I sort of lost my appetite for lunch by the drama, but did regain my composure and enjoyed dinner. Alex wasn't even there to enjoy his hard work. He and Lissa had dinner with his family.

The Cake

Happy Birthday, Jesus!Here's the cake. 

It was delicious! I enjoyed it more tonight than last night. 

Probably because I had already eaten so much yesterday.

The magazine explained how to make a peppermint plate. I thought it would make transferring from cake tupperware saver (in fridge) to cake plate a little easier. The colors eventually bled together, but it looked cool for awhile.

So, I made the cake over a period of 3 days. I made the cheesecake layers Thursday night. They were supposed to be frozen until ready to assemble, so that was perfect. Friday, EJ came home early, so I made the cake part that afternoon. On Saturday, I made the AMAZING frosting and put the whole thing together.

Will I ever make it again, highly unlikely. But it was delicious! 

It felt especially ridiculous that I was making this cake, when I learned that a friend from college was nearing the end of his battle with Central Nervous System Lymphoma. I even thought about not making it. But I am glad I did, because baking made me slow down the pace and gave me a quiet time to pray. I was in the kitchen by myself and for the most part my mind was on them. Pleading for God to have mercy. I can't even begin to imagine what this family is going through. I have been blown away by the community of believers praying for them, amazed by the wife's trust and faith in God and so very very thankful that God's love endures forever. I have looked at my husband differently, my children differently and I more thankful for all He has given us. Please pray for the Kelly family.

Day for Play

All the gifts were a big hit. My, we are SO blessed!

 These are tiny and super fast remote control cars. 

They looked like sand crabs running around from the window.

Ready for snow!

 The helmet even went to bed with him last night ;)

Owen immediately hugged his Aunt after opening their present to him.

It was a book he had been waiting for! We all nearly fainted :)

Loud and Crazy

Opening presents with 3 boys is very very loud. I was overwhelmed and I am used to their noise. Owen decided in the 30 minute wait for family to arrive that should 1st pass out the gifts they had bought with their own money. Ryan got his gifts firsts. Then Owen opened this helmet (on clearance) from Mason. Don't you just love Mason's face. He knew Owen would be so excited.

Be still my heart. They rarely hug!!!

Then Mason opened the gift Owen had bought him. What a face!

And another hug

We took a break from the craziness to eat breakfast

Lissa's beautiful masterpiece

More presents. We occasionally had to hold Ryan back. He was tearing into everything!

Lissa and Alex sent the boys on a scavenger hunt

A sled!

EJ and I made the boys work for one of their gifts with another scavenger hunt

a toy without batteries. amazing!

The Wait and Reaction

Oh my goodness these are some of my favorites from Christmas day. The boys are allowed to get up at 7 a.m. but we told them we weren't going downstairs until 7:30 to give my parents and Lissa and Alex a chance to get to our house. It was quite an exciting 30 minutes :) They spent the last 10 mins like this.

 Finally :)

Then we waited for Lissa and Alex. Ryan had no idea what was going on, but by the energy in the room, he knew it was exciting. Mom kept Ryan from jumping off the bed.

 Our tree and the stockings are in 2 different rooms. 

They always come here first. 

Love the faces!

 Ryan trying to catch up

 He knew just which gift was his and jumped right on.

 

And then quickly did this

Christmas EVEning

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at my parents house after church on Christmas Eve.

 Their first Christmas in their new home.

 EJ and his mom

 My parents really out did themselves with a gourmet meal.

 My sister and Alex were there, but they some how escaped the Paparazzi.

 The main course, beef rib roast with figs, apricots and little red onions. Delicious!

 Mason really enjoyed dessert

 and so did Ryan!

 My parents took the older 2 on their annual "sleigh" ride for a brief light tour

 brrrrr.....