Everybody loves takeout

Climbers

From Charlie's perspective

Beautiful Days

I've been meaning to write about the beautiful random winter day recently. But they've become the norm! I won't complain since winter pretty much forgot us this year.

I Hate Plastic Wrap!

Ellie is starting to get a good nap rhythm in the morning these days which gives me and Charlie the chance to do something together.  Today it was making dessert to take to our friends who invited us to their home for dinner.  And so we tried a new recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.

Getting our ingredients together

Preparing our crust (had to taste to make sure it was ok)

Putting it all together

Yummy!

 

So I've discovered, yet again, that plastic wrap is not the place to try and save $1.  I hate the stuff; all brands!  It will never stick to what I'd like it too and always dips into the food I'm trying to keep it from.  Oh and it gladly sticks to itself.  Ugh!  Nevertheless, everyone (especially the 5 kids and 4 big "kids") enjoyed this dessert.  I used Jessica Seinfeld's recipe from Double Delicious.

2011 in Review: April

April brought Easter and a trip to visit our Kansas City "family". I absolutely love being able to visit dear friends at such a wonderful time of year. And while the Twin Cities still had patches of white stuff on the ground, as we drove south it greened up.

We were able to stay with the Ryan's and attend Easter service at their church, Jacob's Well. The highlight (other than the resurrection of Christ) was Charlie figuring out how to "open" my new iPhone which I'd only had a couple of weeks. I did flip the switch so that it was muted. Turns out that switch doesn't control the music volume, just the ringer. So, right in the middle of the Easter sermon Charlie blasts "Crank That" and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off so I sat on my phone to muffle it. Mark decided to take a try and the song reemerged into the sanctuary. We were very embarrassed but our hosts loved every moment particularly seeing how proud little Charlie was of himself. After church we had a wonderful drive through KC as we returned to the Ryan's to prepare for a feast! As always, wonderful lamb and carrot cake. And we are spoiled every year with chocolate eggs from Laura Little's.

Also, prior to Easter, our Honda Accord was parked in front of our house, minding its own business when WHAM:

The Honda had been our only car since mid-summer 2004 (and my first "adult" purchase back in 2002).  It had made it through Kansas City, Seattle, the mountains, and back!  But, after I had an accident in October 2010 and then this, it was time to say goodbye.  So sad!  Thankfully we had already been in the market since we were needing a second car and brought home a Subaru Outback for our growing family!

Since Christmas and New Years Went By Too Quickly

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo Card

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Both kids napping! What should we do?

Sunday afternoon bike ride!

A fun little Valentine gift

Mug

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I received a "free mug" code in my email and decided to create this fun gift for Mark and myself to share.  Love the memories it brings back!

Lucky to be at home!

On a random, beautiful, unseasonably warm Thursday in February we made a quick trip to Como Zoo.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to be at home with the kids and have so many things to be able to take advantage of nearby!

Puffin from below

We love the monkeys!

A special "Hello!" from Sparky, the Sea Lion

Too much for E to handle!

2011 in Review: March

In March our world really began to change:

Charlie also started attending daycare when Mark began his new job. I think I had the hardest time with it! My mornings changed drastically: previously I only had to get myself out of the house. Then all three of us had to be on our way before 8!