Trim the Tree!

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!

Much to my surprise, Lucas lost his other front tooth over the weekend. He was wrestling w/Scott and bumped his tooth. The boys came running out of the playroom to say Lucas's mouth was bleeding. Nothing like a cousin being around to keep the tears back. Normally, Lucas would have FREAKED when he started bleeding. But w/Scottie around, he kept his cool. Lucas had a blood blister where his tooth was and he was FREAKING out about that. He was worried it was going to fall out, that it would get into his food, fall out into his mouth while he was sleeping (need I go on). He would not let it go. He also said it tasted gross! I think that bothered him more than anything. After he go caught up in cookingmaking and playing, he was distracted enough not to notice it as much.

Then on the way to my brother house Lucas declared that he could eat anymore. Here's how that went.

Lucas "Mama, I don't think I can eat anymore! Since I don't have my front teeth."

Aunt Jennifer added "Well, you can use your other teeth!"

Lucas"I chew with my side teeth. My front teeth are for biting. How can I eat if I can't bite the food?"

Enough said.

And everyone should be happy to hear that he was able to eat ravioli, corn dogs, pop tarts!

Snowmen, christmas trees, stars . . . Too many choices!

The boys and I went to my brothers house to do some baking and to let the kids just hangout. Lucas and Scott helped w/the sugar cookies. I think they were trying to get cookie dough more than help. But at least we knew that the cookies had the boy's stamp of approval.

English muffins, sugar cookies, pecan balls Oh, My!

Eli was a big help w/the baking. He wasn't thrilled w/how messy you get w/the english muffins. But he enjoys the end result!

Am I missing something?

My brother has furniture, but the favorite thing to do yesterday was lay on the floor. Grandpa and I were the only 2 that realized that the chair/sofa was more comfortable. I had a good time hanging out at my brother's house. All the food was good! We of course ate too much! I think Jordan and Scott ate their weight in mashed potatoes. The boys(Jordan, Scott, Eli) got into a debate over who loved mashed potatoes the most (I was on the phone w/my boys). Jordan finally said "Oh great it is Who loves mashed potatoes the most over the Phone!" Not sure who actually won but Eli would not let it go. :) But I know in my house Eli LOVES mashed potatoes the most! I will not be one of the crazy people out and about today, but good shopping to those who will be!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving (one day early)! Since we did family Thanksgiving 2 weeks ago, it doesn't feel like Thanksgiving. I am working tonight (yeah for holiday pay!) since I don't have the boys and going to my brother's tomorrow to hang out. My thoughts and prayer are w/everyone! Especially those who can't be w/there families over the holidays and those who have lost family and are missing them this holiday season. God Bless and be safe!

Chef Lucas has been busy!

Chef Lucas helped make a layer dip for me to take to work tonight. He is getting very good at working the can opener.

Next we made a pumpkin cheesecake (click for the recipe). The pic doesn't look that great but the cheesecake tasted good before (all the kids said so). It is my first cheesecake ( I know shocking) but I usually do cakes. So, we'll see how it turns out. I didn't follow the recipe exactly (again I know that is shocking news). I only measured the brown sugar and then it was dump and pour. Its baking now so cross your fingers!

Painting time!

The boys painted ornaments this morning. Lucas said "I have NEVER painted before." LOL!

I am fabulous . . . oh no . . my blog is fabulous!

The rules of this award are:
1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.
2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.
3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Thanks to all of my fans for my nomination! Well, thanks to my sis in law :)! I know that is was my videos for Trevor that I posted! Okay, so on with the rules.

My fabulous addictions:

1.reading-it helps me stay awake when I am working. Now I probrably should be working at work, but there is down time and I read. Sometimes 2-3books a week.

2. reality tv- I know, I know, but I do love the Real World, Top Chef, America's Next Top Model, The Hills etc etc . . . . see what I mean, I am addicted!

3.sleeping- I don't always get enough so, I try to get in naps when I can.

4.knitting-currently I am trying to finish Eli's blanket. I started it last spring and was all "I have plenty of time before the fall when it is cold" and now its cold and not finished. So I bring it to family gatherings and knit when I can.

5. peanut butter- I know it is a food, but I don't think that a day goes by w/o me having it.

And my choices for the award are ( guess I can't vote for myself again, huh?)

1. My Bff Brooke - she has had her blog for awhile, but has just recently started to really work on it. She has called for help several times and I think that she has been doing a great job showing off her cute kids.

2, My Dad who won't care one bit about this, but has taken some really cool pic when he was working in Germany. And he did a great job of putting quizes and things on his blog for the grandboys when he was gone.

3. My cousin Eryn - we lost touch and have been able to reconnect w/each others family via blogs and facebook. I enjoy seeing my niece and nephew.

4. My coworker Jen - who is doing a great job educating/helping people by telling her story of her daughter who was born with CDH. I think she does a really good job of explaining things and is helping families who also have a child with CDH.

5. Mama Kat- I don't know this blogger personally but have become a stalker of her blog :) It's okay, she loves the attention. I found her blog when I was looking up free background, and have been hooked ever since. My coworkers get a kick out her blog to.

YUMMY!

I am much happier with these rolls. My pan was smaller so the rolls are a little bigger. And there are 2 less inside rolls :( But since Andrew and I are really the only ones who cares (sorry Julie you are out of luck since you are out of town), I think we will be okay! Noah did about 5 of them and they all look good. Can't ya just smell the fresh baked bread.

Chef Lucas says bon appetit!

This week Chef Lucas is helping w/the Christmas baking. I attempted dinner rolls again for dinner w/my brother on Thursday, but didn't take pics of that again. Lucas is really getting the hang of kneading the dough. Well . . . for about 5min then he goes karate on it. But it works. We made a our own recipe for a peanut butter cookie w/reese's pieces in it. I was able to find Christmas colored ones that work perfect. I will dip some of them in chocolate (that is Noah's idea). So, I can't link a recipe since I just alter one in one of my cookbooks.

By request

My mother (who doesn't visit my blog often) said that she missed the puzzles. So I have put the puzzles back on. I was having trouble finding ones that didn't clash w/the background. But I feel a blog makeover coming on.

Feel the love . . .

This week was national education week, so the boys took cupcakes in to their teachers. My mom thought it would be nice for them to take cupcakes in to their music/art/gym/library teachers(their team 5 teachers- thats what my mom's school calls them) also. So, the scene is set in my kitchen . . .

Nana: " Do you want to give a cupcake to your team 5 teachers?"

Eli pondering. . . "No"

Nana "Why not?"

Eli doesn't answer.

Nana " Is it because you want the cupcakes for yourself?"

Eli " YES"


Also this week was the school's food drive. So, I loaded up some food for the boys to take in. All the food was on the dinning room table. But the boys and I were in the living room.

Me "I got some food for the food drive. Its on the dining room table. I will bag it up for the 3 of you to take in."

Noah and Eli "Cool"

Lucas however goes running into the dining room to see what food is on the dining room table. And screams in HORROR. And comes back to the living room carrying some of the food. And says very loudly
"We are NOT giving away the Mac and Cheese"

And his reaction was pretty similar when I started to bag the food and realized I was giving away ice cream cones. Such generous kids I have :). I am always a big supportor of Harvesters during the holidays. So, find a way to help feed the hungry during the holiday season and all year round.

What's cooking with Chef Lucas?

Chef Lucas was making waffles. And he added a secret ingrediant. Chocolate chips!

The waffles were a big hit. Lucas has been feeling a little left out of the blogging world since he doesn't have his own blog, but enjoys knowing that he can post on my blog ALL the time. He enjoyed when I documented his help w/the pumpkin roll/dinner rolls. So expect more from Chef Lucas!

Dig in!

We celebrated the family Thanksgiving on Saturday. All were present and accounted for. Autumn was able to join us which was really special. Grandpa gave his stamp of approval on ALL the food. After I took the pics of the kids, I jumped in line (to ensure getting a center roll) and didn't take any pics of the grown ups. Like they really wanted pic showing them eating. All the food was good. Mostly everyone was thankful for family/friends, but Scott was thankful for bananas (don't tell him that we didn't have any banana for dinner). I think the bottom pic depics what Trevor was thankful for BUBBLES!

Lazy day!

Most of the pics were actually taken before eating, but oh well. We all had fun just hanging out. The wii was played by all. I think Andrew and Fred had a pretty good war going for top score on some game. Don't know who actually won. The wii fit was played after the eating (trying to make up for the BIG portions and 2nd helpings of dessert, I guess). Nana lowered the age requirement for being able to do the wii fit (Poor Jen wasn't old enough- the baby) The kids are exstatic that the new age is 20, that right they just have 8-14years to wait. (What are the chances that they will want to still play on it in 8years?) The grown ups did a good job of battling out for 1st place. They kids like seeing everyone's wii fit age. Jen with her 24 can GO home!

Photo Ops!

We tried taking pics of the kids. Trevor wasn't into the process. Sorry about the glare, but the pics were too dark w/o. Either way, I don't think I got any usable pics, but I don't think anyone else had trouble w/the glare. So, I am sure someone else got the prize winning photo. I think the top pic of the kids will look good on the Christmas newsletter this year.

Happy EARLY Birthday Scott!

Okay, after 3 attempts, I have finally gotten this post right. My fault for trying to update the blog when I have only had about 2 1/2 hours of sleep. But I will sleep better tonight. So bear with me. We celebrated Scott's 8th bday on Sat. at the family thanksgiving. Jen did a great job on the ice cream cake. The bday boy got LOTS of great presents.