Thursday, December 30, 2010

So I'm Noticing a Trend Here...

Okay, so I have moments of blogging prolificness followed by long periods of blogging ineptitude.  You could blame it on my kids, my experimenting with couponing (no I am not of of those Extreme Couponers on the TLC show) or all the online shopping I did for Christmas (New Years resolutions related to budgeting money more effectively will follow).  However, it really was that I didnt put it as a priority.  And for that, well, I'm sorry.  So I'm back, for now.  Let's see if I can make this work this time.

Christmas was a whirlwind of eating, going (see eating), entertaining (see eating again) and present giving followed by a little more eating (New Years resolution related to not eating so much and such indulgent foods to follow).

We got together with my in-laws the week before Christmas to exchange gifts and have a traditional Christmas dinner (homemade hot rolls, scalloped potatoes, ham, green beans and pecan bars).
Christmas with the in-laws!

Lion House rolls - the best rolls I've ever made from scratch!

Pecan Bars - better than pecan pie, oh yeah.

It was loads of fun and we enjoyed opening and giving lots of gifts.

The Wednesday before Christmas my parents and sister came to town as did several members of my dad's side of the family for a Christmas party.  We had hors d'oeuvres (think mini crab cakes, bites of filet with paremesan cheese and horseradish sauce, cocktail shrimp, homemade mini quiches, homemade jalapeno poppers, meatballs, spinach artichoke dip, more pecan bars, etc). 

Deer Ol' Grandpa Frank (ha ha ha!)

Natalie sporting her "Jesse" hat (from Toy Story)

Aunt Kathi and Grandpa Frank

Dad with Aunt Kathi and Uncle Wendell

My Deer Ol' Husband (I know, but I cant help myself!) and Uncle Dave

Me and Uncle Dave (who, btw, is a chef - love of food runs in the family!)

Aunt Jennifer, Cousins Kate and Justin and Grandpa Frank

It was so great to see the family.  Its been 5 years since we've all gotten together on that side and we all agreed it had been WAY too long.

The next day my mom, sister, dad and Kevin and I hit the bus for a day trip to New York City to do a food tour in the Central Village/Soho neighborhood.  My WORD, it was a good time!  We went to 6 restaurants on the tour and then hit up 2 more afterward.  We saw Bob Dylans old house and had a sighting of James Gandolfini (i.e. Tony Soprano)!  Such a neat way to tour a place you're unfamiliar with and an interesting view into the culture there.  The Duck Confit macaroni at MacBar (a place we visited after the tour) was among one of the favorites of the day!

Christmas day was fun - as it usually is.  I knew what all my gifts were this year as we all made lists.  I'd even bought a few things for myself and wrapped them up under the tree.  Hey...when you're an adult you get to do things like that.  We ate breakfast casserole in the morning and then had rosemary bread, baked potato soup and salad for dinner (followed by pumpkin spice muffins with cream cheese frosting - for Jesus' birthday and all).

Mom got a Kindle!

Liam just LOVES play-doh!

Homemade Pear Honey in the stockings

I stood outside at 3:30am sick as a dog for this Toy Story dvd.  Ahh what we won't do for our kids and a good sale!

It was a princess Christmas this year!

In case you can't tell this is Kevins "oooh... so COOL" face.

My sister rounded their visit with a pork cassoulet, thyme roasted carrots, green beans and salad with homemade vinaigrette and rosemary bread followed by peanut butter ice cream with homemade peanut butter sauce.

Um, I know we had homemade pizza in there one night too.

So, /urp..., all in all it was a super Christmas with all the different members of the family.  I actually got my Christmas cards out on time AND had time to crochet a few Christmas presents ahead of time AND do some Christmas baking (see here and here).

Dad and Lib

Papa and Natalie

Nana and Natalie looking at old photos of me with buck teeth

 Me (looking tired from all that eating!), Mom, Lib

I *will* be going on a diet after this weekend to atone for all of my gross indulgences in culinary delights, but OH what fun I've had doing so.  Stay tuned for my grumpy, hungry, self to return to blog land with tales of chicken, brown rice and vegetables.  All right, I'll find something more interesting to talk about.  Liam and his pink purse perhaps.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Preschool Update


Preschool has been such a blessing this year.  It always feels like a marathon when we're there.  Me chasing Liam, Natalie struggling to focus and general chaos as 5 women try to herd 7 preschoolers and 3 toddlers through a lesson plan.  I generally leave totally wiped out, mentally and physically and wonder what, if anything, Natalie learned that day.  However, it's been good for me as it's made me a better educator at home.  For instance, Natalie now recognizes the "W" in Walmart and the "M" in McDonalds.  (Classy, I know.)  In fact, she's recognizing more letters, memorizing Bible verses, making good friends and going on some great field trips.

Our last field trip we went on was to a dairy and ajoining ice cream shop.  We got to see all things cow and see how the ice cream was made.  Here are some highlights:

Lets just say that cows must not be able to smell, because they'd have keeled over from the stench!  Glad this room was well ventilated!

The ice cream they make doesn't get any fresher than this...

The entourage


Not sure what the cow was thinking here, but I like to imagine something like "man these kids smell!"
The preschoolers LOVED seeing the pigs.  The farmer tossed a pumpkin in the pen and it broke into pieces for the pigs to chow down on.
Ice cream at 10:30am... Sweet!