Gingerbread houses-tradition

Since I was a kid, our tradition was always to assemble and decorate a gingerbread house.  I have carried on this tradition to my kids and this year was no different.  We did decide to build one night and decorate the next, which allowed for drying time and less frustration.  

Madeline busy decorating

her finished product

Chase certainly had an opinion of what he wanted.  Pretty good for his first year of a house all his own.

This picture does not do justice of how many chocolate santas are plastered to the roof.  I can't even begin to tell you how many went into his mouth while he was busy doing it all by himself.  He wanted all the frosting and to just be left alone.  He is so independent these days...

 Cassandra is getting to be a professional after all these years :)

 What did I tell you...professional quality

Sandy Hook Elementary School Victims

Hearing all about the lives lost last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. is tragic.  Bad things happen in life, but people don't expect bad things to happen to young children.  I came across this picture on a friends blog and it just struck me as a little peace and comfort through hard times.  

Chase's birthday

Chase is very much into pirates, specifically Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  He requested a Jake cake a long time ago, and despite my great attempts, never changed his mind.  I searched store after store hoping someone made a Jake cake, which would let me off the hook, but no luck.  I then began searching the Internet until I found one that met little man's approval.  Then my anxiety began of how I would be able to recreate such cake.  Well, here it is.  A  pirate ship with all the characters.  He enjoyed it, but not as much as the pirate boat he opened right before the cake was brought out.  He has played (by himself) for hours since getting the pirate ship present.  I love listening to him pretend and use his imagination during play.    

 This was nap time.  He had opened a few early presents from family members and got some Cars toys.  We put them all in a container so he could play with them all in one place and he actually fell asleep playing with them.  He didn't want to stop playing or let them out of his sight.   

phone photos

 I decided it was about time I took the photos off my phone and blogged them.  They are random shots from all over.

Cassie on her first day of 7th grade-August 2012

Madeline on her first day of 4th grade-August 2012

Chase with Grandpa Palfreyman's horse, Empress.  Riding grandpa's horse is so much fun, however due to my severe allergic reaction to horses, it is a big production to allow the kids to go.  I get a reaction just by being at the farm, so we have to drive in separate cars, wrap kids in blankets so their clothes that touch the horse doesn't touch the fabric of our seats, laundry immediately, etc.  But they LOVE it!-December 2012

 Chase on the horse-December 2012

 Chase on the ferry boat in Seattle Washington.  He loves being on the boat and feeling the air-August 2012

 I just decided to go back to my natural dark hair.  Sort of a shocker, but it grew on me pretty quickly. December 2012 

Kids in line for the rocket ship ride at Disneyland-October 2012 

 More horse time with Chase, dad and grandpa-December 2012

 Cassie getting some time on the horse-December 2012

 Isn't that the life...Chase doing all the work while the girls pose for pictures-December 2012

 Madeline's horse time-December 2012

Chase thinking its party time while getting our flat tire fixed.  What is better than popcorn, soda, a dancing dog and hanging out with mom while at a tire store.-November 2012

 Navy museum in Washington-July 2012 

 Museum-July 2012

 Goofing off at the museum-July 2012

Museum-July 2012

 Pumpkin patch petting zoo-October 2012

Pumpkin patch/corn maze-October 2012 

 Pumpkin patch/Corn Maze-October 2012

Our little pirate

Chase is big times into pirates.  He watches them on TV, he plays pretend daily, he has to have his hook or his sword daily with him where ever he goes.  He tells you to "give me your gold" as he holds his sword to your back.  He wants nothing more than to live the life of a pirate.  Thought you might enjoy some pictures of our little pirate man.  

new creations

Here are a few of the things that have been taking up some of my time. 

I am not a good bread maker.  Something about me and yeast do not work well together.  it doesn't matter how easy and fool proof the recipe is, I can not seem to make good bread, rolls, etc.  IT is always so dense.  Well, I found this recipe, and although I don't do well, I always give it a try because some day I hope to conquer my aversion to yeast and bread making.  Well, this recipe says you mix yeast, flour and water together.  Then you let it sit all night long and then bake it.  It is supposed to be dense bread, so it is a perfect recipe for me.  I have made it now a few times and its my type of bread.  Well, I decided to get creative with it and I added some roasted garlic, rosemary and cheese.  

 Then I covered it and let it sit on the counter over night until I was ready to bake it.

Then I turn it out onto the counter while my pan is getting hot.  

Here is my finished product.  We ate it on Thanksgiving with our spinach dip.  It was very good if I do say so myself.  

 Here is my other Thanksgiving weekend project.  I new quilt I did.

Thanksgiving recap

Thanksgiving this year was spent with our dear friends (really they are family to me), the Hallberg's.  I met Jim, Tami and their family while living in Kuna.  They lived across the street from me and were heaven sent.  They were our family when we had no family in the area.  The girls and I made their home like a second home when we lived close.  One I married Mark and moved away, by biggest heartbreak was not being so close.  I get sad at times that I just can't cross the street and have my dear friends right there.  Now it actually ires effort to see them.  I still love to get together and I can tell Tami anything.  I love that they are such real people and understand and accept all my imperfections.  I can count on them to be there for me no matter what.  Well, we were invited, with all their other family to spend the day with them, enjoying their company and eating YUMMY food.  After dinner, I hit a few stores for the Black Friday sales and got some great deals.  Then it was time to set up our Christmas.  I love that busy, crazy weekend.  Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving day.  

 Tami

 Jim