Making Cookies/Christmas Program Dec. 15, 2010

The boys and I made these yummy swirl mint cookies the other day. I got the recipe from my friends blog and when I saw the 3 different colors cookie dough, I knew I had to make it. I was unsure how I felt about the "mint" part of the cookie but I am SO glad I added it. They were so tasty. First we made the dough. Then we seperated it into 3 equal parts. Dyed one red (kind of pink) one green and left one yellow. Then we rolled them into long strips, cut them and mixed the colors together as you rolled it into a ball. The boys had alot of fun making these. Nicholas had his Christmas program at school last night. He has been singing these songs for about a month (almost driving me insane!!) come to find out a few days ago, his teachers says that he doesn't sing at school! I know he knows all the words because I know all the words and these are Christmas jingles I've never heard before. So he didn't sing a lot at the program but I did see him trying to at a few parts. He looked so handsome in his white shirt and tie. He got to keep the red and white scarf he was wearing. We had to leave a little early and when we were in the hallway putting on our coats, guess who walks in the door??? SANTA!!! The look on Nicholas' face was priceless. He was in SHOCK!! He gave Santa a high five but other than that he was to nervous to talk to him. After we got a picture and said goodbye we walked outside and Nicholas asks "Where is his sleigh with all the reindeer?" I told him he probably parked it on the roof. He was so excited to go home and call daddy to tell him who he saw. It was a fun night. Both my boys are growing up so fast. Chad is due home in the next couple of days. We are all very excited and that is really the best christmas present we can get.

Decemeber (so far....) Dec. 9, 2010

We have had a busy month already. On December 4th we went to a kids workshop at Lowes and made a train caboose. The boys loved it. They each got an apron and a set of protective eye goggles. We have 2 more workshops this month so I will post more pics as we get more of our train done. We also bought these stuffed animals that the boys got to color with markers. Neither of them finished this project BUT I did catch Jacob coloring all over his face with the markers. On Monday Dec. 6th we made a rice krispie treat in the shape of a triain. The boys got to decorate with colored candies and frosting. They were yummy! Then today we made some ornaments for our tree. I punched out large circles from red, green and white paper and the boys used stickers to decorate them. Then I punched a small hole for the hook and we hung them on the tree. Its only Dec. 9 but its been a busy month and we still have alot to do. Some stuff we are waiting until Chad gets home to do together as a family. Hope you are all enjoying this beautiful Christmas season.

Christmas Tree Nov. 29, 2010

Chad ending up having to leave 2 days earlier than he thought so we had to set up our tree super fast one afternoon. As soon as Nicholas got home from preschool we got everything out, put on some Christmas music and let the boys decorate the tree. it turned out really beautiful and so far we have only broken 2 ornaments. Its still early though;) We didn't get to many pics but we will have more as Christmas gets closer.

I love this picture. Two happy boys:)

Thanksgiving November 25, 2010

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful day with my family. everyone came over on Wednesday evening and we prepped all the food. Michelle peeled, Chad sliced, and I cleaned. When my dad got here we made his famous stuffing. Ok... not really famous but to us it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without it. Michelle made a pumpkin pie and everyone enjoyed eachothers company. Chad was up SUPER early thanksgiving morning to get the turkey stuffed and in the oven. He was so awesome all day. he just did what had to be done and didn't complain. Dinner would not have happened if it wasn't for him. We sat down to eat around 2:30pm. the boys were starving at that point. We had some delicious food, fun hanging out together. We all sat and watched a movie. Michelle was dancing with the boys to Christmas music later that night. it was so cute. then while chad and I looked up black friday deals the boys wanted to sit on our laps and we got some cute pictures. I am so thankful for my family. I'm thankful I have a husband who is hardworking, patient and loving. I'm thankful to have the 2 cutest boys in the world. They are so sweet and funny. everyday is an adventure. I'm thankful for my family being healthy and safe. It has been a trying year and I am thankful it is almost over. Happy thanksgiving everyone:)

they were so cute when they were dancing.

So happy to have daddy home.

Pantry shelf Nov. 24, 2010

My laundry room is right off my kitchen and is a good size room so we also made it our pantry. We used to have two seperate plastic shelving units on each wall that were full of food, food storage, paper products and a few kitchen appliances that couldn't fit anywhere else. Needless to say our laundry room was quite packed. Chad decided that he would make me a custom shelving unit taking up one entire wall to maximize our space. He drew up the plans and started to go to work. It was a messy job and I couldn't find my washer for 2 days but it is (mostly) done and I LOVE it!! Chad also made slots for our can goods to slide them in so we can keep track better as to what we have and what we need. Chad has to run to Lowes and pick up more metal for the last few slots but it looks great and my laundry room has so much more room. Chad is so talented and I am grateful for the extra space he has made in our home. Just in time for Thanksgiving:)
What we had for shelving before.

Chad working.

What we have now.

Up close look at our can system.

November (so far) Nov. 16, 2010

I know I haven't blogged in awhile. Not a whole lot has been going on. I celebrated my birthday on the 2nd. Chad left the day before so that was no fun BUT my family and his family surprised me with Chinese food and baked me a cake. The boys were happy and I was surprised. It was a really nice day. The day after Chad leaves is always the hardest so that definitely helped our moods. Chad has been busy at work. He is ALMOST done. It has been a long 3 years and we are all ready for this to be over and be together again. We realized the other day that this is all our kids have ever known. Nicholas was 18 months old when Chad got deployed and I just found out I was pregnant with Jacob. We are grateful for the opportunities that it gave us especially Chad who was able to be promoted twice. We are just ready for a change. Nicholas is doing great in school. He loves it. This coming Friday is the thanksgiving dinner. I think Aunt Shell is going to try to go with us. Jacob is also doing well. He is talking alot more and loves playing with his brother. He is also really enjoying his alone time with mommy when Nick's at school. We love to sit on the couch and cuddle while we read lots of books together. Last Friday I got my wisdom teeth out. NO fun!! Glad its done and I am so grateful to all the people who were able to help me and the boys for the first few days. I am recovering and just a little sore now. Nothing else is really going on here. Just wanted to keep you updated on what's happening in our lives.

the boys playing horsie.

Halloween

What a great and busy weekend. Friday, Nicholas had his halloween party at preschool. The kids all looked so cute in their costumes. He was very excited and we all had a great time. I made vampire cupcakes for the occasion. After school was over we packed an overnight bag and headed up to Peru Ny (where my dad lives) and surprised him for his birthday. His birthday is actually on Halloween but my stepmom planned a surprise party for him. We dressed the boys in their costumes and hid behind the wall when he got home from work. He was very surprised to see us and the boys were happy to spend sometime with their grandparents. On Saturday we went over and visited uncle Brian and aunt Carrie and play with Olivia and Addison (the boys cousins.) We don't see them very often so it was nice to catch up. The boys and Olivia had so much fun running up and down the hallway. Then my sisters Michelle and Cathy and her husband Ross came up later that afternoon and surprised my dad again. We all had a great dinner together and of course cake and ice cream. Chad and I had to leave that night to be home for Sunday. We didn't get home until about 10:30pm BUT thankfully the boys slept for the whole ride. Sunday morning we got up and went to church. The boys were very excited to be going trick or treating with their cousins later that evening. We went to Dave and Chrissy's and had a great dinner and then went out. Dave and Chrissy had a costume theme this year and decided to be bee's while Dave was the bee keeper. They made Chad the beehive. It turned out cute and so many people made comments about the costumes. Nicholas was a fireman and Jake was a dinosaur. Noel was a princess and Ty was a skunk. Ty and Jake looked so cute together and they managed to snag 2 or more pieces of candy from most of the houses. We got home about 7:30pm and aunt Michelle came over with reeses peanut butter cups (my boys absolute favorite candy) and these mini Mr. Potato head toys. Jake has NOT stopped playing with them. He even slept with the pieces last night. Happy Halloween everyone!!

Cupcakes for Nicholas' party

Birthday cake I made for my dad.

Jake reading with papa Rick. Nicholas reading with grandma Deb.

The boys were soo tired that night.

Our trick or treating group.