Making ice cream

We got a few inches of snow last night and the first thing I thought of was making some ice cream using the snow.  My Dad used to do that when I was little and I loved it. That is one of my favorite memories as a child. Every winter I would always want to make ice cream using snow but we never had an ice cream maker. So this past summer we bought one. We made ice cream using ice and rock salt but that just doesn't have the same texture as using snow. I am so happy that I got to make it today with Tyler. I hope that these times will be great memories for Tyler when he gets older.

Chopped chocolate for our Chocolate chip ice cream

the snow bowl next to the ice cream maker

mmm. Chocolate chunk ice cream ready to be eaten!

baking cupcakes!

Aunt Becky and Uncle Jeremy got Alana this cupcake maker that makes mini cupcakes. We thought we would give it a try using the cupcake mix from Grandma and Grandpa p-corn.

 Mixing the egg

 Tyler patiently waiting for them to be done

 Yummy cupcakes

 Alana liked this one because it looked like a heart

All done. It's been a very messy but very fun morning :)

Thank you Aunt Becky and Uncle Jeremy for the awesome cupcake maker!

family

We were fortunate enough to spend some time over the holidays with my family. It is wonderful when we are all together. The kids love playing together and we adults love getting together and sharing stories about our lives. It is hard being so far away from my family especially around the holidays.

 William, Alana, Elizabeth, and Tyler

Dave, Becky, Jeremy, Myself, Grandpa, Grandma, Amy, Tyler, Alana, Elizabeth, William

 This year was a little bit rougher for me than the years past. Dave had to work the 24, 25 and 26 which made for a long Christmas home alone with the kids. It reminded me of what the holidays are really about. It has nothing to do with the gifts you receive. It has everything to do with spending it with family. Looking back I would have done things a little differently. I would have taken my in laws up on their offer to have myself, the kids and dogs down to celebrate with them rather than spending it home alone with the kids. The kids had a great time, which is wonderful, but I know they would have had an even better time seeing their Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle on Christmas and had a nice Christmas meal instead of chicken nuggets, broccoli and apple slices. I have a much greater appreciation for family and have realized that I can't do everything on my own and that some times "toughing it out" just doesn't work. You need to be surrounded by family and people who love you and care about you; Be it blood relation or friends that feel more like family.

Tyler's turn to start singing.

I tucked Tyler into bed tonight and I heard him singing. He is actually singing The Black Eyed Peas song. Though he heard it on a music show with Dora and a few other characters singing it. I couldn't resist taking video of it.

First day of school 2010

Alana wanted to pose with her brother on the steps . Thankfully Tyler agreed to it and the morning went off without a fight! They were both just so excited to start school. Alana going into first grade and Tyler going into pre-K.

Hugs!

playing with the bike pump. Seems to be the toy of choice while waiting for Alana's bus.

First Day of School Alana edition

Well it is here. Alana's first day of FIRST GRADE! She is so excited! Her teacher is Mrs. Talhelm. There are only a few kids from her kindergarten class in her class this year but she says that is okay. She'll make new ones.

Alana's backpack and name tag

The big first grader
Checking out her shadow while waiting for the bus

She was so excited to see Miss Aby that she ran up gave her a hug and forgot to say bye to me. Very cute and it makes me happy that she is so excited about riding the bus and going to school.

Bye sweet-heart. Have a wonderful day of school!

First day of school Tyler edition

Tyler started pre-K this year and is very excited about it. We were happy to hear that Miss Missy is his teacher, who was Alana's teacher as well. He had a great morning.

On the way to school.

Walking to his classroom

Of course he made friends with a girl first :)

Rough day at school apparently. He was out within 5 minutes of the drive home. And the drive is really only 10 minutes :)