Happy Birthday to...

(Bryan's real Birthday was yesterday. But, I had two sick, throwing-up kids and didn't get around to a post)

Bryan hit the big 3-0 yesterday, I know we are getting old. I surprised him with a weekend to ourselves. My sister-in-law was brave enough to take the boys for a night (with all the grandparents out east it has been years since we have done something like that). It was a very nice little breather.

Bryan has been such a great husband and father. I don't know what we would do without him.

I love you babe. Happy Birthday.

My Lockers!!!

Better late than never...right? This was my big Christmas present from Bryan. He built these lockers during his two week vacation at Christmas. I just finished painting, which took forever!

Before:


After (behold the awesomeness):





The pictures really don't do it justice. It's a hard space to get a good shot. To appreciate the true beauty you'll have to come see it for yourselves... Just thinking of all the organization possibilities brings joy and warmth to my heart .

To my soft handed, computer programmer husband - Way to go babe. You rock.

Sister Shoot

So, I'm posting a few pictures of my sister and I. It feels a little weird, but what's the point of having pictures if you can't share them, right??

Katie came to visit for Christmas and wanted to get pictures taken. This is my lovely and extremely talented sister-in-law at work again. How lucky that I get to be a Guinea pig while she learns all the ins-and-outs to her new camera. She is amazing, to say the least. Check out her new photo blog here

Thanks Andrea!! ( I hear this is just a glimpse, more to come later...)

How much snow did you get?

All this snow fell yesterday. This is from our driveway... 9" with another storm in the works for today.

Snow Day Cinnamon Rolls

Here's another recipe for you. These are some of the best cinnamon rolls I've had (the rest of the crew loves them as well) AND they are super easy. I stole the recipe from one of my sister-in-law's in Florida, but since she never reads my blog, I can claim it as my own... :)

Super Soft Cinnamon Rolls

2 cups warm water
3 packets yeast (or 2T + 3/4tsp yeast)
1 white cake mix
3 1/2 - 4 cups flour
1 stick melted butter
sugar
cinnamon

Mix warm water and yeast. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. Combine yeast mixture and cake mix. Slowly add flour until dough no longer sticks to sides of bowl. Transfer dough to greased bowl, cover with towel and let rise for 1 hour.

Lightly sprinkle counter top with flour. Roll out dough into large rectangle. Spread melted butter over dough. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar (I like to use brown sugar). You can add raisins, chocolate chips, cranraisins, etc... if you like. Roll up length wise and cut into rolls. I make mine about 1" thick. Cover with towel and let rise 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly brown on edges.

Don't forget the frosting!!! Here's a good cream cheese frosting recipe if you are partial to all things cream cheese like me:

Beat 8 oz. cold cream cheese (not rock solid, but it means you can use it straight out of the refrigerator) with 5 Tbsp. softened butter and 2 tsp. vanilla until combined. Gradually add 2 c. powdered sugar that has been sifted after measuring. Continue to add more sifted powdered sugar until you reach a consistency and sweetness that fits your taste.

Happy Eating!

Our Karate Kid

#1 has been taking Taekwondo for a few months now. A couple weeks ago he had his first advancement. No longer just a white belt, he is now a "senior" white belt. Apparently it's a big difference... what do I know?? He LOVES taking Taekwondo and enjoys coming home and using his newly mastered moves on Dad - and anyone else within a two room vicinity.

But, let's get real for a minute. Did our kids really ever have a chance? Anyone who knows Bryan knows he's a black belt and supposedly a legend in his day (that's what I hear at least, the stories get better every time). These poor boys have been brainwashed since birth with Kung Fu movies, swords, nunchuks... Daddy/Son playtime looks more like mock karate scenes. Even #3 can throw a punch and grapple with the best of them.

Being the only member of this household who does not have testosterone pumping through their veins, it's hard to relate sometimes (I've mastered the "duck and cover" technique quite well). I just hope I (and my house) live through it.

Thanksgiving Feast and Stuff

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Stephanie for the snazzy picture collages (and the awful pictures of me I might add)...I stole them straight from her blog...that's what you get when you have someone else take all of your pictures for you. :)

Our Thanksgiving was great. We had Bryan's brother Paul and his family over, along with our good friends the Hardmans, and oh yeah, my brother Mike was there too. Lots of rowdy children, plenty of food and tons of fun. What more could you want?

Enjoy the stolen pics!