Cookie Cutters

Grandma Dee sent us home with some cookie dough that is safe for Levi the last time we were up. The kids really enjoyed rolling out the dough and putting the cookie cutters on. Levi kept trying to grab a chunk of dough a take a bite out of it. He was successful on many occasions. I let him sit up on the table so that he could really get into the action.

Lego Maniac

Josh still had some money he had been saving from when he sold his gamecube. When we went to the sales after thanksgiving, there were some Lego sets half off at Toys R Us. Josh bought a Viking set that had this huge dragon and a double catapult to boot. He really enjoys the challenge of putting it together.

Little Brothers

Levi is such a great older brother. He's really cute with Gabe. He likes to cuddle up to him and give him hugs and kisses. Gabe is getting so much bigger. I had to move the straps on the car seat up to the highest setting today - granted there are only 2 settings.

Let's go Camping

We were rearranging the closet and out came the kids tent. I set it up and Levi loved it. It's a great time of year to camp inside. Josh and Kenzie are going to take turns sleeping in it for the next couple of nights. Levi put his sword in the key bag on the side of the tent. What a cute kid.

It's Puzzle Time

Josh and Mackenzie were thrilled to finish this puzzle. I remember doing puzzles when I was growing up with my mom and with family during thanksgiving once as well. Anyway, they are lots of fun.

Josh the Cook

Josh got a Border's gift card from grandma Cathy for his birthday. He chose a book about dragons and a kids cooking book.
Yesterday he made Caesar Salad and it was really good. I told him that all he would need to do is add some strips of chicken and it could be a dinner. He said, "Don't temp me."
This morning he wanted to make these blueberry pancakes. There were about 6 ingredients. I decided to just leave it to him and just played in the other room with Levi. He even doubled the recipe. Mackenzie was the first to try one and she told him they were disgusting and it was surprising to me that she was actually mad at him?? She got sent to her room and later got to eat some. We didn't let her eat anything else because she was so rude. Joanna as the mom felt like she needed to eat them so she smothered them with syrup. It cracks me up just thinking of it again. I ate a little bit also for Josh's sake. Josh just finished cleaning up when we were done and he sat down to have a bite. He took one bite and looked at us like we were crazy to have eaten some. I can't remember exactly what he said because I high-tailed it out of there for a good laugh in the other room.
We looked over the recipe to see what went wrong. I thought that he put in too much salt but he assured me and even showed me what measurements he used. Everything seemed fine, he actually had done everything correct. Then I asked him to show me the baking powder he put in. He opened the fridge and out came the BAKING SODA! 6 teaspoons of that will add a little sodium to your meal. I know I've meet my daily allowance for baking soda today... maybe for the whole week. Joanna's probably good for the whole month.
Side note: This picture was taken before anyone had tasted the meal.

Free Rice

Help world hunger and strengthen your vocabulary at the same time. It's a win-win proposition. Check it out at this site. Free Rice.
Please send others here too so that they can help as well.

Veteren's Day

We had a busy day today. This morning I got up and started working on all the apples that Dad sent home with us last night. Levi and I worked on the peeling. Josh was helpful during peeling as well. Mackenzie was still sleeping.

Joanna and I got some puzzles for the kids to do and last night we started one and really went to town on it. We managed to get the balloons all finished before we went to bed. Josh found it in the morning and took care of the rest. I chipped in here and there. He was really happy to get it done. Josh put in the last piece.

I was about to just make all the apples into applesauce when Joanna reminded me how nice it was when we made apple pie mix last year. Josh thought that apple pie would be an awesome idea as well. It smelled delicious.

Levi wanted to get right in there and help. After all the canning, we went to Joshua's soccer party and then to father/son Lego night. Fun day. On the way home we listened to the Seahawks game where they won 24-0.

A day at Grandpa and Grammy's farm

We went up to Bellingham today to see family. Levi was happy to see some animals as well. He thought it was great that they wanted to smell his hand. It was lucky someone hadn't fed them yet because they came running up like pigs after some slop.

Mackenzie, Skyler, and Bella were out tromping around to see the animals as well and the girls kept hugging Mackenzie. They were really excited to see her. I must admit she loved it.

Grammy Dee very happy to hold baby Gabe.

If you wonder what it would be like to have 8 kids between 1 and 10... Well Dinner looks like this. What a crew. Do you think the parents would get to eat?

Here's all the cousins on my side of the family.