Christmas Was...

Beautiful

Delicious. We Ate. We Drank. We made Merry.

We saw Sisters.

And Brother. (And Cousins)

We explored.

We discovered.

And we had a good time.

We had several firsts. And we were exhausted.

But all in all, Christmas was pretty fantastic. We apologize for bringing the stomach bug with us from the airplane. But, you would have all gotten it eventually :). Thank you for playing with our kids, showing them that they are loved, and being patient. Sorry about all the diaper changes requiring baths... didn't quite expect that, nor the late-night screaming fits. Thank you, Lisa, for being the live-in doctor. I don't know what we would have done without your handy otoscope and prescription pad to heal our ear infections. Dad, thanks for handing over your trusty rocking chair. We miss it. Mom, thanks for all your hard work and love. Carrie thanks for providing Lucas with a great first sleep over. Maddie, thanks for being Lucas's "best friend" and for the personalized cookies. I think we should go into business!
Rob and Andi, thanks for letting us come play with the cousins! We love us some cousin time.
Pat and Nancy, we missed you this year and can't wait to see you again!
Congrats to all my newly impregnated friends. There are too many of you to count. Don't worry, I'm sure your babies will never have diaper changes that require baths afterward.
We enjoyed this time of year to reflect on our love for our family, our Savior, and to think about the year to come. Happy 2011, everyone.

Corn for Dinner

"Mom, this is the best dinner you ever made!" The sad thing is that I made him shuck the corn.

C is for Cookie

I told Lucas we were going to make cookies this afternoon, yet I was a bit taken aback when he actually pulled his stool up next to me while I was creaming the butter and sugar. He started getting into the flour and soda, wanting to taste everything and asking questions about the vanilla and mint extract. Finally I realized, he was indeed going to help, so I just had to accept it. See, I'm not the best at sharing the kitchen (according to Ben). I work great with my mom, but if someone comes in and starts making a mess (say Lucas) I'm not too accepting. And I know I need to work on my kitchen behavior. Or else Ben, I mean Lucas, needs to start taking direction better... some boys just don't want to be taught!

Anyhow, Lucas helped me measure the flour and tasted the dough along every stage. He was especially helpful when it was time to clean up:

EdaMommy

A conversation from dinner last night: (Dinner, meaning I served my son a bowl of corn and a bowl of edamame).

Me: Here's your edamame, Lucas.
L: What's edamame, Mommy?
Me: These poppy beans. (that's what he calls them)
L: Edamame? But, you're my mommy, Mommy.

Cute kid. Likes his corn and poppy beans, too.

Saturday Adventure - Austin style

We needed an adventure today, so Ben deciding putting our 2-year-old son in a canoe would be appropriate. I was a little hesitant because I thought Lucas would freak out when he got in the boat. I also thought he would refuse to wear his life jacket. I had horrible visions of him falling out of the boat, me going into get him, getting tangled up in nasty plants, and eventually consumed by a giant man-eating turtle. Luckily, none of that happened. Lucas was a little hesitant, but wore his life vest. I wore mine too, to be a good example (and just so I would be extra buoyant if I did have to go in after the boy).
He wasn't too happy about the boat, but managed to whine less than he does at the grocery store and didn't throw a fit. He just held onto his three plastic bugs the entire time.
We saw ducks, swans, geese, turtles and some big fish. We went out onto the main part of Lady Bird Lake, down past the Lamar bridge, and under the bridge for the train. We were fortunate to have a train pass over the bridge while we were there; although, Lucas did mention that it was too loud, but he still liked to see the train.

After persistent whining to go home, we headed back to shore. We played at Zilker park for a bit and then headed to Sandra Bullock's new restaurant, Walton's, for lunch. Ben has eaten there twice for lunch and loved it. Today we had a strawberry steamed milk that Lucas enjoyed, raspberry soup (cold), spicybird panini, and a Reuben sandwich. Ben previously enjoyed his salads more than today's sandwiches, but maybe the chef had an off day.

After lunch it was home to a much needed nap time for all.
Tonight we ate leftovers for dinner and then headed down to South Congress to Big Top Candy Shop - an old fashioned store full off all sorts of great stuff. We bought a few bulk candies and hung out for a bit, then it was off to the store and home to bed. Ahhh... what a day!

Bad Parents

Friday night at 9:15 (30 minutes after bedtime) Lucas finally got his dinner. A nice big cheeseburger as big as his head. He only ate around the edges. The bad parents at the rest.
Swimsuit season is just around the corner...

Finger Lickin' Good

Last night for dinner I made a German Oven Pancake. It was one of those last minute dinner ideas. We topped it with sour cream, strawberries, and powdered sugar and it was heavenly.
Lucas mostly ate the strawberries, along with his bacon and mine.

Birthiversary

I had a very good Birthiversary this year. I was dreading it because I turned a horrible age that I didn't plan on turning for at least 5 more years.
We started the Birthiversary weekend by taking the family pictures on Saturday, which was a much more successful event than we had ever dreamed.
Sunday Ben made my birthday cake from scratch using his mom's recipe for an almond/raspberry cake. It's a very dense, rich yellow cake with almond paste and raspberry filling. It was not only beautiful, but tasty. I was proud of Ben; although, I did get scolded for advising him on baking... or bossing, as he puts it.

That night Andrea dropped Clay off on her way to a church meeting. Clay watched Lucas while we went to dinner. When we got home I opened the door to see Clay jumping to attach a sign to the wall. "Ahhh... Clay decorated for my birthday" I thought. Then I walked inside to see streamers, balloons, and Audrey. At this point, I though Jeana came to help Clay and Andrea decorate the house. Then the rest of the crew came from the stairs to surprise me. And I was really surprised! I thought we were having people over Monday night.

It was very sweet and fun. We have the best friends ever! If I had to turn such a dreadful age, this was the way to go. Check out the cool sign Ben designed.

Notice how it matches the cool streamers and balloons. Thanks, everyone!

thank goodness for baker friends...

I was just reminded of the most delicious night ever. Next time you are bored, follow the Holland's example and have a pie baking contest. After the pies have baked and cooled, come to our house for fair and honest judging. Bring fun siblings and it will be the best night ever.

Lucas's Birthday Recap

Lucas's birthday was a really fun day. When Lucas woke up I went in his room and started singing Happy Birthday. He quickly instructed me to stop singing. Instead I talked to him about how it was his birthday. I asked him how old he was and he said, "two"!
We went downstairs where there were 10 balloons on the floor for him to play with, which he thought was so fun.

**VIDEO OF LUCAS PLAYING WITH BALLOONS**

For breakfast I offered Lucas eggs, oatmeal, or cold cereal. He chose the cereal.
After breakfast I revealed his new toy from Grandma, Grandpa, and Lisa. He was pretty excited and played on it several times throughout the day. He likes it when I'm out there to play with him so he can use me to help him run up and down the slide.

**VIDEO OF LUCAS PLAYING ON NEW TOY**

We went to the pool with Jeana & Kate, and Brenna & boys. It was lots of fun. Overnight Lucas turned from pool-hater, to crazy-pool-boy. It's great! He's fearless now, so I really have to watch him. He goes underwater and everything. I'm attributing it to a puddle of slime he slipped in at the other pool last week. It must of had some sort of magical power.

Friday night Ben picked up pizza from Papa John's. Sadly, he had a horrible customer service experience, but he made it home safely with two pizzas and a drink. The Baldwins came over for dinner, which was really fun. Lucas loves Kate and Audrey, so he had a fun dinner, too. They probably learned new words as Ben described his Papa John's experience.
The b-day party started at 7:00. We had Lucas's best friends come over. The kids all played with the new outside toy, which Lucas thought was really fun. It was great to see him interact with the older kids. He even followed their example and posed for a picture with them!

Before cake, we heard a little whimper from the toy room. Kate was stuck in one of Lucas's toys. It has actually been recalled because kids were getting stuck, but mine is supposed to be the fixed version. Scott and Jeana kept their cool, and so did Kate. I was so impressed! Thank goodness Brenna was there. She has the same toy and has had to free Jackson a few times, so she knew how to take it apart. Kate was finally freed when I got some lotion to lube her arm up - then she came right out. I don't know what I would have done if I would have been home alone when this happened...

**LINK TO VIDEO OF RESCUE OPERATION**

Lucas's birthday cake was the hippo from Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? I'll put more cake details on my other blog for those who care. But, Lucas LOVED his hippo cake and wanted to play with/eat it all day long. (It was coconut flavor with cream cheese frosting and marshmallow fondant icing).

**VIDEO OF HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG**

After cake, the kids played some more until Ocean decided that it was time for presents. I told her she could round up the kids and bring them in, which she did. This is the first time Lucas has really opened a present by himself. First he opened a little package of trucks, then he wanted to play with them, but he had to move on. Then he got a great book from Carrie, a Mr. Potato Head, a coloring book & crayons, and finally a dump truck that was hidden in the closet. The process was kind of frustrating for the little guy because there was so much to play with and so many kids around, but I think he had a great time.

After all the big kids went home, it was just us, Clay & Andrea, and Wendy & Blair. The boys, as usual, came up with a creative way to play with Lucas's toys: bouncing a tennis ball off of balloons in a circle and trying to make a basket into the tennis ball container.

**LINK TO VIDEO OF BOYS PLAYING**

Saturday morning Lucas got to open his present from Nana and Grandpa via web cam. They got him some really cool wooden cars from Barnes & Noble. He really likes them a lot... and so do all the adults!

Then on Saturday in the mail we got our present from Auntie JoJo (my BFF, Joanna). She got Lucas a membership to the Children's Museum downtown. We've never been, so we're really excited! And we can bring a friend, which makes it even better. Thanks, Joanie!

I think that basically sums up our b-day celebration. Thank you to everyone who helped make Lucas's day extra-special. We have such great friends here and I'm glad you all came to the fiesta.

Eggs, anyone?

This is what happens while Mom is looking for a portable DVD player on craigslist. Way to go, Mom!

He started crying right away, so I got really scared. Luckily it was just eggs all over the floor...

See ya later alligators!

My heart broke a little bit this morning at approximately 5:00. That's when Tanner and Danielle pulled out of Austin and headed west, towards Mesa.

We had a good last week with them, though. On Saturday we had little going away party for three families moving. Then Danielle made what Ben proclaimed to be the "best dinner he's had in at least two months" on Sunday, then on Tuesday we all gathered at the Hollands for Clay and Andrea's yummy pizza. You might say I was having trouble letting go...

Lucas and Addie even had a fun week together. Lucas taught Addie how to completely destroy the house and make a huge mess.But, for the first time, they really played together and never once fought. It was perfect. They even got a little smooch in.

(notice how they even closed their eyes)

Last night a bunch of people went to help load the truck - a big truck, I might add... no one can figure out how they fit all that stuff into a little apartment. At about 9:15 we said our goodbyes and I made it all the way out to the parking lot before I stuck my lip out and started to cry! I was very proud of myself.

Girls: Andrea, me, Dani, Megan (w/twin boys), Missy, Baby Eli
Boys: Tanner, Jeff, Clay, Ben, Adam, Greg

Anyhow, we love you guys and we'll miss you so much! Have fun in AZ and go to Bahama Bucks for us. AND, come back to Austin after graduation!

PS - maybe I can buy a new black shirt in Buy Lots of Stuff August...

And, here's a video at the Holland's from this week:

Cake Poll

Lucas is turning 2 on August 29th. I have a busy month ahead of me, so I want to start planning the cake and come up with ideas. Vote in the poll at the upper left corner for my cake ideas.
1. Watermelon - Lucas loves watermelon and with this handy cake pan set, I could make a domed watermelon cake. Green frosting on the outside, a layer of white cake, and then pink cake on the inside with chocolate chips for seeds...
2. Teletubbies - as annoying as they are, Lucas thinks they are great. Sometimes he gets to watch them for a few minutes before his nap. I used to think they were dirty and wrong, but now I see that they are just acting like toddlers (not dirty toddlers, regular ones).
3. Hippopotamus - Lucas has a thing for the hippo in the Eric Carle book, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? Every time we get to the hippo page he gets so happy and points to the hippo's mouth. For some reason it's really amusing to him.
4. A Stacking Toy - We all know Lucas loves to stack. I could make a cake replica of something similar to what Lisa bought him... This would require lots of cakes stacked on top of each other and carved into different sizes. It would be a lot of work and could end up a complete mess or really cool.

So, go ahead and vote. I'll probably go with what you choose. Let me know if you have any better ideas, too.

Ice Cream Sandwich

Tonight Lucas had his first ice cream sandwich. Mmm.

No Buy July, Day 2

Today was officially day two of NBJ. And, I'm glad to report that I haven't spent a cent. Last night for dinner Jeana and I decided it would be fun to have a baked potato bar, so together we created quite the delicious feast. Jeana made great chili and I made the cheese/broccoli sauce. We rolled the potatoes in kosher salt before baking and they were really yummy. We were stuffed by the end of our meal. We finished it off with the worlds best reduced-fat mint brownies and we were all quite happy.
Tonight I decided I should try something with beans and rice since that's what we've been joking about. So, I found this recipe and altered it a bit. I used two cans of beans, threw in some garlic, a cup of tomato/chicken bouillon, and more cumin than it called for, and topped it with a dollop of sour cream. It would have been good with a squeeze of lime juice, too. And if you're feeling totally wild, you could grill a chicken breast or something to go in it, too.

I liked it, Lucas liked it - especially after he dipped the beans in his blueberry yogurt, and Ben liked it also. It was a success and a totally cheap meal. it probably cost $3 total and it's enough for two meals. It would have been $3.75, but I grew my own onions on the back patio this spring!

I used my leftover rice and some leftover canned milk from last week and made some rice pudding, which I love. I basically just made a stirred custard and added the rice to it (as opposed to baked rice pudding).

FYI - if you eat dinner at our house and you throw your food on the floor, you have to pick it up. If you're Lucas, you can even eat it off the floor, just as long as it gets picked up.

Then you can go out to play.

**If you have any fun, cheap recipe ideas let me know. We can all share on the blog! And let me know if you want to participate in NBJ - we can all share our results in August!**