SNOW!

I'd say today we had our first real measurable snowball of the winter. The boys enjoyed it :) Poor Scott could hardly walk in all his layers but he liked being out there! Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Gingerbread Men

Our computer is having issues so this is the best I can do tonight folks. I will update with some super cute shots of the boys with baby Liam once we're up and running again! Today the boys did a great job decorating these cookies.  Well, really Scott just did a good job eating all the decorations! Notice the face that used to be on his cookie :)  But Conner did his all by himself & I think he did an awesome job!

Funny Hat Day

It was a pretty uneventful day. 

Full of racing with dump trucks in funny hats :)

This is Conner's "helmet" so his head doesn't get hurt when he's racing.  Of course!

Scott was so proud of himself because he got this tight hat on all by himself :)

Santa Parade

Today the boys watched their first parade.  It was a really great one, although the massive amounts of candy that were thrown at us most impressed the boys (and Andy).  I don't remember ever coming home from parades with a bucketful of candy, but that was sure the case today!  Anyway, we also saw some fire trucks, Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty.  We had a great time, even if it was a little chilly :)  I'll also let this be the record that despite what he said before today, Andy does like parades!

It's hard to tell in this picture, but he's clutching a toothbrush in one hand and a candy cane in the other. 
That's how he was most of the parade :)

Pancakes

I've been meaning to share this pancake recipe that I make at least a few times a week, and today seems like as good a time as any!  I love the recipe because it's a) healthy, b) easy, and c) makes a small batch.  I've adapted it from these Ricotta Raspberry Pancakes, which I saw in an issue of Parents magazine a while back.  I hardly ever have ricotta or raspberries on hand, so I've changed the recipe to make it more convenient for me! 

This is what you need:

And here's the recipe (the way I usually make it):

3 tbsp whole wheat flour

1-2 tsp sugar (I usually use barely 1 and the kids eat it up!)

1 tsp baking powder

A sprinkle of cinnamon

About 1 tsp milled flax seed

1 egg

1/2 cup yogurt (I've also used a mashed banana, applesauce, mashed strawberries, pumpkin, ricotta, or pretty much anything else with that same kind of consistency that I have on hand.)

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl.  Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle and cook 2-3 minutes.  Flip, and cook another minute or so until browned and set.  Makes 4-5 pancakes.

Here are our pancakes from this morning on the griddle.  Conner requested "Mickey Mouse pancakes."  I did my best and he was pleased, although I think they look more like bears :)

And here are the boys eating their pancakes.  They both cleaned their plates this morning!



A New Cousin & A Special Lunch

I was tired today.  But for good reason.  And it was totally worth it.  I stayed up all night last night at the hospital waiting for the arrival of the boys' new cousin!  Aunt Jenn and Uncle Bill had a beautiful baby boy this morning at 5:45.  William Allen (who will be called Liam) was 7lbs. 14oz. and 21 inches long.  Conner is super excited to meet his new cousin, and was very excited it was a boy too.  He even made him a special surprise for when he finally gets to see him!  Here's a picture of the little angel :)

He looks so alert for being only a few hours old!  What a cutie!

And the boys benefited from Mommy being super tired today.  They got to eat a special lunch at a restaurant.  This almost never happens :)  Chicken nuggets, fruit, and milk were gobbled up even though Conner didn't get his requested french fries :)

They looked so grown up sitting on the opposite side of the table as me eating their lunch like big boys!

Then came play time.  They both had a blast in the play area.  Scott wished he was big enough to climb up the jungle gym and go down the slide, but was soon satisfied with just watching Conner and the other kids come down (while he tried to climb up the slide).

Luckily the boys were worn out and went to bed early.  Now it's my turn!  Good night!

It's beginning to look.....

a lot like Christmas!  We spent a lot of the weekend decorating the house for Christmas.  Conner was so excited and very into all the decorations this year.  I can tell this is going to be such a fun year for him (and us).  

Getting ready to put together the new Christmas tree!

"Oh, what could we do with this? Hmm...."

Inside the box

Yeah, it proved to be more fun than the Christmas tree I think.
Today Conner wanted to know what happened to his doghouse :) 

When Conner first walked into the room and saw the completed tree he said, "It's so bootiful!"
Every time Scott sees a Santa around the house he says, "Ho, ho, ho!"

And a couple random, funny pictures from the weekend....

The boys are such good friends now :)  I love it and hope it lasts!