12.28.2011

Christmas 2011

Learning to shoot in bokeh with my camera. Christmas Eve before church

































Christmas morning




The kiddos each got 3 small gifts but this was their big surprise this year!





This kids are thrilled about the airplane, the hotel, the pools, the sunshine, the beach..... We have never taken a vacation over Christmas break, never stayed in a hotel for vacation, never been out of the country (except to bring Anna home.) We have one more little surprise for them when we get there.....

12.22.2011

Roasted Pepper Pasta

This is by far one of my tried and true recipies. I make several different versions based on what vegtables I roast. Asparagus and tomatoes are a favorite in the summer time. But in the winter, I usually stick to peppers. The sauce is basically an alfredo sauce so the kids will eat it and those who chose to pick out the veggies do, then eat carrot sticks on the side. But this is in my top 5 favorites and we eat it a ton in the winter time. Not a diet food but a comfort food for sure!!

Roasted Pepper Pasta

3 peppers, 1 red, 1 orange and 1 yellow
olive oil
Rosemary Garlic seasoning
1 TBL butter
2 tsp. chopped garlic
2 cups half and half
1/4 cup parm. cheese
1 lb. penne pasta
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter and saute garlic. Be careful to not burn. Add half and half and parm. cheese and simmer on low about 20 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cut peppers into strips and place on cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle generously with rosemary garlic seasoning. Place in oven on broil and bake until roasted, about 12-15 min.

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and place in a big serving dish. Add roasted peppers and sauce and stir until combined. Serve hot.















Enjoy. We had no leftovers after 5 of our 6 ate dinner!

12.21.2011

Happy Adoption Day

Many Congratulations and blessings to my dear friends who legally adopted their daughter today. They have prayed and anxiously awaited this day and today this precious little girl became theirs. Thank you for sharing this day and your incredible family with us. We love you all. And Gabs my dear, you make the world shine.

12.18.2011

Coolest project Ever

Done like you've never seen before. This video from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska , was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. Much to the villagers' shock, over a half million people have viewed it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=LyviyF-N23A

12.17.2011

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

This is what the little's were doing waiting in line. And this is what the big kids were doing.



When it was our turn, Carter bailed out. He was not going up there and I was not forcing him.










But Brian did some magic work on the sidelines and Carter joined the group.








The highlight of the evening... Callie asked Santa for a puppy and he told her no because it would get too cold on his sleigh all night long. I love Santa.

12.14.2011

Gingerbread Houses


























A big sugar buzz was had by all, and a lot of fun.

12.13.2011

Gardenland Express 2011

I took the little one's to the Missouri Botanical Garden this morning to see the Christmas display. It was amazing and the kids loved the trains, the colors, the I-spy game. Considering the pouring rain outside, it was a beautiful place to spend our morning.






















12.12.2011

Ohio Christmas in Pictures

We went to Ohio this weekend to celebrate Christmas with Brian's family. We had a wonderful time. It's always nice to see and visit with everyone and my kiddos love seeing their family and spending time with their cousins.















Grandma Bea loves the girls. Anna does so well interacting and sharing with her.



Callie and her cousin Morgan.



All the kids pre present opening. It kind of got a bit crazy after that and fun was had by all. Thank you Ullery's for everything. My kiddos are truly loved (and spoiled!)


12.06.2011

Ordinary Tuesday

We created the St. Louis Zoo. Anna set up the animals around the track and they played zoo for quite a while.











On to Christmas cookie baking for our neighbors.












We love our Tuesday mornings.