old timers

Let me begin by telling you that a little over two years ago my brothers and sisters and myself cleaned out the attic in my parents home. The attic was a place my mom put things, not just things.. EVERYTHING. Not junk, just stuff she didn't want to throw or give away. It was so great watching my brothers and sisters find toys from their childhoods and remind each other about good times. In those toys were fisher-price toys from days gone by. After the attic was cleaned these toys were moved to a basket in the garage. Fast forward the story...Tuesday Ethan and his friend found them and decided they would clean them (25 years of attic dust) and play with them. They weren't able to get much playing done so on Wednesday they continued the cleaning process and this time were able to play to their hearts content. Now that the toys are clean we are able to bring them in the house and this morning it has been non stop play. All three boys love them!
This one goes out to Allen, Kim, Colby and Angie. I hope you guys get a big smile out of this today :}

Bobcat

that's right Ethan earned his bobcat last night at our Blue and Gold banquet. What a great organization the scouting program is! He has great leaders that really do care about him. I love seeing glimpses of him all grown up.

on a funny note, for the banquet we were asked to draw a picture of a dinosaur.. I cannot draw and neither can Eric...dilema...I got over my fear of failure and sketched the darn thing out. Turned out pretty good for a novice heh?

spikey hair friday

Archer is very particular about a lot of things.. one of them is his hair, it always has to be flat... no matter what. He also is very concerned about having clean hands and we have to watch him or he will wash them too much. Eric and I decided that we need to help him feel comfortable trying different things so we instituted spikey hair friday, if he wears his hair spikey all day than he gets to go to the dollar store. It seems to be working so far.

Straw.berry P.ie

1) Crust: 2 sticks of butter
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of flour
1 heaping tablespoon of powdered sugar

Work this mixture with your hands until it is a pliable ball. Pat it out in a deep dish or 10 inch pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees until it is light golden brown. (This makes enough for 2 crusts)



2) Base: 8oz cream cheese
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 ½ cups cool whip
1 large container of strawberries

Blend together with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread in a cool pie shell. (This makes enough for 2 pie shells). Slice the strawberries to place on top of the base.

3) Glaze: 2 small boxes of strawberry jello
1 ½ cups of sugar
2 cups of water
¼ cup cornstarch

Mix water, jello and sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Mix cornstarch and enough water to make 1 cup. Add cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil again. Cook until thick. Cool a little before pouring over the sliced strawberries.

Refrigerate to set it up, when ready, serve it with cool whip.

what a great time!!

OK, hands down -the best $ ever spent- We had such a fantastic time!! Our favorite ride was P of the C (aka: P.irates) we rode it 4 times.. there are two drops that are really fun and the first couple of times we rode it Archer held on for dear life but by the third time he raised his arms for the entire ride.. it was so funny to watch him cuz after those drops the ride is really slow and mellow and here he is with his arms held high up in the air..funny..Ryder loved Mickey. When we went to visit Mickey at his house and take pictures Ryder did not want to leave and anytime he saw any animal at all he got so excited. Ethan was just happy all the way around and kept asking if this was real or just a dream. There are way too many great things we did to put them all down but of course I have to share pictures..

1st day at disney

outta here..

We are getting ready to leave for our vacation!! This is the first real "vacation" our family has been on. I am way too excited to post any pictures, but when we get back I am sure there will be more than enough.