Christmas 2010 highlights

Yes, I know that it's almost Valentine's Day . . . I guess I'd better get these pictures posted! (At least it's still winter, right???)

Here's the gang on Christmas morning

One of our Christmas traditions is reading the Christmas story from a book that we got for Lael her very first Christmas - when she was one week old in the NICU. We've read it every year since - but this year Jaden read it to the family . . . he did a fabulous job!

Lael's big gift this year - a wardrobe for her American Girl dolls and all their clothes and accessories.

Jaden's big gift - this really cool castle LEGO set!

Noah was just taking it all in . . . at one point he wiggled off my lap and into the trash bag - I think he did it just to get some attention ;-)

(By the way, his big gift - a high chair, just so you don't think we forgot about him.)

Christmas Day was spent putting LEGOs together - at least for Daddy and Jaden! We also had a yummy dinner of white garlic lasagna and watched Toy Story 3 . . . fun all the way around!

We weren't able to get together with Grandma and Grandpa until mid-January due to winter weather and sickness, but when we did it was a laid-back, relaxing day . . . even had some reading time!

Both Lael and Jaden were excited to receive slippers, Odyssey CDs, and especially books!

Noah's present was pretty fun too! It was a great day!

We're still waiting for some "cousin time" - we didn't get to see any cousins this Christmas - and we need a good visit with Nana and Papa too! But we are so thankful for the family time we had and the sweet memories that were made.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Thanks for coming to earth as a baby so that we could have abundant life!

Spinach-Feta Strata

Here's what we had for breakfast today . . .

Verdict: DELICIOUS! MUST MAKE AGAIN!

If you want to make it yourself, here's how:


Spinach-Feta Strata


10 slices French bread ( 1-inch thick)
6 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
1 10-oz. box chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. groung nutmeg
1/4 t. black pepper
1 1/2 c. (6 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 c. (4 oz.) crumbled feta cheese

1. In a greased 13x9 pan, arrange French bread in a single layer.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, spinach, salt, nutmeg and pepper. Pour over bread in pan.
3. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours (or overnight).
4. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the strata comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

A couple of notes:

• I actually chunked up my bread because it was very dry and difficult to slice and it was still yummy.
• Also, I actually prepared this on Wednesday night and baked it this morning (Friday) - and it was yummy.
• Great to have for a busy morning when I still want to have a hearty breakfast for my family.

Just some cute pictures

Jaden and Noah had matching outfits on today, so I had to take pictures - after all, someday they won't want to wear anything that matches!

So then we had to have a picture of the amazing big sister with her baby brother . . . you know where this is going, don't you?

. . . then the three of them together . . .

. . . and then Noah by himself 'cuz he's just too cute!

Seriously though, isn't that the absolute best smile you could ask for???

Doesn't it just melt your heart??? (It does mine!)

I just love my kids (and love taking pictures of them)!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

From our house to yours,

Merry Christmas!

May you be blessed as you celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Christmas Cookies - Part 1

Today in our Christmas fun box, Lael and Jaden were somewhat puzzled to find a pound of butter. Their puzzlement turned to delight when they discovered that we were beginning our Christmas baking today . . . and that they each would get to choose a cookie recipe to make!

As soon as breakfast was over, they rushed to take care of their morning responsibilities - then they each grabbed a Taste of Home Christmas cookie magazine and began perusing every recipe. Not only were they looking at the pictures, but they read through the list of ingredients to see if we had what we needed to make what they selected.

Finally, they settled on their choices . . . although both of them commented that there were just too many yummy options to choose from! Jaden's choice: gingerbread cookies (I'm ashamed to say I've never made them before. Ever. It seems almost un-Christmas-like somehow.) Lael selected a chocolate chunk shortbread cookie - she's a girl after my own heart. (Chocolate always makes everything better!)

We started with Jaden's gingerbread dough -- although he was a bit crestfallen to discover that we had to chill the dough and would need to bake his cookies tomorrow, he overcame his disappointment quite quickly!

While Jaden and I worked on making his dough, Lael had the all-important task of entertaining Noah . . . it's rather hard to concentrate on measuring ingredients when there's a crying baby in the room - ask me how I know! She did a fabulous job, as did Jaden. He especially enjoyed smelling the different spices that we were including in his cookie dough.

After Jaden's dough was safely chilling in the fridge, Lael got to make the dough for her Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies - such a simple recipe . . . only five ingredients!

Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies

Yield ; About 3-1/2 dozen

3/4 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornstarch

3 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Additional confectioners' sugar

(Note: I used dark chocolate chips, but probably should have chopped them just a bit for easier cookie production.)

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Stir in chocolate.

Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with a glass dipped in additional confectioners' sugar.

Bake at 300 degrees for 30-33 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Our first day of cookie baking was a delicious success!

As for Noah, he thinks making cookies is exhausting!

My beautiful children!

I know that every mother says this, but aren't these the cutest kids you've ever seen???

They are such treasures, and we love them so much!

Six months ago . . .

. . . God brought a wonderful blessing into our lives.

We named him Noah.

And every day we thank God for the joy this little guy has already brought to our lives!

Happy half-birthday, Noah! We love you!

Happy boy!

Noah is such a happy baby . . . and here's the proof:

I know I'm probably biased, but in my opinion, he's just too cute!

Raptors - close up!!!

In September, we traveled to Camp Sankanac with our homeschool co-op for a presentation on raptors that was just AWESOME! Jonathan Wood travels all around the country with The Raptor Project and shares his testimony as to how God has guided him as well as his passion for all types of raptors: eagles, hawks, falcons, owls. He travels with many of his winged friends and introduces them in the course of his presentation.

We were able to get up close to many of these majestic birds . . .

(yes, I took the above picture of a live bald eagle)

. . . and Lael was even chosen to help feed the bald eagle!!!

(Sorry it's not a better angle . . . I didn't have a very good seat to take this particular picture)
While Jaden enjoyed the raptors, he also enjoyed cuddling his baby brother so that Mommy could take pictures! And both kids were excited to take home baby owls (stuffed animals) as a reminder of this wonderful trip!

Singing for Jesus

The children of our church are working on a musical that they will perform in the spring, but today they gave us a preview by singing one of the songs - called "Forgive and Forget".

Lael sang the verses as a solo, and Jaden sang enthusiastically with the group; he knew all the motions and did them perfectly! I love seeing children use their gifts for the Lord - and it's a special blessing when it's my own children!

Meeting Abby

Yesterday we met a new cousin . . . little Abby! She was exactly four weeks old and oh, so sweet! (Oh, and it was good to see Uncle Brock and Aunt Becca too!)

Even though we have a baby at home, Jaden and Lael were so excited to have some cuddle time with a new little one!

I can't believe I'm saying this . . . but Noah actually looked BIG compared to his cousin!

Welcome, Abby! We're so glad you're here!!!

Jaden the Gymnast

Jaden embarked on a new adventure this fall - he's taking gymnastics! He started last month at Lehigh Valley Sports Academy and absolutely loves it (as the following pictures indicate):

He's learning to use the parallel bars,

the pommell horse,

and the rings, among other things.

But his favorite part of gymnastics is swinging from a rope into "the foam pit"! A perfect activity for our very active boy!