Katie's Cupcakes

One of Katie's Christmas presents was a cupcake making kit. It came with the mix, frosting, sprinkles, a 6 cupcake pan and a wooden spoon. Being a child in a growing family, Katie's first comment when she saw the cupcake pan was "Where is the rest of it? It's too small." She has decided that the cupcake pan and wooden spoon make a perfect addition to her kitchen in the playroom because they are surely too small for real kitchen use.Katie decided it was ok if her buddy Liam helped her with the cupcakes.
And here is the finished product. Perfect for dessert tonight.

Happy Birthday Alan!

We decided to celebrate Alan's birthday a few days late this year since we had way too many cakes and pies and assorted cookies and candy laying around from Christmas. So we celebrated today.His favorite pistachio cake. Can you see how green it is? Apparently there is an actual recipe that you are supposed to use to make a different version of this treat but the first year he told me he wanted a pistachio cake, I couldn't imagine there would be a recipe and made up one of my own. He was very nice and did not tell me "That's not how my Mother used to make it" so we've continued to make my version each year because it is much easier than the recipe that I have now actually seen.

The Best Part of Making a Cake

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We woke up to find baby Jesus in the manger. Can you see who is missing from this picture?
The Wisemen are just now starting their journey from the East to find their King. We are expecting them to arrive on Epiphany.

It's Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve around here means getting the creche ready for baby Jesus.
Decorating Christmas cookies.Opening up new pajamas for everyone.
These two can expect to wear their new pj's for two years.
And decorating the Christmas tree.

Let it Snow - part 2

Hello all. This is Alan. I could not resist taking more pictures of the snow. If you didn't already know, I love winter. I don't even mind that I could not get the snow blower started and I had to shovel the drive way three times. I really love the snow. And we have had a lot of it. Liam found a drift that was well over his head and managed to get stuck. Dad to the rescue. Enough talk more pictures.

Let It Snow

It's been snowing for a few days now. Looks rather pretty. Sadly the snowblower seems to be on the fritz but Bryan and Sean are much better at shoveling than they were when we first moved here so the guys are managing to keep the driveway clear.

More Sweaters

Look What Grandma Sent

Not the adorable tyke, the sweater he is wearing. And I would like to point out that this kid has been a gigantic sick grump for the past few days doing nothing other than laying around until Dad put the sweater on him and I picked up the camera. Then we suddenly get an animated child and a big smile. I think he approves of Grandma's hard work.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Kind of a busy today but we did get some chocolate covered pretzels made. Lessons learned this year are to buy smaller pretzels and a bit more chocolate next year.

Gabe Loves His Dinner

Gabe really likes taco soup. He tends to take dinner rather seriously.
See, he can't stand to let even one little bit of his dinner go uneaten. Seriously, his whole head fits inside that bowl.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Yes, I know the feast day was on Friday but we are still working on a few of our projects around here. The children watched the CCC movie about Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday and colored a wonderful picture I found here. I had plans to make a bit of a Mexican themed meal for dinner but sickness derailed that plan. Maybe next year.The older boys colored the scenes for this wonderful book from Illuminated Ink and Alan helped me with all the cutting so we could put it together. I'm already looking forward to working on the similar project from Illuminated Ink for Holy Week. I know I've said it before but it's so much more fun to learn about your faith when it becomes hands-on. Everyone in our home is enjoying learning more about the Catholic faith and traditions that have sadly fallen by the wayside in recent years as we attempt to celebrate more feast days during the liturgical year.

Christmas Play Pictures

We don't have any pictures of the actual play since they were all blurry. Tends to happen when you are sitting way in back. But the play went rather well and the kids loaded up on cookies and punch and came home totally wired. Most importantly, no more practices to deal with.

St. Nicholas Came for a Visit

The kids woke up this morning to find their boots and shoes filled with chocolate. The older child was sleeping in so he's not in the pictures but I promise he was there.

Kieran's Birthday

Kieran requested a trip to Red Robin for his birthday. The look on his face when his birthday sundae was brought out and everyone sang to him was priceless. Even better was when he realized the ice cream was just for him and he did not have to share.His cake request was super easy to manage. No neon colored frosting or turning my hands different colors decorating. He wanted a chocolate cake, vanilla frosting, letters from the grocery store and strawberry ice cream.
Everyone seems to have enjoyed themselves.

Promised Bowling Pictures