Cookies

I've been wanting to learn how to make those "cookie bouquet" type cookies forever now.  My great friend Lindsey made them all the time when she was still here (she is quite the baker these days!!), and I just love them!  We had planned on getting together before she left so she could show me how to make them, but time slipped away from us.  The next best thing was to email her for the recipe and attempt to do it on my own.  She kindly sent me the recipes along with a few tips.  I have to admit that I was a little nervous about the project because I had heard from several people that it was quite a time consuming project.  But I was determined, so I did it last night.

First, I got out all of the ingredients I needed, as well as my handy dandy new mixer that my parents got me for Christmas.  Then I went to work.

I think the clean up was the hardest part. 

The mess...flour was everywhere!

I do need some work with making colors and using a steady hand when I'm "piping" (a new term I learned).  And...I didn't have any cookie cutters either (I wanted to see if I enjoyed making the cookies before I invested in some cookie cutters).  But, practice makes perfect.  I loved making them and I have to say, it might be a new addiction. 

Cookies before decorating

The finished cookies!!

As 2010 Comes to an End....

It is truly amazing how fast time goes by.  It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  This year has been wonderful for our family, especially with a new addition that joined us in May.  We are looking forward to another great year with many new exciting things to come.  Cade will start kindergarten next year (oh my gosh--talk about an emotional day that will be), Addi will turn one, and Darrell and I will celebrate our 7th anniversary.

I wanted to share some pictures of Thanksgiving and Christmas before the new year starts.  We celebrated both holidays with both sets of parents.  We are lucky enough to have both of them close to us, so we can celebrate with each of them every year.

Thanksgiving 

Cade helping get the potatoes ready!

I love this picture of Addi and her PaCade!!

Christmas

How cute is this!

Addi with her Uncle Mike (too sweet!)

The boys during a friendly game of "Don't Break the Ice"

Me, Aunt Brandi, and a worn out Addi

Addi with one of her new hats and PawPaw (nice face)

We had a great Christmas this year, as it is every year.  Cade really got into the Christmas spirit with our elf, Russell.  He was sad to learn that Russell would be leaving on Christmas Eve and not returning until next year.  On Christmas Eve he opened his gifts, and then, of course, had to help everyone else open theirs.  He especially enjoyed opening Addi's.  They both got a ton of stuff and enjoyed every minute. 

Cade got a scooter thing (I don't know the official name) that he absolutely loves and rides all the time and he also got a new bike with NO training wheels.  We've been working with him on how to ride it and I don't think it will take too long before he is gone.  He's ridden it a little with no help, but he's getting closer!!  (I have to admit that it was a little emotional for me--I can't believe he's old enough to ride a bike by himself).

Cade on the scooter (there are even bars that make it bigger, so we can ride...super fun!)

Darrell starting to help Cade



Cade riding a little on his own!!


So, like I said before we have been truly blessed this year.  We are surrounded by family and friends who we love so much and are looking forward to another great year in 2011!!  Happy New Year!

Oma and Opa

We just got back from Alabama from visiting my grandparents, Oma and Opa.  We haven't seen them in a while and Oma is not doing so well.  The past few weeks we have been getting updates from my Aunt Lynn and each time she talked to my mom she said things were getting worse.  Needless to say, I wanted to see them, but I was really nervous and anxious about what to expect.  Oma has what they think is the beginning stages of dementia.

When we got to Alabama...my aunt Lynn informed us that Oma was doing so much better.  She told us that she just knew we were going to say that she was lying.  On Sunday morning we went to their house and saw Opa for a little bit and then we went up to the hospital.  Oma looked great (as great as you can look laying in a hospital bed).  She knew who we all were and was even cracking jokes.  It was so good to see her and she was SOOO excited to see Cade and Addi.  She couldn't get over her bow!  We took a few pictures and visited for a while.  I finally got to get my four generations picture!!  Overall it was a great visit.  They ended up moving her from the hospital to a rehabilitation place.  Oma needs to work on getting her strength back so that she can walk again and then go home.  This is going to be tough for her, but she really needs to do it so that she can be where she wants to be--at home, in her chair, watching the birds in her backyard.

Four Generations

Oma wanted to hold Addi on the way down to the car

Opa and his buddy

I absolutely love this picture!

We also got to see my cousin Kenny and his girlfriend.  He is such a kid at heart, let's just say that Cade had a ball with him!  It was great!

I have to say it was an emotional trip...both good and bad.  Of course it was hard to see my Oma in that condition, but it was so nice to just sit and talk with her like old times (we used to take a trip to Starbucks, just her and I, when she would come to visit, and talk).  I think the hardest thing for me was watching my Opa with her.  I can't explain how strong his love is for her!  You could just look at the two of them and see it.  It was hard because I know that he knows that his time with her is slowly coming to an end.  He is being so strong for Oma, his kids, and his grand kids.  They have been married for 57 years and have never left each other's side.  I can only hope that one day people look at Darrell and I and see what I see with the two of them.

Me and my Opa

Stuff

So, we've been really busy since the last blog (what else is new).  I figured I would just tell about several things to bring us up-to-date.

Cade has finished his soccer for the fall season and he absolutely loved it.  He is already asking when he gets to start again.  I think the sign up for the spring is in February, hopefully he won't keep asking until then.  Two weeks ago Cade scored his first goal and he was super excited!  After his last game, the team had a end of season party at Cici's.  The got a small plaque from the YMCA and their coach got them all trophies.  He loved every bit of it.  He made some good friends and is looking forward to playing with them again in the spring.




He loves playing goalie!



Good game, guys!



Nice stash and teeth!


Addi is growing like a weed and is doing more and more things everyday.  She reaches for everything that is put in front of her and she rolls all over the place.  We started baby food this past Monday and she loves it.  She is continuing to babble and laugh and she is so sweet!  Yesterday she showed the first signs of getting a little fussy when she is not familiar with someone.  She wouldn't take her bottle from our friend Kim (any time you put a bottle in front of her she's going to eat).  Then I got her and she started chowing down.  I have to admit, I kind of liked it!


I love this new jumper!

So, these green beans actually aren't that bad.

Mom, seriously...what's with all the pictures?

Playing cars!!

Everything else is going well.  I turned 31 on November 2nd and had a great day.  We went to dinner with the Meijer's and had a blast.  We always have a blast with them!!

The Pumpkin Patch

Today Darrell and I took Cade and Addi to the pumpkin patch at Clear Lake United Methodist Church.  This has become a tradition and it was so enjoyable having the whole family there.  We took several pictures of the kids and then Cade picked out three pumpkins.  We are planning on carving the large one this weekend.  We also took a few pictures of Addi in her Halloween costume.  I took pictures of Cade in his costume for his first trip to the pumpkin patch.  The pictures turned out cute and we had a great time!

The Weekend of Firsts

So, just like always I am super late with posting about something that happened two weeks ago.  The weekend of October 1st we had three firsts occur in our family.  On Friday, Cade and Addison's babysitter was closed, so Mimi and PaCade came over to watch them while we were at work.  Addison had been really close to rolling over for days.  She decided to roll over for the first time while we were working and she was playing with them.  It didn't take long for her to show her stuff to us though.  Saturday morning when we got home from Cade's game, she was quick to roll over for me and I was able to catch it on tape.  She was so proud of herself.

On Saturday, October 2nd, Cade won his first soccer game.  He played really well and got real close to scoring a goal.  The kids are so cute, when someone scores, the entire team celebrates as if they were the one to make the goal.  I can't get over how much Cade is enjoying this!  He really likes it and can't wait until Mondays for practice and then Saturdays for games.

On Sunday, October 3rd, Addi had her first taste of semi-solid food.  We tried cereal for the first time.  At first she didn't know what to think about it.  It took her a while to realize that she had to eat cereal totally different than how she takes her formula.  She didn't make a mess at all.  (Maybe Mommy is better with feeding the second time around.)  She still doesn't really have it down yet, but practice makes perfect!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER