Sunday, December 19, 2010

What I'm Thankful For...Thanksgiving 2010

Some Holiday pictures of my sweet family....it's almost a month after Thanksgiving, but I'm finally getting these pictures up!  I've been busy!


 These are of the kids running and jumping in the leaf pile we made at Granny's house over Thanksgiving break...simple pleasures!










More Arkansas Thanksgiving Fun:
Love, Love, Love this picture...that face perfectly captures Ella's personality!

How many pictures do I have of this boy on this swing?  He LOVES it.

Playing Headbands with Leah




I love the look on Ella's face here...pure adoration!

Cousins!

Aidan about to fall off the swing

Aidan missing from the swing...hmmm.





Saturday, December 18, 2010

Sopapilla Cheesecake

I always see recipes on blogs with step by step directions and pictures included.  I guess these are for the culinary-challenged.  Anyway, it makes my little recipe posts look a little sad, so I thought I'd give the whole step by step picture thing a go in this post.  Besides, all the cool bloggers are doing it.  This is probably one of the simplest recipes in the world, so if you actually NEED pictures to make it...you are probably in need of some serious kitchen help.  Really, I simply found myself bored on a Saturday afternoon, and this is what happens when my husband and oldest are gone for the day.

I thought you might appreciate this recipe...it's not my original recipe...several people have given me recipes and if you search google for sopapilla cheesecake you'll find a bazillion entries.  But, it occurred to me that someone out there in blog world may be unaware there is such a thing...and therefore, not know you should google it...so here it is.

This may seem like an odd Christmas recipe, if you're not from Texas.  But, in Texas, it is very common to have a fiesta (spanish for eat a lot of awesome food until you have to unbutton your pants) on Christmas Eve.  We usually have tamales, along with a variety of other Tex-Mex food...and wassail.  I'm not sure how wassail fits into the Fiesta theme, but it makes my sister in-law loopy and we get to laugh at her, so we do it anyway.  I don't think my sister in-law reads my blog, but I guess we'll find out now!

For all you non-Texans (I am so sorry), sopapilla is spanish for awesome awesomeness.  (and the two l's are pronounced like a Y...don't pronounce them like l's...you'll just sound silly)  It is a wholesome dish that combines the 4 major food groups, sugar, butter, cream cheese and crescent rolls.  And, it only has a million or so calories per serving.

Here's what you need:

Imagine that there is another can of crescent rolls in this picture...being the novice that I am, I didn't think to take this picture until I had already opened one of the cans

First, preheat the oven...don't forget or you'll have to stand around later and wait for it to heat up.

Then, spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray...I did not take a picture of this, I hope that doesn't mess anyone up.

Next, unroll one can of crescent rolls into the pan.  Press the seams together and spread it out so it covers the bottom of the pan...like so:

Then, console, or bribe the fussy toddler, so she will release her vice grip on your legs.
There are many ways to do this, but I used cupcakes.  



Now, you'll want to beat together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla.


It will be very sticky at first, so I use my cookie dough attachments for my mixer.
I'm glad you brought up the subject of mixers.  If Santa is reading this, I would REALLY love a stand mixer for Christmas.

See what I mean....sticky:


It gets better though...just keep mixing.  Don't burn out your motor though...if it starts to smell, that's a bad sign.


much better

Now, spread it on top of your layer of crescent rolls.  By the way, here's a handy tip...you may want to buy 3 cans of crescent rolls, because you'll be able to smell their lovely buttery smell while you're making this, and then you will want crescent rolls.  And, if you only bought 2 cans, you will be sad.


Next, top this with another roll of crescent rolls.  Can I just say that any recipe with not 1, but 2 cans of crescent rolls, is going to be awesome.  I'm pretty sure crescent rolls are a symbol of God's love for us.


Again, pinch the seams together and play with it until it covers the whole pan...a little trickier this time since there is a layer of cream cheese underneath.  It doesn't have to be perfect though...you really can't mess this up.

Now, the grand finale...melt the butter and pour it on top.

Do you think there will be butter in heaven?  I think yes.


Sprinkle on the cinnamon and sugar...

Try not to lick this

Then, put it in the oven for 30 minutes.  (no picture here either, sorry.)

And wha-la (ha...that's the first time I've ever written out wha-la...I hope I spelled it correctly)

Awesome Awesomeness Cheesecake


Now, here's the recipe...without pictures.  If you're like me, you've skipped all that other nonsense and come straight here.  I appreciate your efficientness.  Is that a word?

Sopapilla Cheesecake:

2 cans crescent rolls
2 8oz blocks of cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 c. sugar, divided
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 stick of real butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Grease a 9x13" pan
-Unroll and press 1 can of crescent rolls into the pan.  Pinch the seams together.
-Blend cream cheese, 1 cup of sugar and vanilla
-Spread over the crescent rolls in the pan
-Top with 2nd can of crescent rolls, pinch the seams together
-Pour butter over the top.
-Mix remaining sugar with cinnamon.  Sprinkle over the top
-Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes












Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Aidan.

Aidan:  2 days old

Eight years ago, I received the best gift...and I became a mother for the first time.  In a lot of ways, this little baby saved my life...and healed my heart.  He taught me about love...especially God's love.  He was a perfect gift that I didn't deserve.  God is so generous with me.

Aidan:  1 year


He was born during the Geminids meteor shower, which happens every year on his birthday.  My mom and dad saw 3 shooting stars on the way to the hospital.  He was 3 weeks early...but big!  He had the chubbiest cheeks you've ever seen.  There's not an inch of fat on him now...not even enough to hold his pants up...so it's hard to believe he was 30 pounds when he was only a year old!  His daycare teachers called him the gentle giant because he was so calm and laid back.  

Aidan @ 2 years old, with Granny's azaleas in Arkansas
2 year old Aidan on the tire swing in Arkansas

2 year old Aidan with Daddy Ray in Colorado


Aidan has always loved trains, and music.  He used to sing everywhere he went, especially in the car.  I don't know if I've ever told him this story, but before I even knew I was pregnant with Aidan, I had a dream that I saw my grandmother in heaven.  She was sitting in a rocking chair rocking a baby boy.  I asked her if the baby was my baby brother (my mom lost a baby after me).  She replied, "no, this is your son."  Shortly after having that dream, I found out I was pregnant with Aidan.  I knew it was going to be a boy, and I knew he was going to be special.

3 year old Aidan in Rocky Mountain National Park
Playing with his trains...in a box
3 years old


Lately, he loves to play Wii, DSi, and Legos.  He is great at math.  He just sees numbers differently.  He can figure it all out in his head.  He's also doing great with reading and writing.  We could not be more proud of him.  I can't believe he's almost half way finished with 2nd grade.

Aidan--4 years old @ Cascade Falls

Four Year old Aidan with his guns up!

Right now, he wants to be a cartoonist when he grows up.  He loves art, and seems to have some talent for drawing.  We'll see if he changes his mind...for the longest time he wanted to be a pilot...and before that, it was a scientist.  He is a great big brother...he does all the things a big brother is supposed to do...he protects his sister, bosses her around, teaches her new things, plays with her, and aggravates her to no end.  


Aidan--5years old...no training wheels!


Aidan...5 yrs old...with Ella


Aidan, 5 yrs old, with the Blue Angels in Florida
Aidan is a wolf scout now.  He loves cub scouts.  He says he wants to be an eagle scout.  He loves doing all the cub scout activities with his pawpaw.  He is a pawpaw's boy for sure...except when he's a mama's boy (which is only when pawpaw is not around).

Aidan--6 years old at Pawpaw and Nana's cabin

Aidan---6, almost 7 at Eagle Mountain Park

I'm not sure where all the years are gone...or how it's possible for someone to grow so much in 8 years.  I AM sure that I LOVE being Aidan's mommy.  I feel incredibly lucky and blessed that I was chosen and trusted to be his mom.  Sometimes, I would like to stop time for a while...it feels like it is blazing by so fast...I want to hold onto these years with Aidan.  But, time stops for no one...and I am excited to see what he will become.  
Aidan--7 yrs. old...with Ella in Ouray.

Aidan, 8 years old!  Happy happy Birthday!!













Thursday, December 9, 2010

Catching Up...

I've been really busy since Thanksgiving.  I've been very tired lately and couldn't figure out why, but upon review it might have something to do with the fact that I have had 2 sick kids that couldn't/wouldn't sleep, 4 doctor's appointments...some for them, and some for me...I'm planning 3, yes 3 parties right now and getting ready for Christmas.

The kids were both sick last week.  Aidan missed 3 days of school, and had a ton of make-up work.  Second grade has certainly changed since I was in school.  Aidan is doing really well in school.  He excels in math and reading.  I've noticed lately that he is growing in maturity and responsibility too...probably because he's about to turn 8!  I'm really not sure how that is possible, but I guess there's nothing I can do about it.  I've tried to strike a deal with him to turn 5 instead of 8, but he says he would have to go back to Kindergarten and would be the biggest Kindergarten student in the history of the world.  Apparently, that's a problem...so no deal...he's turning 8 whether I like it or not.

Which leads me to 2 of the parties I'm planning.  Tomorrow night Aidan is having a camping party.  We made tent invitations that were pretty cute...not as cute as they could have been if I had more time and resources, but pretty cute nonetheless.  Mark is going to set up our tent in the living room for the kids (everyone cross your fingers that it will fit).  The kids are going to roast hot dogs over the fire pit.  We've planned a treasure hunt with clues to find bags of camping gear, a fishing game, a "feed the bears" game, and a "search and rescue game" in which the kids dive into a tent filled with balloons and try to find prizes.  Yesterday I cut out 50 fish shapes and glued/decorated them for the fishing game.  I also blew up 50 balloons.  Today, I'll be drawing a giant bear...no small feat.  I am creative in a lot of ways...but drawing, eh...not so much.  Luckily, 8 year olds are easily impressed.

I'm also planning Aidan's Christmas, I mean, winter party for next Friday at school.  It amuses me that you can't call it a Christmas party even though Christmas is a federal holiday, and we're not fooling anyone, it's Christmas!  But, whatever, I'll save my rants on the foolishness of political correctness for another time!
For the winter party, we are doing a snowman race, in which the kids use toilet paper, mittens, hats, etc. to dress up someone on their team as a snowman.  We're making reindeer antlers, using outlines of the kids' hands.  Then, we're having Rudolph relay races...the kids have to use vaseline to attach a red circle to their nose and run to the finish line without it falling off.  I think it will be really fun.  I wish I could take credit for these ideas but they came from my friend Nancy.

Ella is really excited about Christmas this year.  She walks around hugging her Christmas presents.  She'll say, "You got a present for ME?  Thank you so much."  I can't wait until she gets to open them.  She also says, "Christmas is going to bring me a pig in a little tea cup!"  She is so cute.

Speaking of Christmas...we are completely finished shopping for our kids.  We just have a few gifts to buy for other people.  I love being able to relax and focus on something besides shopping and crowds.
I've been working on my holiday baking.  We'll be giving baked goods to teachers, neighbors, co-workers etc.  This year, I'm making chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter blossoms, pumpkin bread, white chocolate banana bread, fudge and caramel pecan clusters.  Yum.  I'm adopting the Blue Bell philosophy...eating all I can, and I'll give away the rest.  I saw a church billboard that said, "we come to resemble that which we love."  Which is why I'm starting to resemble a big blob of cookie dough.

Finally, Mark and I have started reading Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love together.  We haven't gotten very far, because most nights we crawl into bed and die of exhaustion, but what we have read is awesome.  We're talking serious awesomeness.  I can tell it's going to be one of those books that changes you.  If you've got some time over the holidays you should get a copy and check it out.

Well, I was going to post some Thanksgiving pictures here today, but since this has turned into the longest rambling post in the history of blogging, I will close now and save the pictures for another day.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Saturday Night Fever

Sometimes...



Things can get....



A little...



CRAZY...


Around here...


On a Saturday night!