Colorado Landscapes

We had some sick kids so we didn't get to go see Red Rocks National Park like we planned but Dominic and I did get to stop and see this beautiful landscape not far from Gina's house. Isabella and Michael were at Gina's playing cards. Oh, well maybe next time we go to Colorado we will get to see more. We also got a surprise when we found Buffalo on the way. 1.18.10

Sweet Baby Gibson

Isabella was in baby heaven when we went to see Gina's family. She spent most of her free time holding baby Gibson. She had a hard time when he was napping. The wait to have baby time was more than she can stand. She is quite the baby lover! Just like her momma was at her age. 1.15.10

Passport on a Plate: China

This week we got to learn all about China. This was of real interest to Isabella because she was so fascinated with China after the summer Olympics. I have to admit I was really looking forward to cooking all the Chinese food all week long. Chinese is one of my favorite foods. We made Mu Shu Chicken (it is the one in the tortilla or "pancake" as they call it), Lo Mein noodles, peanut noodles, terriaki asparagus, sesame broccoli, crab rangoon (ok I kinda cheated here since this really isn't a traditional Chinese food....but I figured since I already had wontons I might as well make some with crab rangoon filling right?), pork & shrimp wontons, and steamed rice. Laura and Mitchell (the Newlyweds) came on the adventure to China with us and they brought dessert so we didn't have to settle for fortune cookies we got to have yummy brownies and Oreo ice cream (not exactly Chinese but we didn't mind). Next week we are headed to Germany. This is so much fun. I LOVE homeschooling. 2.5.10

Passport on a Plate: Africa

The great thing about homeschooling is that we have such a open field for study. One of the things that we are doing this semester is called "Passport on a Plate." We spend a whole week learning all about a country or continent, the geography, culture, family life and FOOD! This was the first week of on the adventure and Africa was the destination. We learned a lot about the large continent and we got pretty adventurous when it came to our African meal. We had ground nut stew (this stew had sweet potatoes, bananas, cabbage, peanuts, peanut butter and some other seasoning....it sounded kinda gross but it was pretty tasty) and jasmine rice. Fu fu balls (these were like a bread & potato ball that was soft), Kenyan nutty bananas, and Little yam cakes for dessert. African food is very filling and pretty yummy too. 1.29.10

Colorado Rodeo 2010

Gina's husband, Andy was pretty excited about the rodeo being in town and thought it would be a lot of fun to have all of us go with them to see the ropin' of the cows. It was my first rodeo that I can recall going to. The kids seemed to be amused by the constant changing shows. Isabella said she didn't ever want to go to another rodeo again because "they were treating the baby cows so bad." I have to agree with her. It looks pretty painful to have someone rope you while you are in a dead sprint. She spent almost the whole rodeo holding or entertaining baby Gibson so she was pretty happy in the end. It also helped that we treated the kids to some cotton candy.
We also got to tour the grounds after wards and Dominic got to hold a read chicken in his hands. That was enough to make him giggle! 1.15.10

Sweet Reunion

What a blessing to have my best friend, Gina move within driving distance of Kansas City! We can now spend a short 9 hours in the car and be together....or a cheap flight. Although it would have been more fabulous for them to move to KC, I guess it is pretty nice to have them in a place we can go to for a get-away in the mountains. I am sure this will be the first of many trips to Colorado to spend with her family. Here are some pictures from the top of a little mountain we were able to hike. We took two of her kids, baby Gibson and Kaede with us on the journey. Gina was quite the trooper hiking with a baby front pack! 1.15.10

Colorado Mountains

Gina took us to see some of the beautiful Colorado mountains while we were out to visit. We were in luck that the weather was nice enough to get to climb to the top of one of the small ones. We were able to take some pretty amazing pictures from the top of the mountain. The kids thought it was great fun getting to climb up and see snow on the top. So glad we had the chance to see the mountains early in our trip since most of our family and Gina's family was not feeling so good at the end of our stay. I guess we will just have to head back for another visit when we have more time to see the wonders of Colorado. 1.15.10

Cooking with Colton

During our visit to Colorado we got to stay with Gina& Andy. The kids had a blast playing with her three little boys. Here is a picture of sweet little Colton showing Isabella a few pointers on kitchen floor cooking. 1/14/10

Dualing Pianos of Fun

For Laura & Mitchell's wedding send-off party we met at Moila for a fun time listening to the dualing pianos. Here are a couple cute shots of the happy couple. 1/9/10

Trying my hand and sewing

It is one thing to sew curtains, duvet covers and a few Halloween costumes it is a whole new challenge to sew doll clothes. I am starting to get the hang of doing it but it is a long process. Isabella wanted matching outfits for her two dolls. I got the overalls and jumper made but I have the shirts still to do. I made a few of the dresses last year the red one I made this year. I am currently letting my sewing machine have some time off. The shirts may have to wait a few months :) 1.9.10

Reading is so much fun

Isabella is really starting to get into the whole reading thing. Here she is reading to our little 2 year old neighbor, Carson. He loves the attention and I love that she is practicing her reading skills! 1.08.10

Christmas 2010

The kids have a lot to be thankful for this year. They really got some awesome gifts from family, friends and Santa. 12.30.09

Team Work

Michael and the kids suited up and took on the piles of snow that had accumulated on our deck.1.9.10

Happy New Year dipped in fat

Ever since I met Michael we have been celebrating New Year's Eve/Day by doing fondue. It is a tradition the whole family looks forward to every year. The kids love it. But then who doesn't love eating food off of sticks especially when you get to dip it in various types of fat! We do steamed vegetables and bread in cheese fondue. Chicken and beef in oil and fruit and marshmellows in chocolate fondue. Yummy! 1.01.10

Jeffrey Kyle's Christmas for kids 2009

On Christmas Eve we went to my brother's restaurant to help out with his charity event: Jeffrey Kyle's Christmas for kids. This is the second year that they have done it. It was started because three years ago they lost their baby boy, Jeffrey Kyle on Christmas Eve. They served over a hundred people and provide gifts for all the kids that attended the event. They serve families that are struggling due to various reasons.
The kids had a great time helping out with the dinner and handing out the gifts. It is a great way to see the real meaning of Christmas: giving! Here are a few photos from that busy day. 12.24.09

Epiphany party/Valentine's party with the B-W's

We normally have an Epiphany party with the B-W's but this January was a bit hectic for both of our families so we had to bump our all day get-together to the end of the month. The kids had a great time playing and so did the adults. We got to play several games and lots of cards. Dominic and James were flying around in costume most of the day. These type of days are always so relaxing. The kids got to watch the movie The Incredibles--hence the zoned out faces in the group picture. 1.30.10

The Mr & Mrs

What a wonderful thing to get to go to Colorado and see one of my best friends, since I was a little girl, marry my cousin. Here are some pictures from the wonderful day. 1.17.10

Happy New year 2010

I thought it was fitting to bring in the new year with a photo of our Christmas nativity. Isabella was Mary, Dominic was a shepherd that likes to ride on a tiger and Michael was Joseph. I was the angel and also the designated photographer. Isabella's new baby (whom she named "baby Dominic") got to play the part of Jesus.
May the peace of Christ be in your hearts in this new year.