Boys

you just got to love them...
I am so thankful that Philip helped to realize early on that boys will be boys. That mostly means that they will get dirty and they need things to do.

I was thrilled this morning when the sun was out and it wasn't bitterly cold. Ryan and Peter spent some great time outside doing who knows what and getting dirty! I'm still not sure what Peter was up to but Ryan was apparently fixing his car and rediscovering the dirt he had stored under the seat!This is him figuring out that he might need a clean shirt!

Swedish bread

A few weeks ago, I excitedly was able to buy a used stand mixer. I have been thinking (or dreaming) of purchasing one for a long time. This mixer fell in my lap! I dutifully checked out a 600 page King Arthur's Baking cookbook and a how to bake bread DVD at the library. I have read my cook book almost cover to cover. I know; it's a bit weird but I do love to read cook books. My family has been treated to several new types of homemade muffins this week. I really like that they are made with at least half whole wheat flour. I finally found a do ahead oatmeal pancake mix recipe that is delicious and super easy! The kids are actually eating leftover pancakes as a snack with NO syrup as I type.
I have made one stab at a homemade bread. It was eatable but I definitely need some practice. This weekend we have homemade pizza's on the menu.
Finally, after years of hearing Philip talk about his grandmother's Swedish "Kaka" flat bread, I found a recipe in this cookbook. We made it yesterday as a surprise for him. I had a feeling it wouldn't be just right. How could it be; I was up against his Swedish grandmother. I knew the whole wheat flour was probably not in her recipe! He said they were very close but I didn't get a two thumbs up.This is Emma putting holes in the bread. You can see my new mixer on the counter in the back corner!

Forgotten "snow" pictures

It seemed as if everybody in the NC posted their snow pictures from two weeks ago except me. Opps- must have been part of that blog block I was having.


I'm glad we had at least a little snow this year.

Blog block...

I guess that's what I've been currently experiencing. It's funny- I've been thinking throughout the days of potential blog posts but have of yet to actually get them written. I guess that's what happens when you become a blogger. I have passed the "half way" mark as far as pregnancy goes. It's hard to believe that I am already approaching 21 weeks. I am thankfully feeling great and adjusting to my ever growing belly. It impossible for me to ignore as my children (mostly Emma) are daily reminding me that my belly is getting big. One of the days I might just post a picture of the belly but don't hold your breath.
I have been thinking through some short term goals for us. Things I would really love to accomplish before the baby is born. My first and foremost is to successful complete the Core K. So we have been diligently reading and reading and reading. I think we are currently on our 3rd read aloud since returning from Christmas. We are now reading Dr. Dolittle and finishing up a study on Mountains, Desserts and Jungles. I hope to help Peter with a volcano experiment at the completion of this book.
A few other goals I have are a little more loose- I would love for Emma to be able to shower independently. Ryan to use the potty independently. Peter to tie his shoes. I am trying to encourage as much independence and helpfulness as possible.
We implemented a chore chart/ allowance system this week. It has been something simmering in my mind for some time now. So far things are going well and the kids are really motivated to do their chores. Peter has his sights on collecting light sabers so he is totally pumped about pay day!

Eggs

Since Philip was gone for dinner last night and I had spent the last few days helping him prepare the meal that he and 15 other men to eat, it was eggs for dinner for us. The exciting part of this was that Peter did all the work! He has done parts of this meal before but this was his first time from start to finish. He cracked the eggs, whipped and cooked on the stove. I was of course standing with him. This left Ryan to set the table and somehow our chopsticks were the silverware of choice!

We awoke to snow this morning so maybe we'll have some snow angel pictures to share later!

Gingerbread cookies

So that was about the only thing that I didn't get around to this holiday season! I have fond memories of this wonderful mother from our neighborhood growing up. She invited all the kids on our street (at least 10) into her house for gingerbread cookies. She had her kitchen all set up in stations with a baggie of dough for each kid. We made our own cookies and then had the fixings to decorate when they were baked. We did this for years; I remember even doing it in middle school! I tried this once (before kids) with the elementary aged kids on our street. It was a flop! My recipe was not good....I never tried again since then but thought about it every Christmas.Well, last week I was grocery shopping at Walmart when my eyes fell upon a bucket of gingerbread cookie dough. Being past Christmas, the price was reduced to $1.50!!! The expiration date wasn't until March so in my buggy it went. I found some heart shaped cookie cutters and figured we'd make early Valentine's cookies.

The bitter cold has kept us indoors so yesterday was our baking day!

I made my own icing so we iced and decorated the cookies after they cooled. I was honestly have some guilt issues during the whole process about using premade cookie dough. However, after the last table was wiped and all the dishes were in the sink I was thankful that I didn't spend all morning making the cookie dough because I was already exhausted!




Somebody figured out that the sprinkles stuck to your hand.....I hope Mrs. Huggins would be proud that I am trying to carry out her tradition!

One final snapshot

I would be remiss if I didn't post this.....The kids found this sled and figured out how to use it without any advice from us. Peter was the brains and Emma was the gunnea pig. It wasn't too long before you know who had to try...

OK- I think I'm finally caught up with vacation....until next year!

finally tired

We're still on the Boone trip....
On our final day in Boone it rained and rained and rained. That meant no solo day of skiing for Philip and a morning for me to spend with a college friend. That night we decided to go to Makoto's for dinner. It has always been a favorite of mine to go to Japanese Steak houses. I have fond memories from childhood birthdays being spent at Kanki in Raleigh. I was a bit nervous taking the kids not sure who they would react to the fire.Ryan definitely hid himself in Philip's shoulder a few times but didn't cry!
Peter and Emma enjoyed the show so much that hardly any of their food was even touched. They did like using chopsticks.
After dinner, we crossed the parking lot to take advantage of Chick fila's indoor playground. The kids played until we noticed they were well....
That streak is Ryan. Peter and Emma placed themselves on the benches - sweaty heads and all. I guess that's when you know to call it a night!

More Boone fun

I have neglected to post a few more photos from some of the great fun we had on vacation. Personally, I think I have finally readjusted to life after the holidays and post vacation. We still have some decorations to put in the attic but life is heading towards the new year!

This picture is from a hike Philip took the two older kids on following church on Sunday. Peter had been requesting that they hike down the cliff that our neighborhood was on. So they walked to the end of the road and began their descent. About 2 hours later, my phone rings from Philip and he calmly states, "We have hiked down the cliff and come to a road. I'm thinking it's HWY 105 but could you check." I found the address they were near and indeed it was 105. I told him I would be there shortly to pick them up. He said, "Oh- can you give us a while. We just found a creek we need to play in!".
It was a dirty but fun hike for all.

latest photos

We had our second and final ultrasound on Friday. All 5 of us huddled into the small room. The tech did ask if we wanted to know the sex of the baby; Philip and I said "no" while Peter said, "yes".
The tech listened to our request and kept the gender a hidden mystery. So in only 21.5 weeks (give or take hopefully!) we will all know what lies within. Until then we have this to enjoy.

Sweet and sour skiing

Thankfully, Philip and his dad share an optimistic personality and weren't deterred by the misty rain that greeted them all morning on the ski slope. They were excited to have 3 generations of Chrysts on skis together. Philip and Emma were paired together while Papa and Peter paired up.Ryan and I joined them on the mountain around lunch time to watch their progress. Ryan believes that he went "roller skating in his boots". For some reason he thinks that skiing is the same as roller skating!Unfortunately for Emma and Philip, her very first run (10 feet) off the ski lift ended with a very nasty crash. Philip took great care of her and was successful in getting her confidence back up and they both tackled the mountain many more times with. By the very end of the day, she didn't want to stop. I can't believe that I packed everything imaginable in their packs for the day except childrens' Motrin and the ski shop doesn't sell it. Mental note---always bring your own childrens' drugs when you go skiing.Peter headed down the slope and hardly stopped until they dragged him off at the end of the day. He and Papa were a perfect team. Peter even went on the 1 mile slope with Philip twice and was begging for more.
Although the day turned out to be great, it was still missing something....Uncle Peter! We missed Uncle Pete this year as he has been recently deployed to Iraq to protect the freedoms that we often take so easily for granted. Thanks Pete; we sure missed you.

One funny story

Well, I am sitting with Ryan while he's watching cartoons, listening to the pouring rain and wondering how the skiers are doing! This is the long anticipated day of skiing for Philip, his dad, Peter and Emma. Unfortunately, it's 43 degrees and it's raining. They weren't deterred by the weather forecast and headed up to the ski mountain with optomistic anticipations!

Since, I have some time on my hands I thought I would record just one of the funny things that has happened thus far! On Saturday, we enjoyed a uncommonly warm January day with temp in the 50s. We headed up to a favorite hiking spot of ours at the Viaduct beneath grandfather mountain. We were joined with some great friends for the weekend. We hiked for a good hour or more and came to a spot that we could walk back to our cars on the road rather than the trail we took! I volunteered along with Mandy and Chrissy to take the road and retrieve the cars while Philip, Devon and the kids hiked a bit farther in search of a creek. Our plan was to meet back at that spot in 45 minutes. We reached our assigned spot and the hikers were not in sight so I parked the van and hoped in the Suburban with Mandy and Chrissy as we waited. Our cell phones weren't connecting to each other so I couldn't get in touch with Philip. We chatted away (with our backs to the van) while we were waiting for the hikers. Time slipped by and we saw someone who looked like Devon jogging towards us. When he reached the Suburban, he said he and the others have been waiting for us about 3/4 of a mile away. So I hopped into the van and then noticed a piece of paper in my windshield. It said, "2 men and your 2 children are waiting to be picked up at the next overlook- 1:20". Opps, it was now 1:40 and I never saw anyone come up to the van. Unlike earlier, there was now a stream of travelers also stopping where we were parked and with my back towards the van I never noticed the messenger. Thankfully, Devon was a team player and jogged back to get us!!! The girls and I had a great time to talk and the boys (and Emma) had a great time playing in the creek. So all in all it worked out but we certainly got a good laugh at the note and unfortunate lack of communication!

Pictures from the hike will follow....