Remember when?

Jose is taking on the job of Tess' soccer coach this spring. He hasn't coached any of the kid's teams due to work schedules, etc. For those of you who know our Tess, she's not exactly the type to pay any heed to her dad!

I just want to say to him.....

....good luck & always remember the sweet times with her when you just want to scream ;o)

Are you watching?!

So, if you read my blog, you know I'm a huge Amazing Race fan. Are you following along in the game? I'm totally addicted! I always TIVO it and  can't watch it if anyone is talking to me or making noises...I just might miss some important info that the racers themselves are missing ;o) (I love that part...don't you?)

This past week one of the most entertaining couples was eliminated - Steve & Linda. They are self described "Hicks from the Sticks" - and are hilarious. We'll miss seeing them each week - I was hoping they'd go far...darn.

My Valentine's night...

Here's the crowd I spent Valentine's with...Marisa, Megan, Kylee, Michael, Devin and Jana. We made a Valentine's dinner for them before they went to a church dance that evening. 

Aren't they so cute!! Look at the big grin Michael has since he's the only guy ;o)

Dessert is served...heart shaped brownies, chocolate strawberries and icecream...yummy!

Terribly Yummy...

Here's a little yummy appetizer to make your favorite Valentine.  I made these for a dinner party and my cute kids even loved them! I'm not a water chestnut girl but these are seriously delicious and oh, so easy!!

(click the image to see a larger view)

Free time?!

Two kids in FIVE sports - how does that happen?

For the next few weeks, Ryan is playing basketball, baseball and gymnastics. Tess is playing basketball and soccer. 

Is there really any wonder why I haven't blogged more often? 

Difficult mornings?

Here's what my kids had for breakfast...they happily jumped out of bed for them!!

(click on the card to view it better)

The excitement is building....

It's coming soon!! February 15th to be exact...this is the ultimate show. 

Join me in my addiction ;o) 

They rarely put it on twice in one TV season - but it's happening!! Anyone else a Race Junkie?

A little Bite of Heaven...

I'm making these delicious goodies tonight for three reasons -  new neighbors, a friend's birthday, and for a little persuasion! 

 This makes 4 dozen little bites of heaven

Here you go...

For those of you who are drooling over the brownies I made and just HAVE to make some, here you go - just do a quick click-a-roo! You'll just love Bakerella's blog - I'm a instant fan!

More deliciousness...

Tonight I had dinner with friends and made this salad. It was really good and looked pretty with berries, pears, etc. All the food there was delicious but this was my contribution. Here's the recipe card you can print out. Try it - you'll like it ;o)

Caution!

Just looking at these will pack on five pounds! Today I made these brownies with chocolate chip cookie dough in them - yummy to the hundredth degree! My friend, Rebecca, hooked me up with the recipe - want to try them?

Happiness

The new gift hasn't lost it's magic yet. Of course it has only been two weeks but it's still heaven to them :o)

Christmas scrapping

Christmas break is almost over. I've enjoyed my free time from basketball practices, church activities, homework, tests, gymnastics, scouts, sewing classes, early morning rising and everything else! I've pretty much planted myself at my computer and have busily wasted my time away ;o) Here are a few more pages I've finished during my "unproductive" time.

New Years...

We spent New Years Eve with a couple families that have new puppies - what a dream beginning of the year for Tess. She wants a puppy so badly - she's willing to get rid of our cats to have one!

Ryan, Abbie & Cater ringing in the New Year!

My brother, Larry, came into town for one day from California. We hit the Museum of Natural Science today with him.

Marisa & Tess in the dinosaur exhibit.

The kids in the butterfly exhibit's interactive kiddie area. Ryan didn't think it was very cool ;o)

A little Christmas Cheer

I've been glued to my Mac this Christmas break getting all my digital scrapbook supplies organized - believe me, it's been hours (just ask my abandoned family).

 So now I'm ready to create - and this is just the beginning of all the Christmas pages I've yet to make!

Two for one...

This post is serving me two purposes. First is to show my kids favorite Christmas gift - an electric scooter (as my friend said, "death on wheels"). They are having so much fun riding around the neighborhood - they're really cute on it. Second is to show our home to some friends who've asked to see the front (the back yard is always in our pictures). Yes, we're still missing a shutter above the garage from Hurricane Ike a few months ago.

You can click on the photo to see the kids closer :o)

Maybe the kids don't miss winter...

My kids are insane...crazy, I say!! Even though the weather outdoors is warm enough, the pool water is freezing! I don't know anyone who swims in December without their pool heated - except my kids! 

I had nothing to do with the decision - that was a dad thing ;o)

We miss you winter!

Here are a couple of the scrapbook pages I did this weekend. This was an attempt to remember that winter can be cold and fun! We've been in almost 80 degree humid weather for Christmas! 

We miss the cold - please come back quickly!

Our version...

We had our friends, the Lelands, over for Christmas Eve dinner and fun. The kids "acted" out the Nativity story for us. A few of them were more into the costumes than others...can you tell which ones? They were really cute and tried to be respectful even with a cat as the main focus!

Oh me, Oh my!!

This is what we call "Black Gold" or "Texas Tea".  We're making this up for some friends around here for a little Christmas cheer (or sugar overload!). For those who aren't in driving distance, whip some up - it's too good not to! 

And make sure you have a cute delivery girl like below ;o)

Christmas tree bloodshed?

I'm a little worried (or should I say, "freaked") about what my cats know that I don't. They sat here next to the Christmas tree this evening for about an hour looking at something and I don't know what. I'm not sure I want to know - but if they pull the tree down during the night, I won't be happy!

 I just hope and pray it's not a lizard - that's about the worst in my opinion...can you say yuck!! Whatever it is, it won't stand a chance with Cocoa & Sugar on the hunt!

Let them eat cake!

Here's a fun cake I made for a Christmas dinner this week. I didn't get a picture of it cut but it was really pretty inside. It's a four layer peppermint cake and speckled with candy cane bits in the batter. I wasn't sure how the frosting would taste since I'm not a white chocolate fan - oh my, it was yummy! I've also posted the recipes cards I made for them both -

give it a try...it won't disappoint!

Holy Cannoli - SNOW!!

Yes...it really is snowing in Houston! I know those of you in Utah and Chicago may be laughing at our small little flakes, but it is genuine snow! It started this afternoon and is still going hours later and the flakes are dime sized! It snowed here about four years ago and we missed it. We were in Atlanta for Christmas and missed the miracle - but we're here this time :o)

Ryan making a snow angel on the trampoline

See...told you it was snow! Can you believe we actually had our air-conditioning on yesterday - crazy!

It's looking like Christmas & home repairs...

We got our tree up and decorated today. We did it a little differently than usual but like the new look. The kids love to reminisce with every ornament we put on. 

During all the hustle and bustle of pulling boxes out of the attic, Jose took a nice step through the ceiling of our family room! At least he didn't fall off a ladder and end up worse off. The repair will make for an expensive tree decorating!

Winter Wonderland...

The kids with their cousin, Katie, after a day of skiing at Alta. They had so much fun in the snow - what a novelty for us Texans!

During Ski school - Marisa & Ryan had skiied before but this was Tess' first time - they did great and went down normal slopes afterwards...not just bunny hills!

We went to see the lights at Temple Square - one of our favorites! And you HAVE to have hot chocolate for light viewing :o)

Twilight

We just got back from the movie. Tons of screaming teens and maybe some adults ;-) It was fun to see but of course the books are always better. Edward was reallly good but I didn't like Bella - I don't like her in the books either though (too whiny). Definitely worth going to see if you've read them. Had a super fun time with the group (22 of us)!!

The wait is almost over...

Can you tell which movie we're going to see tomorrow? We've got our tickets and we're ready to stand in line!

Last game day...

Yesterday was the end of Ryan's football season. This was his first season playing tackle football (vs. flag). He had a great season with a lot of highlights. 

Yesterday Ryan made a touchdown while playing defense!  

He intercepted a ball in the end zone! Way to go Ry!!  Unfortunately, their team ran out of time and lost the playoff game so their season is finished. 

Do you see him surrounded by all those Texans?!

He still ended up getting the tackle - what a stud :o)

My buds...

Aren't these the cutest computer buddies? This is where Cocoa & Sugar  sit in the morning - right next to me in the office while I'm on the computer.  We have beautiful weather right now and they love the window to be open. 

They were eyeing a bird outside - I drew you a visual :o)

Latest recipe

This is my latest digital scrapped recipe card. I made these potatoes for friends last night. The recipe originally comes from a dinner group I was in up in Kingwood with good friends there. They're really easy to make and a nice change from regular mashed potatoes - 

give them a try!

Look what I planted this weekend...

I really love this time of year when Pansies are in bloom. I've loved these flowers since I was little because my mom loves them because her mom loved them. I love their little faces looking up at you - aren't they cute? I've planted about 150 of these babies in my back yard.

About Last Night...

Darn it! I am proud of our country for having this historic opportunity but still... darn it - my taxes are going up up up!

Happy Hallow's Eve!

This is how my kids spent Halloween afternoon - diving right into the pool...gotta love warm 80 degree weather the last day of October!

Tess couldn't bring herself to dive right in like Ryan - water is a bit chilly :o)

Ryan is getting warmed up on the flagstone - our little lizard on a sunny rock!

This looks a bit more like Halloween should...our punk skater and little witch!