Tag: food

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Sweet, sweet singing

I’m listening to my two little chatter bugs talk to each other in their room – they’re supposed to be sleeping.  Nolan’s saying the ABC’s and Lincoln is singing along with him.  The sweet sounds of their little voices melt my heart.  The two of them have become such good pals.  Even when they bicker or get upset or frustrated with one another, they are quick to forgive, forget, and move on.

As we were having an ice cream treat tonight after dinner, I realized how many of the pictures I take are of the boys eating something in their respective places at the table.  As an outsider looking in, one would think the world revolves around our dining space.  With two growing boys, that’s probably not too far from the truth.  🙂

Today was PJ day at preschool, so Nolan wore his Batman pajamas proudly all day.

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Phones and footballs

Jake called this afternoon and asked to talk to the boys.  Nolan talked for a while and then handed the phone to Lincoln.  I took a few pictures so Jake could see Lincoln in action.  It was pretty cute seeing him jabber to his daddy – it was like he was having a regular conversation.

And on a completely unrelated note, my kids enjoyed wearing football helmets today.  Who knew an empty popcorn tin could be so fun?

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Would you eat this?

The boys generally have oatmeal with raisins for breakfast.  It’s easy to make (I’ve perfected the timing on our microwave.) And it’s good for them.  It’s also easy for Lincoln to eat because it stays on a spoon better than cold cereal does.  I don’t know which of them started it, but adding dry Kix cereal has become part of this breakfast tradition.

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Mom’s birthday – the first of 2010

My mom celebrated the first family birthday of the new year.  Several years ago, my dad started a birthday dinner tradition to commemorate her special day.  He prepares his now famous, Beef Wellington, every January 3rd.  This year we had twice baked potatoes (made by Tony), julienne carrots, asparagus and chocolate vinegar cake for dessert.  I think everyone looks forward to this meal each year.  The boys were more interested in the veggies and cake, but I’m guessing if they’re anything like their dad and uncle, it won’t be long until they go back for 2nds from the main course.

It wouldn’t be a birthday without opening gifts.  The kids helped Nana find her presents inside the birthday bag.  I think they pulled everything out in less that 20 seconds.  🙂  My mom hardly had time to see what they pulled out before they grabbed something else.  After opening gifts, I tried to take a picture with Nana and all of the boys, but Nolan decided to pout.  (That’s him behind the railing in the green sweatshirt.)  To round out our visit to Nana & Papa’s the boys had to visit Taz & Gwen (Uncle Tony’s bearded dragon & gecko.)  They love going upstairs to say “hi” and feed the lizards.  It was an extra special treat to have Uncle Tony with them for tonight’s visit.

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New Year, New Decade, Same great relatives!

We piled into my parents’ “giant marshmallow” as Nolan has started calling it (thanks, in part, to my mom :)) and pointed north to the Iron Range.  Our “normal” family gathering was pushed a week later due to the Christmas snowstorm.  It actually worked great for us, since we usually can only make my dad’s family’s celebration every other year.  Once again, my Aunt Ann, Uncle Gene & cousin Amy were exceptional hosts.  They always have an amazing spread!

My cousin Cory and his wife Renee brought their 3 kiddos from ND so Nolan and Lincoln had a few playmates.  I think the kids had a good time with one another.  We should try to get them together more often!

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Christmas 2009 – take 2

Christmas Eve was a snowy one.  We woke up to a driveway full of light, fluffy flakes.  After breakfast, Jake and I traded our “normal” jobs – I went out to snow blow the driveway and he stayed in and watched the kids and cleaned up the kitchen.  After he was done, he dressed the kids in their snowpants, etc. and brought them outside.  We dug out the sled and tried to make a path down the hill in the front yard.  Several attempts were made to blaze a trail, some successful, some not so much.  But fun was definitely had by all – except for the one time that Lincoln got white-washed.  He called it quits after that episode.  But Nolan, our neighbor D, and I continued to play for a while.  If lunch time hadn’t closed in on us, we would have stayed out longer.

After lunch & naps, we went to 4pm Christmas Eve mass.  Thankfully, my parents beat us to church and reserved half of a pew – they saved us from standing.  From church, we headed to my parents’ house for dinner, presents and a birthday cake for Jesus.  (This is one of the kids’ favorite things about Christmas.  Ok, and mine too :))  Part of dinner consisted of turkey drummers for the boys to eat.  Nolan first had one when he was about 9 months old.  This go-around he made much more progress.  Lincoln did quite well with his first drummer.  Actually, he looked like a natural.

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Little dippers

My kids like to “dip” things.  Any time there is some sort of sauce (ketchup, honey, bbq, salsa) they want to join in the dipping.  This afternoon, I was eating chips & salsa after the boys finished their lunch.  They hovered near and asked with their sweet little “pleases” if they could dip a chip too.  I’m a sucker for kids with manners, so I let them try a taste or two, as was the case for my double-dipping little Lincoln.

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Christmas 2009 – take 1

Sunday afternoon, after the kids took much needed naps, we headed to Jake’s parents’ house to celebrate Christmas.  Unfortunately, Stacie wasn’t able to join in the fun – she was studying for finals.  We played a little Mexican Train, watched football, had a great ham dinner complete with cheesy potatoes & orange jello salad, and of course, opened presents.  The boys were very excited to help pass out the wrapped surprises and open them 🙂  I think they assisted everyone in opening at least one gift.  After the wrapping paper was picked up, we snacked on all sorts of sweets – ice cream, fudge, chocolate crinkles and dipped pretzels just to name a few.  The boys were more than happy to sample just about everything they could talk someone into giving them (or sneak!)

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Snow with gingerbread – media overload

The temps rose into the mid 20’s today, so we took advantage of the balmy weather and sun and headed out back to do a little shoveling & playing.  The snow was perfect – light & fluffy and easy for the kids to maneuver through with their snow gear & boots on.  Nolan helped me clear off the patio and Lincoln assisted with brushing off the wood bins on the deck.  They were both my little helpers this afternoon.  Nolan asked me to get thee sled out of the shed and he was nice enough to pull his little brother around the yard.  It was pretty funny to watch!  There were several times I thought Lincoln was going to tumble out, but he hung on!  Once Nolan was tired from pulling, I had Nolan jump in the sled and I took them around the yard.  We drove Maverick nuts as we made a figure eight path.

I bribed the kids this afternoon.  I told them we could finish decorating the gingerbread house we assembled this morning IF they took naps.  For Nolan, he not only had to take a nap, but not get out of bed (at all.)  It worked!  Both of them crashed for a good chunk of the afternoon, which really isn’t surprising since we spent about 45 minutes or so out in the cold right before they went to sleep.  I loaded the gingerbread with frosting and let the kids add the candies.  Lincoln actually ate more than he added to the house – at least the gumdrops he was eating were miniature 🙂  Nolan really got into the project.  It was a good way for him to have fun while practicing his counting.

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Haircuts & Christmas Lights

The kids both got haircuts yesterday.  Nolan’s was long overdue.  I think his last one was mid-October, right before my mom has shoulder surgery.  I took the scissors into my own hands and snipped Lincoln’s hair in about 4 places before calling it good.  Nolan’s took a bit longer because it is so thick and curly, but he sat so well for me.  My past attempts at cutting his hair have not gone well.  Maybe the practice he’s had sitting still for my mom has rubbed off.

Tonight, as an incentive to finish dinner, I told the boys we’d drive around and look at Christmas lights.  Their eyes lit up and they gobbled up the food on their plates.  I loaded them into the suburban and off we went.  Every year, there is one house that is the fan favorite by a landslide.  We even have to drive by it during the day because Nolan and Lincoln both like looking at the display.  Lights on or off, it’s apparently exciting either way.