Easter (A slight photo overload!)

This is only a week late, that isn't too bad, is it?  LOL  It's been a very busy week to say the least.

We had a great Easter!  Easter is the one holiday that we tend to stay home and just celebrate with our little family.  Not every year, mind you, but most years.  This year I had to sing at our church so that made our decision for us.

The fun started on Saturday with Egg Decorating.  I came across a great idea on pinterest using this:

Yep, Kool-aid.  The idea comes from Hey! Jen Renee and was too easy to pass up.  I also figured that my kids are so little if it was a fail, they wouldn't notice :-)   It mixed up much easier than the dies and it smelled SOOOO good.  The blog author gives a great color tutorial so you can see what each color of Kool-Aid looks like.

 It was a sunny, beautiful day, thus the hands over the eyes in these photos.

 The weather made it fabulous for egg decorating - we could do it outside.  I boiled a total of 12 eggs and gave each of the boys six. 

 See, the Kool-aid really does work!  The longer the egg stayed in the mix, the better the color.

Once the eggs were done, then the hands went in.  By the time the boys were done, their hands were black and I totally figured it wouldn't come off but we put them in the bathtub and their hands were 100% clean after bath time.  I am SOLD on the Kool-Aid!!

Sunday morning dawned dreary and rainy but doesn't that symbolize Easter?  (On a side note - during Pastor's message he talked about how fitting it was to wake up to a morning like that; then as he was talking about later in the day when Jesus arose - the sun starting shining through the church windows -it was so awesome!) We had thought about going to the Easter Breakfast at church but 3 1/2 hours is a little long for the kids at this point so instead we hung at home until time for church. (Breakfast, Sunday School, Church . .. )

 Our Family at Easter.  My hair looks really weird here . . not sure what is up with all the flatness.

Trying to get pictures of the boys is a chore right now - they prefer to make faces - which is fine because they are cute anyway :-)  Don't you love those sweaters?  I had bought them shorts; I have no idea what I was thinking!  :-)

At church on Sunday, I had the privilege to sing twice.  First, I sang an Old Quartet song by Brian Free and the Assurance called I'm doing this for You.



Then, I also was able to sing in a ladies quartet and we sang another old song called The Easter Song
 

 Both great songs!!

I had to share this photo too - the boys made these awesome crafts in Kids Korner during church.

We asked the boys about the crafts and they told us that Jesus got hurt on that cross for us. I love that they are learning about Jesus and the Bible.

When we got home, we gave the boys their Easter Baskets.  It's important to us to save the "eggs and candy" for after church because the real reason for the day IS Jesus Christ.  Not that we won't do things differently when they are older but right now, it is the way we like to do things :-)

 I must admit, I had so much fun shopping for these baskets.  Most of the stuff was $1.00 items from Walmart with the exception of new flashlights and those race cars. 

The squirt guns have been huge hits - they play with them in the bathtub right now since it is a little chilly to play outside with water.

Right after this, we had a snack of Cheese, Crackers, Salami and fruit to hold us over until I could get dinner ready.

 We were all a little hungry :-) 

 While I worked (and worked and WORKED) on dinner, the boys and Darryl worked on painting one of their new crafts they got in their Easter Basket.  I love Hobby Lobby - they have such great kid crafts!

FINALLY it was dinner time - Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Rolls, Green Beans, deviled eggs and Dessert.  Now, lets keep it real, ok.  I spent 3 hours in the kitchen on Easter.  I will not do that again.  Next year we are either going to just do KFC OR we'll get sides from KFC and I'll do the Ham in the Crock Pot.  This was WAY too much work!

We ended our day with an Easter Egg Hunt.

What did the eggs contain?  Some had money and some had jelly beans.  They boys loved opening them :-)  I have a few different ideas for next year including hiding only two colors of eggs and the boys have to find their own color :-)

We had an awesome Easter - it was a great time with the boys and they are still talking about the things we did.


 

A great surprise

I think there is nothing better than a fantastic surprise.  Whether it be something as simple as a surprise gift (like a frozen lemonade on a hot day) or a weekend away or something BIG - it is all fun!  Well, let me tell you, we managed to pull of a HUGE surprise on my parents this past week.

My oldest brother, Kel, and his family are missionaries in Brazil.  They went back to the field last August and we did not expect to see them again until August 2014.  (I think that is when they are coming back!).  When you have family in another country, it is like a little piece of you is missing because you cannot just go see them - they are really too far away to visit.  About two-three weeks ago, my brother called me with an idea.  In Brazil, they have airline price wars periodically and this time both Fortelaza, when he lives, and Detroit were included.  He was tossing around the idea of buying tickets and surprising my parents.  I mentioned how cool it would be since our dad is turning 70 this month.  That kinda sealed the deal and he bought the tickets.  I won't go into prices but will just say that he was able to get three round trip tickets for less then what they normally pay for one.  Yes, it was that good of a deal.  My brother Ken had the job of keeping my parents in town which was no easy matter.  For two people who NEVER do anything (or so it seems) they kept trying to plan trips out of town.  They planned a trip with Ken's kids to Chicago but Ken told them they had to be back on Wednesday because they had family plans (they didn't - Kel was flying in that day HA!).  Then they talked about go away on Thursday/Friday but again, Ken told them that they wanted to do something with them on Friday since it was the kids spring break (a lie HA).  Should I mention Ken is a pastor ?? hehehehe 

 On Wednesday morning, Darryl, the boys and I headed to my parents house.  Ken and Lynnette headed to the airport to pick up Kel, Deb and Micah.  The timing was perfect because as we pulled into town, Ken was pulling into his house.  We all met there to wait.  Apparently both my parents had appointments that morning and wouldn't be home for another hour.  Ken had made arrangements to make sure they would be home by noon. (Yep, another lie HA!)

 We used the time to hang out with Kel and family  - Kel was tickling Josh HA!

 Micah :-) He has grown up a lot just since last summer.

 Aunt Debby and Nate playing on the huge bean bag.

 Waiting in my parents garage while Seth, Ken and Lynnette are spinning stories to kill time.  HA!

Look closely through the door - can you see my parents - there is total shock on their faces.  My mom screamed so loud - we'll be talking about that for a long time HA! 

 Yep, they were very happy and very overwhelmed - it was 100% perfect :-)

 Ken had picked up pizza for lunch for us all (I think to make up for his lies HA!).  Plus Kel had requested pizza :-)

 My parents really had no idea about this surprise and I don't think we could ever beat this one.  All because my dad is turning 70 :-)

It was an awesome day.  We hung around and talked for hours before running errands.  I went with my sisters-in-law Deb and Lynnette and did a little shopping; Ken and Kel heading to the store to pick up stuff for dinner and Darryl took the boys for a long walk in the woods. 

I love this photo of the three cousins.  Nate followed Kate around like a puppy dog all afternoon.  Kate played with the boys all day and was so kind to them - she is such a sweet heart and I adore her!! 

There is more fun coming next weekend when we are all back together again :-)

Food Friday - Colorado Creme

Colorado Creme
adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

This is the dessert I made for Easter dinner and it was so good.  Darryl and I love Creme Brulle but have never made it - this reminded me of that but without the crispy sugar crust.  Now, I will admit, my "creme" did not turn out perfect - I didn't cook it quite enough to melt the geletin/sugar . I was afraid of over cooking it; therefore it was a little grainy but I LOVED it.  It was light and cool and the raspberries made it perfect!   I will be trying it again to try and perfect it - it would make a great dessert for company :-) 

Yield: Makes about 4 cups of “Crème” enough for about 6 dessert-sized portions

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 ½ cups light or regular sour cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Assortment of fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the gelatin, sugar and heavy cream until well combined. Set the saucepan on the stovetop burner and set the heat to low, stirring until the sugar and gelatin are dissolved and the mixture is barely warm to the touch. Be careful not to overheat the mixture – the purpose is simply to heat slightly to dissolve the sugar and gelatin.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and fold in the sour cream and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined. Pour the mixture into ramekins, dessert cups, small glass bowls or pots de crème. Chill for 2-3 hours or up to overnight. Just before serving, spoon fresh berries on top.

 

Weekly Menu

I'm really loving the Thursday shopping day.  I had found that trying to shop on Monday was not fun - after a busy weekend, the last thing I wanted to do was take the boys to the store.  Now, by the time we get to Thursday, we are ready to get out of the house anyway.  Plus, we go into the weekend with a full fridge instead of an empty fridge and a full fridge is ALWAYS more fun :-)

We ended up having leftover Easter dinner on Monday because there was SOOO much left.  And Wednesday ended up being a fun day which I'll post about later ;-)

Here is what the plan is this week!

Thursday:  Stuffed Shells, Green Beans and Garlic Bread - the meal from last week we didn't have.

Friday:  Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, Peas and French Bread.

Saturday: The plan is to eat out - I want to take the boys to play at Playland in the afternoon and we'll meet Darryl for Dinner

Sunday: Easy Peesy Broccoli Cheesy Soup, Rolls and Snicker Salad

Monday: Pan Fried Pork Chops, Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole, Green Beans and Peach Cobbler

Tuesday: This is a busy night!  The boys start gymnastics tonight and I have ladies meeting so we will grab a pizza on the way home from Gymnastics!  For Ladies Meeting I am planning to make Poolside Dip w/crackers and Knock you naked brownies (because I think it is funny to take them to church events HA)

Wednesday: Darryl has practice so the boys will have Mac and Cheese and I'm going to get a french bread pizza because I love them and Darryl doesn't :-)

Another fun week!

March - A Photo A day

March 1 - A Clock

The story: My watch.  It has sat on my desk awaiting a battery for about 2 years.  Yes, 2 years.  Why?  I would never remember to take it with me when I went to the mall.  Finally, on February 28th, I remembered and it is like I have an old friend back.  I have missed my watch - Time is my friend. 

March 2 - Morning

 The Story:  Our mornings consist of . . .watching cartoons so this is a normal occurrence in our house - a kid, kicked back on cushions piled high on the couch.  

March 3 - The Kitchen

The story:  This is just one counter in my kitchen . .  see those misc. cans and boxes?  That is thanks to my boys,  Anytime I say "It's time to fix lunch" the both go downstairs and grab random cans of food from the "extra kitchen" (i.e. the pantry) and carry them upstairs.  Generally, you can always find a can or two of some random food sitting there :-)

March 4 - Where I sat

The Story:  Not much of a story - every night, after the kids are in bed, I sit on the couch, covered in my new lap quilt and play on the computer, watch TV and pretend to work on paperwork.

March 5 - Sharp

The Story:  Icicles.  Sharp, cold and lots of fun.  My kids love them and I actually have them in my freezer so they don't melt.

March 6- What I wore.
Totally did not take a photo today :-)

March 7 - Hair

The Story - My boys have crazy hair especially since they need hair cuts right now :-)  No worries, they got haircuts in the middle of the month :-)

March 8 - A Mess

The Story:  We had a busy day - lots and lots and lots of playing.  Amazingly, it is all cleaned up before bedtime.

Ok . . and this is why I don't do these challenges HA!  I totally did not finish this challenge.  In my defense, some of the ideas were kind of out there and I really had no idea what to take a photo of.  Now, if they post one for April I may try it again . . we'll see!

Too Cute Not To Toot

The boys get more bumps and bruises now so I thought this idea from Cheerios and Lattes for Boo Boo Bunnies.

We love Orange Julius but only make them once or twice a year. Honestly, they have a lot of sugar in them but they are SOOOO good.  So when I saw this recipe from Gimme Some Oven, well I felt like it was something I need to try :-)

I tried one oven cleaning suggestion last month so I figured I might as well post this one from Cook it Allergy Free 
and try it out to see if it will actually work. 

I posted a sewing machine cover YEARS ago but I remember it was a full out sew like crazy cover . . .when I saw THIS idea over at Make it, Love It
well I figured I might actually be able to accomplish this - and my machine needs a cover! 

 
 There is a great envelope tutorial over at Oh Really Becky Forever 
that is just too good to pass by especially since I would like to find ideas to make simple cards for things like . .. thank yous. 

Happy Crafting!