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gingerbread and hot glue

January 4, 2010 Filed in crafts & art,family fun

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so yeah…i chickened out of the REAL gingerbread house.
and yeah…we didn't make our houses until december 30.

but WE DID IT.
and they really loved it.

i tried to build the tiny houses with grahm crackers and my royal icing but they wouldn't hold.
sean asked "can't we just hot glue it?"
i laughed "NO sean…we can't hot glue them…WAIT…we could HOT GLUE THEM!!!"
i told sean he was a genius.
(and he remembers)
it worked.
i told them to cover the glue with frosting so it didn't look too dorky.

you do what you gotta do to make it work….right?
it's not like we were going to eat them anyway.
 
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i LOVE group projects that start with everyone having the same materials.
and every single one turns out very different.
each personality shows on their work.
 
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i was happy that scott joined in.  
if there is candy involved…he is usually close by.  
annie was on hour 21 of those princess jammies.  
i had asked her to get dressed at noon and she said "but i'm just so cozy!"  
true.

they turned out to be a very cute little gingerbread neighborhood.
there's a benefit to having five kids…your gingerbread houses make a whole block!   
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annie covered her entire piece of cardboard with frosting and candy.
when she was finished she said "it looks like a gaw-den!"  she was right.
a beautiful candy garden.
 
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creative tree that talby made…her own idea completely.
and i loved the use of the swedish fish for a door!
Gg
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the happiest house on the block.    :)  

add a comment

Tracy - We too do our gingerbread houses after Christmas. It started a few years ago when I forgot that we bought the stuff, ran of time and then decided to make them on the 26th…we have been doing the same thing every year since.

judi - Love it! We never made ours this year at all – so now I am buying Valentine’s day candy and going to make a cupid cottage instead. I had thought about using hot glue – glad to see it worked. Will do that for sure. Also, since it won’t be edible – I like the glitter idea!

Jill - Hey… I whipped out the hot glue gun for our gingerbread houses this year too! Then I decided that since we already ruined the houses with glue, we might as well sprinkle glitter all over them too, you know, for sparkly snow? It was lovely and non-edible. Buddy, our chocolate lab, ate them anyway. There is glittery poop in my backyard now. The joys of the holidays! :o)

Kristine - hot glue IS genius! frosting not holding is exactly why i cringe at gingerbread houses. NO MORE! winter 2010 will be my year!

house for sale Philippines - Lovely gingerbread houses. Yummy 🙂
You guys are really great.
Deirdre G

Angelica Bays - Cute! And that dude of yours is gonna be a high-payin’ engineer someday ;o)

Kelli - I LOVE that you used hot glue! We too made ours after Christmas and got so frustrated that the house wouldn’t stay together! Guess we will have to use hot glue net year! Thanks for the tip! 🙂

Jaime Melcher - Love your gingerbread village! My mom hosted a huge gingerbread house- decorating party last Christmas & we used the trusty hot glue gun, as well. Worked like a charm!
Wanted to send a quick thanks for posting your yummy family recipes… I live in Little Rock and Mr. Weatherman says to expect the coldest weather we’ve seen in 15 years over the next 4 days. Needless to say, I’m stocking up at the grocery store today and plan on making your tortilla soup, potato soup and chocolate chip cookie bars! 🙂 Thanks and Happy New Year!

alyssa - Okay, I was able to vote for you over at the homies. You probably don’t care, but I wanted to make sure you knew. You know, just in case you picked me!
I am definitely making individual gingerbread houses next year. Why didn’t I think of that. Now Kade can destroy his own house! I love it.

Mrs. - Okay, what do I know? But…I know that if you add a GENEROUS helping of cream of tartar to your store-bought icing it makes it very thick and sticky (but NOT tasty). Also, if you think in advance, you can snag some of those empty kiddie milk cartons from school. If you “glue” your graham crackers to that base, they hold up really well.
Even so, yours are lovely. I wish we had done that (maybe next year), and maybe, because I have only 2 children, we can make it into a party and invite some friends. Boyo, I sure do have a lot of plans already for next year!

aubrey - You pick good candy–those look so good. Like as in tasty good. (And decorated nicely 🙂 )

Diana - Mmmmmm, hot glue… now that’s a genious idea!
ADORABLE houses!! They have their mama’s creativity! 😉

Kelly - uh, i’m the girl who once hot glued something to dirt . . . yeah. hot glue on gingerbread, Sean is a genius!

amanda - hot glued 25 for my son’s 2nd grade christmas party at school, also glued them to the chinaette(spelling?) plate – the kids loved them and no slipping, etc…love your blog!

Jaime - Glue gun was a great idea… who’da thunk it?
Love the pics… feels like I’m there with you all!

Becca Parker - Nothing wrong with hot glue! It is a miracle epoxy!

the inadvertent farmer - ROFL…yet another reason I could not live without my glue gun! Kim

christi - hi meg! i so love your blog!! thanks for all the beautiful photos and great stories. you are an inspiration to me.

Heather Giustino - LOL! We always hot glued ours too!!! Love the gingerbread neighborhood – too cute!

Sara - Love it! Whatever works, right? Upon a recommendation we made some with whipped frosting from a can – it actually worked really well. We did use a piece of yarn around the perimeter for stability, but other than that it was 100% edible! Pics are here: http://sarasdailydetails.blogspot.com/2009/12/ive-been-looking-for-something-fun-and.html
BTW, I don’t comment much, but I love your blog and it’s been such a great source of inspriation for me!!
Happy New Year!

MOW - Glue gun=genius idea…
Growing up me, my sisters and all my cousins would collect the little milk cartons from school, rinse them out, take them home, slap frosting on those, and then graham crackers and decorate! Just another way to keep it all together!
I’m 23, and gingerbread houses is a family tradition that I look forward to the most at Christmas!

purejoy - mmmmm… looks like deliciously good fun!
i’ve never tackled a gingerbread house with my kids. maybe next year. (i’ll have to get the sedatives before hand)

meaghan - okay…A. having 5 kids makes hauling all that stuff out so much more worth it, and 2. i made your rainbow cake today for my son’s 2nd bday!! it tastes even better than it looks (if possible)!

Traci - i think i see lemonheads. my favorite!!

gina - We made these and just used canned frosting that I had put in the fridge over night- it makes it very thick!. We also braced the roof with little stacks of candy instead of another piece of “gingerbread”.

Kelsey - haha totally used hot glue on my gingerbread house this year too!!

Courtney Walsh - I have never made one of these…but the problems it that I am a total candy junkie!! I would’ve eaten all those Mike and Ikes long before they were glued down!

Staci - We didn’t do gingerbread houses this year ;( Looking at the fun you guys had….I’m sad I didn’t just suck it up and do it!! LOVE the idea of hot glue!!!!!! I think My Jake stayed in his pajamas the ENTIRE Christmas Break 🙂 LOVE IT!!! And now…it’s back to reality today! Happy New Year!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - Hot glue or not, your photos make them look deliciously edible!

Laura Phelps - my kids would have eaten them
glue and all

Trina - I am with you…. that icing is a pain in the butt…..and loved that you used graham crackers.. brilliant!
xx Happy New Year!
Trina

Jainatina - My family always uses hot glue to hold the houses together. It helps them withstand the holiday season. 🙂 We also use pampered chef gingerbread house molds… which turn out super heavy chunks of cookie so the only thing that can hold them together is hot glue. ^^ Tuns of fun.

Ryanne - I can’t believe you let your kids make crafts on such a pretty tablecloth.

Jennifer - We bought a prefabricated house and it still fell apart! I did everything they said, yet still, within about 20 minutes everything slid and the house became condemned. Thank God my husband is handy. He came home and drilled their house together-not sure how exactly, but it worked and Christmas was saved. You have to do what works, I agree. Your family looks so fun! We loved doing your pompom ornament craft. 🙂

Jenny - Brilliant! Loved it!

Vera - Those are some seriously awesome gingerbread houses!! Love all the color – they just make me happy looking at them!
My trick is to beat the royal icing (the real egg, cream of tartar, powdered sugar kind!) for like 5+ minutes until stiff, it’s glue-ier than glue that way.

shari - I LOVE the hot glue on the gingerbread houses… makes it a much more enjoyable experience for everyone involved!! We never eat them, so it’s no big deal. GREAT houses! I wish we had done them this year but we ran out of time. DEFINITELY next year!!!

H-Mama - They look perfect. We made ours after Christmas too. 😉 I’m going to have to remember hot glue for next year!! We never eat them either!

Kelly - This is always an after-Christmas project we do with my inlaws. They aren’t coming until this weekend 🙂 Your houses are adorable!

diane - we always made graham cracker houses growing up and I think most of the time they were hot glued. I am looking forward to starting this tradition with my little ones. Those are great photos!

Amanda Jo - Too cute! Kids are so creative!

Darlene - The icing never works – even though it seems like glue. You’ll be surprised to know I actually just bought a glue gun. Now I’ve got the power in me to glue anything that comes my way. Happy glue-ing!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - Looks very similar to our gingerbread neighborhood 🙂 And my kids never got dressed the whole two weeks, so don’t feel bad!

Ashley - So fun! With only one child we sure didn’t have a whole block of houses!! And this is after the fact…but I melted sugar in a pan and then used that to connect the crackers…but it prob would have just been easier to use hot glue…not like you eat them!!! :0)

No.17CherryTreeLane - wait….is there something wrong with glue guns? because that’s how we roll…..

Rachel - So cute! It’s so neat how they are all so different.

Susan - Love the idea of hot glue! We never end up eating those things anyway…great job!

tasha roe - awesome idea! and no one would have known about the glue hidden under the frosting anyway. 😉 They do look yummy!

stodd - We use hot glue too! I did read somewhere last year that if you add a little bit of cream of tartar to your icing, it dries really hard and holds well. But, I like the glue better… the kids are kind of rough as they decorate. It’s one of their favorite things to do. In fact, we made haunted houses for Halloween and gingerbread for Christmas!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I think we need to start a mom of the year award. You would rock that category I think with all the fun stuff you do with your kids. Adorable house:)

Karina - I should have used hot glue – we used icing instead and my waistline does NOT thank me!!! We (OK, a lot of it was just ME) ate the whole house – thank goodness I have “only” three children and wasn’t tempted to eat a whole block’s-worth!!!

Scrappy Girl - That tree is fabulous! So creative! We have never made houses…it’s on the list for next year!

julia - we had major structural problems with our gingerbread house. it only lasted 24 hours before the roof caved in. i should have called the insurance company and blamed it on a hurricane and collected money to fix the roof and then turn around and use the money to buy a new gingerbread car. it’s a florida thing.

Ashley Ann - He is a genius…wish I had thought of that one!

feather - well, you aren’t the first mom to use hot glue on gingerbread houses. seriously, i think our culture should do away with houses and go to gingerbread piramids. the egyptians had it right. just lean everything into on nice little point on the top. why are we trying to fight gravity?

Amy C. - I starting doing the “real deal” gingerbread house about 3 years ago. I checked out a book called Gingerbread Houses:building and making memories by Nonnie Cargas. Recipes
for the house work great.
We made a train last year and a tree this year.
What I’ve learned is make the dough and icing 2 days before you need it. Cut and roll out the house the next day. Let it sit overnight to firm up. Decorate it the next day.
I store royal icing in mason jars. It keeps it from drying out until you are rady to use it.
It is too crazy for me and a very long day to try to do it all at once. More enjoyable to break up the steps for me and the kids.
The hot glue cracks me up.

Nancy - You bet, I used my glue gun,too … best secret in town! It will keep us sane and that is a good thing.

Andrea - We used the caramelized sugar for the first time and thought it was revolutionary! But, since everyone only picks off the candy and never eats the graham cracker part, hot glue is brilliant!

Amber - hahahahaha. hot glue! we should have done that. our gingerbread house looked like a smeary mess! But my daughter’s hands were covered in goodies and she sure like that. 😉

Holly - ok I love that you hot glued them! How funny! You gotta do what works,lol!

Joanna @ The Casa - Great houses! I love how she is standing on the chair. I remember being that into a project when I was little.

Jenn Grigoryev - i tried to use caramelized sugar on my gingerbread house, only to realize that 20 minutes of whisking and burnt fingers produced something that looked EXACTLY like hot glue. so i busted out the glue gun and finished up and boy was i WAY happier. my husband claims it’s cheating, but it’s not like anyone was going to eat month-old gingerbread anyway, right?

PaisleyJade - Those are just so cool!!! Never made a gingerbread house but you have inspired me (and also made me open to the idea of a hot glue gun and trying to make one well after Dec 25th!)

rachel - HAHAHA love this post – the kids have made a lovely job and who wouldn”t want to live in a block like that 😀

your cool friend Cheryl - If you look closely at the pics of our gingerbread houses, you’ll see I totally used my glue gun, too!
We’ll never eat anything that’s been so man handled by a 3 yr old and anyway, I don’t trust that icing one bit…

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first post of the year!

January 2, 2010 Filed in family fun,special,traditions

we enjoyed january 1, 2010 by sharing a candle lit dinner with our kids.
Candles
we even ate in the actual dining room.
with the christmas plates and glasses.
sean set the table with a tablecloth and got to light the candles…by himself!
(that is pretty exciting stuff if you are 9)

Card
talby made place cards and made the seating arrangement.
everyone was in charge of making one dish each…whatever they wanted.
(craig and i helped them)

Sean
the good kind.
velveeta brand…nothing but the best for a fancy dinner.

Scott
we made these on new years eve so made another batch last night too.
ALL fancy dinners have hot wings. (pioneer woman recipe)

Potatoes
since she was in charge there was no cheese on top…because she doesn’t like melted cheese.
she likes cheese…but not when it melts…except on pizza…that melted cheese is ok.

Me
i had to push the fruit.
our kids would eat starch and sugar 24 -7 if we let them.
(and so would i)

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everyone was cooking at once.
annie chose PANCAKES as her dish.
craig helped her make 6 chocolate chip pancakes….mmmm.

Milk
the kind from the store…in the milk section.
TREAT!

Frog
Cheers
fancy dinners also have napkins bibs…and tiaras.

Eat
and you know what?
there were no spills.
no fights.
no mean words.
and no crying.

it was a LOVELY meal.
i am sure this is a tradition we keep.

(ps: lauren wanted NOTHING to do with us.  she took a plate of food & ate alone in her room by choice)

***************************************************************************

 

add a comment

Rachel / cREaTe - that is HYSTERICAL. 1st photo & text, i thought this was indeed a big fancy, formal event. then as the menu played out my smile just got bigger. hilarious. your kids will remember that forever. 🙂 so fun to let kids be kids and run the show once in awhile.

Diana - I would have helped Talby with those mashed taters! They look scrumptious! {I don’t like cheese melted on anything but pizza either… well, maybe on cheeseburgers, too.}
LOVELY family, LOVELY meal… such LOVE!
Happy New Year to all of you!

the inadvertent farmer - Raising my glass of chocolate rice milk in your direction…cheers! Have a happy, healthy, and blessed new year, Kim

Logan - You are a fun mom. I know it isn’t perfection all the time, but you are creating wonderful memories for your kids and I love reading about your adventures and seeing the pictures. Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Laura Phelps - we got a hamster and a case of beer on New Years Day.
hmmm….
I am feeling like I have fallen a little short here…

Amanda Garrett - Your family is too cute. I always enjoy reading your blog. Happy New Year!

Amy - What a great idea! So cute! 🙂

Vicki - How wonderful to live in a house where the hum in the background is filled with laughter, happy busy chatter (okay, maybe a fight or two now and then, and memory making. You gotta feel the love, just gots too. Even if your not sitting at the table but up in your room, you still feel it. That’s the stuff that you take with you when you leave home and go out into the world on your own. When you start a family of your own and some how automatically know what it means to be a family. It’s cause your mom did stuff like this.
I think we started a tradition at our house too this year. We have little ones so we did a brunch for New Years day with family and friends. It was so much better than staying up late with little kiddos and having them be grumpy all day. Think we’ll do it next year. Happy New Year!

Jenn Grigoryev - i can’t wait till my three boys are big enough to try this idea out. what a fun mom you are.

amy jupin - this looks fun!
too bad lauren didn’t want to join y’all…one day that too will change! 🙂
happy happy new year, my friend!

jessica - Oops! Typo. You make my day with “your posts”…..not no posts. You are the best! Thanks for inspiration and smiles!!
Jessica, Alabama

jessica - Can’t stand it anymore. Had to comment! I have been a long-time blog stalker. I just love it!!! You made my day with no posts and always make me smile. After reading this post I had to tell you…..you are seriously the best mommy on the planet. I cannot believe you balance five kiddos so well, and you are just a spring chicken yourself. Kuddos to you, your beautiful family, and all of your fabulous ideas. Cheers and Happy New Year!!!
-Jessica, Alabama

WizzyTheStick - I tried family dinner on my birthday. The results was sad or hilarious, depends on if you are a cup half full or half empty kinda person. From reading this post I’m guessing you fall into the former category. Great share. Loved this peek into your family life.

aubrey - You have such a lot of really good ideas and I really like this one. When my kid are big enough to do their own cooking, I think I’ll try this one. Maybe by then we’ll have a dining room too. 😉
Oh, and I feel like a jerk that I didn’t buy chocolate milk for any meals over the holidays–I’ll have to remember to do that next year. It’s so nice when the little ones are so easily satisfied. 😉
I have to say (even though I haven’t had teenagers yet, but stil remember being one)–it’s kind of cool that you let Lauren have her space and exercise her independence (within reason it looks like). My parents didn’t let me and I resented it sometimes, but I came around anyway. I think you’re doing a really really good job as a mom.

Liesl - How fun! Meg, what are your christmas dishes. They look so fun!! I am looking for holiday/winter tableware . . .
Thanks – I enjoy your posts and your creativity. Happy New year!!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - That fruit salad looks SO good…the other stuff looks good because for once a mother knows it will ALL be eaten! Everyone’s happy, yeah!!!!

Julie - now, THIS is why i love your blog. Incredible family. incredible inspiration. happy new year!

DreamGirlLisa - Love it! Carbs rule!!!!
Lauren will come back to you, teenage years are a challenge, but fun too.

gina - Looks like a great tradition to start! My 15 yo calls most things we do, that she joins “Triple F”. >sigh<

Dena Rooney-Berg (sugarshop) - What a seriously fun dinner!!! Thanks for linking to my Pineapple Vodka post! Not only did it lead me to your site (LOVE it) but it’s been fun to meet some of your readers as well! Can’t wait to see how your Pineapple Vodka turned out and to see if it was a hit. XOXO

julia - in a few years Lauren will say “why aren’t I in any of the pictures???”

Christina - This is so great! I LOVE your fancy dinner. What a fantastic idea…everyone looks like they had such a good time.
When you said the kids would eat sugar/starch 24/7, but so would you I chuckled…the apples never fall far from the tree. It’s true here, too. My youngest has a new play kitchen from Christmas, and she has been cooking these last few days. I think she’s made chicken once (which she doesn’t really eat), and the rest of her creations have been chocolate. 🙂

Dianne Avery - Looks like a perfect evening! Fun pics as usual. 🙂

Kelly - Such fun! I love y’all’s definition of a fancy dinner! I am excited to have fancy dinners with my kids one day! Right now I can tell the baby likes to eat because he/she usually kicks during dinner. 🙂 Kelly

Karen - What a great Mom you are! My two cents says ‘make’ her participate. We had the same troubles w/ our oldest. At one point I mustered everything I had not to push him out of the car on a vacation, but to hear him tell it now, it was THE BEST vacation! Unreal! (Was he on the same vacation with us??? He made it MISERABLE from beginning to end!) Kids. Go figure.

renee cauley - What a great night… Don’t worry bout Lauren, kids do the funniest things…. Mine are all grown now and they want to hang out with us and go on vacations with us… strange… its all good. I just love your blog…Have a happpy 2010

Mrs. - Sorry about Lauren. My oldest is 12 and I am really, REALLY having a hard time LIKING her. I can’t believe that we shared the same food, air and blood for 9 months. She seems so disconnected from me. I imagine soon she will want to eat alone like Lauren as well. *sigh!*

Lorilee - How fun to cook together. I usually cook alone! Sometimes my sweety will help, but the boys run and hide! I’m not sure where I went wrong!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Erin V. - What a great idea! I love the fun stuff you come up with to do with your kids!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Aw man…I wondered about Lauren. Thought for sure her dish would be something really cool – like sushi or something olivey.
Sounds like good ol’ messy fun! And the menu is to die for.

Christian@Modobject at Home - “…there was no cheese on top…because she doesn’t like melted cheese.
she likes cheese…but not when it melts…except on pizza…that melted cheese is ok.”
My seven year old son’s sentiments EXACTLY.

Lori - Great family time idea. And aren’t teenagers just the best?! If it’s any consolation, our teen daughter was exactly the same. But as she turned 18 and nears the time to go to college, she seems to enjoy some of our family times more than she used to.
Thanks for all of your real, sometimes funny and sometimes touching posts. The present you opened from your parents made me cry too.

Rach - What a fun tradition! Great to get everyone working together.

Vera - This is SO much better than black eyed peas and ham hocks and greens ha! Sounds like a great, fun, and yummy tradition!!

Sue K. - HaPpY NeW yEaR!1! Wow. What a great tradition! I love it…gonna copy this one for sure! So Im wondering, who helped with the cleanup?? That is the worst part by far for me 😛
Blessings to you and your family in 2010.

Shari Barnes - Is that a Jenn Air gas cooktop in the island? We have one and it looks very similiar – LOVE it! 🙂 Looks like a geat meal!!!

jeanne - I love all the sweet things that your family does together!!! I truly believe that someday your “children will rise up and call you blessed”.

Melanie - You are a great mom, Meg! You are the fun mom and your kids will remember these things that you do for them. Sorry about Lauren:( I just don’t know what to say about that. I have a 15 yr. old son and I haven’t had the ‘teen’ thing happen. I know that I am lucky and I wish that for you.

Heather Giustino - How fun!!! Everything you guys made sounds so yummy (especially the Velveeta mac ‘n cheese – my “yucky” treat!) We had a fancy dinner too, and even drank sparkling cider out of champagne glasses : )
Happy New Year to you and your sweet family!

Kate - That all looks lovely!
Eeek, teenagers are vile creatures! heh heh

Tanya - Adorable! Great first post of the year!

Naomi - I don’t comment often, but read ALWAYS. What a FUN tradition. Can we borrow and copy it?
Still making that rainbow cake you posted about eons ago!

immyyas - This was really sweet. What a fun idea & a great way to include each kiddo. I might have to steal this idea… : )

H-Mama - you’re such a fun mom. 😉

Mindy - This is so much fun! I am stealing it for our fam! My kids are little though so it might be hard for them to help a lot but at least they could each choose. Don’t worry about Lauren, I was the same way when I was her age and I turned out okay … just takes a while sometimes. You are a great mom!

stef - the chocolate milk part made me LOL. My kids would love fancy dinners at your place 🙂
Happy New Year!

mary - awesome!
and don’t worry a bit about lauren
i remember how i was at that age
and my sister, my cousins, my friends, etc
chocolate milk rocks…and annie is a good pancake chooser(tell her i said that she will giggle)

sandy toe - Sounds perfect.
sandy toe

se7en - Lovely tradition – Oh keep it up!!!

Tiffany Morris - How fun is this! You guys do some really cool things… thanks for sharing ideas with all of us!
Hugs – Tiffany

Keri R. - I am just like Talby! I love cheese but not when its melted! Unless of course on Pizza!!! Happy New Year!

Pineapple Princess - I love how you celebrate! So fun! 🙂
Happy New Year to you and your awesome family!!

Kimberly - What a wonderful idea!!! Happy New Year!
Kimberly
http://yeptheyareallmine.blogspot.com/

Kelly - What fun! And too bad Lauren missed out! It looks like a great time! I love traditions like this! We have a similar one on New Year’s Eve 🙂
And I agree on the chocolate milk from the store. My boys go crazy when we have that stuff in the house! I actually almost got it for our New Year’s Eve bash but opted for orange pop in bottles which was a big hit too. 🙂 Happy New Year!

Courtney Walsh - Seriously agree about the chocolate milk from the store in the fridge section. What is it about that stuff? It’s like dessert. Yum.
I love your fancy dinner. 🙂 Good stuff, Meg!

Jacci - Great fun 🙂 Sorry Lauren was a stinker.
Categories are also great fun! Thanks!!! And Happy New Year 🙂
~Jacci in Ohio

Georgia - Happy new year!
I LOVE the fancy dinner idea, its brilliant!!!
Im the same as Talby, melted cheese is Yukky except on pizza, or Pasta is ok. 🙂 🙂
xxx

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - Happy New Year, Meg!!! What a beautiful meal with your beautiful family! Thanks for the categories. I’m not new, but I like to go back from time to time to find things, so that will be very helpful!

sarah - So fun!! I love that everyone made a dish, and the chocolate milk in pretty christmas glasses.
I love that Annie made pancakes… since that’s what they chose to eat, when we had enchiladas, when I was her age… or maybe just a few years ago, I probably would have chosen pancakes too!

Dina - What a great New Year tradition! My kids are 5, 3, and 1 and always WANT to help cook … but really I must draw the line:-) … I guess I need to step back and just enjoy the fact that they WANT to take part in meal preparation:-)
Happy New Year!!!!

Nicole Q. - love the idea of the kids each making a dish. good idea . i also bawled at your xmas gift from your dad . . . what a neat gift and so much meaning!!! Happy New Year!

diane - I love this idea!
I totally get Talby and her cheese preferences.
I don’t like cheese but I love queso. My husband likes to point out that what I am really saying is, I don’t like cheese, but I love cheese.
At almost 31, I am starting to branch out though. Maybe in this next decade I can simply say, I like cheese.
Happy New Year!

Holly - That sounds like fun! We actually started off 2010 by having cresent chicken and the kids LOVED it!
Happy New Year to you and your family!

carissa... brown eyed fox - i love it! we have got to get on the kids making a dish thing… seen yall do that before too… i just love that!
now…
raising my coffee mug right now… wait… hold on… okay…
{cheers}
here’s to an awesome year!
and meg… i have to say…
thanks for being such a big inspiration in my life in 09.
you make me laugh… hard.
you make me cry… just yesterday.
you make me want to dance… even if i look like a fool.
thanks girl! big hugs… buckets of blessings!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - LOVE IT! What a wonderful way to bring in the New Year. I love everyone in the kitchen making their favorite dish. Great pics of all of you. Just warms my heart:)
Oh and your daughter being a teenager…that just kills me. I swear when my kids get to that stage I’m gonna need a pill or something to help me get through it:0

michelle - so fun Meg! what a great idea and a wonderful memory created. we might have to try it. i think it would be interesting just to see what it would be that my kids would chose as their dish. hmmmm? too bad about Lauren. sadly, i would have probably been just like her. always bucking the system i was. she’ll come around.
happy new year my dear friend!
xoxo

Staci - What a FUN night!!!!!!! I am soooo glad there was no fighting!!! I wish your dear sweet family the Happiest of New Years!!!!!!!!!!!!

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christmas recap part 5…final.

December 31, 2009 Filed in family fun

after the wedding we made it to my parents.
their street was plowed only 20 minutes before we got there.

my sister and her family came in the morning.
our kids were anxious for present time.
really anxious!
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maya wanted gator golf so bad.  she was so excited when she opened it.  
sean got night vision goggles….sweeeeet.  (hand-me-down shirt…by the way)
 
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talby got the fancy nancy doll but was worried the big kids were going to tease her…she loves it.
annie opened the backpack and shouted "A BACKPACK!!! for when i go to KINDERGARTEN! YAAAAYYYY!"
(is she trying to break my heart?!)
 
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new toy for lorel.
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new toy for craig.

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my sister got me that cute hat so i put it on right away.  
talby was showing me her new doll clothes.
i woke up that morning with something in my eye so i have no make-up on…
(i am just sure you were wondering!!)

i told you last year that my dad usually gives me & my sister a b&w photo
from when we were kids that he took.
so i could feel this was that gift through the wrapping paper.
i opened it and it was something i wrote when i was little.
this was total surprise.

as i read the first line i assumed it was going to be all things i didn't do so it would be funny.
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then i read the last line and i BURST into tears.

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so now i look even crazier.
oh well.
it was really special.  
thanks mom and dad.  
see….i AM an accomplished woman! (i'm trying to convince myself still on a daily basis)
i am doing what i always dreamed of. 
i think i was 2nd or 3rd grade when i wrote that….that is how old talby and sean are now. 
such a special gift.

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craig helped maya open gator golf right away.
macy didn't make it into any of my shots…or scott?
he got a reggie bush jersey and was THRILLED.
 
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my sister made my mom that R covered in colored pencils.  
i think my mom is pretending to be sharpening all those pencils.  
i told my sister that i started making one of those for her once but i quit
before i finished because it took so long sha
rpening!

i love that R.

after gifts we had a yummy lunch of ham, turkey and potatoes…mmmmm.
then we sent the kids out to play in the snow.
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it ended in screaming tears from sean and tons of wet clothing.
that's the annoying part about snow.

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some UNO and Old Maid before we all packed up to go home.
 
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we made it home around 10 PM and our christmas celebrations were over for 2009.
it was a good one.

happy new year.           

add a comment

Gwyn Rosser - Just found your blog today through Flea Market Style magazine. Soooo, I’ve been reading your older posts and totally enjoying every one of them! I keep wanting to comment but don’t want to stop reading long enough to do so. However….THIS one really got me. I burst into tears too when I read about the sweet gift from your Dad. God is so good to give us “the desires of our heart”. I too have been blessed to live out my dream — all I ever wanetd to “be” was a wife and mother. Now, here I am, just turned 58 on Weds. and I still am having a blast, living my dreams. God is so Good!
Praying that your trip to Africa is everything the LORD desires it to be. Blessings on all of you. We have several friends serving in various places in Africa, and more friends are moving there. Our church takes mission trips there a couple times a year and every time they return, someone else has been called to live there full time. I tell ya, if my friends keep moving to Africa — I’m gonna be “forced” to go there just to visit 🙂 Blessings,
Gwyn Rosser @ The Pink Tractor
http://www.gwynrosser.blogspot.com

Danielle - Just found your blog today. I must say the gift your mom and dad gave you is the coolest thing ever. I can totally see why you burst into tears, just reading it made me!

Wendy - Meg, I have not been by in forever. I’ve been immersed in setting up my photo biz. I missed it here.
What a sweet gift your parents gave you! I love sentimental gifts so much. My mom made us three girls (tatertotsandjello is my sister) quilts made from my dad’s old fleece sweatshirts and sweatpants. She has kept them for 5 years since he passed away with the intention of finishing these beautiful quilts. I just love mine. It’s the best Christmas gift I have ever been given, I think. I need to post pics on my blog.
Anyway, I shall be back more often.

Diana - Oh, Meg, you dear, sweet girl….
One of my favorite shows was “Little House on the Prairie” and in one episode Ma speaks to Laura about a wife and mother being all things… teacher, nurse, etc. And, personally, I believe that no matter what, we mothers have the best “job” that God could have ever entrusted us with.
And honey, just wait… it gets better. Wait ’til you are a grandma. 😉
P. S. You do not need that makeup {I would never have guessed}… you are LOVELY as you are!

Kanefamilyties.blogspot.com - Tears on this end – so special!
Kari

Ann - My mother in law gave me a Santa drawing my husband did when he was 8 – especially touching since my oldest son turned 8 in December. I think I had the same reaction you did. I love your blog.

Sew Create It - Jane - Hang on while I get a tissue…that gift from your parents is so touching! You just can’t make that stuff up…just beautiful…thanks for sharing!

teri - Incredible gift! Your parents are something special for keeping that all these years for you!
And this reminds me to save all the special things my children write.
Thank you so much for your lovely blog and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Allison - That was such a wonderful post!! It’s always the simple things that make Christmas such a special day.
Is there any way you can post how to make the color pencil “R”? I love that!

aimy - amazing gift from your dad. i, too, cried. the “R” is sweet. i collect “Y”s and this gives me an idea for a homemade one. loved it! also… those peppermint sticks are THE BEST. wal-mart special? bobs peppermints… made in mexico… hmmm…. but yum!

Sandy - It made me cry too. Thanks for sharing your holidays with us. I also love the candle lit dinner that the kids helped with. I wish my kids were young again so I could steal some of your ideas, but my oldest is 20 and my youngest is Lauren’s age…enough said. 🙂

design wanna-be - I love the colored pencil “R”! -oh, and the framed letter was also sweet 🙂

rhonda - thanks for making ME burst into tears over the gift from your parents!
adn i love the R!

Janet Biernacki - Last year for Christmas I gave our 3 kids framed letters. They were written to them from their paternal grandpa. Originally they got them in 1991 in response to get-well letters they had written to him. He died in Jan. 1992 from cancer. When I re-discovered them tucked away in my desk..I knew I wanted them to have them now, but how to keep them safe? (our kids are in their 20’s and still fairly mobile in life style). So along w/a photo of them w/grandpa Dave, they got their own letter in a frame large enough to not get lost in various moves.
Yes,there were tears from all of us, but that’s okay. It was a very tender time.
3 cheers to your dad for his gifts to you.

Kristine - 1. my mom made me a scrapbook for my 30th birthday and included some of my writing from my youth. i wrote in an essay similar to yours that i wanted to have a boy and a girl and name them either Dennis and Denise or Tiffany and Toby. and i wanted to be a teacher so i could boss kids around. anytime someone needs a good laugh we recall some of those embarassing notes. my my…
2. any chance your sister wants to take some orders for that amazing pencil letter?!?! when i saw the pic i thought surely it was made by you. your family is so crafty!

Andrea - Your present just made ME cry.

Donna - I love the gift from your dad! Those are the best gifts!!!

traci - oh meg. that gift from your dad is just precious. how thoughful. looks like you guys had a great christmas. love all the photos. happy new year!!

Karin Katherine - What a fantastic gift from your father!
I want to do that for my kids one day!

Christy - That letter from when you were a kid totally made me bawl! Even before I read you cried (which is another sure sign I will cry – when someone else does). *lol* That was so touching! I think in a matter of speaking you have accomplished everyone one of those things in your role as a Mother & I definitely think you are an Artist! Love that it is a part of your parent’s tradition to give you gifts like that.
PS. That R is awesome too!

Nina - that’s such a special gift from your mom and dad…very sweet. You’re an awesome person!

luci - You made me cry too. A very special Christmas gift indeed. Best wishes for joy, peace, and prosperity in 2010!

Kasey - What a thoughtful gift from your dad! It made me cry too. : )

jeanne - I am laughing from Kana’s comment!!! So funny. I love what your dad gave you and your reaction. On days that are hard I really try to remind myself…stop…remember….you have everything you EVER dreamed of. Doesn’t perspective change everything?? I love who you are!

Kae - Happy New Year!! I love what your dad gave you! Your reaction is priceless. Thanks for sharing that. hehe Best wishes to your family this year & thanks for your fun blog!!

kana - I am just LOVING that crying photo of you….doesn’t that tender heart make you mad!!! Happy New YR to you and congrats on the blog finals!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - You made ME cry with that one! Isn’t that SO cool? You hang that right on your kitchen wall where you can see it everyday…all the days of total chaos when you need to remind yourself that you are doing your life’s work.

the wild raspberry - you have such a good heart meg.
happy new year to you and your family~
chasity

Dina - What an amazing gift. My aunt gave me my grandmother’s recipe box this year and I can’t even describe (well, you know how I felt…:-) …) that special special feeling to be so blessed as to not only receive such a special gift but the fact that my aunt gave that little box to me…ME. It truly is the thought that counts. The fact that your dad saved that paper all these years and seemed to know the perfect year to give it to you:-) Makes a heart happy.

Elisa - Happy New Year Meg!

Erin Goodman - What an awesome gift! You are such an accomplished person! You inspire me through your blog. I can only imagine how blessed your family and friends feel you have you! I don’t have kids, but if I did, I would want to be a mother like you.
Erin 🙂

maribeth - i cried with you! so sweet that he kept that all these years and knew when to give it back to you. it is an amazing accomplishment!

carissa... brown eyed fox - must be… has to be… is the best gift i’ve seen!
your hand written note.
such insight you had! and how accomplished you ARE!
a TEACHER to MANY!
a NURSE of boo boos & spirits!
a truly terrific MOTHER!
made me cry too… to see your joy!
what a FULL Christmas… thanks for sharing!
and meg… wishing you & your beautiful family a blessed NeW YeAr!
bountiful in goodness & love!

Meredith - Aw Meg…you made me cry. Imagine how proud your Dad must have been finding that note, framing it for you and so excited in wanting to acknowledge and honour the woman you’ve grown into.
Sometimes, if we’re really lucky, real life turns out to be better than we ever imagined…even as a 2nd grader. Meredith xo.
p.s. being a mother, surely you qualify as a nurse and teacher anyway, right?

Elyse - I love your dads gift!!! you ARE an accomplished woman, in the most important, incredible, awesome way! Happy New Year~

Julie - I started to cry when I read the last line, too! Such a thoughtful gift. You are *such* an accomplished woman.
I love the “R”, too! That’s awesome!

immyyas - What an amazing gift from your mom & dad!!! I teared up as I was reading it… almost sounds ust like me when I was that age – except the artist part… I’m not good at any of that stuff. Being a good mommy is a HUGE accomplishment – from reading your blog it looks as though you are great!
P.S. Totally dind’t notice you didn’t have makeup on but then looked closer after I read that… then I thought to myself I would have thought people noticed too. How funny!

Kara - Copying what the others have said…What an amazing gift from your mom and dad! I love sentimental gifts like that. Loved the R too.

Gina - This is the first time for me to visit your blog. I immediately cried after reading the gift from your Dad…how wonderful!
I love the pencil covered R…I would love the directions to make one.
I will definitely visit your blog again.
Happy New Year

emily - what a wonderful gift from your dad!!! and that “R” . . . how fun!!!
but the reggie jersey . . . now that’s fantastic!!!! a saints fan all the way in kansas!!!

Tammy Alfultis - love the gift from your dad. it made me cry too.

Heather Giustino - That present your dad got you is so, so sweet! I would have been bawling too! You are such an accomplished woman, and I thank you for letting us read about your fun life!!
Wishing you and your family all the best in 2010!

Kirsten - Oh your dad got me with that present – totally teared up!
thanks so much for sharing your family…my mom is from Kansas, and it’s been 30+ years since I visited, but you make me want to come knock on your door. Oooh, I hope that doesn’t sound stalkerish.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You know the reason I read every one of your posts?? You let us in and share your sweet life. I have so loved getting to know you this year.
You made me cry…just seeing you cry about that framed piece…that is something I would have done. You just have a tender heart:)
Loved the hat and the colored pencil letter thingy. Need a tutorial on that:)
Hope you have a fabulous year Meg. Thanks for being such a blessing to me day after day!!

Jess - It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. How fun! You HAVE to teach me how to make those colored pencil letters. I love it! I have lots of colored pencils left over from teaching. :o)

Kelly - Oh my word! That was so sweet of your dad! I teared up reading it! What’s weird is your’s is the third blog to talk about lifelong dreams and motherhood today.
Can I ask why you pointed out that the Abercrombie shirt is a hand me down? I have a strong opinion about that company so I was just wondering.
I loved your Christmas recaps! Thanks for sharing!

H-Mama - such a wonderfully fun and creative family you have!! love that!

Michelle - What a lovely gift from your dad. So precious that they’d kept it all these years!
I have to get directions for making the colored pencil letters!! Do you have a site where you learned what to do? I’d love to do it for/with my daughter.
~Michelle

Melanie - Oh Meg, you are just like me. My mom gave me Caden’s handprints that she had copied on the copy machine at work when he was two yrs. old. and I cried like a baby. I love things like that that don’t cost a dime but really mean something. Thank you for sharing that with us. It was beautiful. You had great penmanship (sp?) back in the second grade!

Courtney - I love that your dad does that for you guys each year – and I’m glad I’ve heard about it now so that I can be mindful of it so that I can give that special gift to my kids someday – you know when they’ll appreciate it lol.
The paper you wrote was precious, and the fact that you’ve now got it framed, and what you said then to have the meaning it does now in your life – yeah, it made me cry too and it’s not mine and we don’t even know each other LOL!

Priscila - seriously super cute!!!! I would cry too. the only think I have of when I was little was a christmas card someone wrote me in Kindergarten. We still have it…its says ” I lick you” instead of I like you. We laugh every year hahah

Angel/TaDa! Creations - Oh my! I started tearing up when I read what your dad gave you, just before you said that you had cried too. What a beautiful gift!
Loved the colored pencil “R” what are they all attached to? I’d love to make one for each of my kids to hang in the playroom.

Tonya - What a great gift from you daddy!!! I also have an awesome relationship w/my dad….it was rocky growing up, but God has done a good work for us.
I also love that “R”. My maiden name also starts w/R. How exactly does one go about making a colored pencil letter? Could the colored pencils be sawed of the various lenghts?

kathy b - You packed so much family time into this Christmas. Your dad’s gift made me cry too.
God honored the desire of your heart.
Kathy b

Vera - That made ME cry!! What an awesome, awesome gift!

Seleta - You just made me smile…and cry.
Happy New Year. 🙂

Kirsten - What a wonderful gift from your dad! He sounds like such a thoughtful man. (I love that he’s given you and your sister framed pictures from when you were little – what a great idea! I want to remember that when my kids are grown.) I’m sure you’ll give it a place of honor in your home. Best wishes to you and yours for a new year filled with peace and promise.

Tanya - What a magical Christmas. I love the gift from your Dad. How amazing. Happy New Year!

Micah - Oh my goodness. I can’t even believe that I’m sitting here crying over what you wrote when you were 9. It is precious. And even more special that your dad saved it all these years and gave it back to you. What a nifty idea for my own children! (I guess i need to stop throwing all these papers away – sigh)

Jaimie - i cried when i read this. that is SO sweet. beyond.
and the R is my new inspiration. : )

Shannon - Oh, I started crying when I read your post about the gift your dad gave you. What a precious memory. Thank you for sharing.

Amy Coose - That is one of the most amazing gifts I’ve ever seen. Kudos to your mom and dad for that. Love all the pics, what amazing memories you’ll have.

Jacci - Why haven’t I been following your blog all year? I’ve visited more than a handful of times, several weeks pass and then I type “Meg Duerksen” in the google search bar to find you again and catch up on your posts. No more. I’m here, you’re in my blog’s sidebar, and I’m reading every little post from now on 🙂
~Jacci in Ohio

Summer - I love that. I cried through the rest of your post!

Stephanie Carroll - I love that you cried. Keepin’ it real!!

Jill - Thank you for allowing me to follow your life this year!

Jen - That is such a great present. Wow. And, could you adopt me into your family? My family is filled with hurt feelings and judgment. I’m available!!

Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - That is the sweetest gift ever! I almost cried when I read it! I’d definitely say you have accomplished a lot. My dream is also to be a mother, so I hope one day I will feel accomplished even when my house is a mess and all my children have attitudes.
Happy New Year, Meg!

Hattie - What a wonderful present you got! So sweet. I love the “R” your sister made. Hope you & your family have a Happy New Year!

Heather - Oh my goodness! I cried too! And then I saw you crying and really broke down! I am so emotional. YOU ARE an accomplished woman! You are everything you wanted to be on that list. You are an amazing artist, a teacher, a nurse and a mother. What a wonderful blessing! Such a great gift to receive something like that!!!
And no make-up?? No fair! You are beautiful! If I didn’t wear make-up I would surely scare everyone around me!!! LOL
Looks like you and your family had a wonderful and blessed (and busy) holiday season!
PS LOVE the R
Blessings,
Heather:)

aimee - happy new year meg!! the page you wrote as a little girl is just priceless!

sarah - I burst into tears myself, when I read that last line (I’m a total sap), so I can just imagine the feelings you felt. What a special gift. Wow.
And you are very accomplished. An inspiration to me.

the inadvertent farmer - Love the striped sweater, the polka dot hat, the kid blowing snow but most the love and family that comes from your shots…so very sweet! Kim

Dana Banana - Thanks for the first cry of the day. I guess that it’s better than the first spill (or puke)!!

DreamGirlLisa - What a wonderful way to end the new year. Love the gift from your dad. I bet your parents were dying to see all of you, but in the end it just made Christmas last longer, no harm in that!
I definitely consider you an artist too, and every mom is a little bit nurse & teacher! I think you accomplished all you dreamed of!
Happy New Year!

Jess - i have just loved reading all about your Christmas. what a wonderful father you have.

Megan - Ok, I just fell apart when I read that. My son said “Mom stop reading those, they always make you cry”. I told them they are good tears. You finally made me realize that just being a mother is a wonderful thing, thank you!
Meg

Jo - The gift totally made me tear up too!!!! AT WORK!!! 🙂 It does mean a lot, it’s so sweet. Thanks for sharing

emlovesdrew@gmail.com - that gift made ME cry!! So sweet!

kbonikowsky - Beautiful Christmas posts, Megan. Thanks for sharing!

Cassie - geez meg,
that totally made me cry.
is that weird? 🙂
apparently not considering the previous comments…

Lisa - I got all teary eyed along with you. You are definitely an accomplished woman in my book!

purejoy - is it weird that I burst into tears when i read your framed piece of art? so precious. i love that your family is so intentional.
great photos (as usual). i sometimes don’t take photos because i don’t want to be “that mom.”
rats.

The Unconventional Doctor's Wife - It is good to put the true value we have as mothers into perspective sometimes, isn’t it! What an awesome gift! Somewhere deep inside of you, there is a 2nd grade version of yourself saying, “See….you are as great as I thought you could be!” Precious!

A pocket full of posies... - Crying with you…what an AWESOME gift!!! and b.t.w.- I feel you are quite accomplished in LOTS of ways!!! 🙂
Happy 2010!
Many Blessings!
Jill

Trasie - You are very accomplished and blessed!
I knew I was saving everything my kids write on notebook paper for a reason…….A family tradition when they get older!!!
Happy New Year to you!!!

Georgia - Awww Meg! Thats an amazing present from your parents, i felt choked when i read it too. 🙂
You only have to read all the lovely peoples comments on here to realise you ARE an acomplished woman! your an amazing Mother, and im sure your children and Craig are very proud to have you in their lives.
Geo xx

Susan - I have tears too! The amazing thing about being a mother is that you are also a nurse, artist and teacher! I enjoy your blog so much. Have a happy new year Meg!

amy jupin - oh you silly, silly girl!
the gift from your dad couldn’t be any sweeter.
an artist, a teacher, a mother…oh the foreshadowing here! 🙂
happy new year from your equally as crazy southern friend!

kristen - i feel like a dork, but i burst into tears when i read your gift too. everytime i read your blog i think to myself how you are everyday doing the things i would love to be filling my days with. i am envious that you knew you wanted to be doing these things in 2nd grade… i am 29 and just figuring this out. if only i would have realized this in 2nd grade, it would have saved me three years of law school and loads of student loan debt! 🙂 you are a very accomplished woman! don’t question that for a second! 🙂 xoxo

Rachel - What a wonderful Christmas! Such a sweet gift from your dad too. It’s so fun to look back on stuff like that!

Dianne Avery - OMG! What a great present!! I teared up too when I read it.

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christmas recap part 4

December 30, 2009 Filed in family fun

we planned on leaving the day after christmas to go to my parents…
but they were still snowed in at their house.

we spent the day together as a family.
watching movies…playing with new toys…just all there together.
i ran to the store for a couple things and found a few christmas things half off.
it was a really nice day.

then all of a sudden it was time to go.
we were on our way to the wedding of craig's cousin brett to kim 2 hours away.
 
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it was a beautiful building.
everybody in the family was there…almost.
it was a great party.
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all the way from california….
 
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it was really fun.

best wishes to brett and kim.

add a comment

Tonya - So, you’re telling me that you were at the Great Overland Station and didn’t let me know?! 😉 Before we moved a few months ago, I lived like 5 minutes from there. I’ve taken tons of sr pix down there too….it’s a beautiful place and the surround area is super cool w/the train tracks and such. Looks like you had a blast!

Melanie - I love her dress. Looks like everyone had a great time.
Have a great New Year.

Cate O'Malley - Love that wedding dress!

Elisa - You were so busy!!
I feel like a slug compared to you.

Diana - Ohhhhhhh, love her dress! Simply gorgeous wedding! 😀

Nicole Q. - I can’t believe you got three days home alone . . . awesome!! Your celebrations all looked fun . . . we’ve got one more to go this week at Grandma’s here in town!!

carissa... brown eyed fox - after seeing all your Christmas recaps…
we’ll be coming to YOUR home next year! k?
so fun!
wishing you and your family boundless blessings in the new year! ♥

Stephanie @ Geezees - What a beautiful wedding!

Dianne Avery - That room is gorgeous! The bride was lovely too.

Heather Giustino - Oh, that dress is gorgeous!!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Looks like a fun wedding. Man it’s been a long time since I’ve been to one. Always makes me remember our special day again:)

marci - this has nothing to do with this post…sorry…i just found your blog and i think you have an etsy shop but i can’t see a thing to do with it here on your very inspirational blog. and i have never been able to operate my email thingy on my mac and so i can’t email you! will you contact me and tell me how to get to your etsy shop? thanks ever so much.

immyyas - Beautiful wedding! Great wedding dress! Ahhh to be young & thin again………

sandy toe - Looks like a lot of fun!
Happy New year to you!
sandy toe

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christmas recap part 3

December 30, 2009 Filed in family fun

now that the family was home from their ski trip….the family gatherings had to begin!

craig's mom's: 
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the traditional fondue that happens every year.
 
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my niece morgan reading the christmas story in the bible.

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sean got a remote control helicopter and it was the hit of all the toys.
and then it got stuck in talby's hair.

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the duerksen grandkids…all grown up.
seriously.

craig's dad's:
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there was smoked brisket and creamed corn.
sean shouted "WHERE did you get this corn?!"  
he loved it so much he had to find out where it was made.
i told him and he didn't believe me that it didn't grow that way.
it was good.
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daphne got to come out of her kennel at the end for annie to love on her.

daddies make the best jungle gyms.
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the winter storms started in as we drove home from here.
and it continued all night.
craig's sister and her family ended up staying with us that night.
craig picked up his cousin at airport.
the rest of his family driving from california was stuck in traffic from the weather.
it took them hours longer than usual.

we went to church.
my kids were NOT well behaved.
oh well….this will pass.
 
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this arrived in our mailbox on christmas eve:
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a german magazine called Kid's Life used my pictures for their article on decorating with kids at home.
i didn't know they were going to use the picture of my neighbor baby London.  
what a nice christmas present!  
there were two other full page pictures also.  SO COOL!
and aunt peg was visiting…she speaks german…so she translated!  awesome.
thanks Kid's Life!

our kids opened their christmas jammies and a super soft blanket…just for them.
everyone loves new pj's.

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christmas morning:
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nice jammies….
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sean got a stereo and some classic rock CD's – van halen & pearl jam. 
the stereo has a remote….score!
scott opened his gift and said "a football….thanks!"  trying to sound as excited as possible.
i said "you're welcome…there is something else in that box"
he found the iPod box and asked "this isn't really what it is…is it?!"
he was shocked.
that was fun to see.
and he gave me a big big hug…. i loved that.  

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after we opened gifts and ate our christmas breakfast and had another cup of coffee,
we started to get ready to go to my parents.
we were packing our bags when they called and said they were snowed in.

change of plans.
not going to my parents.
we had snow and wind but they had LOTS of snow and wind and ICE.
 
we relaxed a bit and then headed back to craig's moms for lunch instead.
ALL the family had arrived now.
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it was a FULL house.
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then we decided to have the christmas dinner that we would have missed…at our house.
so we drove back home and i cleaned up for an hour.
craig shoveled snow.
then everyone in craig's family came here.  it was great!
nice to have everyone being flexible with plans changing.
 
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they brought all the food.
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i provided the cosmopolitans.
and cookies.
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baby stella was our entertainment all weekend.

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then we played several rounds of The Name Game.
do you play that game at your house?
Snot Dork-sen was the most original name…along side Mr. Noogie Nugget.
silly boys.

when i went to put the kids to bed everyone cleaned up my kitchen!
truly the best way to throw a party…they bring all the food AND they clean it all up! 
ha!

add a comment

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - How cool is that, to have your photos published AGAIN!!! Please show us the other pages, too!!!
That is SO exciting!!!

Sarah @ Clover Lane - Your home looks so warm and cozy and welcoming and fun. Love the magazine picture…famous again!

alyssa - Pearl Jam is not classic rock?!?! I’m getting old…

Melanie - Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas. I love the story about the IPod. Don’t you love it when the kids get something that they aren’t expecting. Last year we gave Caden a laptop and he had no idea. Love the look on his face!

Diana - Wowwwwwwwww, lotsa fun doin’s, lotsa family togetherness — and all that food looks oh-so-yummy!!
Where did they get Sean’s remote control helicoptor? Hope Talby didn’t have to lose any hair getting it out!

mel - Love reading about how other families celebrate Christmas! Looked like you guys had a wonderful Christmas (with LOTS of celebrations, like us!)
And, congrats on the Kids Life magazine article! You Rock!

Heather Giustino - Looks like you guys had such a great time!! That is too cool about the magazine, and I love the daddy jungle gym pictures – so sweet!

Courtney Walsh - Oooh, I love your movie collection and I spotted some mint brownies in one of those pictures!! My favorite! 🙂 mmmm. Looks like it was a great Cmas! We had tons of snow too… but it was so beautiful it was hard to mind!!
Merry, Merry! 🙂

Jess - sounds like a wonderful time. lovin’ the recaps, keep ’em coming!

Dana Banana - Love your Christmas card photos…have some GOOD LOOKING families as friends. ha Feels like we were right there with you during your Christmas celebrations. Call me if you are in the boro during a Saturday Jam practice.

jeanne - That is my kind of party too! Loved all the photos and so happy for you that you were in the magazine…and how amazing to have an interpreter:-)

Cate O'Malley - love that kind of party! love that star garland hanging against the blinds.

Shannon - We had a great visit — thanks for letting us “share” your Christmas morning with you. You need to send me the picture of Todd and I from the wedding in my email when you get a chance — I want to use it as my new profile pic on FB 🙂 Also, send me the Cranberry Vodka receipe -it was sooo yummy! Tell Annie that her webkins will be coming soon. Happy New Year!

purejoy - whoo hoo on the magazine. so cool!! love the dishes. too fun. (coveting… must. stop. now.) would love to hear more about the star garland over your kitchen table.
and of course, the name game. sounds fun. merry christmas!

Georgia - Looks like an amazing day! you all look so close knit. I hope you got some nice presents from Santa Meg!!!
Geo x

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You really captured the day Meg. All that food and the family all together…wonderful. My youngest got an American Girl doll and hugged me a solid 2 minutes before letting go. I was sitting close to a mirror and I saw her wipe her eyes. Seriously that was the best Christmas gift to me ever!!

DreamGirlLisa - oops I forgot, congrats on the magazine! That is fantastic, and especially lucky that you had family there that could translate. I still buy Christmas PJ’s for my girls too, even though they are 14 & 18 now, but they love it and would be disappointed if I didn’t. It’s tradition that they open them on Christmas Eve so they can wear them that night. Sweet memories!

DreamGirlLisa - Loved hearing about your Christmas adventure! My family is small, I would love it if there were more of us, I love big family gatherings. Thanks so much for sharing a little part of your life.
P.S. is that the Where the Wild Things DVD??? I LOVED that movie, so now I’m excited that it may be out on video already…

misty - what a great christmas!!! I love the pics and looking at all of the food made me hungry! Congrats on the magazine- that is so cool. We still haven’t had our Christmas with family yet- we are around Tulsa Ok and out in the country- we have been home since wed 12/23 because the sleet started in our area around noon on the 24th so we never made it to okc- thank goodness b/c they closed the turnpike and the highways- we would have been stuck on the highway~ instead we’ve been stuck in the house- thank goodness for Sams and buying in bulk!! We ended up getting more snow last night- and there is a chance for a tiny bit more tonight- hopefully the county comes out tomorrow and at least puts some sand on the roads! I have made a list of all of the crafts I want to make and can not wait to get to hobby lobby to get everything~

emily - congrats on kids life:)
i spy pictures of the airplane game… that was my favorite when i was little.
also, there is nothing better than new christmas pjs, love it! & we got Up too:) what a great movie.
looks like christmas was lots of fun for your family.

Megan - I feel like I have a connection with you…1 because my name is Meg too and also because it looks like santa didn’t bring real American Girl dolls for xmas. Santa brought the Walmart version Madame Alexander to us and she is just as beautiful as the AG dolls. My Claire just loves her.
It looks like you had a wonderful holiday with your family. I loved seeing your little one in the air on your husband’s feet. My husband does that with Claire and she says she is a cheerleader, she is 5 and she says she will be a cheerleader for the Cyclones! Not my first choice because we are really from Cornhusker land but this will do.
I have loved following your blog, I have been doing it for some time now and finally starting blogging myself. I love your house and your little office nook with the kids artwork. I could go on and on but I don’t want you to think I am a stalker…lol. I can’t wait to see more of your life and family. I hope you can follow me sometime.
P.S. I love your necklace from the Vintage Pearl, my sister got one after she had her baby and I have another friend that got one after her twins were born. I actually love that you have you and your husbands names, I might have to copy you. All done typing I promise (for now)
Meg

Debra - Thanks for sharing a lovely Christmas! I so love all your bright colours and especially your polka dot dishes!

Dianne Avery - Congrats on the magazine, that’s awesome!!

Krista - Love your Christmas recaps, thank you for sharing. Love those red dishes with the tree in the middle, where are they from? Awesome jammies, love all the family pics.
Happy New Year to you!

Jules - Looks lovely…all warm and cosy and happy and sparkly! Happened across your blog one day and I must tell you how much I LOVE it! Happy New Year to you and your family!

Dina - I want to know about the Name Game too!!! What a blast!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MGF - The Name Game, I wanna hear how to play.
Looks like a day filled with laughter and love.

the wild raspberry - what a great xmas…
we watched night at the museum last night…hank was HILARIOUS!
have a happy new year.

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christmas recap part 2

December 29, 2009 Filed in family fun

for a few weeks before christmas break craig's side of the family was trying to decide 
if they should go skiing for christmas.
the plans changed almost on a daily basis.
in the end…the ski group was craig and the four oldest kids and his sister, her husband and two kids.
annie and i stayed home and his other sister and his mom stayed in kansas.
i don't ski anymore and annie REALLY did not want to go in the car a long time.
i was very relieved to be allowed to stay home.
i feel like all i've done is travel.
and i got a quiet house just before christmas.
his sister and mom even took annie overnight so i was truly alone.

wow.
i was Mrs. Productive.

i cleaned…A LOT.
i addressed and mailed our christmas cards.
i watched TWO movies!!
i hibernated in my own little world….no one really knew i was alone or home or what!
i like it that way sometimes.

i made pineapple vodka for new year's eve.  (recipe here)
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and cranberry vodka for christmas enjoyment.  (recipe here)
 
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all the while receiving photos in my inbox from craig's phone.  

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i slept in until 11:00 AM.
that is so unbeleivable.

i took a bath and watched all the grey's anatomys in my dvr.
i ate chips and spicy rice for every meal the whole time!
sadly i went to walmart 3 times.  
that was lame.

then when i knew craig was headed home from colorado i got working on one of his gifts.
i was so nervous.

but i surprised even myself….and i did it!
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i made cinnamon rolls for the first time in my life.
from scratch.
from the pioneer woman cookbook.
so when craig walked in the door from the 8+ hours of driving there was a hot pan of cinnamon rolls
waiting for him.  

IMG_0024he was very happy.   
which made me happy.

and i didn't read the whole recipe through before i started….so when i got to the part about
cutting them and placing them in the pan i read "one recipe makes about 50 rolls"
what?!
i had made a double batch because i thought my kids would eat the one pan i made right away.
oh no!  suddenly i had 100 cinnamon rolls in my kitchen.
my lucky neighbors.  :)

the kids said skiing was awesome.
i am still 100% happy that i stayed home and sat in my quiet quiet house. 
i highly recommend sending your family away for 3 days the week of christmas.
it helps a mother's stress level immensely.  

add a comment

design wanna-be - That is hilarious about the cinnamon rolls! Oh my goodness, thanks for sharing.

Jules - Number one, I wanted to thank you for including my glitter dinos on your blog. Thank you!
Number two, I made these before and the dough was loose and wet like mud! I don’t know what I did wrong, but seeing you have so much success with them makes me courageous enough to try them again.

Vicki - yummmmmmmm, home made, from scratch cinnamon rolls AND adult beverages all at the same time. Wow. My husband would have had to scoop me up off the floor when he got home with a shovel!!!!! Delicious!!

Dianne - I’m just now reading this (a bit behind this week) and I am IMMENSELY jealous of your alone time!!! Looks like you had a great day, and those cinnamon rolls are something that I’ve been wanting to make, too!

Melanie - Lucky you. I love to be home by myself too. This Monday, Caden starts back to school for the first time in 6 months and I can’t wait to get my house back to myself during the day. I only have one child so it is not like you having 5! I want to make those rolls! They look delish and I love them. I have made some from scratch from a Southern Living recipe and they were so good that I had to send them with my husband to work so I wouldn’t eat them all. LOL

mel - So many things to comment on from this post….
First..pineapple vodka & cranberry vodka? yes, please!
Secondly…you slept in until 11 am?!?! So.Jealous.
Thirdly…how fun they went skiing in Colorado! What resort? I went to college at CU and LOVED being able to ski in the winters!
And finally…were the cinammon rolls hard to make? I got her cookbook for xmas & I LOVE cinammon rolls, but have been too scared to try and make them from scratch!
So glad you had a few days BY YOURSELF! Lucky!

Tiffany - Those cinnamon rolls are divine! Luckily I read the recipe all the way through…it was still an overwhelming amount of rolls!!

tami reed - Those look very tasty yum!

DreamGirlLisa - I love that you got that time alone. I used to get time when my girls were with their dad every other weekend, but they haven’t gone in a while, so my time alone is pretty limited now. It does have a way of refreshing the soul, doesn’t it? The cinnamon rolls look yummy, I have never made them from scratch either, might try it before I go back to work next week. Thanks for the inspiration!
Happy New year!

Donna - congrats on making pw cinnamon rolls – I’m LOL – I’ve made them a couple of times and they are a lot of work…I can’t imagine doubling up on them. Send me some!
I’d love three whole days 🙂

Christina - Oh my gosh, I am laughing so hard right now about the recipe and the cinnamon rolls! I didn’t realize it made that many either…thanks for the heads up. I thought I might make them while my parents are here this week. Normally I use a recipe that doesn’t involve rising, at all!! It’s so easy. But I had the notion of splurging. Anyway, thanks for the laugh.

Nina - that’s great that you had 3 days to yourself! I have made pioneer woman’s cinnamon buns before and they are so yummy. I gave them to all of my sister’s, SIL and mom.

Patricia - 3 days.
Alone.
In your own home?
Man, I’m envious!
I’m loving the cookbook from Pioneer Woman … we’re working our way through it one recipe at a time :o)
Happy New Year!

Tonya - i’m insanely jealous that you got to spend 3 whole days in your home….alone! that’s my favorite thing to do every once in a while. i also love that no one knew you were there….that cracks me up!
i about fainted the first time i made pw’s cinnamon rolls and saw that it made 50-60! i’m sure your neighbors were thrilled by your “mistake”!

Jess - my goodness that’s a lot of comments! {i’ve been lazy lately and have just been reading in google reader.} i could comment on every thing you wrote, but that would be a page long! so i’ll just leave you with “yum”.

Kat - Sounds like you had a couple of really lovely days! Its nice to be able to sit and get a heap of stuff done in one hit. I made cinnamon rolls earlier this year and took them out to visit my aunty in St George. They were delicious!

Karen - Oh I am so envious!! I have only adult kids and I am still envious! I LOVE when they come home….and I love when they go back to school. Am I bad? 😉

linda lou - meg i want one of those cinnamon rolls RIGHT NOW take it to amy’s and i’ll pick it up!!!!
i can taste it now. amy’s mom

Lisa Liddell - I dream of sleeping until 11am.

Chiot's Run - I love homemade cinnamon rolls – 100 is a lot. Did you know you can freeze them in pans for instant gratification when needed? I give out pans of frozen rolls to family & friends for Christmas.
Glad you hear you had a great relaxing time at home alone, sometimes that’s a wonderful thing!

Christy - Sounds like a great holiday! Oh how I wish I had seen those recipes before now! Not enough time to try them for NYE, but I am thinking that pineapple vodka would be great for a summer drink in hot AZ! Thanks for think link.

jeanne - I just saw that you are a finalist!!! You deserve it and I am so excited for you!!

Melissa Gruber - sounds wonderful…i think after the holidays would be a treat too…i am exhausted from it all.
the rolls look wonderful…great job!

karen - that was so sweet of you to have those rolls ready for craig!

Anna - Wow – congrats… and those rolls look d-lish!
It’s funny about the alone time, I didn’t realize how much I enjoy being alone – does that make me a bad mommy? Anyway, when I was growing up, my dad always took my brother and I fishing on Mother’s Day afternoon – I thought this was really strange at the time. I mean shouldn’t kids spend the day with their mom’s on Mother’s Day? But I now realize he was really gifting her and himself. He also took us fishing on Father’s Day too – a double treat for mom!

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - wow, now that just sounds dreamy.

sarah - Those cinnamon rolls look so good. David and I ordered the book for ourselves for christmas after seeing it in barnes n noble. We’re so excited to start cooking from it!
And the first one we want to try are these cinnamon rolls!!

seleta - I’m so freaking jealous. But not in a mean way, ha ha haaaa.
Ohhhhh, you lucky duck.
Since there is no babysitter in our New Year’s equation, I may have to try that pineapple vodka recipe..can’t hurt to have one innocent little cocktail on New Year’s Eve, right?!?

Lori - I am very bad about reading recipes all the way before I start. 100 cinnamon rolls, I love it. And that pineapple vodka looks amazing. I don’t have 10 days til NYE but will definately try my hand at it. Please post your “review” of the vodkas! Have a wonderful NY EVE!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh so glad you had time for just you…what a treat! Those rolls looked amazing. I have her cookbook and have yet to make one thing, now THAT is lame:)

Anna Marie - Lucky lady! That sounds nice. So does that mean that you can check “Weekend with NO kids home” and “Make cinnamon rolls” off of your list? Or does that weekend thing INCLUDE the hubby? So funny about the abundance of cinnamon rolls. :o)

Maria - yum…those cinnamon rolls look great…I may have to try those out very soon…so I guess you could change the song now…on the 10th day of Christmas…100 cinnamon rolls?
What a nice gift to have the house to yourself!

Amy Mierzejewski - sounds wonderful! but where was Waffle? I need more pics of him, please!

immyyas - That is hilarious about the 100 cinnamon rolls… so something I would do. I double everything… habit from growing up with a big family. Isn’t instantly seeing a smile on hubby’s face when he walks thru the door the best! It makes the whole evening awesome! I want someone to take my kiddos for a night… heck, I’d even settle for a couple hours. Sadly I probably at least 6-12 months or so before that will happen… lil one is only 3 1/2 months & middle one is a 2 year old monster that only wants Mommy!

Katie - Sounds like you had a great 3 days!! I’m going to try to make that pineapple vodka I think!

Tegan and Tage - Those vodkas look amazing. I made kahlua for gifts this year but I am definitely going to have to bookmark those for next year!

Laura Phelps - GREAT IDEA! Thanks! Next year, I am sending YOU my kids!!!!!!!!!

shelly - We loved PW’s cinnamon rolls! One huge tip that I got from a friend’s mom years ago is to use a long length of thread to cut the dough roll. Just put the thread under the roll, bring the 2 sides up like you’re going to tie a knot (cross them but not knotted), pull the ends tight and viola—perfectly “cut” rolls!

amy j. - They were yummy! THanks for sharing! 🙂

Elyse - Wow! That sounds like HEAVEN!!! And next time you have extra rolls just call me up and ill be happy to take them off your hands! 😉

angela - Just READING your post relaxed me! So glad you got to spend time alone!! I have been meaning to make PW’s cinamon rolls. I will do that soon….any tips?

Heidi Jo the Artist - Yummy! Can’t wait to make some cinnamon rolls!
Merry Christmas! A little late. 🙂
Happy New Year! A little early. 😉

Amy - ooooo…those cinnamon rolls! Awesome! Been meaning to check that cookbook out! 🙂

Kelly - I sent my husband to get a Christmas tree with just the boys this year. Just those couple of hours were heavenly! I bet 3 days was incredible!

Cate O'Malley - Nothing like a quiet house to recharge your batteries. When the kids are gone, sometimes I’ve been known to eat three meals in bed, with a stack of magazines and the DVR at the ready. Sometimes it’s just what the doctor ordered. The cinnamon rolls look delish!

Carisa - I made those rolls too for neighbor gifts. We loved them!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I decided yesterday that the most challenging part of motherhood for me is that I am someone who craves alone time on a fairly regular basis. And getting groceries doesn’t count. Nor does dinner with girlfriends. Alone is what I want. Me, myself and I. Every now and then, I get some. Your stint sounds like complete perfection!
I made the rolls too, on Christmas eve, for the first time. Yours look swirlier. I’m a total active yeast novice. My dough seemed too sticky?? And the melted butter made a gigantic mess. Maybe I’ll try Amanda’s idea (up in the comments) next time.

Alisa - I think you and I are made from the same cloth girl…that sounds absolutely fantastic!! And right before Christmas…even better!! I love my alone time, but unfortunately it doesn’t happen very often.
Those rolls look heavenly!!

erica - oh my goodness, that sounds wonderful! i’m sure it doesn’t happen that often with 5 kids 😉
i was looking at your last post and my 3 year old, sean, saw the picture of the classroom and said “WOW what is that?” i said it was a class for school and he now wants to go to that school. so cute.

Amanda - Did you have a problem with the butter getting everywhere? I melted it like the recipe said and it was just a huge mess. The next time we make it I’m going to just soften the butter, mix everything in to it and spread it like frosting so it doesn’t get everywhere

susie whyte - 3 days?? what’s that like?? i hope to experience that someday. 🙂
i saw the pineapple vodka recipe on sugar shop’s page a while back. that should make new year’s a memorable one…or maybe a forgettable one?? i dunno.
our families and friends LOVED the cinnamon rolls this year. such a great present. it’s time consuming, but so worth it in the end.
that camera phone takes awesome photos! glad they had fun!

Cassie - wowza…can’t even tell you how jealous that makes me.
also, i’d like to by your neighbor. not so much for the cinnamon rolls, but for fruity vodka! 🙂

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - What an awesome Christmas present for you! I think I’m asking for a few days alone as a gift next year! 🙂
The cinnamon rolls turned out beautifully! Craig is a lucky fella! And, so are your neighbors!

Lorilee - Isn’t it amazing what we can accomplish with a little uninterrupted TIME! Those rolls look awesome. I am a complete pushover for cinnamon rolls.
Blessings,
Lorilee

Nancy - First of all, I am a total cinnamon roll addict. I got the cookbook for Christmas and that page is marked. Sold…
A night completely alone… that is a gift in itself. HOly cow… the possibilities are endless. Just the quiet would be priceless..

Kimberlee J. - Nice job. The rolls look fabulous.

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ku basketball and a cold

November 29, 2009 Filed in family fun,sports

after my black friday shopping…10 stores in five hours…2 coffees.
good times.  
no crazy waiting at 4 AM or anything.

we rested in the afternoon and after dinner craig took me, scott and lauren to the KU basketball game.

SO MUCH FUN.

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scott was pumped up.  
he got high fives from all the players.
in the car on the way to the game i asked scott to tell me who the players were because i didn't know anybody this year. (bad fan)
he immediately rattled off every player and their number.
he is obsessed with sports.
 
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(in a comment left by my sister…a BIG KU fan)…"they pretend to read the paper when the visiting team roster is announced, because they are so lame they are not even worth listening to. Then, while the announcer prepares to say "Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2009 Kansas Jayhawks" the kids are rapidly tearing the newspapers into little bits of confetti to throw when the players come on the court."

the opening announcement was AWESOME!! it would make ANYONE a jayhawk fan.
 
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scott leaned over and whispered in my ear "tell dad i am loving this!"
later i said "ok scott…i have them all memorized…quiz me."
he did and i got them all right and he was shocked.
see….moms can be cool sometimes.
 
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i think this would be scott's dream…

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rob riggle and jason sudeikis were there.  :)
 
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that t-shirt cannon was the coolest thing!  
it could shoot like….10 shirts in 10 seconds.
and craig caught one.
lauren almost had it.
they are going to share the shirt.

it is a great atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse.
i wish we could go more often.
thanks for watching the 3 other kids mom and dad.

we came home from my parents' late that night and i felt a cold coming on.
i was hoping it would pass.
but it didn't.
i am feel cruddy.

but i hope some sleep will make a difference.  

i am off to bed.   

add a comment

kansas jayhawk t shirt - Wow, those are some really great pictures! I would love to go to a game like this. My husband’s whole family Went to Kansas state, they all have Kansas jayhawk shirts. I want to get a little one for my baby girl win she is born in August. I can’t wait till her first game.

Buy Viagra - This gym look very full and full of energy the band the people screaming this is exciting to the player every player dream is to make a great game with the stadium full of people and if the T.V is there even better .

sildenafil 100mg - What country has recently gained or lost a freedom?
I am doing an assignment, in which I need to choose a country which has recently gained or lost a freedom to report on; I am trying to find an interesting country for the subject matter.

Tracey Young - We have a KU front porch this Christmas! We live in the middle of Husker country though-waiting to see if anyone destroys it!!!Hope you are feeling better soon and looks like you had a great time shopping!!!

Jemm - (Gasp!) I was wrong! You live in….(gulp) Lawrence. So sorry for your loss…he he. I still like your blog and won’t hold it against you:)

Melanie - Sounds like you had a great time. You are right, moms can be cool sometimes! Hope you get better soon. My husband was sick a couple of weeks ago and it has come back. He is off to the doctor again tomorrow.

Caron - Well, this post answers a question I’ve had for a long time. Meg, you may believe me when I say no announcement in Allen Fieldhouse could make me even think that little chickenhawk is cute, let alone become a fan. 😉
Caron
KSU
’95
Go Cats!

Amy - Loving all the crimson and blue pictures! I am such a big KU fan, it is embarrasing. There is nothing like Allen Field House, Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Paula - Hi,
I found your blog a while back on the Nester, and I had to comment on this post!!
I grew up just outside of Lawrence. Moved in 2003 to Alaska, but I must say, there is much about Lawrence that I miss.
Thank you for the Jayhawk post!!!
Made my day!
Paula

Ashley Crenshaw - I am a BIG GINORMOUS KU fan! Love seeing my old stomping grounds again. I need to make the trek back to Lawrence to watch a game. Love the fans, atmosphere, everything. Rock Chalk! Glad you guys had a blast! Allen Fieldhouse NEVER disappoints!

Laura - I work for Mizzou…I don’t think I can read your blog anymore. Just kidding! I’m new to Missouri and they tell me that we’re big rivals. It looks like you had a great time at the game.

No.17CherryTreeLane - you even make sports pictures look interesting.
i like you!

tasha roe - Meg – just finished the wreath!

mel - What a fun night! I went to University of Colorado & since we are in the Big 12 with Kansas, I always loved going to the game when Kansas was in town because they were always ranked in the top 10 & it was such fun basketball to watch! Love college basketball! And, even though I am not a KU fan, I always pick KU to go to the Final 4 in my March Madness bracket. Gotta represent the Big 12!!

jeanne - I hope you are feeling better. Tried to reach you tonight…I will give you a call tomorrow. I am coveting something of yours:-) Have a great night!!!

michelle - okay, you are seriously SUPERMOM! what you accomplish in a week is absurd. oh, and inspiring 🙂
i can’t believe you even memorized all the names of the players. what a mom!

Deb - Nothing like KU Basketball. It is like a religion at our house. Second only to Jesus! Glad you had a great time. Love the pics. Made me feel a little homesick.

sandy toe - I love them all reading newspapers!
sandy toe

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Looks like a blast. Cute mascot!! Glad you lived to tell about your shopping experience. You never know…some people get a little crazy:)

Rach - Seriously??? 10 stores in 5 hours?? Go shopper go!!! I would have had more than 2 coffees though. 😉 Happy you survived.

Staci - I”m impressed!!! Memorizing the names AND numbers!! You so totally rock!!!! My memory is waaaay bad 🙁 What a FUN time it looks like you all had!!!! I’m home with a cold too….cruddy is a good word 🙁 Hope you are better today!

Rose - I had a friend take me to a game at Allen Fieldhouse once….definitely an experience for any college bball fan!
Unfortunately, I am an Iowa State fan and people are saying we are just as good as KU this year! :o)
Great photos!!

lora - Sounds like good times! We’re heading to Kansas (from Canada) at Christmas…..to check it out. We’re thinking about relocating. Anyhoo….hope you feel better soon.

Tonya McDaniel - There’s nothing quite like being in Allen Fieldhouse is there?! My hubby and daughter go to Late Night in the Phog every year…my son and I get a little jealous! 😉
ROCK, CHALK, JAYHAWK!!!

Kate - How fun!! Hope you feel better!

Sharla - This is coming from a die-hard Kansas State fan – I’m so happy you were able to go enjoy that college atmosphere. So happy for Scott!! 🙂

Teresa - This gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. I live in Roy Williams’ territory now and so miss my Jayhawks! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

lorel - great post Meg! Colleen – they pretend to read the paper when the visiting team roster is announced, because they are so lame they are not even worth listening to. Then, while the announcer prepares to say “Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2009 Kansas Jayhawks” the kids are rapidly tearing the newspapers into little bits of confetti to throw when the players come on the court. A fun tradition.

Beth Ann - There is nothing like being in Allen Fieldhouse. Seriously the best place in the world!!! Glad you got to go and it looks like it was a fun time with you all!
I had a cold during Thanksgiving. It was not fun! Hope you feel better soon.

purejoy - can you believe your post made me cry?
to share that kind of experience with your kids… priceless.
can you tell that i just sent my college freshman and sophomore back to school?
yikes… the empty nest thing that i was so sure i was managing felt alarmingly normal feels pretty empty all over again.
grab em. hold em. and love em.
these days are fleeting. i so love hearing about your family (but not in a creepy way) and am sorry you are feeling bad. sending e-zicam your way.

Brooke - We were just a Notre Dame game the other night. I love to go to college games. Glad you guys had a great time! And hope you are feeling better soon.

tasha roe - Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Love some KU Basketball.
Its the most wonderful time of the year! 😀

colleen - Not being well versed in KU basketball, why are they reading newspapers? I am a UCONN girl (university of connecticutu) and we don’t do this…. Great photos! Love the Tshirt cannon.

Casey - How fun! Our 9 year old is smitten with the Jayhawks since moving here. I encourage the kids to embrace where we live……we buy t-shirts and such as soon as we settle…..and it’s been KU and the Chiefs since arriving.
He’d love to go to a game!

Heather Richter - Just moved here from overseas to Kansas. They love their Jayhawks it is contagious. I hope you feel betta.
~Heather

Lori - Hope you feel better soon! 🙂

Jules - Hope you are feeling better! I’ve got the cold too, it’s the time of year for it! Looks like you guys had a really fun night!

adrienneK - we LOOOOOOOOOVE KU!!and yes you checked right we live in tennessee and yes you are right i went to the U of Memphis BUT we still cheered KU on to their victory when they beat the U of M lol (my husband is from kansas) and what can i say i love KU too!!! go jay hawks!!! LOVE this post!!!

Kathy - What a great night! Hope you are feeling better!

susie whyte - oh, how i would love to go to a ku game…and i’m not even a huge fan. not since raef was there. ha ha. getting my 78 yr old stepdad to a game is high on my priority list! 🙂
at least you made it through thanksgiving before becoming a member of “contamination station”(as i like to call it). 🙂 hope you feel better.

your cool friend Cheryl - Sorry you’re coming down with something…I feel the same way. Ugh.
The game looked fun. In Chicago we have so many professional teams, I feel like we never watch any college ones, but the atmosphere of college games is the best!

Diana - Oh Jayhawks….that brings back memories. I was born in Hutchinson Kansas and my dad was born and raised there. My grandpa calls us the Jay Wackers…hahahahahha!!! My daughter wants to go to college there (we will see about that) too far away from Arkansas. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog. You are so down to Earth I feel like you are a dear friend and I could knock on your door and come in for coffee in your kitchen. My son would LOVE to play at your house….so many kids and so much to do! Thank you for making my days brighter just by reading your daily adventure. You have a gift (mom, decorator, photographer, etc) keep up the good work.

Dawn W. - Looks like you all had a great time. Just wanted to let you know…my daughter left this afternoon to go back to school and she wanted me to make her your recipe for Mint Brownies to take back with her to the dorm. They are sooo good.
Hope you start feeling better.
Dawn

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Looks like fun! And Lauren is SO gorge. I cannot get over it.
ps- FNL. Are you watching?

Amanda - ok, your blog just lost a few points with all this red and blue you’re gagging me with!

amy d - colds suck…hope you start feeling better soon, maybe you should up your coffee intake 🙂 …and the bball pictures are very colorful,(go cats!) and that’s all i’m gonna say about that 🙂

stodd - As a KU alum,there’s nothing like Allen Fieldhouse! Love your blog, by the way! 😉 I was down at Sarah’s fabrics just last week and told her that she had been talked about on a couple very popular blogs… she thought that was cool. Happy Thanksgiving!

J.B. Kinrich - Go, Jayhawks! (I lived in Wichita for six very important years, from grades 1 through 6.)

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