More Getting Down

Here are a few more videos of my babies dancing on Thanksgiving Day.

Their favorite song was featured on the Parade on NBC, and they were jamming out.

Thanksgiving 2009!

We began our Thanksgiving Day with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! The two turkeys I was making smelled delicious! I also stirred up the Green Bean Casserole, with a homemade buttermilk sauce, cheddar cheese and pecans. It was divine.

The tables were set.

I was paranoid that I wouldn't have enough dessert, so I stirred up a Coconut Pie as well.

Everything was a success! Well, except the mashed potatoes had WAY too much butter and ran over and smoked up the whole house.

Here is Richard carving the Turkey.

My Dad (sporting his Dallas attire in support of his team) helped teach Meredith the ABC's while we prepped everything.

Here is the dessert table!

My additional coconut pie.

Our feast consisted of turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, black eyed peas, collards, deviled eggs, and dinner rolls.

Every photo I tried to take included someone with a mouth full of food, so I will not be posting those :)

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Prep

On Thursday, we were expecting Richard's family and my dad for Thanksgiving.

I started making things for Thanksgiving on Tuesday evening. The goals were the laborious potato dishes: mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes.

I apologize for not taking photos of the sweet potatoes, but they looked just like any other pureed potato (they did taste heavenly though). Both tasted amazing at that point, and I crossed my fingers that they reheated to provide the same pleasure.

Wednesday was completion day. In the AM, I prepared pie crust for my Apple Pie and Pecan Pie. We had to pick up Richard's grandmother from the airport, so I didn't have time to prep anything else until much later in the evening.

We had chili and cornbread for dinner, and the leftover cornbread was used to made the stuffing.

After bedtime, we made pies.

I modified my Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe, and made a Gingersnap crust instead of Graham Crackers. I crumbled Gingersnaps on the top after it had set. I cannot express how amazing this was.

I made an Apple Pie with the apples from the orchard trip. Instead of just cutting straight strips of dough for the top crust, I rolled out and made leaves. The outcome was beautiful, and this pie was devoured as well.

I decided to try something new for the Pecan Pie - no more reading the recipe from the Karo Syrup for me! Here is the before....

and the after....

The stuffing was prepared, and green beans were blanched for a Green Bean Casserole that I have had tucked away for YEARS.

Richard made the Jello Salad for me.....which turned out amazingly too.

Then, last but not least, I decided to take the plunge with fresh cranberry sauce. I had my recipe in hand. The cranberries popped and the sauce looked and smelled amazing. The goggles were necessary to save my eyes (the popping was really out of control.)

The sauce did not TASTE amazing though, and we had to make several modifications to the recipe. Overall, we were satisfied with the product on the big day.

And with many dishes (made and washed), we went to bed exhausted and ready for Turkey Day!

Apple Adventure

We went up to Carter's Mountain to get a few pounds of apples as the season comes to a close. I wanted to have fresh apples for my pie. We also picked up fresh sweet potatoes and a few mini pumpkins that the kids insisted on having.

The kids had a lovely time! Lucas remembered the apple/worm photo area and wanted me to take his picture.

I also got a few shots of the surrounding area.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have compiled a list of things for which I am thankful....Richard's claim is that we should never say we are thankful for our health or our family because that is a given.
So here is my short list...

Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser (so, when my children color with marker on the hardwood floors, I hear the jingle "Mr. Cleeeeean, Mr. Cleeeeean!" and know that I shouldn't stress about it.)

Goo Gone

Washable paints...need I say more?

Washable markers...please see above

Non-toxic products from Crayola

Adjustable waistband pants...seriously, my kids clothes DO NOT fit if they are not adjustable waist.

Sesame Street. This show keeps my kids attention like no other and allows me time to write this.

Fiesta Dinnerware...without them, I would have less joy in my day (colors make me happy)

Hot Water. I enjoy showers that are so hot they dry your skin out. It is enjoyable for the one minute of peace I get before a child realizes I am IN the shower.

Dr. Pepper. Without it, I could not survive the day.

Cotton Socks and thick warm sweaters. I am VERY cold natured.

Blankets....soft, bamboo, down, green. All of this makes for a restful night....even if I only get 30 minutes of solid sleep at a time.

And on that note, I must retire to that bed. Please stay tuned for a recap of my Thanksgiving festivities.

Down!

Sometimes, you are just in the mood for a little R&B music to get your groove on.

Lucas and Meredith always jam out to the song "Down" by Jay Sean and Lil' Wayne when we are driving in the car. So I wondered if I could capture them on film.

Richard and I laugh daily at this video. I finally decided to share with you guys (well, really I had some time between Thanksgiving preparation in the kitchen over here....)

Please watch this video in its entirely to appreciate it. I have not encouraged any moves by my children. The choreography is totally unrehearsed and original. In addition, I have NEVER shown my daughter how to wave her hands in the air and bounce up and down. Some things just come naturally to certain individuals.

Enjoy! And feel free to watch several times. I will never know. I am busy cutting onion and celery for my stuffing!

ID me

Our trip to Busch Gardens cost me my identity.
More specifically, I lost my military ID. Well, I use the term "lost" very loosely -- I just haven't seen it since then.

I haven't been overly concerned with getting a new ID made because I am currently living as a civilian in a civilian world. But should things be different, I would not exist.

If we lived elsewhere, I could not drive onto post.
I could not shop at the luxurious commissary or PX.
I could not go to the gym.
I could not get medication for myself or my children.
Infact, my "irresponsibility" of losing my ID would reflect upon Richard and make him look bad.

I didn't worry about it because I was sure it would turn up eventually. The same thing happened with my driver's license a few months back.

But I finally broke down and confessed my need for a new ID when I went into Old Navy over Veteran's Day. Because I did not have my military ID, I missed a 30% discount on my purchase!

I was appaled.

I stood in line wondering what case I could pull.
Would they believe my military status if I showed them my Tricare Insurance card?

Instead, I just cursed myself for allowing Richard to let me go shopping alone and paid like the civilian I am.

But no worries. Today, I am getting a new military ID made.

Today, I regain my identity - which in my world, entitles me to snazzy discounts.

And that is something for which I can be thankful!

I-Keaa

This post has been a long time coming....

But time is of the essence. And blogging isn't really a priority at the moment.

Anywho, we visited this wonderful store on our trip to DC. You need to find the closest one to you immediately. You will not understand how you lived prior going into the store. And try to go with ample time before closing. We only had an hour, and that was not enough time to appreciate the wonderfulness for the first time.

You walk in and they introduce you to staged living areas. Each area includes all the necessities - right down the the TV's and the tea cups left on the tables. Of course, the TV's aren't for sale. But that is besides the point. Even Lucas was filled with joy in this wonderful store.

You are able to see colors and textures intermingling with furniture and accessories. The store is really inspiring.

We saw sooo many things we liked, loved and had to have. The items have tickets on them telling you where to locate the item you want. The prices are consistently lower due to flat packaging and self-assembly.

All in all, I think Ikea is an amazing addition to the furniture industry.

Granted, we didn't purchase any furniture.

We did, however walk away with things for Christmas gifts.

So definately make your way into an I-Keaa. And make it soon.

Leaves

I hate leaves. They look pretty. But when they are knee deep to your two year old, and you are trying to remove them across your entire yard....well, it makes for a very long day.

Seven hours later, and we still aren't done, and we wonder why we allowed this much time to be spent in the yard. Nonetheless, the kids had a great time.

Lucas, standing proudly with his rake and work gloves

Meredith trying her hand at the leaves

Dixie, laughing to herself that we are nuts for thinking we could do this ourselves.

Lucas, having a ball!

Meredith, not liking to "fall" in the leaves

Diaper Duty

Last week, my children decided that they wanted to diaper the stuffed animals and baby dolls.

to take it a little further, Lucas insisted on "medicine" as well. (diaper ointment).
Meredith trying to do it herself

The lion will not be peepeeing on the floor!

Kisses from the Daddy

I just love him!

Sugary Sweet

I am currently on my fourth sugar cookie recipe. I can't find one that is yummy enough to satisfy me. I am not giving up yet....I know we can win this battle.

So here are a few photos of the babies helping me....
I have decided I need to make them their own aprons, although Meredith is super cute and looks a lot like a Mermaid.

Playing in the floured leftovers....

Watching them rise...

Crazy girl...

I did not post this photo, so you can see the clutter on my stove (those are really raw peanuts, if you care -- waiting to be cooked, or shelled and cooked - but really just eaten).

Anyways, Richard took these photos of our nutball daughter, who insisted on putting on her pink vest (which she asked for by name), over her jammies....with the hood, no doubt.

Little Builder

On Saturday, we took the kids to Lowe's for a kid's building workshop. They were given aprons, goggles, a hammer and a kit to make a wooden garage.

They had an awesome time! Lucas is a pro at using the hammer.


Meredith needs a little more work. (But being Miss Independent, would not let me help her)

Lucas admiring his finished garage!

Putting on the cool stickers.

Lucas refused to take off his goggles and apron and wore them around the store while we were shopping -- and during lunch -- and during our visit to the new Walmart!

Daddy with the crafty Connaroes!

Big Girl Bed

Rich and I decided that Meredith is ready for her big girl bed. So we deconstructed her crib and added the toddler rail.

Lucas was super excited and they both insisted on having storytime in Meredith's bed....animals and all.

She is on day three right now and is doing wonderfully. She saves me from wandering through the house half asleep in the night, because if she needs me - she comes straight to me!

Oh and speaking of big things....Lucas has been paci-free for like three weeks now!

Pizza in a Pinch!

For lunch a few days ago, Lucas announced he wanted pizza!
I freaked. How do I please a little two-year old without having pizza in the house?
What in the world do I do???

I was saved by these amazing "sandwich thins" I purchased at the store. We used them as makeshift buns for burgers, egg sandwiches for Richard's on-the-go-breakfast....and now pizza!

We spread some spaghetti sauce, sprinkled cheese, and placed the pepperoni to look like a snowman (according to Lucas)....

I liked these better than pizza on pita bread or english muffins. And the little ones were satisfied!

Brunswick Stew...

is one of my most favorite things in the world. Should you not know what Brunswick Stew is, well shame on you!

Run to your local store and buy a can of McFearmon's Brunswick Stew (the can is bright yellow and fat like a can of tomatoes). This is the closest to freshly made stew that you will ever taste.

Although, that too is hard to find. They didn't sell it in Oklahoma.....I had many sad years there, without stew to warm my soul.

Thankfully, we are back in Virginia now -- where people make and sell it regularly!

Halleluah!

Anyways, I prefer to eat mine with a spoon. Richard taught the babies a new trick -- not verbally though. This was more a monkey see, monkey do...