Random Photos

I thought I would share a few random photos.....  Check out our little Valentine monster.  Nicholas told me at 8:00 in the evening, after tennis practice,  that he needed to make a Valentine's box for his party tomorrow.  Could I help him?  Sure.... if he had told me on Monday and not Thursday evening.  Its a good thing I have a scrapbook desk filled with supplies.  I had him google Valentine boxes, we saw an image, and gave it a go.  This was what we came up with.....   It has love and hearts and Valentine's written all over it.... in a boyish sort of way...

 Gabby showing off one of her cute dresses she wore during Valentine's week... She was definitely in the spirit

 One shot using the self-timer...

 I always get the kids a small treat for Valentine's day.  It is usually books and cookies, however, this year I did something different.  Nicholas got baseball cards and Amanda got more lotions and potions.

 Even Gabby got sweet treats...

 These pictures I forgot I had on my camera... It's so great to see everyone happy and not arguing...

That's it for now.  Until later....

Pizza Time!

So the kids were off of school the entire week for mid-winter break.  It was great to sleep in and not pack lunches in the morning.  The kids played a lot of tennis and video games.  One of the fun projects we tried this week was making home made pizza.  I told the kids we would try it one day.... so this was the perfect opportunity to do something when the kids got bored.  First we made the dough which was incredibly easy with my big mixer.  The kids and I were surprised when the dough actually rose.  This was a good sign.  Amanda couldn't wait to punch down the dough before it rested and we rolled it out.  Perfect technique.... don't you think?

 Then Gabby wanted to give it a punch just like her big sister...

 Next Amanda did a good job of rolling and stretching the dough.  It pretty much looks like a pizza, don't you think?

 Now came the sauce and cheese.  I found a great recipe for sauce which tasted much better than any of the stuff I've bought in the grocery store.  It was simple and delicious.  Gabby sprinkled the cheese... and we didn't add any toppings because we were being pizza purists.

 Nicholas was feeling left out so he came around to brush olive oil on the crust....

 Now it was time to put it into the oven and hope for the best....

 10 minutes later.... Wow!  We were impressed!  It really looked like a delicious pizza!

 Pretty darn good for our first attempt at pizza making.....

 We all loved it!  The pizza was great.  I can't wait to try all kinds of new pizza combinations and it was very easy.  The only downside is that it took a little bit of advanced planning to make the dough.

 Even this picky, pizza eater liked it!

 So cute.... and happy that she has been fed....

Now.... Enough pictures already!!!

So that was our fun pizza project. Until later....

A Week or Two in Review

So.... it has been a pretty eventful couple of weeks.  Besides snow shoveling, playing in the snow, homework, tennis, concerts, speech, Dr. appointments... and a broken garage..... we have been very busy.  Before I start sharing more recent pictures, I decided to empty some off of my phone.  Check out this gem.... It is Nicholas at a USTA match in 2011.... he was about 6 years old.

Here he is this weekend.... He came in first place at a tournament and won this medal.  Way to go Nicholas!  Can you see Gabby in the background?  She is looking for more snacks at the vending machine.  It is the only way I can get her to watch hours of tennis.... packages of Oreos, M & Ms, goldfish crackers..... as long as there is a vending machine.... we are in business!

 I love this photo.  This was the ride home from the eye doctor on the first day she got her cool pink glasses.  What a cutie!

 This was another great phone pic..... Amanda had a 1/2 day of school and we went to visit her brand new baby cousin.  Adorable!

 One of Nicholas's many school projects this year.  A time line about Ronald Reagan....  It involved reading a biography, giving a speech, and making a time line of events...

 So happy to be finished....

 Our gigantic snow man... Our Frosty is one cool dude!  Nicholas started the project, but soon realized he needed Mom's help to lift those heavy snowballs.  Amanda just wanted to help with the decorations, i.e. the hat, scarf, and arms.

 A close up......

 While Nicholas was working on the snowman.... Amanda was making an igloo near the bottom of the driveway.  She wanted to tunnel her way all the way to the garage..... unfortunately she didn't account for the roof collapsing.  Where is a structural snow engineer when you need one?

 How Amanda imagined it would look like to go down the "Leap of Faith" water slide if it were constructed of snow.....

This week Amanda had her first Orchestra concert.  She plays the violin... I know you can't tell from the picture... her instrument was already at school.  I just wanted to get this shot because she looks so pretty, and it's great to see her in something other than a sweatshirt!  They had to dress all in black because I guess that is the appropriate attire for violinists!

And speaking of concerts.... Mo and I went to see Darius Rucker last week at EMU.  It was so fun.... he was great and sang all the songs we loved.  There were 2 warm-up bands that each sang 2 songs I knew..... so the concert didn't start until around 9.  We were so tired..... we weren't like those college kids who thought the night was young at 11:30 when we left.  We each had a long drive home in the snow..... but the concert was definitely worth it.  That was a great Christmas present from Steve.

Here is a random music photo of Nicholas playing the piano.... I think he really likes playing, and I don't have to pester him to practice as much as his sister.  I'll have to make a video so you can hear him.

 Steve came home early from work on Friday so there was time to play family Jenga.  The kids' ultimate goal is to build 36 levels so they can be considered Jenga Masters.....

 Unfortunately..... we weren't masters this time around.  Gabby did great.... with some careful guidance from Nicholas.... but in the end.... some lack of precise movement made for a crumbling Jenga tower.... (Now I realize she wasn't wearing her glasses..... hmmmmm..... maybe that is the key...)

 This photo I found in my photo stream..... Amanda must have taken it.  I brought Nicholas and a friend to see the Lego Movie... (which was hilarious.... for Adults) and Amanda must have made Valentines with Gabby.  Such a nice big sister! Gabby got all fancy in a summer dress for the occasion....

So that about sums up the last week or so in photos..... What will happen this week????? I'm sure ALOT!!! Until later...