e-z bake oven

Finley got an e-z bake oven for christmas, they love to help me bake so it was the perfect gift.  I had one growing up but the new ones are nothing like it (a lot safer I'm guessing).  So far we've made chocolate chip cookies and red velvet cupcakes.  Just for a reference the cookies used a packet of mix with one teaspoon of water and you were suppose to make 12 cookies with that (12 really small cookies).  The cupcakes used a tablespoon of water plus the mix and made 12 cupcakes, here they are.

yes those are 6 "cupcakes" e-z bake oven style

one bite for Norah and they're down the hatch

These cupcakes are a lot of work and take quite a while to cook - 9mins cooking and 5mins in the cool down chamber.  That is like an eternity for my kids, they ask a million times when they're gonna be ready.  They do enjoy making them but I think we may stick to the real deal for a while, plus we're out of the e-z bake mixes.

a new friend

These guys live about 10mins from our house, we first found them driving to a park to play and it was feeding time at the ranch.  I'm guessing it's considered a wildlife ranch considering they have zebra, llama, longhorns, bison, camels and ostrich (who owns all of these creatures I'm not sure).  Anyway the girls and I went back and brought some carrots, this big guy followed them all around and ate every single carrot - hopefully they're on his list of approved foods...

feeding him the carrots

Pearl farmers market

One of our favorite places to go on saturday morning is the pearl farmers market, it's on a less traveled part of the riverwalk and by far the most beautiful.  We usually check out all the vendors first, buy what looks good, grab some breakfast and hot chocolate/coffee/tea, take a break to eat and then head off down the river.  It was in the mid-seventies this week, yes in January, so we really got to enjoy being outside.

the kids picked out a gigantic muffin (this was only half)

they decided to feed the rest of their muffins to the ducks

see all the fist hanging under the bridge, the are illuminated at night (which we have yet to see)

can you guess who's taking a 'rest'

If you ever visit San Antonio this area of the river is a must see, much better than the touristy area downtown in my opinion.

eleven months

Sweet Peas eleven month passed while our computer was malfunctioning so here it is.  I'm eleven months and just as feisty as ever.  I love Daddy the most and have him wrapped around my finger, when he comes home from work I get so excited I kick my legs like crazy.  I am standing up and cruising around on all the furniture which means many spilled drinks and messes (the big kids don't always put their stuff away).  I want to talk in the worst way and can't wait to be able play with everyone outside, mommy doesn't like me crawling around on the street but it's too fun to resist.  I was at the doctor for an ear infection and they weighed me, a whopping 17lbs, I'm gonna be petite like the rest of the crew.

New Years Day

This pretty much sums up our new years day: being lazy, watching movies, eating junk party foods, a perfect day to start off 2012.

Our Christmas morning

You can imagine the anticipation leading up to Christmas morning in our house, the three big kids having been counting the days for what seems like forever.  I think O started waking up around 2am, came running into our room and told us Santa had already been here with a play by play of what he could see in the living room.  We had to convince him several times that it was still night time and he had to go back to bed, I think Kev finally ended up sleeping with him to ensure he'd stay in bed.

Before all the chaos really begins, yes we separate the kids gifts and strategically place them far enough away from each other to control any misguided opening of each others gifts.

Keira got a new bike and scooter, pink of course with tassels hanging, right up her alley

I have no idea who got what from who since all three of them were just ripping into stuff left and right

The only gift the girls consistently asked Santa for was sparkly dancing shoes, they were a big hit!  

With all the commotion Norah finally woke up and got right into the gift opening

The living room is slowly filling up with toys - everywhere

We had a very low key day, letting the kids play with their stuff and not rushing around to have to be somewhere at a specific time.  I think they opened and played with every single gift, we were exhausted by the time it was time for bed!

Welcome 2012

From our family to yours we wish you health and happiness this new year!  We are looking forward to many adventures, not yet knowing what may be in store for us but excited for what is to come.