Long Beach Island 2010

There is one family tradition that I look forward to year after year. For many, many years (since before I was born) my moms side of the family has made their way to LBI for some summertime fun. In fact, I just found out that my great, great grandfather enjoyed spending time at LBI. My great grandparents and my grandparents both had beach housed there at one time. It's calm atmosphere is so appealing to me.Last week we gathered together for yet another week together at LBI. We were so happy to have my Aunt Wendy join us this year as well. She lives on Nantucket Island and we don't get to see her very often. We had a very full beach house but it is always nice to be together as a family. They boys really enjoyed the beach this year too. It was fun building sand castles, flying kites and jumping waves with them. I can only hope that they will grow up with many fond memories of LBI.

It's already finished

I feel like I was just posting the picture of my sweet little Dylan on his first day of preschool. Now here I am posting about his last day. I have seen so much growth in Dylan over the past eight months. He is doing well with writing his name. He know the days of the week and he is understanding time. He has grown so much socially too. I am so proud of my big boy. I can't wait to spend the summer playing with the boys and enjoy them as much as possible. They are growing up too fast!!

God is so good

Why is it so easy to lose focus on the things that are important? I had intended to stay really focused on the Holy week this year. I always wish after the fact that I had spent more time focusing on all that surrounds the week of Jesus death. I wish that I could be more intentional about my faith. So here it is Good Friday and I have lost focus once again. Thankfully, the story of Jesus death does not end on Good Friday. Thankfully, I am saved by grace. Thankfully, Jesus died for ME. How can I ever comprehend the love that He has for me? That he died in my place for my sin? Jesus you are so amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

My newest obsession

I have a new love (sorry honey). I found a recipe for the most amazing Cinnamon Swirl bread. I just can't stop making (or eating) it. It is so sweet and yummy, especially when it is still warm. I have made french toast with it and yummy lunchtime sandwiches. I seriously can't get enough of the stuff.

So here it is, my new favorite bread recipe.

1. Dissolve 1 packet of dry yeast with a pinch of sugar in 1 cup of lukewarm water. Let sit for 15 minutes (until mixture bubbles).
2. Combine yeast mixture with 3 C. Flour, 1 tsp salt, 3 Tbsp. sugar, 6Tbsp. Butter (softened), 1/4 C. dry milk and 1/2 C. Instant Mashed Potato Flakes. Mix using dough hooks for 7 minutes (or until dough is smooth).
3. Place dough in greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled (about an hour).
4. Transfer dough to lightly greased work surface. Pat into 6x12 rectangle.
5. Brush with egg wash mixture (1 egg and 1Tbsp. water stirred). Sprinkle with filling (1/4 C. Sugar, 1 1/2 Tsp. cinnamon and 2 Tsp. Flour).
6. Roll dough into log and transfer seam down to greased bread pan. Tent loosely with greased plastic and let rise for an hour.
7. Bake bread on 350 for 40-45 minutes. Tent with foil for the first 15 minutes.

Dreaming....

This has been a terrible week. The boys have been sick with a stomach bug that just doesn't want to leave them. This has made for quite a few wakeful nights and long sleepy days. I must admit I am worn out. I noticed today that I was more on edge. I found myself raising my voice at the boys over the most insignificant things. I don't like to feel that way. I put myself in a time out today and went to a happier place in my mind. It is somewhere warm and inviting. Somewhere that all the cares in the world just seem to fade.....

Christmas 2009

I am finally getting around to finishing this entry. Actually keepin' up with the boys seems to be taking up more of my time now. But that is for another post.

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It was nice to have everyone come to us for a change. We spend so many of our Christmases traveling around trying to visit family. Since our families live far away (mine in northern PA and Steve's in Maine) it always feels like we are on the road during the holidays.

The boys were so excited about Christmas this year. Our Christmas festivities began with my parents arriving in the afternoon on Christmas eve. Then, in the evening we went to our churches Christmas eve service. It was so nice. After the service we drove around for a bit looking at Christmas lights in the neighborhoods. This is something that Steve's family used to do when he was growing up.

Since Steve and I were never brought up believing in Santa, we have decided that we won't be doing much in the way of Santa for our kids. I know that this decision is against the "flow" of society, but it is something that we both feel is a good choice for our family.

One tradition that I want to start is to have a "birthday party" for baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. Since we were looking at the lights this year we ran out of time to do this. I am hoping that next year and in years to come we can add this in to our evening.

Christmas morning brought so much excitement to our home. I had decided that we would have a light breakfast first thing and then do a big brunch later in the morning. Once my sister arrived, the kids were ready to dive in to their gifts. Actually, I was amazed how polite they were in the midst of it all. Yes they were ripping and tearing into everything, but there were a lot of "thank yous" and hugs too. A proud moment for me. We got about half way through with the unwrapping and my grandparents and aunt and uncle arrived. We had invited them to come for brunch and to give gifts. It actually worked out perfectly for the boys to have a little break. They seemed to enjoy just playing with the gifts that they had gotten so far.

The brunch turned out great. Our menu: Ham and asparagus quiche, fresh fruit platter, Belgian Waffles, Sausage and of course my grandmother's Holiday Pudding. Perfect!!

It was great to spend some time with my grandparents and aunt and uncle. They left in the early afternoon and then we had some down time. It was nice to take a break.

We were so happy to have our friends Jeff and Emily join us for Christmas dinner that evening. They are expecting a baby in January and couldn't travel to visit family this year. We had a delicious ham dinner and a great time with my family and our friends.

The next day Steve's mom and sister drove down from Maine to spend a few days with us . It was so good to have both of our families here. This is something that does not happen often. We celebrated Christmas with Steve's family Saturday night after they arrived. Then we enjoyed a delicious dinner from our favorite place, Tallutos. It is a little Italian market that sells fresh pasta and sauces. I highly recommend everything that they make. Yummy!!!

We had such a great Christmas. I feel truly blessed.

Pre-Christmas festivities

Wow! Have I really not posted anything since Thanksgiving???? I guess I really did get caught up in the business of the holidays.

This year we were so excited to have everyone come here for Christmas. I should start out with our Christmas preparations. We were excited to get a real Christmas tree this year. We usually use our artificial tree the years we are not going to be here for Christmas. Anyway.... I just love having a real Christmas tree. It smells so good and there is something so heartwarming about it. The boys were really into helping to decorate the tree. Dylan was so excited to rediscover the ornaments he had received from previous Christmases.


One of my favorite things I did with the boys this year was a gingerbread house. Despite the fact that Ethan thought that all the candy belonged in his mouth, I think it turned out pretty well.

Another fun thing that we did this year was go to Christmas Candy Lane in Hershey. We went out as soon as Steve was finished with work and had dinner there. They we walked around the park looking at the pretty lights and of course riding the rides. Dylan and Ethan's favorite was the tiny tracks train ride. I think they rode it 5 or 6 times.
I really wish we had taken more pictures of Candy lane. But the boys were just running from one ride to the next. They had so much fun. We stayed until the park closed and then drove home.

On Dylan's last day of school, the kids put on a Christmas program. We had forgotten our camera (yes I know, how do parents forget their camera when their child is doing his first school program). I am hoping that my sister got some good shots which I will add later. Dylan was so excited about singing the songs that he had learned. He sang his heart out and played his tambourine so well. The both sad and humorous part of the story comes at the end of the program when a "special guest" enters the room. That's right, Santa arrived at the end of the Christmas program. Poor Dylan is so petrified of Santa (can't figure out what caused such fear). He immedialty ran to his teacher and literally climbed her like a tree. His teacher said later she had never seen anything like it. That is my son. But all in all it was a fun night.

As we were preparing for everyone to come for Christmas, I was busy in the kitchen trying to get food ready. The boys were a big help with making the rolls.
We were really excited to have a white Christmas this year. We were outside every possible moment the two days after it snowed.
Ethan was so intrigued by the fact that the snow went above his knees.

In my next blog I will post all about Christmas and New Years.