Chefs

Adelie and Briggs like to experiment in the kitchen to come up with their own recipes and desserts.  The scoop of peanut butter and jelly in a cupcake wrapper with sprinkles and a cupcake topper is a favorite for them to make.  Adelie has experimented with rolling marshmallows in peanut butter and topping with cinnamon and sugar.  Briggs' masterpiece was his Lemon Zings, which were Ritz crackers with homemade lemon glaze (lemon juice and powdered sugar) in the middle and dipped in melted white chocolate.  Those were the biggest triumph so far. 

The other day, we were sitting at dinner and Briggs mentioned that he had made us something for dessert.  When I asked what it was, he said, "Lemon bun cake."  Impressed, I responded, "You made a lemon bundt cake?"  To which he replied, "No.  It's a lemon bun cake.  It's my lemon icing on a bun."

So that night after dinner, we all ate half of a hamburger bun with lemon glaze on top.

Question of the Day

Why is it that my son doesn't think to mention the white t-shirt he needs for tie dye day until dinner the night before he needs it...in a town where every other 3rd grader needs a white t-shirt to tie dye too?

Family Pictures

It had been several years since we had done family pictures with Zach's side of the family.  Jill's family has grown by 3 since that time, so we tackled the task of comparing our schedules to see if we could find a time to make it happen. Thankfully the photographer was available on the ONE day we could find.  And it was a success!

Jill and her family

Uma and Papa

Grandparents and grandkids

The cousins

The whole fam

Briggs

Adelie

Staley

Us

And our family!

This Girl

Adelie lost a tooth the other night.  And then, the very next night, she lost another one.  I said, "I didn't realize you had TWO loose teeth."  She responded, "Well, this one might not have been ready to come out but I wiggled it all day and then just kind of ripped it out."

When you are motivated by the $2 from the tooth fairy, I guess you do what you've gotta do.

And Now It's October

The first quarter of the school year is just about over, and I'm not sure where it went.  So many things have taken a back seat to the time spent with school and cross country and other kid activities.  Blogging has been one of those, which is why I'm now trying to catch up on the last month and a half of our busy, crazy life.

Cross country has filled so much of our time this fall.  With Staley and I both involved in EMS cross country, we have practice or meets 5 days/week.  With sectionals coming up on Saturday, the end of the season is in sight.  Once the season ends, Staley's cross country season will have its own post, but in a post about what has been keeping us so busy this fall, cross country definitely needs to be mentioned.

While Staley and I have been busy with EMS cross country, Zach has kept busy with his timing business as well as being an assistant cross country coach at Eureka College.  (Not to mention his new position at State Farm that he really enjoys, but keeps his days super busy as well.)

The kids are still involved and busy with their theater group.  They've started rehearsals for their winter show while also performing with their Rising Stars and Singapella groups at various festivals and businesses around the area.

Both girls got the opportunity to perform their summer solos ("Shiny" and "Naughty") one more time.

Staley's new Kickline performing dance group has also had a few opportunities to perform.

We helped the girls' singing teacher and NTA director, Miss Taylor, celebrate her son Kayson's first birthday at a fun one year old birthday party.  The kids enjoyed the time spent with their NTA friends.

The girls and I also dressed up and attended NTA's 80's Cabaret one evening.

We had a great time!  The performers were so talented, the music was nostalgic and fun, and the kids had a great time hanging out with their NTA friends for the evening.

Briggs is almost done with his season of fall soccer.  I'll do a full post about his season when it's over, but a number of our Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons have been spent watching Briggs play soccer.

Although life has been too busy to get away for an anniversary get-away this fall, Zach and I enjoyed an anniversary date night of dinner out, a few errands, a nice walk, and some ice cream.  After 22 years of marriage, that seems like the right amount of low-key togetherness needed to celebrate.

We enjoyed a week of Homecoming festivities at the schools.  There were dress up days,..

including dress like a twin day.

The parade was a highlight.  Briggs, Staley, and I rode on the EMS CC float.

During Homecoming week, the cross country team spent a few hours during/after practice making float decorations, bleaching t-shirts, and having a team meal as part of the fun.

Briggs was so excited to be included on the float.

Adelie chose to watch the parade with her friend, Stella, instead of riding on the float.  She secured enough parade candy for the entire family!

Although I was worn out from the festivities and stayed home, Zach took the kids to the Homecoming football game to cap off a fun week of festive activities.

I got to join Staley and the girls in her class on their field trip to Timber Pointe camp in Bloomington.  They spent the day outdoors doing team building and adventure activities.

There was archery, boat building, and a photo scavenger hunt...

but the highlights were the rock wall, the zipline,...

and the giant swing.  It was a really fun day and a really fun fieldtrip.  And although I was unable to attend, Briggs also had a fall fieldtrip to Wildlife Prairie Park.

What started as an opportunity to give our nephew a summer job by doing a little painting around the house has been the catalyst to some home redecorating, including lots of painting, cleaning out, and a day trip to Ikea with a friend of mine.

There has been running and performing, field trips and football games, lessons and activities, soccer and timing, house projects and to-do lists, working and volunteering, friends and fun.  This first quarter of the school year has flown by, but it has been filled with things we all enjoy.  As we settle into fall, I'm excited for what is new and next for our family.  I'm sure it will keep of busy...but I'm sure it will all be good.

Date Night

The other day all the kids were gone for the afternoon and evening, so Zach and I went out for an early dinner and to run some errands.  When we were planning our evening, Zach exclaimed, "It's a date!"  I countered, "But is it?  I mean, it's just dinner and errands."  Zach replied, "We're in our mid-40's with 3 kids.  That is definitely a date."

Oh, how the definition of date night has changed.  But I guess if we are eating not at home and not with the kids, a date it is...even if it's followed up with a trip to Menards.

He Says...

Last night Briggs had a soccer game that I was unable to attend.  When I got home, I asked him how the game was.  He said, "Great!  We won!  Or maybe we tied.  Or maybe they won.  I'm not really sure."

Oh, the joys of youth soccer where they don't keep score, everyone thinks they win, and the snacks are the best part.