ebelskievers, say that 3x's fast!

Do you ever have breakfast for dinner? Well today Noah thought I was going to make pancakes for breakfast but I didn't, I made cereal for breakfast! The kids really don't dig on cereal too often. They like variety and I guess Noah felt like it was time for something special. So I told him I'd make him pancakes for dinner! The kids got all excited and talked about it all day! Of course they didn't want Bisquick, they wanted their VERY favorite breakfast in the whole world! That would be "round pancakes" (as the kids like to call them)or ebelskievers! For those of you who haven't tried these and don't know what I'm talking about, go to Plates and Palates, Williams-Sonoma or Sur La Table and get an ebelskiever pan! Then, go to Williams-Sonoma.com and get some recipes or ask me for one I found that I love! These pancakes are so light and have the best flavor! They are made with buttermilk, sour cream and whipped egg whites to give a light, fluffy texture inside! They are Danish if you can't tell by the name. You can fill them with jam, caramelized apples, lemon curd and mascarpone cheese, or just sprinkle with powdered sugar and drizzle with syrup! Last night I made maple whipped cream to go with them! We DID have dinner, by the way, and THEN our pancakes for dessert but I think that was just for the sake of Kelly and I. The kids would have been just fine having only pancakes for dinner. What kid wouldn't?

Warminest

It started in our rental. On cold mornings, Bailey, and Noah and eventually Sam, would sit on the heating vents on the floor to get warm. They soon called it "The Warminess." Now, 4 years later, all 4 of our children call it the same thing, sitting territorially on their warminess! This only happens in the morning when the house is chilly. I love to see them all in the great room, huddled with blankets and warming their little bottoms!

Results for week 2 House Challenge

House #1

House #2

#2 is still the winner! I'm secretly glad of that even though I'm always sad to see the other house go! I love all these houses for different reasons. I am drawn to grey, white and yellow houses also the wood shingle! So here is a shingle style colonial from the CUTEST seaside town in CT! I love the front door! What a cute idea to do a Dutch door and look at the color! Martha would drool! The side and back are so great too, wish I had pictures of it!

She's got the whole world in her hands!

She's calling her agent to book her trip!

She just got the price!!!!

In our family we like to play the globe game where you spin the globe and then when it stops, you point. Where ever your finger lands is your next destination. So today, I was on the computer which is right next to the globe and Jenna started spinning! She had fun telling me where she wanted to live! Usually Kelly and I just dream of vacation destinations but Jenna wants to move there! I don't know about Iceland. Hopefully our children will grow to love travel as much as their parents!

happy birthday Kel!

Wasn't he adorable? Now you know where our children get their blond locks! Today is Kelly's B-day. He gets to go to work, then Noah's soccer game, then pack meeting! Woo Hoo! Needless to say, we'll be celebrating this weekend!

Birthdays at the park

Grampy and Owen

Em and Chance

Sam and Chrissy
Lesson: Always wear your bike helmet when riding fast through a park!

The "Girls Club" is back in order now that Dev is home!

Andy, Kelly, Brandon

March 21st is my Dad's birthday AND my sister Em's as well! Kelly's is the 24th and so we celebrated his birthday with theirs this weekend at the park! All of our kids ran around, rode bikes and scooters, played basket ball, and spent a lot of time swinging on the swings while the adults sat back, relaxed and ate, talked and opened presents. Good times!

Llama Llama!

Jenna and I went to visit the llamas today. She absolutly LOVED it! Now we are going to have a hard time driving by without stopping!

I need Lent!

Yesterday, when I was getting my hair done, Lyn (my hair dresser) started talking about Lent (she's Catholic). Her family is so good every year-no alcohol or chocolate and this year, no grocery shopping unless it's an emergency! They are eating out of their pantry! Well, as I sat and listened to her I thought how brilliant the whole Lent thing is! I don't need to worry about the alcohol-no problem. Or meat-who cares! I can do without chocolate too! I don't want to eat out of my pantry-not until a disaster hits but that is just their deal anyway. I HATE fasting! That would be hard for me since I turn into a BEAST without food! But I thought that maybe I should go without something for a month until Easter! Hmmmm...what about treats in general? Those darn Girl Scouts are out in force again, looking angelic in their tidy uniforms, but lulling you with their boxes and boxes of fatty goodness! I've already eaten too many to feel comfortable admitting. (Thanks Kelly for getting sucked into their temptation!) Do you think I can do it? If you know me well you KNOW that it would be a sacrifice to say the least! I'm going to try this. I need to support my Catholic blood! Right Dad? (His fam is Catholic) Anyone want to join me? I'm trying to convert Kelly! Wish me luck!

Bailey's Art

Bailey has always loved art! When she was 4 she started a class through our community center in Castro Valley and went there for a few years. Then last summer, she took a class at the Bountiful Art Center with Marco. Recently we started her with Chris Jacobs who is the art teacher for the Charter school in North Salt Lake and she LOVES it! She is coming along well and enjoying all that she is learning! I love the city picture! It's fun to see her doing what she loves!

House Challenge Results for week one:

House #1

House #2

#2 won last week's challenge! This house IS so cute and charming! I can see a black and white checked tile entry, white everywhere with fun, bright colors to accent, lots of wainscoting, fun transoms...I love to dream of this house! BUT there are so many others to choose from so here is the new house of the week! It is grey shingle, love the porch in front and back! Sorry, not the best photos but I was in a hurry and didn't want to get caught taking the picture! Cast your votes!

Camera 101

My dear friend Carin had a photography workshop last Saturday which was fabulous! It was all day camera but really fun too since many of our friends and neighbors were there! It was a little mind boggling at first but by the end of the day I felt like I knew what I was doing! I got a few good shots and had a lot of laughs in the process. We had a practice day at the park today with our kids. It was WINDY and COLD but I got a few descent shots anyway! I am in awe of Carin's work and love her as our family photographer and friend! She is AMAZING both as an artist and as a person! So, thank you for a great day Carin and I WILL keep practicing!