Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Cookie decorating

Brenna and I decorated cookies this year for Santa and just had so much fun.

Here is a pic of my "Brown Eyed Girl" (which by the way Brenna thinks that song says, "Brenna Girl" which I just love!)


Getting our supplies ready! Alot of our toppings came from cooking kits that Grandma Bev had given the kids.







Aren't her little fingers adorable?




Santa was in for a sugar rush that night!








Thursday, January 8, 2009

Put on your yarmulke, here comes Chanukah



Zack had great grandparents who were Jews from Poland who came to the US as young adults. I love learning about other cultures and family history so it has been a real blessing that we get to learn more about the Jewish culture with my in laws. My mother in law does a great job of incorporating some traditions throughout the year for some of the Jewish holidays. I love the kids getting to participate in something unique about their ancestory.


Here is Brenna helping me make a honey cake. This recipe is from Zack's great grandma. I believe it is traditional for Rosh Hashana, but is eaten at other holidays as well.


Grandma Bev roasting the chickens


Latkes. Yum. Latkes are potato pancakes.


Cooked apples. Double yum.


A chanukah feast my friends. Delicious. This is challa (jewish bread, pronounced hallah), roasted chicken, sweet glazed carrots, latkes and cooked apples.


Here are the kids enjoying the meal. You can tell that Gavin is really enjoying it by the mess that he has all over his face!


Bev helping the kids light the candles. It was the first night. There is a prayer that is said while lighting the candles and Bev has the kids repeat after her. Isn't this a great tradition for the kids to take part in? It is something I think they will have many memories of as they get older.



Trying to say the prayer in Hebrew!


This is a youtube video of another kid learning the prayer! I thought this was pretty cute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qf6JQdO8PE

Grandma Shirley. Her parents were the immigrants from Poland.


It is also traditional to play dreidel at Chanukah but Gavin forgot to bring his! I had bought him one last year that he got to paint on. We will have to remember for next year.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Union Station

My mom and dad took the kids up to KC for a fun day a few weeks ago.



Seeing the minature train




Having fun at the Lincoln exhibit


Such a beautiful building!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

2nd grade music program

Gavin had his 2nd grade music program in December.


Playing the xylophone.


Grandma Bev


Grandma Shirley


One of his good buddies


Another good buddy

Rebels!

I found Gavin sleeping with a flag from Ireland the other day. This flag is for the Cork Rebels, the home team of our dear friends. He shows his allegiance proudly!

The new kitty

This is Bev and Gene's new kitty. She is very cute!

Sunset

We are blessed by living at the edge of town and have had some gorgeous evening skies in the last few weeks! This is not a good picture, but it at least captures a bit of what we saw one evening.

Aunt Sumre

Brenna loves her Aunt Sumre!




She is loved.

Friends

Gavin and his friend Odie at the Lakes.


They are good buds.

I didn't forget the blog!

Sorry for my delay in blogging. My laptop has been out of commission and I just got it back today!

I have a lot of blogging to catch up on!