Cupcakes!

Last week I got it in my head to make cupcakes, not sure why but now I was on a mission. Well, I was out of sugar but I had a box mix for chocolate cake so I thought "Well this will be fine since they really aren't for anything other than the kids to have." Well, I don't know what is wrong with me since I do my baking from scratch and don't have any problems but apparently I am unable to produce cupcakes from a mix. These things were concave and rock hard, not good. The next day Joseph and I went to the store and got sugar, and a few other things, came home and made cupcakes the right way-they came out fine, so how am I the only person that can not cook from a box! Later that night I let the kids frost and decorate the box cupcakes while I did the good ones.

Eileen adding sprinkles to her cupcakes

Olivia working on her plate

Joseph put some sprinkles on his cupcakes and some in his mouth

The kids thought it was great that Mom relaxed a bit and let them do their own thing!

Good thing I was able to do my own thing.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, rock hard, dry cupcakes-but we got to make them so they taste great!

Almost through the holidays...

Happy New Year!

Joseph thought that it was great that the goal was to be as loud as possible!

We had Bryan's family over again this year to ring in the New Year. It is always so nice to both end and begin the year with a house full of people you love. We were excited to try out the new Milwaukee trivia game Bryan got for Christmas this year, it was a bit challenging so we didn't play for too long, we will have to try it again soon.

The kids loved all the snacks

Joseph and Grandpa, check out the matching smiles

Christmas Continued

We went to Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas dinner, but didn't make it very long since Joseph got sick and Bryan for got the camera in the car so no pix. The kids were having so much fun and the girls love their new American Girl dolls, and Joseph is constantly "working" with Bryan in the basement now that he has his own tool bench! We went to Madison the day after Christmas to visit with the fam., we were really missing Mike, Jen, Gwendolyn and Liam-hope they can make it down next year! I'm not sure why I don't have many pictures from our visit but here are a few!

Olivia's Godparents, Jonathan and Sigan, gave her a new game for Christmas. Olivia, Eileen, Uncle Jonathan and Amelia enjoyed playing together.

Papa took the kids out to make a snowman while we were at their house.

Christmas Morning!

The stockings were filled before the kids got up.

The kids actually slept well and didn't get up until around 7, so that was nice, but once they were up they were UP!! The pure excitement, wonder, amazement and joy that a child shows on Christmas morning when they walk into the room and see that Santa did come, and he did fill their stocking is incomparable and one of those moments as a parent that you get to just smile and feel the spirit of the season.

Olivia was the first one up (I know what a shock!), and she could not wait to get into her stocking and see what Santa had brought her!

I love this picture of Eileen, morning (early morning) is not her favorite time of day but there was no way she was going to be the last on to get her stocking!

Joseph got up, got his stocking, dumped it and began eating candy and didn't stop all day!

I wonder why he got sick at Grandma and Grandpa's house later?

Santa even came for Bryan and I

Olivia's favorite gift this year was from Joseph, a Gabriella doll that sings, she was so excited!

Joseph gave Eileen a Sharpay doll that sings, the girls play with them all the time!

We gave Eileen a pink MP3 player, she has been good about letting her brother and sister listen too.

Bryan and I loaded it with songs for her before we gave it to her, but he and Joseph were looking for more soon after she opened it!

Christmas Eve Joseph, Eileen and Olivia in the Christmas outfits, please keep in mind that Joseph is 2.5 and there was no way to keep his shirt tucked in.

This year for the first time we stayed home for Christmas Eve, and it was very nice to begin our own traditions in our home (we did miss being at Nana and Papa's though). We had a nice dinner when Bryan got home from work then we went to Mass, and for the most part (keep in mind the excitement level we are working with) they did great. After Mass we came home and lit the Christmas candle from the Advent wreath, blessed the manger and placed baby Jesus in it, and blessed the Christmas tree. Joseph was so sweet, when I placed Jesus in the manger Joseph dropped to his knees and gently stroked the dolls head-it was such a tender moment and one I hope to never forget. After all of the blessings we moved into the family room and ate cookies, and hung our stockings. After getting their gift of new pajamas we read some stories checked where Santa was on the computer and off to bed!

Eileen was the first to hang her stocking this year, the kids are so lucky to have these that Nana made for them.

Olivia, without tights, getting a little help with hers

Joseph putting his up

All three stockings hung by the fire with care.

Enjoying a few cookies before we made a plate for Santa

Every year the kids each get one gift to open on Christmas Eve, new pajamas, this is Joseph opening his.

The kids in their new pajamas listening to a few Christmas stories before going to bed. This year we tracked Santa on the computer and Olivia was so funny, she kept going over to to computer to see where he was and telling us that she thought it was time for bed! If only she was that eager for bed every night!

Sledding!
The kids each received a sled for St. Nick this year, with all the snow we had we decided to take the kids out for a real run. For whatever reason here in the Milwaukee area they name all of the sledding hills, in the Falls it's Killer Hill. It was a big hill and I wasn't sure how the kids would do with it, but they loved it!

This is Joseph climbing over the snow bank to get to the hill.

By the time I got Joseph to the top of the hill Eileen was half way down with Olivia hot on her tail, and yes that is a river at the bottom of the hill! I ran after them not knowing how far they would go but all was well no one got wet.

Eileen was such a trooper and walked up the hill pulling her sled every time without complaint! Olivia walked herself up but either Bryan or I pulled her sled and Joseph got a ride going and coming.

I love this picture of Bryan pulling Olivia and Joseph.

After getting all cold and wet we had to go to Nino's for some Hot Chocolate!

Eileen with hers

Olivia has become quite the camera ham!

Joseph loves anything sweet!

I'm not sure why this isn't working for me, I can't see the pictures but I guess they are working...I will post but I can't comment on the individual pix-I guess we will see how this goes!
We went back to the tree farm again for our tree and ofcourse it was again freezing cold out so the kids were not thrilled about being out there but we got a nice tree and the kids had fun decorating it. This year it was Joseph's turn to put the star on top of the tree.