February Happenings

Oh February!!  A few things have been going on around here.

Early February we had a no school day (well, actually, Ella had homework to do because in our district, they have flex learning days).  But, anyway, she and Jay stayed home and good thing because we got 12 inches of snow in Farmington!  WOWSERS!  The wind picked up as well, so our snowman started to look a little disheveled.   I left work early but still had a scary drive home that afternoon! 

Superbowl weekend, Jay was on an ice fishing trip, so Ella and I hung out some and then she spent time at a birthday party.  We made our annual oreo football dip and for dinner we made....TOTCHOS!!  They were a HUGE hit.  Delicious.  Took longer to make than traditional nachos because you have to bake the tots first, however, it was worth it.

We had a good time enjoying the game and a few of the commercials (many of them were kind of duds).  The halftime show - Chris Martin was bouncing too much and I wish he would just stand up straight!! Ella loved the halftime show and spent time dancing with Beyonce!!

 

For Valentine's this year, Ella brought fruit snacks with a little tag I found via Pinterest.  Here is the link. I'm "berry" glad we're friends.  They had a little Valentine's exchange and party in her classroom and she ate way too much candy that day!  

Valentine's weekend, Ella had a sleepover at Grandma Jolyn and Papa Paul's house.  She kept referring to this as her "trip" and she had a good time.  I was really sick with a sinus infection so Jay and I didn't really do much.  I think I spent about 80% of the weekend sitting on the couch reading or watching TV.  It was kind of nice, but too bad that we had to waste away the weekend!!  Our Valentine's Dinner:  Chipotle.  HA!

Before Ella left for the weekend, she opened her valentine from Jay and I.  She got her first Kids Bop CD (she knows just about all of the songs!), a new charm for her charm bracelet and a Shopkins.  :)

And now it's already the middle of February!  Ella came home yesterday with Pink Eye.  Neat.  We spent a  good portion of the night waiting at urgent care and then driving to get the eye drops.  She is home from school today but hopefully she will be back at school tomorrow to celebrate the 100th day of school!!

Ending January with a heat wave!

Happy February 1st!  January just flew on by don't you think?  I'm still feeling happy with myself for getting the blog updated during that long MIA stretch around the holiday season.  Let's keep the posting party going right?  It was a NICE weekend here in MN.  After a few weeks of long frigid tundra days, it was so nice to have some 30+ degree days!  We were able to wash our cars and get out and enjoy the little bit of snow that remains (although, we're going to get some fresh snow tomorrow)

Saturday we trekked down the street to the park for some good old fashioned sledding.  It was a blast!

 

Saturday night we headed to Dan's Bar in New Trier, the tiniest little town just south and east of OUR tiny little town.  It was SO BUSY!  And SO loud.  We left and I told Jay we must be getting old to complain about how loud it is during dinner.  :)  Especially when we were dining at 5 p.m. HA!

Sunday, Ella woke up with some sneezy, runny nose crap.  Yuck.  But, we made it to Sunday School and we spent time outside building a SnowGIRL.  We all took part!  Jay and Ella did most of the building and I helped with the head and getting her all decorated.  Ella gave her a name but now I can't remember what it is!!  

I baked two delicious things this weekend.  The first was a last minute find on Pinterest.  Ella wanted chocolate cake on Friday night for dessert.  We compromised and I made a hot fudge cake.  You guys, it was so easy and super delicious - however, you must serve it with vanilla ice cream!  Otherwise I think the chocolately-ness could be too much.  Try it!! I didn't take any pictures, but it looked pretty much like the picture in the link of the recipe pinner.   http://www.afamilyfeast.com/hot-fudge-pudding-cake/ 

Yesterday afternoon, I decided we should make some banana bread.  But, we had some blueberries too, so we made another delicious find from Pinterest!  It got rave reviews from Jay and Ella.  YUM! Again, no pictures of my own bread (boo!) http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2015/04/cinnamon-sugar-blueberry-banana-bread/

Let's see what the groundhog does tomorrow!

Weekending....

This weekend has been a busy one!  Saturday morning we were part of Franklin's baptism at Hosanna.  Jay and I are the god parents along with Annie's friend Debbie.  It was a good morning and I don't think Franklin cried once!

Ella and I had to ditch the luncheon to get Ella to a birthday party for her good friend Olivia.  It was at Grand Slam in Burnsville and she had the BEST time.  They were able to mini golf, ride bumper cars and jump the afternoon away in the trampolines!   Awesome!!

The remainder of Saturday and into today, Papa Gary came to town to visit.  We were able to go out for dinner and they came to church with us this morning.  Ella had a great time and loves it when people come to visit us!  Hint hint!!

Smurf Elf 2015

Here is a recap of Smurf Elf's shenanigans in 2015:

Day 1 - arrived with a note, the book and a special surprise - Elf PJs!!

Day 2 - with the ornaments

Day 3 - Crazy hair day with Cabbage Patch doll

Day 4 - working on spelling words....

Day 5 - decorating the "tree"

Day 6 - a hunt for hidden chapsticks from Smurf Elf

Day 7 - camping out

Day 8 - making an Elf sized PB&J and a big mess!

Day 9 -Smurf Elf was feeling sick with a cold and used up lots of tissues!

Day 10 - Smurf Elf hanging around with the flying dog

Day 11 - keeping an eye on things

Day 12 - Doc McStuffins and Smurf Elf with the big book of booboo's to help Cinderella

Day 13 -Smurf Elf brought some paints for the shower

Day 14 - NO Peeking!!

Day 15 - cleaning off some books in the office

Day 16 - wrapped up in lights to decorate the tree

Day 17 - Smurf Elf decorated the kitchen!

Day 18 - bundled up to stay warm!

Day 19 - Smurf Elf brought the Rudolph book and wore his own red nose to honor the theme of our family Christmas card this year!

Day 20 - Smurf Elf was trying to get Olaf's arm back from the Minion

Day 21 - growing some candy canes

Day 22 - NOT SURE!  This is what happens when I don't update the blog in a timely manner.  :)

Day 23 - walking in big shoes with Doc McStuffins!

Day 24 - sledding anyone?

See you next year!

Baking in the new year

The mild winter was fun while it lasted, wasn't it? I loved not having to worry about the weather, but January has brought some arctic temps to MN!  A few weekends ago, it was too cold to be out and about, so I spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking. 

I baked some cornbread, cinnamon banana bread and also the cupcakes pictured above - S'mores Cupcakes!  They had a marshmallow filling and I made a homemade chocolate frosting and topped with mini marshmallows.  They were so fantastic!  The base was a box mix though, and I haven't been able to find them again!  If you find them, totally try them.  Your family and friends will love you!

Ending out the year 2015 (and New Years Day!)

Christmas Vacation - Ella and Jay hung out the early part of the week (even went bowling!) and then I was off on New Years Eve to get ready for the Abbas Christmas celebration on New Years Day.  

We were finally able to make it over to Annie & Andrew's house on the 28th to meet our new little nephew: Franklin Wendell.  Ella loves babies!

And clothes with pink & sparkles on it!

A few Bunchems creations that Ella and Jay built during Christmas break....

HA!

New Years Eve - none of us were really up for much, so we ate locally and were home by like 6:30!  HA!  We didn't stay up for the ball drop either.  Maybe next year?!?!

New Years Day / Abbas Christmas

This year we celebrated at Tara and Mike's and the menu was Mexican themed.  We had Chicken enchiladas, chips and dips, Mexican pizza, Mexican corn bread, tacos and all the fixings!  And of course, Christmas cookies galore!

 So, I just realized that Harrison totally photobombed this picture!  Hilarious!

The kids drew names, and this year Dylan drew Ella's name (and vice versa). 

She got Shopkins - she was thrilled!

Apparently, Harrison's goal was to photobomb all the pictures!  :)

It was a fun day to get together and eat some delicious foods!

Happy Belated New Year!