Make Ahead Breakfasts

Brad prefers a big home-cooked breakfast or none at all.  I grew up eating cereal most of the time, but for the most part I don't mind making it.  There are days, however, that he goes into work early or I don't feel like getting up to make something.  On those days he can opt for oatmeal or cereal, but he usually eats one of these:

 At least every couple weeks I'll cook up enough ingredients to make a dozen breakfast burritos.  It really only takes me about thirty minutes to prepare everything, and since I'd be making something anyway, it's not much added time.  We each have one for breakfast, but then I'll wrap up the rest and put them in the freezer.  Then when Brad (or I) want one, he just wraps the frozen burrito in a paper towel and microwaves it for 70-90 minutes.  The options for breakfast burritos are endless.  This one isn't super healthy, but it tastes good.  It has  eggs, cheese, hash browns, turkey sausage and bacon wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Parker's Treasure Party

Parker has been SO EXCITED for his party!  He counted down the days, then hours, then minutes...seriously, this was thrilling for him!

The kids played a little "Pin the Flag on the Treasure Map".  All the older kids cheated...it was hilarious to have them pretend not to see, but rotate their flags to make them position perfectly over "X marks the spot", he, he!

It came with this sweet blindfold, ha, ha!

A while ago I asked Parker if he wanted his first friend party or if he'd rather have a family party with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  He chose to celebrate with his family.  I can't blame him, we have an amazing family!

 Parker had been anticipating our tradition of going around the room and everyone sharing things they love about Parker.  A few were comments were on his happiness, obedience and inquisitive mind. Both Uncle Ben and Grandma Pratt said something to the effect of: "I like that when I play games with Parker, I don't have to let him win, he manages to do it all on his own."  We videoed all of his compliments so he can appreciate them all later.  

Next he opened his presents. 

 Parker got so many fun gifts!

 I love how all his cousins helped deliver his gifts and then helped him open them too, ha, ha! 

 As always, everyone was very generous!

 Afterwards Parker went around the room to thank everyone and give them hugs.

Parker had requested a treasure chest cake.  He didn't want a pirate theme per se, just the treasure and treasure map part, ha. ha!  The cake turned out pretty well, although looks structurally compromised.  Parker LOVED it!  He prayed that it would be the "best, best, best, .... (dozen more "bests") ...cake ever!"  Well, it did taste pretty fantastic thanks to this amazing recipe and his prayer, I'm sure!"

 So excited to blow out his candles!

Parker had so much fun helping select and prepare the favors.

 Afterwards we tried out all of Parker's fun new toys.

 Jason giving the new football a ride in the wagon.

We had dinner at my parents' and had a little birthday celebration for my brother Ben, who is Parker's "birthday neighbor", since their birthdays fall two days apart.

Parker is such an incredible kid!  I am so glad he's ours and it's so fun to celebrate with the years he's been in our family!

Thanksgiving Celebrations

The couple days leading up to Thanksgiving I made nine pies. That was my assignment on both sides. Here are photos of a bunch: apple, pumpkin, chocolate banana cream, key lime, lemon meringue, peanut butter and then some duplicates. I got most of the recipes off allrecipes.com. I'd definitely recommend the ones I added links for, although they were all very good.

On the evening before Thanksgiving, we got together with Brad's family. All of the food was delicious!

Jas

Will

Adam is such a ham; I love it!

Jen and Eric

Liesel

Isaac and Adam

Jason

Brad's wonderful parents

Brad and I

I love that Liesel is so loved by her aunts and uncles!

Liesel and Jen

Liesel and Jake

Janelle, McKenzie and Kim

Jackie and Will

Isabelle and Parker (Nice glasses, bud!)

Isaac, Jen and Kade

Me with my amazing sister-in-laws

After dinner, we went around the room and said what we were grateful for. Parker said food and Jason said his family.

My neices and nephews are so cute!

Jason looks so grown up in this photo as he's sharing what he's grateful for. Half of the family cried as we shared how blessed we are. I feel truly grateful for so many things, including having married into such an incredible family!

On Thanksgiving Day we went to my Aunt Amber's with my mom's side of the family. I don't know why I forgot to take any photos, but we had a great time. Afterwards we went to my parents' and had a little birthday party for my mom. Her birthday was a few days before Thanksgiving, but we thought we'd celebrate when my brother Pete would be in town.

Parker doing "heavy hangover" to give Grandma her gift.

Later on we went over to Jake and Jackie's to hang out. What a fun holiday!

Liesel's Ladybug Birthday Party

Today is my angel baby Liesel's first birthday, so it's fitting that I'm posting about her party today. We gave her a ladybug themed party. Here is the invitation:

I used a ton of red and black food coloring when I made the cake and cupcakes.

Liesel didn't know quite what to do with her first gift.

Once the first present was open, she knew just how to rip them open.

It's so cute how all of her cousins and brothers gathered around to watch and "help" her open her gifts.

Here are some of the guests at her party:

Liesel was not sure what to think of her first bite of cupcake. She made this funny face.

She certainly decided she liked it, because she kept on eating.

Happy Birthday Sweet Liesel!

Thanks to all of our generous family who came! We are so grateful for you!